I just love him more than anything.

Merry Christmas

I'm already sad that Christmas is over. This Christmas season I wasn't excited or anxious like I usually am, so I was pleasantly surprised by what a great holiday it was. I feel like low expectations always have the best results.

I had such an amazing time being with my family. Now that I don't live with them it's actually kind of fun when we get together haha. I got a lot of great presents! Flowerbomb perfume, an ipod dock, a movie, boots, a blanket, etc. All of my presents were surprises this year which was really fun, and I completely love everything I got! 

One of my favorite presents was a nice surprise email from Josh! It was really good to hear from him on Christmas because I was missing him so much. He sent me a package a couple days before full of food from the MTC: cookies, hot chocolate mix, candy canes, candy bars, etc. I absolutely loved it! Also, at the Warner Christmas party we got to talk to my two cousins who are on missions. We got to talk to my cousin Josh on the phone and we skyped with my cousin Taylor! It was really exciting! I was sad though that because Josh (not my cousin) is at the MTC he couldn't call or skype home. I had no need to worry though because today I received the best surprise ever... a phone call from Joshua!! He was flying to Lubbock and called me from the Dallas airport. I wasn't expecting it at all. Just hearing his voice made me cry. We only had three minutes to talk but it was just perfect.

With all of these missionaries in my life and their influence this Christmas I have been closer to the true meaning of the holiday than ever before. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life. It truly brings me so much happiness. I don't know what I would do without it. Every year hearing about the birth of Jesus give me chills.

Luke 1:1-14
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed...And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city David, which is called Bethlehem... to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men...

My favorite part of the Walker Christmas Eve party is acting out the nativity. We finish it off by singing Silent Night. You feel the spirit so strong and know that it's true.

Christmas truly is magical.

chubs

My mom dropped me off at my apartment today after I had been home all weekend because I got my wisdom teeth out. She decided to go to work so I got to babysit my precious adorable baby brother. Yay:) He got all cuddled up on my bed and pretended to be asleep so I could take a picture.

contrary to popular belief

Some of the best things in life are the little enjoyable occurrences that happen randomly throughout your day. Being happy over a huge event is awesome, but sometimes I prefer being happy over the little things.

Today a certain person called me. I was so happy that once we hung up I started singing about it. "He called me. He called me". Over and over again, just like that.

It was nice.

Being in college I feel so insignificant. I'm just one of thousands of people at school and no one even notices me or pays particular attention to me. I kind of like it that way.

The insignificance is sort of a lonely feeling too though. I don't have my mom here to care about how my day went. I don't get asked everyday what I learned at school. If I didn't come back to my apartment at night no one would worry. I don't get to kiss my baby brother goodnight anymore. I'm totally on my own. It's bitter-sweet.

we fish

Today, we went fishing.
















we didn't catch a single fish

flying

This morning Hay, Kels, and I got to go on a hot air balloon ride.
It was incredible:)

home sweet home

I'm not ready to move on.

I'm not ready to move on in lots of areas of my life.

I am most especially not ready to move out of my house and grow up.


I am moving out to an apartment for school, which I am extremely excited for. But, I was counting on being able to come home to visit my family. Now I have found out that my family is moving. 17 days before I move into my apartment. I get to move twice in less than a month. I know this shouldn't worry me but it does. I want to come visit my real home. Not some home I lived in for two weeks.

Moving out means growing up. I do feel like a grown up already but moving out on my own is a huge step. One I'm not ready for. But ready or not it's coming. Too fast.

paint the sky with stars

Today was a good day.

My baby brother Mitchell told me he has two best friends. 

My mom and me.

:)

sing out

day seven: your favorite song

I love music.

i really like most any music. except hardcore rap and country. i hate screamo. like really who would enjoy listening to someone scream words you can't understand? i don't get it. i don't have a favorite song at all. that's probably one of the hardest questions to answer. i just like a lot stuff. lately i've been in a nastolgic mood so i've been thinking about all of my favorite music from when i was a kid. when i was little i always listened to music with my dad. he used to sing us songs before we went to sleep every night. my favorite one was always puff the magic dragon. he also got me to love the song american pie. i really don't know why i love it so much but i do.

my favorite thing about music is that no matter what mood you are in you can always find a song that says exactly what you are thinking and feeling.



The Meaning of Life

day five: a memory from your childhood

I obviously have way to many memories to count of my childhood. Recently though I have been thinking about one memory in particular. Well, not one memory exactly but a series of them. When Hayley and I were little we were always at our grandparents house (my dad's parents). We would go there every sunday, monday and friday. It was my favorite thing to do. The best part of these visits was when my grandpa would pull out his guitar. Hayley and I would put on long skirts from the dress-up box and grandpa would play songs and sing for us. We would sing along and dance and dance until we were too tired to keep going. I miss those days. I miss being so wild and carefee. 

After one of these times of singing and dancing my grandpa wrote a poem for Hayley. She was probably three or four years old at the time. He recently found the poem and mailed it to her. This is it:

The Meaning of Life

I listen late into the night

for the music of the spheres.

I look religiously at faroff stars

trying to see what matters.

Starts seldom look back.

Last night I saw granddaughters

dancing, all giggle and wiggle,

hips and hair everywhere,

wild as seedling dandelions.

When I came in

Hayley stumbled toward me

arms opening, smile widening,

tongue tripping over "Grampa,"

"Grampa"-- liking me this moment

more than lively music.

Searching for my sould as far as Orion,

trying to distill happiness from starshine,

hungry for the life in constellated light,

I find myself sometimes illuminted

in the stars in Hayley's eyes.

I think this is the cutest poem and honestly I am super jealous that he wrote it about Hayley. This is me and my grandpa when I was little:

I miss being young.

kids

day four: you siblings

I am the oldest of four kids. My sister Hayley comes right after me. We are two years apart. Most people think we are twins which sucks for me seeing as I should look older than her. Hayley is taller than me, and proud of it. After she first bested me in height she had to tell everyone and their grandma the great news. But whatever, I'm over it. Hayley is really smart, a lot smarter than me, but she is an airhead. She ruined my favorite (all cotton) dress the other day because she decided to wash it. It's a shirt now. Me and Hayley share a room... and a bed. Basically it sucks but we get used to it. We are trying to make our bedroom cuter so yesterday we went out and bought some cute blue paint to paint our bathroom! I am waiting for Josh to help me with it though because we are pretty imcompetent when it comes to painting and such.
Kelsey is my next sibling. She is 13 years old. She is in 7th grade at middle school! Growing up so fast.. Kelsey is pretty fun to hangout with. Lately me and her have been pretty good friends. We like to watch TV together and go get fast food. I have heard from at least three people that Kelsey is going to be the prettiest out of us girls. Mean I know, but it's true. Unlike Hay and I, Kelsey was lucky to get blonde hair and blue eyes. I wish. But somehow she still looks just like me and the rest of the family.
Mitchell is literally probably my favorite person in the world. I love him. He is freaking adorable. When ever I go some out of town or something without my family the first person I miss is Mitchell. (Sometimes he is the only one I miss;)). Pretty much everyone that knows him loves him. He's just one of those kids. He is four years old now. Everyone says he looks just like me except he also has the blonde hair and blue eyes that Kelsey has. Mitchell's favorite person sadly isn't me, it's Josh. He loves him so much. Whenever Josh and I take Mitchell places people think he's our son. He has my face and Josh's eyes and hair. Pretty believable. So if me and Josh ever have kids they will be just as cute as Mitchell:) 

mom and dad

day three: your parents

This is my mom.

My mom is awesome. She has been called a "super mom" by so many people. My mom...

• raises four kids
• works part-time
• goes to school full-time
• takes care of her grandma who lives with us

My mom does all of this and so much more

She is incredible

I love her and respect her for all that she does
Many people tell us we look identical. Lucky her;)

She has had a tough life but she has overcome it and made herself better for it

I hope my life never turns out like hers but if it does, I hope I can handle it like she does

Dad.

My dad is brilliant. He is so smart.

My dad is a party dad.

When we're with him we go to movies and out to eat and get candy and stay up all night.

We all love it. Especially Mitchell.

He's a hardcore redsox fan and always taught me that I can't marry a yankee fan (sorry josh).
He has taught me to love music and definitely shaped the taste in music I have today.

My dad is hilarious.