CONGRATULATIONS *MASTER* MICHAEL!

Michael and his proud wife!






Michael and his Mom

Michael and his Mom and Dad

L->R (Ralph, Lois, Michael, Dan, Ellen)

He did it!! Michael graduated yesterday with his Masters degree in Applied Psychology- Way to go Michael! We are so proud!!!

Michael has worked extremely hard the past two years, trying to juggle going to school full time, working several part time tutoring jobs, holding down a graduate research assistant position as well as being a wonderful Hubby and Daddy. We couldn't be more proud of him and hope all of you will rejoice with us in his accomplishments!

We had a beautiful Olive Garden dinner at home after the graduation and had a wonderful time relaxing and celebrating the big day. We were blessed to celebrate this occasion with Michael's Mom, Lois, and her husband Ralph, Michael's Dad, Dan, and his wife Ellen, and of course my Mom and Dad- Paul and Sue, who have been one of the driving forces behind this accomplishment- and probably the main reason Michael could go back to school. They've opened their hearts and home to us for the past two years, and there's nothing we could ever do to fully repay them for their kindness and love. They are the true example of what Christ asks us to be to everyone! Thank you Mom and Dad!


Josiah wished Daddy Congratulations- okay, "congwatzuashuns" -hehe- and Lydia danced happily while I videotaped him walking across the stage. I'm going to post some pictures of Michael with his fancy MASTERS hood -- ooh la la! --and try to post the video as well.


Thank you to all our family and friends who have helped us get to this day and have kept us in thought and prayer during this past two busy years. We love and appreciate you all so much!

God bless!

- Lisa (Michael, Josiah and Lydia)

The wonderful weekend of god-daughters!

This past weekend, although busy, was SO MUCH FUN! We had a great time on Saturday celebrating our little Lucy's big first birthday! We had a great time and Laura did an amazing job with her beautiful garden party. Lucy was as charming as ever and Josiah had so much fun!

Lucy walking around in her party dress with a pink balloon! I'm proud to say I took this picture myself... I saw her playing with that balloon and knew I'd better grab Andrew and Laura's camera! Isn't she gorgeous!?

Lucy licking her cake!!! haha! Priceless!

Sunday we celebrated the baptism of our other beautiful god-daughter Megan Diane... Welcome to the church Megan!! It was a beautiful ceremony and Megan was so peaceful the entire time. Josiah was kept quiet with a lollipop during the ceremony... although not enough to stop him from singing "Happy Birthday!" when the priest handed us the baptismal candle! haha! He's so funny. (I think he had his days mixed up... no Josiah, the birthday was Saturday!) Leah was an angel as always (Megan's big sister). During the baptism we also caught Megan staring up at Jesus on the crucifix... it's obvious she knew something great was happening and recognized who it was all about! It was a wonderful weekend all together, and we hope to see both our god-daughters again soon.

Godparents Lisa, Michael (and Josiah)- Jess holding Megan, Brian, and big sister Leah

Megan in her gorgeous baptismal gown... look at that little grin!

Would write more... but Josiah is demanding I play cars... that is my life these days... anyone willing to play cars?? If so you'll have a new 2 year old best friend...

Seriously, Josiah is such a boy! He loves cars. Cars, trains, trucks, even airplanes, anything with wheels!

God bless!!
- Lisa (Michael, Josiah and Lydia)

The latest with Michael...

Thank you so much to all of you who have been praying for Michael and his current job situation- and all the other changes the Walk family is going through!

Yesterday's "big" interview (we kept calling it the big interview since it lasted all day!) went really well... Michael said he got a lot of positive feedback from his professors about the lecture he gave and overall he sounded very confident and happy with how it went. They have two more candidates this week, but they said he might know "unofficially" by Friday if they would like to offer him the job, but probably wouldn't sit down to discuss it all until at least Monday of next week.

And as if we didn't have enough to consider... Michael got a message from the AIR-American Institute for Research, to which he applied for a position as a research assistant awhile ago. They reviewed his resume and wanted to see if he was still available!! WOW! So, he is excited because this position that they have available is also something he would love to do. He is calling them back to talk more about it, and possibly set up a time to meet. They are located (corporate) in Washington DC.

WELL... We should know more soon... but right now all we know is God's definitely got His hand on everything- we are just waiting for Him to show us where He wants us!
Thank you SO MUCH to everyone for their prayers and support.

God bless!
- Lisa and Michael

Praises! Praises! Praises!

Praise be to God!
Thank you all for your continued prayers for my (Lisa's) health as well as for our baby girl. Miss Lydia Marie is doing very well and is getting busier by the day. Daddy came over to feel her the other night and said, "Wow she's getting stronger!" haha. (What's he think I'm doing all day? Of course she's getting stronger!! I'm trying to grow a strong healthy baby girl here!) haha.

Anyway- THANK YOU all so much in a very special way for your prayers for my health. I had a consult for physical therapy this past Tuesday for the severe pelvic pain I have been experiencing, and of course had experienced during my pregnancy with Josiah as well. I told them I knew it'd get worse, just as bad as it did with him, if we didn't do something soon. Well, it's a long story, but basically after taking all these "measurements" the physical therapist that I saw on Wednesday afternoon for my first session- explained to me how my pelvis was shifted (or rotated or something) and needed to be realigned. Using my own leg muscles we re-aligned it some, (but couldn't do more because it was too painful and sore for me... even though it "shouldn't hurt" - haha- yeah right!). HOWEVER... IMMEDIATELY AFTER she did this she had me walk up and down the hallway... and the PAIN WAS PRACTICALLY GONE!!! Seriously!!! The sharp and severe pain that I always feel- constantly- right where my legs meet my pelvis- was GONE! It was so wonderful- and I was so amazed. I called Michael later and was in tears telling him how the pain was so much better- after just my first session, I could hardly believe it! Of course, I have to do exercises to build up the muscles to keep it where it needs to be... but regardless things are REALLY looking up!! Of course, we were worried because we have a very expensive co-pay and they want to see me twice a week. However, they did tell me today on the phone that we can pay whatever we can afford for a co-pay and then just continue to pay it off later... which is GREAT as well- so thank you for your prayers!! God is watching out for us in a very special way and I can tell how He's working, in His timing, to make things better. It's such an amazing gift, I can't tell you what it will mean to me to be able to move and walk without being in such excrutiating pain, I couldn't do that with Josiah from about 8 mo pregnant on. Plus, I was worried about how I was going to take care of him and deal with such pain. Now I am hopeful that God has given us some support here and I will do at least a little better this time around!

Michael is also doing well and has a phone interview tomorrow for the position he is really hoping to get at the University of Baltimore. After the phone interview, if all goes well, he'll have an on-campus interview and then will (hopefully!!) be offered the job. As my Dad said, "Anyone who doesn't hire Michael is just dumb." HAHA... It's so true though! Anyway, please keep him in your prayers tomorrow for his telephone interview and I'll let you all know when his NEXT interview is!! (thinking positively!) Apparently they had a lot of applicants, so we are crossing our fingers that since Michael is a student there and they know how great and hardworking he is, he'll get this job. Thank you all for your prayers again!

Not to leave him out- Josiah is wonderful! He's almost 2, and definitely has the attitude to match now. But, he's still the joy of our lives and is so much fun we can't stand it! He's also much more "aware" of the baby since I'm getting bigger (well- she is!) and he sometimes comes up to me and says, "Hug the baby!" and hugs my belly. It's basically the cutest thing in the world. Perhaps only one step cuter.... is that after a temper tantrum today Josiah said probably the funniest thing I have ever heard him say. NOW... you have to imagine this. He's sitting on my lap, legs around my waist, tired little face and eyes, and he says, "Look at me!" .. I look at him and say, "Josiah, I am looking at you- You have my full attention. What do you need?" And after pausing to think, he says with a pouty but VERY serious look on his face, "I need cheesecake."
HAHAHAHAHAHA! It was so funny I just laughed so hard! The kid is so histerical sometimes, and is getting more and more original. I just told him, "I need cheesecake too honey, but I don't have any right now." hahaha.

We love you all and you are in our prayers as well. More updates to come!
Blessings to you all!
- Lisa, Michael, Josiah and Lydia

Exciting Day! Update on our little girl...

Today Grandpa, Josiah and Mommy went to an open house at a local fire station. Josiah had a blast! He jumped on a moonbounce (kinda) and went down the slide it had, he climbed in an ambulance, he watched Grandpa "put out a fire" with the fire hose, he watched a huge fire truck raise it's ladder ALLL the way up, and he "drove" an army tank! The local police, firemen, and Army National Guard were all represented- as well as some K-9 units. We didn't stay long enough to see the helicopter that was flying in, but we still had a lot of fun. Josiah even got one of those cute little plastic fireman hats... ahh a little boy's dream day! It was a great morning of fun and my camera batteries lasted just long enough to get a couple good pictures...

Grandpa and Josiah in front of the fire truck

Josiah "driving" an army tank (He loved that so much we had to tell him to get out so the other kids could have a turn!) He sat in the seat driving by himself but then asked Grandpa to "come in with me!"

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Our other little one is doing very well... she's kicking and keeping busy so that's a good sign! I am 21 wks pregnant tomorrow, and am actually feeling very well lately. I attibute that to all the prayers coming my way, so please keep them up!If she's anything like her older brother, I'll never feel her STOP moving! Today Michael and I decided.... ***DRUMROLL PLEASE*** Our daughter's name is Lydia Marie! We always liked that name and if Josiah had been a girl that would've been his name. But even after he was born, I felt like I "had" a Lydia already, like I knew her and was just waiting for her to come. (I know, I may sound weird...) but, I believe this is just her name! and here she is! SO, we're going to stop trying to think up others, she's just Lydia. We already call her "Liddie" sometimes and we are so excited to meet her. Daddy rubs my belly and says, "Hey little Lydia, how are you today?" it's pretty adorable! Of course, we have a few months to go so if we have to change it we can... but I doubt we will!

Lisa and Lydia- 20 weeks

Michael is doing great and is excited that school is almost out. He doesn't have any final exams (YAY!) but has lots of research and papers due as the end of the year approaches. His professor told him that he could hear about a job interview as early as next week for the teaching position at Univ. of Baltimore... so PLEASE continue to keep that in your prayers!!!

We love you all and hope you are doing well. We'll keep you posted on any other Walk family wonders! Hopefully we'll have good "job" updates very soon!!!

God bless,

Lisa, Michael, Josiah and Lydia

It's a GIRL!

It's a girl!!!

Surprise of all surprises! Yesterday we had our 20 wk sonogram and our new baby is a GIRL!! We are so surprised and so excited!!! Mommy, Daddy, and big brother Josiah all went out for lunch and ice cream after the appointment to celebrate. Josiah has been saying all along- whenever you ask him- "Josiah what do you think the new baby is? a boy or a girl?" He says, "Little girl"... I don't know- maybe he knew something we didn't!

The sonogram also showed that her growth and development is wonderful and she's perfectly healthy so praise the LORD! She is due on September 6th. I don't think there's much more I can say... I'm still in shock and floating somewhere on cloud 9... no, maybe cloud 90! Somewhere way up there- I don't know I still can't think straight. I thought for sure God would give me 5 boys!! (Well, I suppose he still might... haha!)

Here's a couple of the best "first" pictures we have our new baby girl! Grandma thinks she looks like Alison and Lucy- another girl full of the Cooke genes, I love it! Michael asked, "Do you think she'll have red hair!?" haha... we'll see! Enjoy!



p.s. Thank you to everyone for your prayers for our family and our new baby! God bless you!

Trip to the Zoo

Hello Everyone!
I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted something, but it's been busy around here! Not to mention I couldn't get any pictures up since my computer was being stupid and slow... and I couldn't get them off the camera! Michael fixed that today so hopefully I can post some recent pictures/events.
Yesterday Josiah and I were invited to go to the zoo with my friend Hayley and her "primary" child from work- Breasia "Bre". Hayley helps take care of Bre and gets to take her out occasionally, so we all met at the zoo! Bre is adorable and we all had fun together. It was chilly at first, just jacket weather, but warmed up very nice by the end of the day. It was a GREAT time to go, because tickets are half price right now (and Josiah is under two so he's free! yay!) and there was NO ONE there! It was a blast!
We were both WIPED at the end of the day... I think next time we go to the zoo it will be on a day that Daddy can come to help!
Speaking of Daddy... the latest news is that Michael handed in his application to UB for the teaching position he would like yesterday. He spent a lot of time on all the parts they asked for and even had some professors look them over/edit them. We are looking forward to the response and are fully expecting an interview since he's professors told him that he "better apply" for the job! The position is "closed" on April 21st so after that date he will hopefully get a call for an interview... or if they're smart they won't interview anyone else and just offer him the job. :o) We'll see! We'll keep you updated.
Here are some pictures from the zoo! Josiah got a new hat with an elephant on it before we left and it says "The Maryland Zoo" on the side. It was a fun day. God bless you all- we hope you are all doing well. Enjoy!



Josiah and I as mommy lion and baby lion cub!
Hayley and Bre
Josiah and his 2 yr old buddy... the chimpanzee!
The ZEBRA!
Josiah sitting on the lion!


Josiah wearing his new hat.