Welcoming Emmalane Grace

Today has been one of the craziest days I have experienced in a while. It started with a call from my mom around 8:15 this morning telling me that my sister was experiencing some cramping, and she was taking her to the hospital.  Cherry was a month from her due date, so we were all quite scared. I ran to Cherry's house to take care of her other daughter, Taylor, until someone got there. In the meantime we called Jeremy, her husband, and told him he needed to get to the hospital ASAP.

At this point we didn't know if she was in "normal" labor or if the baby was in distress. (She had a scheduled C-section with Taylor, so she never experienced labor pains.)  I got to the hospital around 9:40, and was greeted with a swarm of nurses and doctors running around like crazy.  Cherry was definitely in labor, and she got to the hospital in just enough time. (For those who care to know...she was already 10 centimeters dilated and Emmalane was already "crowning.")  Jeremy showed up about 15 minutes later, and all was set to have this little girl.  At 10:05 a.m. Emmalane Grace Shaw made her grand appearance, weighing in at 5lb and 9 oz.

Yes...you read that correctly, from the time she entered the hospital to the time she had Emma was a whopping 30 minutes!! There was no time for pain meds or anything...just time for Emma to not be born on I-20.  (I'm tired just re-telling that! :) )

She is absolutely precious, and she has already stolen all of our hearts! God is so good, and He reminds us that HIS timing in always perfect.  Mommy and baby are doing great, and God has added to our family a blessing beyond blessings!

Enjoy some pics from the day...

Introducing Emmalane Grace

Taylor (Big Sister) and Aunt Mimi waiting to see Emmalane

Micah (my nephew) getting in on the action

What a blessed, surprising day for the Shaw/Taylor family!!

Birthdays and Baby Showers

This weekend was a busy weekend, but it was filled with time with the family. We celebrated by little nephew's 1st Birthday...complete with cake and ice cream. He's not a big fan of cake (what in the world), but he does like any other type of food you hand his way. He is such a precious little guy, and it's SO hard to believe that he is already walking, "talking," and showing his "Taylor" side. He has his daddy's hilarious personality and his mommy's wit. I don't have any pictures of him with the cake, but I do have one that totally shows off his little personality.

I affectionately call this the "chill" picture, and it makes me smile every time I look at it.

Then Kim (my sis-in-law) and I hosted a baby shower for my sister. She will be having her second little girl, Emmalane Grace, in about a month. We had a blast getting things ready, and she learned that I have absolutely ZERO creativity. She made a diaper cake, lolly pops made out of wash rags, and painted this precious box. I am SO thankful for people like her...she made it look good.

Wreath made by Brandie

Food Table (I did help out with this)

The Walker's Week

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you wish it would either end or you could start all over again?! Well that's how this week has been in the Walker household.  Amanda has been sick most of the week with that lovely summer cold that seems to be making its way around Ruston. After 5,000 Kleenexes, 2 antibiotics, 2 shots, and an inhaler...I may be on the mend.  I didn't know that a nose could blow that many times and still remain attached to your face. I think it has swollen to twice its size, but they tell me it WILL go down. :)

But in the midst of dealing with that (and as a result of the steroid shot) I did cook Chris one of the best meals of our married life this week. We had salmon, pasta, green beans, and rolls...be impressed...be very impressed!! Actually, Chris was so impressed with it that he took a picture :)  Poor thing, I'm not much of a cook, but I think he likes it when I give it a shot.

Aren't you Amazed?! (I personally would have out it on the red plate for the picture :) )

So it's just now Wednesday...and this is where we are. I'm anxious to see what happens to the rest of the week. You never know around here...

Blessings of Family...

This has been quite the busy week for the Walker clan, but it has been an incredible week. Monday our little nephew was born, and he is SO precious. I loved watching Chris be in awe of the little guy. Just a few minutes ago he commented that he missed Landon. I'm thinking regular trips to Little Rock will soon be on the agenda for us.  Then last night our friends, Grant and Corrie, came back through Ruston, and we were able to spend more time with them. We played some hilarious board games and laughed til we cried...literally. And then today is our other nephew's (my brother and sis-in-law's son) FIRST birthday. Micah has been such a wonderful and blessed addition to our family. Kim (his mommy) put a wonderful tribute to him on it, so I will let you read it for yourself. (Click here) He is SO precious, and he makes me smile every time I am around him. Happy Birthday Little Man!

God has really blessed these Modern Nomads beyond what we could ever hope or imagine. He has been SO good to us!!! I can't wait to see what God has in store for us...

Enjoy the pics of the past week!

Craig, Nicole, and Landon

Uncle Biggs and Landon discussing football

Nap Time

The Weekend of Waiting

We had such a fun time with Corrie and Grant. I think at one point I saw the boys' eyes glaze over and wish we would stop talking : )  It's always fun to hear what is going on in someone's life and then pray over them. They will be coming back through next week, so the boys might as well get ready!

This weekend is a BIG weekend for the Walker clan. The first grand baby should be born between now and Monday. This little guy (Landon Andrew) has been anxiously waited on for 9 solid months, and we are SO ready to see his precious face. Please be in prayer for Craig and Nicole...the parents of this little one. We will all gather Sunday for a Fourth of July Celebration at Brent and Cara Beth's house, and then make our way to the hospital Monday morning to wait for Landon's arrival.  I love the miracle of seeing new life come into the world...and it makes it even sweeter when he/she is part of your family.

So the weekend of waiting begins...