POTTY TIME!

Well, Josiah's latest news... he woke up this morning and must have decided that he's a big kid. No more peeing in my diaper, I'll just tell Mommy and go on the potty!!!

He's gone on the potty before, but mostly we just had it out for fun and for him to get used to the idea or sit on it when we were using the bathroom... I didn't want to really start training him with the new baby on the way and all- but now he's gotten REALLY into it and is basically training himself! (And why in the world would I stop a good thing!?) Today has been truly remarkable. In fact, it's 12:15, and Josiah has yet to pee in a diaper. It started out innocently enough, we were eating breakfast this morning and he was leaning over saying, "My tummy is full!" ... considering he'd had two spoonfuls of yogurt I thought he might just have to use the bathroom. "Do you have to go poo-poo on the potty?" ... "Umm.. yeah." So ... downstairs we go- and right away, pee and poop on the potty! WHOA! As if that wasn't enough- an hour or so later, "Mommy I have to go pee-pee on the potty"... okay... and he did- right away! THEN ... another half hour goes by, he remembers how he's been getting M&Ms for going on the potty and then he says, "Mommy I have to go pee-pee on the potty" (again)... (right... sure you do kid! you just want more M&Ms...) but... hey why not? So I put him on it- sure enough- pee'd right away again!!! Anyway, I believe it's been 6 times now today- it's like he turned on a switch and he knows that he has to go pee and tells me- it's AMAZING! I'm kinda hoping it's not a fluke and he keeps it up! lol. But granted I think it helps that we don't have any plans today and have basically been hanging around the house. We did make a trip to Wal-Mart this morning- right after he went- and he had a dry diaper the whole time. SO needless to say- we now have CARS pull-ups, because he's made this jump all the sudden. I don't know if he's quite ready for them yet- but they've already saved my back 3 times today- pulling them up and down- just since we've been home from the store!

I've probably saved at least a few dollars in diapers already in one day... let the potty party begin!

Take care! If you've got any great potty training tips- feel free to send them our way!

Beach Vacation

Ahhh... The Walk family spent the past week (just about!) in Ocean City enjoying the sun and the fun at the beach and the FSK Motel- great place! Thanks to Mom and Dad and their invitation we all had a great time together and Josiah is already asking to "go to the pirate pool!" which was his absolute favorite of the entire week I think. (The indoor pool at the Resort is called the Carribean Key and is a pirate themed pool- as is the outdoor splash park. He LOVED it so much!) Josiah is definitely more a "pool" kinda guy than a "beach" kinda guy! He played and splashed and even eventually went down the water slide. He had a BALL- mostly he just thought splashing Daddy was hilarious! BUT, he loved sitting in his very own beach chair (Thank you to the Downs family- a great birthday gift!) and he took a nap in the beach tent we bought for him that provided great shade. (As I pointed out also... the little beach tent is a great place for BOTH babies to nap next year! Plenty big enough, Grandpa enjoyed the shade in there with Josiah on occasion as well.) When we did convince him to play in the sand (Daddy was very busy digging motes and building sand castles while Grandpa was catching sand crabs...) he did have fun using his big blue shovel and all his new beach toys! (THANK YOU to the Cooke family- another great birthday present! Just in time too!) He dug right along side Daddy and only threw sand at Mommy once... :o) He met a few other little two year olds along the way, and yesterday he enjoyed playing with Casey, a little boy we met at Assateaque Island. He did enjoy giggling at the horse in the parking lot on the "Pony Island!" ... "Look Mommy! That pony's in the parking lot! *hehehe* Silly pony!" - I believe an exact quote! hahaha. We had a blast!

Michael discovered boogie-boarding this year for the first time... we were very impressed! I told him it was fun, and as soon as he tried it he was in there for hours "That's addicting!" --Michael. haha... Lisa got to relax here and there which was nice- and Michael dug a hole in the sand so Lisa could rest on her belly and Lydia could hang below! That was a lot of fun! *Ahhh... brief relief from lower back pain.... hahaha. Everyone has their simple pleasures, right?

Anyway, here are some pictures- We hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as we are! God bless you! - The Walk Family

Josiah and Daddy digging together in the sand... HOW CUTE IS THIS PICTURE!? I love it!

Michael catches a wave!

Josiah in his "turtle towel" (hooded beach towel) Can't tell you how many comments we get when he wears that- too cute!


Josiah and Daddy "wrestling" the whale sprinkler in the pirate pool!

Daddy and Josiah splashing at the outdoor pirate splash park...

and Josiah steering the pirate ship!

Grandma, Josiah and Grandpa walking in the sand

Grandpa flying his new Macaw kite- a big hit!

Walk family (4!) at the beach!

Josiah by the sandcastle

Josiah helping play Mini-Golf at the resort... Mommy won thanks to his following directions-- "good job Josiah- yeah, pick up the pink ball and put it in the hole!" haha!

Surprise! Dan Walk's 60th Birthday Party

We spent the first weekend in June with our loving family in Pennsylvania. We went to celebrate Michael's Dad's (Dan) 60th Birthday! We had been part of the surprise for the past few months, which mostly Michael's brother Ken (and his amazing girlfriend Emily!) had planned and we just helped. We all had a great time and it was nice to get everyone together in one place! Dan was VERY surprised, we held the party at the hall at his church, practically a few blocks from his house. Ken called him and told him there were some people using the church and they couldn't get the hot water heater to work. At first Dan tried to tell Ken how to fix it over the phone, and Ken said, "No Dad, I need you to come down here!" haha. So sure enough he shows up, tools in hand! It was a great surprise and he seemed to fully enjoy everyone's company. Many family and friends showed up, and it was a great celebration. We pulled out all the stops and decorated in black balloons and silver tablecloths and confetti that said "Over the Hill"... We're not sure how much Dan liked all that but it sure was fun!

Dan's Birthday cake- complete with black balloons and his high school senior photo!

(GO EMILY!)

All the boys together:

Michael Walk, Dan (DAD) Walk, Ken Walk and Daniel Walk (believe it or not he's the youngest, only 14 and already the tallest!)

Josiah's 2nd Birthday!

Walk Family May 31-2008

Lisa (and baby!) Michael and Josiah

PHEW! Well, the past few weeks have been SO hectic, that I have pictures and stories to share from several events throughout the weeks. I am going to post seperate blogs so you can keep track of all the fun!

To start... Here are some pics from Josiah's 2nd birthday! He was fortunate to get to spend the whole day with cousin Lucy that Saturday before she left for her vacation, so there's a few of them having fun in the morning and then a few from his afternoon party with his other cousins and neigborhood friends. He had a GREAT time and kept wanting his birthday to be every day! We all had lots of fun. Thank you to everyone who came to his party to celebrate with us! My does the time go fast...

Josiah and Lucy playing house! (They are almost exactly a year apart, Lucy turned one on May 9th and Josiah 2 on May 29th! They love eachother so much and act like brother and sister- the fighting included. haha!)

Michael, Josiah and Lucy testing out the pool (they are brave it was early and NOT that warm out!)

Josiah's racecar cake! (Big thanks to Aunt Laura for all her help and tips!)

Josiah decides he's a big boy now so he better drink from a cup like all the other big kids ... no spills! We were impressed!

Josiah blowing out his Number 2 Candle!

Cousin Alison and friend Gemma eating ice cream cones!

And the wait is finally over...

...at least for the UB Job. Sad news to report, but we finally heard today that Michael did not get the job. He's assuming they offered it to the next person in line, the woman who has many years of teaching experience, which he doesn't. (Tricky situation isn't it? How are you supposed to get teaching experience when they hire based on years of teaching experience? lol). Anyway, we're just happy to finally have some more news at all and are still praying God will provide Michael with a great job, (asap!). The MTA, who has been asking if he'd be willing to work as a transit analyst, is supposed to contact him further this week. He recently put in his application there, and odds are they would also pay him MUCH more than UB could offer him... so this could be what God has in mind. Who knows!? We are, of course, a little dissapointed, but UB knows how wonderful he is and actually asked if he'd be willing to teach as adjunct faculty in the fall. SO It's possible he could work full time elsewhere and teach part time at UB to get the experience as well. We shall see...

*SIGH* So anyway please keep Michael and our family in your prayers and we'll give you more updates as we have them!

Lisa and Lydia, now 27 (and a 1/2) wks are doing great! We had a check-up today and everything looks wonderful and she sounds great. She's already a little fighter-- she was kicking (or punching?) right where the midwife was holding the doppler. It was pretty funny. "A 'leave-me-alone-kinda kid already huh? I wonder where she gets that from!" --> My mom. hahahaha. She's right... uh oh... another Lisa... watch out world, here she comes!

Josiah is doing great and I will post a recent picture soon... you'll see the latest with him!
God bless,
The Walk Family

Josiah the Vowbearer!

Josiah playing cars just before the wedding

Josiah ready to go- outside after the wedding without his jacket. (That shirt came untucked easily!)

So I know it's taken me long enough to post these pictures... time just flies, doesn't it!? Here are some pictures of Josiah in his tuxedo... doesn't get much cuter than this! Josiah did a great job in Erica and Josh's wedding on May 25th. Erica is Josiah's godmother- for those who remember seeing her (and Josh!) at Josiah's baptism. He was the "vowbearer" (supposed to carry vows in little scrolls on the pillow- but actually the real vows were in someone's pocket- which was a great plan!) :o) There were two other little boys and two little girls in the wedding, those two walked together in sets and Josiah walked by himself, the very last one right before the bride. I knelt up front with a lollipop and he walked up and got it- walked on the stage and back off again. He did a great job, couldn't have gone more perfect. During rehearsals he RAN up the aisle, but he actually WALKED during the wedding! It was great! The whole wedding was absolutely beautiful and you could see the blessings God had poured out and will continue to pour out upon Erica and Josh and their marriage. Erica was the most beautiful bride in the world- no question about it! We are so proud to have been a part of it and so happy for them! Congratulations Erica and Josh!