Christmas Photo Favorites

Here's a few of my favorite pictures from Christmas Eve at the Cooke's...


Deacon Daddy tries on his new ALB! :) we are so proud


Daddy and Lyddie-Bug - all the kids got a kick out of Michael's "Silent Night" singing tie! haha. (Thanks Ralph!)


Three-Bee gets some love from Grandpa


The girls!



Josiah and Granny... he saw she had the blanket and snuggled up close- smart kid! :)

Long-Awaited LEGO set

So for weeks before Christmas we'd ask Josiah, "What is on your wish-list? What would you like most for Christmas?" And although the answer occasionally varied to several small other things- he always kept saying, "A LEGO CONSTRUCTION SET!!!" We knew just what to look for to make our little boy's Christmas Day full of JOY.

Unfortunately, the only LEGO "construction" (bulldozers, etc) set that I could find was large and VERY expensive. So we went with a somewhat similar and still awesome set including a tractor trailer, helicopter, and motorcycle. The video we captured of Josiah opening his special gift on Christmas Day is just TOO cute... unfortunately, as usual, blogger is not letting me load the video. GR! It only works when it wants to. So I can try again soon maybe, but for now this picture will have to do :) It's a great one that Daddy took.



So for all of Christmas Day- and the following- he built LEGOs... the set is already all together now and being fully enjoyed. Actually, it might be back apart again and soon need to be put back together again! Gotta love LEGOS.
Christmas is so fun with little ones ...watching and sharing in their JOY!

Merry Christmas!

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Day and fully enjoy the rest of this Christmas season. We have plenty more pictures and stories to come... but here is a family picture we asked someone to take after Christmas mass yesterday. God bless you!
Love, the Walk Family

SNOW FUN!

Well, it's no surprise we were snowed in all weekend. Weren't you? :) We got about 2 feet of snow here I think...

Daddy and the kiddos were anxious to check out the snow as soon as it came so they were out briefly in the storm on Saturday morning but not too long since it was COLD and blowing in their little faces! Then on Sunday they had more fun sledding and Josiah played for hours in the snow. He played with Daddy and our neighbors Dasia and Naia. Lydia came out briefly as well with Mommy (while Daddy shoveled sidewalks and dug out our cars!)
Here's some pictures from our snowy weekend.



On Friday night, with the pending snow storm, we surprised Josiah with one of his Christmas presents early since we knew he'd need it... A sled! His little red sled is being passed down to his sister this year since he's outgrown it.

He loved it!



I just love this picture of Lydia... it's just so "her" these days- and I love her cute flippy curls in the back of her hair! ;)


























I must admit, I really don't mind being snowed in with these cuties!

Big Boy in New Pajamas

Here is my little boy in his new pajamas (thanks Nana!)
I just LOVE LOVE LOVE these jammies... they are so cute... and so is my little- well, BIG boy.
I can't believe how fast he's growing up and I'm really wishing I could slow him down a little. Anyone know how to stop time for awhile? If you do, let me know! :)

Sweet Tooth

My little sweet girl... has a big sweet tooth... this is one thing she gets from her Mama!



Well, really ANY food is okay by her. The way to her heart is definitely through her stomach.

She's just so cute. (Is there really any question as to why we're expecting another one!?) :)

Not all in my imagination...

WOW... dang! Look how big that belly is! I just looked again... but it's kinda scary so I'm not going to look anymore :)

Anyway the appointment today went great and the other two kiddos were angels, as usual. Josiah, as we walked back to the room, asked me, "Mommy, can I please do the glue?" ... To which I replied, "the what?" ... "OHHH the goo... to hear the baby's heartbeat?" He's so cute. The midwives let him "squeeze the goo" and press the doppler button and do it all, it's adorable. And then we got the always classic, "oh! there it is! Sounds like a helicopter!" :)

The only difference this time was my BIG BOY was reading the numbers for her...

Midwife: "Can you read that? What numbers are those?"
Josiah: "1...."
Midwife: "Great what's the next one- in the middle?"
Josiah: "E...."
Midwife: "Wait turn it this way a little so you can see it..."
Josiah: "3..."
Josiah: "and... 4....5.....4....5...."

To which we all laughed, and the midwife responded yes, it kept jumping around. Too cute!

Everything is just great with our little Three-Bee... however, it's not all in my head. I've always measured exactly the amount of weeks I was at- but today, (and I am 31 weeks on Monday) I measured 32!!! already! HA! I knew this baby's big :)

I told the midwife I was scared of a huge baby... and she said, "You've done this twice before... odds are you can do it again."
Well, I sure hope so. We'll keep you posted as the BIG DAY approaches! :)

30 Weeks!

I keep saying, "geez I'm huge" and people who never see me think I'm being down on myself, that's not it! That's not what I'm saying at all- I just mean this baby is BIG! already! very big! People who DO see me regularly just laugh... because it's true. I'm 30 wks now... actually, closer to 31 wks now. So I'm a little freaked out to think how big I'll be at 40 wks! Please pray this baby isn't 10 lbs for me... mmm kay? :)

I seriously have gotten several, "Are you having twins?" or "maybe she's having twins..." lol. Yikes.

Don't believe me?? .... Exhibit A.





I know. It looks like I just woke up this morning and decided to have coffee, a bagel... and a basketball.

Wonderful thing about today is that I get to hear little three-bee's heartbeat again this afternoon. Yay! The only nice part about those pesky appointments.

(And if you post this picture all over the internet I will personally find you and SIT ON YOU!)

Let it Snow...Let it Snow...Let it Snow...

What a weekend we had! We were (purposefully!) snowed in at Grandma's. Daddy went to visit his family in PA for Ken and Emily's wedding reception (sorry we couldn't be there guys!) and from what I heard it all went wonderfully. So while Daddy was out of town and with the snow forecasted, we planned a weekend of winter fun with Grandma and Grandpa... AND our cousins! Josiah had fun playing in the snow and enjoying movies and hot cocoa with his three cousins. They also made gingerbread cookies and decorated them! Grandma knows how to please the crowd.
We're especially grateful for this time to play with our cousins since they will soon be moving out of the country again.

Lydia had fun playing with her cousins too, but was NOT too fond of the snow. We realize now however, that may have had something to do with the runny nose and fever she woke up with... she was probably not exactly in the mood to go discovering and romping in the snow. She usually LOVES to be outside so I'm hoping she will get to actually ENJOY some time in the snow at some point... but we'll see! If not this year than I'm sure she'll enjoy it next year as she gets older.

Some memorable moments also include Grandpa sledding...
Grandpa- "Watch me, here I go!"
Josiah- "NO GRANDPA!!! You're GONNA BREAK THE SLED!!!"

HA HA! Josiah was genuinely worried and I had to reassure him, it's OKAY... Grandpa is NOT TOO BIG to go sledding and he won't break the sled!

Also, I took Three-Bee for his/her first sled ride. :)

Here are some cute pictures from our weekend winter wonderland. We got probably 2-3 inches! They were in heaven. Enjoy!

Josiah and Jesus

Here's a random but adorable story-- Josiah this morning at breakfast points out the Last Supper picture hanging on the wall and says, "Look, Jesus!" I had food in my mouth but said, "MMhmm that's right..." and was going to elaborate on the last supper when I finished chewing.
Then a minute later after silence he says, "I want to go to heaven".
I told him that I do too, and that someday he will and we will... and that that's why I try to obey God's rules and love Jesus every day so that some day I can live in heaven with him. And then I said, "Just like Gavin, he's already in heaven, remember?" and he said, "yeahh.... but he was sick... i'm not sick... but I want to go to heaven too" haha. :) (he's so sweet!) I told him that he will, that he doesn't have to be sick but God will take him to heaven to be with Jesus when he's ready and that he's preparing his heart. And he said, "Jesus in my heart!?" and I said, "yes!"
And of course he broke into a 3 year old fit of giggles... "yeah!! hahaha... I love Jesus"

Anyway I can't remember ALL the details and exact words but...this boy is too much. I just love how little children talk of God and Jesus as if it is and has always been so familiar and ordinary to them... what a gift of faith.

Happy 1st Sunday of Advent!

The Advent season has started... and I'm so excited! This year we have our own home, and are we have been decorating and I just feel so blessed and so ready to welcome Christ into our hearts and home at Christmas. All my Christmas cards are just about ready to go out (have to get stamps!) and the kids have put snowman and candy cane window decals on our windows and sliding glass door. Today Michael put up lights on the house, we set up the Christmas tree, lit the first candle on our Advent wreath, and started our magenetic Advent Calendar with Josiah! All in our GORGEOUS NEW living room... which my Mom and I painted yesterday. You'll just have to wait to see pictures though because our digital camera is being repaired/replaced under warantee... (yay!)

We are so excited to celebrate this Christmas season... and second to the excitement of Christ's birth... will be the excitement of celebrating new life with our newest little angel shortly after! May Christ fill your hearts and lives in a very special way this year!
Love,
The Walks

Crocheting...

Well, sitting around being huge and baking a baby (especially on bad pain days) does have its benefits... I actually managed to finish Josiah's hat and scarf weeks ago and so they are here to keep him warm in this cool weather.



Now I'm working on getting some hats done--as requested-- for my goddaughters in Texas... well, maybe by the time it actually gets cold in Texas they'll be done. Although I'm not convinced it ever gets cold in Texas.

And I'm still waiting on some head measurements so I'm sure they'll fit... Anytime Laura! ;o)

Tea Party...

Tea for two in the "Castle"...

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, and always, we have so much to be thankful for... I don't even know where to begin! We are blessed beyond what we deserve...and we thank God every day for all He has given us. We are thankful for our Savior Jesus, our new home and everything in it, for Michael's steady job, for our love and all our BEAUTIFUL and healthy children, and most especially for this new little life growing inside me. We're thankful for our amazing family and friends, and our sweet godchildren. Mostly we're thankful that we see all we have, and know who to thank for all these gifts... and that God keeps drawing us closer to Him.

We pray that this Thanksgiving all of you will experience the love and peace of Christ in a special way, and that He'll be drawing you and your family close in His love all year long.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Lisa, Michael and
Our Little Turkey's....

UDI- Under Daddy Influence

So my little three year old was downstairs last night with his Daddy playing "Go Fish" when what did I hear?

Josiah: "Daddy, do you possess... a whale?"
Daddy: "Why Yes I do, here you go!"
Josiah: "Thank you my good Sir!"

ANNNDD my brain went, WHAT? Isn't he THREE? Why is he saying "possess" and "good sir"? Ohhhh yes... the things that happen when you have Michael for a father.

At first I rolled my eyes and thought, I should nag him about how our child's going to grow up too fast - and what's wrong with saying, "Do you HAVE any seahorses?" when you play go fish??
But then I thought, Wow... that couldn't have sounded ANY cuter and my child is getting so smart just by being silly and copying his Daddy's "big" words.

I really am so proud... of both of them. That's just what happens in this house when you're Under Daddy Influence.

FRIENDS

Josiah and some of his friends from our church playgroup. How cute is this?

My Girl and Me

Daddy and Josiah just left for the store- they are going to pick up a GET WELL balloon and flowers for my Mom. Today was her surgery to repair her knee and it all went well... now we're just praying for a quick and speedy recovery. We're going to be there to take care of her tomorrow.

But while the boys are out... Lydia and I are dancing to the FRIENDS theme and eating chocolate.

This is why I had a girl. She already gets it. :)

I hope she and I are best friends forever- just like my Mom and me!

Monday Monday...

Ugh. I'm so huge. Or atleast, that's how you start to feel when this pregnant, isn't it? I'm 27 weeks today... can you believe that? Phew, it went by fast. I'm (hopefully) going to spend the upcoming weeks enjoying it- because once they come out of the womb, they certainly don't go back in! I'm trying to focus on appreciating this miracle inside me... and I'm really getting SO EXCITED to meet this new baby! Is it a boy? Is it a girl? What will he/she look like? I'm just SO excited I actually have to not think about it!

Mondays... why are they always so hard? Maybe because my Daddy-obsessed baby girl woke up saying, "DA DA DA!... DA DA?... DA DA??" and was not happy to discover that as she crawled around every room in the house... he was not home. He went to work. I told her this of course, but, she had to check for herself. Then looking at me, arms raised by her shoulders in that "I don't know" pose... "DA DA?" she says. I told her, "I know you love him sweetie, me too... he's at work. You'll see him later"
Look of defeat.
Poor little girl :)

Anyway, now I'm just trying to figure out if we can make it to playgroup today, or to the grocery store which we REALLY need to do... or to both. I'm not sure. I am thinking since I don't have anything to even give the kids for breakfast (cereal... outta milk...) we might have to go get some breakfast out this morning and get to the grocery store.

More updates soon... but for now- Happy Monday!




Daddy and Josiah in a GIANT pile of leaves!

Goodbye Sweet Gavin

Today is Gavin's burial. Please say a prayer for peace and strength for his parents Karen and Adam (and his sister Madison) and all their family today.

May God be with them today and wrap them all in his tender arms of love!

Mmmmm cookies

Just waiting while the cookies bake!

WHOA...

I'm pregnant with my third... my THIRD child... holy cow.


I know, you'd think that this would have sunk in by now...but you know what? It hasn't! Sometimes it still hits me like... "WHOA!" And I can't even believe it myself!

And you know what else? It's awesome. I can't remember life before Michael... or Josiah... or Lydia... and I know the minute this baby is in my arms, I won't be able to remember what it was like without him/her. And I don't want to.

Life is just awesome like that.

Getting to know you...

I am really excited because I'm starting to get to know the personality of this new little baby inside me... I really am!

ONE- this baby is STRONG. Yes, this baby has some very very well-working muscles, that's for sure. Frankly, with a 26 week old child that can almost have me doubled over while walking out of the supermarket with a huge flip out to the side, I'm just scared to feel how strong this baby is at 40 weeks! or 35 for that matter!

TWO- This baby also LOVES touch. Although I have heard that a baby's sense of touch is developing now just like it's sight/hearing/taste, etc... I've never, ever had a baby in the womb respond so obviously to touch. I told Michael to REMIND ME to rub and massage the baby if it is ever upset or collicky. Right now, if you rub my belly for just 10 seconds, or a minute, the baby loves it... stays all calm and just soaks it in- and then if you rest your hand there afterwards it'll kick and flip and just go crazy with joy. It's so funny! It's a good thing it loves touch so much because I'm pretty sure this baby will live at least the first 6 months of it's life in a sling and nursing on me! That's the plan :)

In comparison, I still can't tell you if it's a boy or a girl (because I don't know!) but Josiah was strong and wiggly like this... so maybe it's a boy. My Dad is convinced it's a girl. I guess I should take bets, huh? ... Anyone? :)

We love you Three-Bee! We are so excited to meet you and hold you!

Rest In Peace

Gavin passed away last night, and I think despite the long hard road it will be, it is a breath of fresh air to know that he is finally in the arms of our Lord.
Please pray for his family!
Gavin Christopher Owens, rest in peace.

Please Pray...

I'm copying most of Laura's words today from her blog because they were just perfectly stated... (thanks Laura for your thoughts and prayers!)

Take some time today to pray for our sweet nephew-in-law Gavin, who is in his last hours here on Earth. As you spend today feeling frustrated with your own kids and wishing your significant other would just get home already, take a moment and hug your cranky kid, and thank God that they're being naughty and making a ruckus.
Gavin has been through so much and he and his family are such a light. So spend a little quiet time in prayer today and wish them nothing but peace and love as they send their little guy home.

Dear Jesus, please wrap your loving arms of peace and comfort around Karen and Adam as they say goodbye to their precious son and send him back into your arms. Please bless Madison, his sister, and give her peace and comfort during what is sure to be the most confusing time she has delt with in her four short years. Thank you for your love and all your blessings- hold Gavin close to you in heaven!
Amen



Gavin, several months ago, when he was well enough to smile and laugh- little boy, you have touched so many lives... Rest in Peace
www.gavinowens.com

The Bride is Coming!

On October 24th one of my best friends from high school, Emily, married my older brother... (in law!) Ken... it was so awesome and magical to see the way God brought us all together and used us to find our soul mates. Michael, of course, was his brother's best man and Josiah was the "town crier"- he came down the aisle just before Emily saying, "The bride is coming! the bride is coming!" and ringing a bell. He did wonderful! We were all so proud and happy that everything was just perfect for Ken and Em on their big day. Here are a couple pictures... enjoy :)
May God bless Ken and Emily's marriage now and forever, we love you guys!