great news.

dads surgery is over.

it was a great success.

we are all celebrating.

and recovering.

God is so so good.

the lord is my shepherd.

meet my dad. chip.

chippy as trent affectionately calls him.

tomorrow he is having brain surgery. 

while awake. for four hours.

followed by a surgery to implant a pacemaker type device in his chest.

he has parkinsons disease and this is the second. and final. 

part of the surgeries called deep brain stimulation.

we thank God for moments like these. 

the times that bring us together. filled with faith. and hope.

we are on our knees praying for safety. and success.

we know who is in charge. 

and we know how much he loves dad.

and we are so glad that this. all of this. all of us. are in his hands.

please join us in prayer. 

keep my dad. my mom. my family. the doctors. and nurses. all in your thoughts.

and I look so forward to updating you on the great success of his surgery this time tomorrow.

God is so good.

happy friday.

life is about being a big girl.

enjoy yourself this weekend.

happy friday.

lookout world.

lila is on the move.

and she we couldn't be more proud.

welcome summer.

welcome watermelon. 

welcome tomatoes.

welcome basil.

I guess its the kid in me. I love Summer.

long days. sitting on the porch. bugbites.

all of it.

happy summer.

mr. cools pool

a busy morning.

hard work.

all for some poolside relaxing.

I think we've outgrown last years pool.

happy friday.

life is about growing.

enjoy yourself this weekend.

happy friday.

and yes, our first tomato!

welcome to the club.

yesterday was a milestone kind of day.

our first stomach bug.

as in trent.

It started mid morning and went on till about supper.

he threw up all over my couch. chair. and favorite embroidered pillow.

he threw up all over the rug. the bathroom. and the both of us.

I put him in the bath. 

trying to collect my thoughts. and muster up some courage. 

he only got out to throw up some more. 

all he wanted was me.

to hold him.

so we did.

on the cold bathroom floor.

he was naked as a jay bird.

surrounded by puke.

and love. 

we sat there as still as the two of us ever could be.

it was maybe 4 minutes.

I soaked up every bit of it.

I felt like I was official.

a real mom.

not the bake cookies. push a stroller. read a book kind of mom.

but a a throw up mom.

if mom's got patches. 

the throw ip patch would be a collectors item.

I am so in love.

sweet boy.

tom brought me these.

I don't know which is lovelier.

him or the flowers.

him.

sweet reality.

take a closer look.

it's official. 

he's "potty train."

just like that.

he goes in there. wipes. flushes. washes up. 

nice.

weekend update.

weekend update.

we did nothing.

and it was so wonderful.

happy friday.

life can be funny.

enjoy yourself this weekend.

happy friday.

burket style exercise.

daily dance party. after nap. excited for dads arrival.

listen for the sounds of stevie wonder and billy joel behind all the laugher...

true burket style.

tooth fairy.

one sweet baby.

one sleepless night. 

one little tooth.

it finally came.

and she is finally asleep.

how to hang a tire swing.

 a perfectly old tire.

pre-drilled with drain holes.

and bolted with chains for hanging horizontally.

have cowboy throw the rope with something heavy attached

and lasso the branch

listen for cracking.

have cowboy tie a fancy knot.

wake your favorite toddler up from a nap to see how it works.

I think it works.

oh yea. It definitely works.

special thanks to cowboy bob & chippy.

and big al for giving us your perfectly old tire.

if you wanna give it a try, swing on by.

the ringbearer.

he clearly is his fathers child.

despite his dashing looks.

he walked halfway down the aisle tall and proud.

soaking in every friend and fan.

carrying the magic pillow.

turned around to look for me.

I waved for him to go ahead.

and he took off.

running the rest of the way.

then danced the night away with his girls.

the only thing better than marrying tom burket.

was having a little one that is just like him.

I am so in love with this kid.

happy friday.

life is a ride.

enjoy yourself this weekend.

happy friday.

oh lila...

is like a real baby doll. 

has a cackle like an old lady.

thinks her brother is the funniest creature around.

wakes me up each night at 5. my favorite part. just her and I.

and yesterday batted her long eyelashes and told 

cute little Cooper Stock. bye bye.