planking- Bilberry style

We did a little family planking the other night. Luke and I participated too but there isn't any evidence like there is of Madelyn.

Excuse the terrible phone pics.

She's got pretty good form!

I love my family.

water girl

Dear Madelyn,
A few weeks ago we spontaneously bought a few plants on a family trip to Home Depot. I love plants. I think they are beautiful. I dream of gardens full of flowers. I like a pretty yard. But, let's just be really honest, I don't like yard work and I never remember to water them. So...none of those things that I love are a reality at our house except a pretty yard and that is only because Daddy takes care of that.

We were a little hesitant to spend any money on something we were sure I would end up killing, but we went for it when we saw a plant that boasted it kept mosquitoes away. You were so excited.

Since then we have tried our best to water as often as our little plants need. You are such a big helper and you love to do it all by yourself. I think these plants might actually survive since you are the one taking care of them!

You fill up the watering can to the top, try to pick it up, dump some out because it is too heavy, try again, water the plants and repeat.

Sometimes you get distracted and water the yard.

Just today we added watering the flowers to your list of chores (more on that another time).

Watching you experience life is just plain awesome. You want to do everything all by yourself. Your desire for independence is a constant reminder that you are no longer my little baby. You are a sweet little girl who is soaking new things in each day.

This afternoon, obviously, I followed you with my camera as you watered. You just went about your business, but right before we went in you asked, "Can we print those for my room? I love to water the plants and I want to look at them in my room." You are so smart.


I love you.

I love life through your eyes.

I love the little girl you are becoming each day.

You are my sunshine.

Love,
Mom

an unexpected challenge

Last night Madelyn screamed out at about 9:30pm. It was a shrill cry and we both knew she wasn't going to get herself back to sleep. She has been getting a couple of molars in and it's definitely been giving her (and us) a run for her money! I decided to grab her and snuggle with her in our bed. For some reason that I am sure is totally unrelated to the fact that she was on top of me most of the night, I didn't sleep much at all.

This morning, I was tired. Really tired. I didn't want to get out of bed kind of tired.

Once I got moving, I remembered that today was going to be my husband's first time to preach at Bethel Bible Downtown. He had not taught a large group since before we moved so it was an exciting day!

I love his passion for sharing God's word. I love that he loves to continue to grow and learn. I love that he loves to lead. I know all of those parts of him are that way simply because that is how God wired him (and I am so thankful he did)!

For some reason this morning, although I prayed that Luke's leading would challenge hearts, I had no idea that one of the hearts I prayed would be challenged would in fact be mine.

I am not sure why, but when I walked through the doors of church this morning, it never crossed my mind that I would leave challenged. That I would leave changed.

Six months ago I went to Wal-Mart one night with my mom. I am so thankful that my mom was with me. As we were leaving and literally feet from our car, three young men drove over to us and one of them shot me with a blow dart gun. A five inch metal dart pierced my arm near my elbow and stuck in about an inch.

It was terrifying.

For weeks I couldn't sleep, was constantly panicked and sick to my stomach. I didn't leave the house after dark by myself and threw up in the parking lot the first time I went out at night with Luke and Madelyn. I let fear reign. Not because I wanted fear to reign, but because I thought I didn't know another way.

For months I've been frustrated, angry and saddened by such a dumb act that has controlled too much of my life. I have numbness in two of my fingers occasionally from the dart hitting a nerve and my first thoughts go straight to that night when the numbness occurs and it's frustrating. I was face to face with all three men and not one ounce of an apology was uttered and that has angered me. I have let this whole situation steal moments of my life that I will never get back and that has saddened me.

Then this morning something happened. My husband opened God's word and shared a message that he  previously briefly told me he was going to share. The text was from Matthew 8: 23-27:

 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"

I can't tell you how many times I have heard/read/shared this text myself. But today it challenged me.

"Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?"

Luke likened "little faith" to that of his old iPhone 3g. It syncs to the computer. It allows you to fill it with songs and data and apps via iTunes, but the screen is cracked and won't turn on. It's defective.

In that moment I got a little uncomfortable. My faith is defective? But then I realized it could not be more true. When it came to the point of me trusting God and releasing my fears, I just wasn't doing it. He has proven Himself over and over to me, yet I was holding on to my fears with a death grip completely unbelieving of His ability to carry me through this storm.

Tonight my sister, mom, Madelyn and I went to Wal-Mart. We parked just a couple spots over from where a few young men's choices almost made me forget that my God is worthy of my trust.

I am so blessed by the way He used my husband to remind me of these truths.

Here are some of the lyrics to one of the songs he shared this morning too. They are perfectly fitting!

Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me     By: Edward Hopper

Jesus Savior, pilot me  

Over life’s tempestuous sea;

Unknown waves before me roll, 

Hiding rock and treacherous shoal. 

Chart and compass come from Thee; 

Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

On a much less serious note, I am not sure I missed Wal-Mart that much. The lines are still ridiculously long and the produce looked undesirable, but I sure am glad to know that I can go and not be afraid!

Cousin Date

We had a spur of the moment cousin date after dinner tonight. We decided to head to Fresh to hear a little live music on the patio and called to see if Allison could join us. Madelyn adores Allison so picture the biggest grin possible and that's about how she looked the entire time we were there.

The girls ate strawberry gelato, danced, sang, giggled, ran and squealed. They begged for a sleepover but considering we are in unpacking mode, we decided to hold off for another night. So glad Allison could join us!

the sweetest little feet

These feet are the sweetest little feet. They grow a little each day I am convinced. They are wide and impossible to find shoes for. The right one has the most adorable little birthmark on it. They pitter patter through our old pier and beam house on the wood floors non stop. They dance and twirl and carry my precious little Madelyn where ever her heart desires.

One thing that I love watching them do is stretch and extend until Madelyn is on her tippy toes trying to reach something (usually that she should not have). I don't know why, but it's one of my favorite sights. I hope she always reaches for those things in life that are worth it!

loving the Loricks

Some of MK's favorite people all share the same last name...Lorick. Kolson, Karter and Kaden are pretty much as cool as they come in MK's eyes. I am glad she feels that way because I love spending time with their mom!

I love that these two little ones on the see saw have been good buddies since they were babies!

It was a fun little park date for sure!

we made it!

After tears and begging and pleading to just stay home this morning, MK happily spent the morning on the couch watching old videos of herself. I was hoping that we could go to day two of the "5 day club" but MK was not in a good mood at all. She did not want to go anywhere, do anything or mind for that matter but I couldn't really blame her considering she hadn't had a morning at home in almost a month.


The rest of the day was kind of tough with lots of attitude and many meltdowns. It was one of those days that I am thankful doesn't happen too often. At one point Luke sent me a message saying, "I've got my rally cap on!" You know it's bad when you're husband is cheering you on from the office.


We made it through though and it was good to just be home. Hoping tomorrow is much better and brighter for the both of us!

5 Day Club

The student ministry at our church is having a 5 day club at a local park. It is so awesome to see the students from both campuses come together and serve. Madelyn and I joined them until lunch time (I hadn't packed her anything) and I am so glad we did. I saw several kids that went to the elementary school where I worked before we had Madelyn. I loved that and was also in total shock that they could have possibly grown that much. Time flies!

The first hour and a half we were there we just hung out with the kids at the park. Madelyn was Miss Independent. She wasn't concerned at all about where I was and had a blast playing with new friends.

I love how social she is. I love how much she loves people. She is such a joyful little human being and even at a young age, that joy and enthusiasm for life is contagious.

I only took a few pics with my iPhone for that first part of our time there.

I got my camera out when they started the planned portion.

There were some fun games.

Madelyn sat amongst all the kids. She has no idea she is two or that they are much older.

Then there was music. I was so impressed with all of the students. They led the entire morning and did such an amazing job. God is using them in mighty ways and I know it will only continue throughout the week.

Madelyn decided she was two again and ran like a wild child.

She found a buddy her size and they clapped along to the music together.

Hearing such a young student sharing about having a relationship with Jesus, what it has meant for them and offering life to a group of peers was humbling. Aside from church, the last time I shared Jesus with one of my peers was at least two months ago. I know that their words and efforts and relationship building was meant to impact the lives of the kids at the park, but it impacted mine. It challenged me and made me think about moments I had let slip by in the last few weeks when I could have been bold in sharing my faith.

Madelyn began to stray from the group and I knew it was probably time to go. She was hot, hungry and getting tired. Of course we had to climb and slide one last time.

I am praying these students make as big of an impact on the sweet kids they meet at the park this week as they did on my life! It's such a blessing to be a part of Bethel Bible Downtown.

Saying goodbye...

This morning we packed up our bags and hit the road to meet Luke halfway and then head home. Not before MK could get one last dancing session in on Gigi and Papa's "path".

She's constantly pretending to be a ballerina. It's so fun and girly and I love to watch her twirl.

Then a few last pictures before we got on the road.

She was actually an AWESOME car rider aside from the non stop chatter. The kid never stops talking. Despite going to bed super late and waking up super early, she didn't fall asleep until we were 60 miles from home. She told me she wasn't going to go to sleep before we left Lubbock. Can you say stubborn?