Wow it feels weird to log on here. It's been over a week. And honestly, it's been nice.

We've been going to bed early. Getting into the routine of having a kiddo in kindergarten. Brian's been cooking a lot. I've been reading before bed....it's been nice.

I told Brian the other day that I've been missing this. I'm missing getting into my own head and processing what's going on. Plus, I feel like I've missed some important moments....like the 1st day of kindergarten. I need this to remember.

I guess I'm thinking that I need to schedule a time at least 3 days a week to sit and write. I feel like I need it. I've got to get in the habit of doing it in the morning and not at the end of the day when I'm exhausted.

Anyways, I say all that to tell you that I want you to come over tomorrow night!

Yeah, I'm dead serious. If you live in the OKC area, you are invited. : )

My sister is organizing a backyard benefit to raise money for our friend, Whittney Coby to go to Haiti on a mission trip.

We're going to have live music, worship, and a silent auction with all proceeds benefiting Whittney's trip. We also have tanks to sell. $20 each with all profit helping to fund Whitt's trip in September.

That's my handsome brother-in-law so wonderfully modeling the tanks....you know you want one.

We have some great auction items put together for you to bid on that I know you'll love! Plus, it'll be a night of great friends and music.

So what do you think? 

Come on over tomorrow night and hang with us in the backyard. Bring a lawn chair and some bug spray : ). All ages are welcome. We'd love to have you! 7:00-9:00

If you don't live in the area or can't make it tomorrow night but would like to donate to Whittney's mission trip to Haiti, you can do so by going clicking here. 

If you need our address, please email me at allisondalke@gmail.com. 

We hope you can join us for a night of music and celebration in the Dalke backyard from 7:00-9:00 on Sunday, August 26th. 

Tonight I Write for Me

Tonight I sit in front of this computer for no other reason except that I want to.

I considered finding some sort of journaling software so I could keep writing everyday but not have to do it for anyone else. But then I realized that the only other person I ever wrote for was really the Lord. He called me to write everyday, and on the days when I felt like I didn't want to, the commitment I made to Him was the only thing that kept me writing.

Now I can simply write when I want to.

Like I said last night, I really have fallen in love with writing here everyday. It has become our story in print, and since my memory is horrible and I can barely remember what I ate for lunch....what did I eat for lunch?.....I cherish those words.

Today, the random people who knocked on our door wanting to look at our house came back to see it again. They loved it. Their parents loved it. Their kids loved it.

Brian talked to them about timing and told them that we really wouldn't be willing to move until the beginning of December. There are a few reasons with the main one being us having a baby in November.

We thought that surely this would deter them since they have someone wanting to buy their house. But no, their parents said they could move in with them for a couple months and save some money, and they seemed to think that was a great idea.

They also asked if they could have a week to think about it and get back to us. Of course, we said yes. We're obviously not in any hurry since there isn't even a sign in our yard.

Until then we're simply praying. Praying that the Lord would make all this clear to us. That we would have no doubts that it's Him calling us.

I have an incredible amount of peace about it all. I have lived in this city for exactly ten years now, and I never thought that I would move. But, what I've learned is that I'm not always right, and somehow, the Lord always knows more about the future than I do.

I have been studying the book of Esther for quite some time now (a couple months, I guess) and it has quickly become my favorite book of the Bible. And one of the things I love about it is the notion that we were each placed on this Earth in the right time and place to do something that only we can do in a time that is unique to us.

I know that sounds crazy and is almost too much to think about, but I don't believe we're all just randomly here to live and die. I believe that each of us has a unique God given purpose that only we can fulfill.

Am I sure of mine?

Not 100%. But the more I examine my life and my experiences and the challenges I've had to face, the more I know that as long as I am seeking God and truly surrendering my life to His plan, and not my own, then it will all work its way towards the purpose He has for me.

I've decided that it's kind of fun living a life surrendered to Him. You just never know what will come your way or who will knock on your door.

Day 365

Well, I certainly didn't expect to be up this late tonight. It's 1 a.m. and I'm indulging on roasted peanuts and lemon lime Perrier water. I know I'm living large.

{This is your fair warning that this post is sure to be anti-climactic.}

I have been cleaning since 10 a.m. this morning. We found out that the random people who knocked on our door Thursday night wanting to possibly buy our house, want to come see it again. Tomorrow. At 5:00. 

So I went on an insane cleaning out binge today. And I'm still not done. Those suitcases are still unpacked on my bedroom floor. I'll get to them. No worries. 

Thanks to my momma's help, there is a place for everything and everything is in its place. I don't know why she always gets suckered into cleaning out with me. But she's a good sport and she never complains. 

I went so overboard today that I even vacuumed closets, and not like regular clothes closets, but like the coat closet and my Scentsy closet. 

Part of me wanted to stop myself mid-day and just give it all up. I thought that maybe I was trying too hard. But then it occurred to me that I am open and okay with whatever happens tomorrow. 

If these people want to buy our house, do we have a plan? Not exactly. There is a house in Temecula, California, that we've done some negotiating on. But I have no idea what the timing would look like. I simply don't know. We'll cross that bridge when it comes. If it comes. 

What if they decide they don't want to buy this house? Then what? Do we put our house on the market? (Since it's insanely clean.) Do we wait it out? I don't know. 

I have been praying so hard and nearly unceasingly since we started seriously considering a move to California, that I've finally given it up and given it all over to God. I told Him the other night that if He really wanted us there, He would have to make it obvious. 

A knock on the door is pretty obvious. As my father-in-law said, "I don't know if God gets any more blunt than that." I don't either. 

It's almost funny. 

So tomorrow will be good. Just like everyday is. I'm sure to be a little worn out, but my house is crazy clean and that always makes this girl feel good. 

By the way, don't think this is goodbye. I think we're far from goodbye. There are too many good stories left to tell. I'm sure of it. A brand new adventure is beginning as this year of writing ends. I could never leave you out of the excitement. 

I don't know that I'll write here everyday. But I will write here often. My love for words on a page (or in this case a screen) have blossomed over the past year. I can't imagine my life without this. 

So tonight, the real adventure begins. 

Thanks for tagging along for the ride. It was quite the journey wasn't it? 

.....day 365 of a year of writing.....

What I've Learned.....365 Days Later

Tomorrow will be the 365th day of my writing journey.

It was a journey that I set out on simply because the Lord asked me to. And exactly one year later, I sit in front of the keys a very different person. 

I often wonder why the Lord would have me turn this "blog" into a personal journal....a day to day of our life and love. I often think that it was more for me than for anyone else. I have changed not only because of the words I have written but simply because I had to write them in the first place. 

I've had to pray. I've had to seek Him. I've had to question myself and every decision I've made over the past year. 

I don't know what He intended for you to see. Maybe it was one story, one day, one instance. 

Maybe it was me at my worst or me at my best. I don't know. 

I do know that there have been highs and lows. There have been hard days and there have been simply beautiful days. 

And through the process of it, 365 days later, I have fallen in love with the daily act of writing. Our story has leaked onto these pages in a very real and raw way with little editing and little time to consider or rewrite the words for the screen. Often written late at night at the end of a long day, the words you saw here were simply a reflection of my heart and my soul. Sometimes they were impressive. Other times they were not. 

Strangely enough, I am not looking towards tomorrow as another check on the list. I'm not even excited that it's over. I have come so accustomed to coming here everyday to share my soul, that I'm not sure I can stop. Yes, there have been many, many nights when it has been a burden, a mere obligation. But there have been many more nights when it has been nothing short of therapy. 

Sometimes, I wish this were some super cool blog that was insightful and thought out and informative and helpful. But it was never meant to be that. It was simply meant to be our story on a screen lived authentically for others to see. 

As I think back over all the stories and pictures that grace these pages, I can't help but smile. I'm so glad that I did, that I stuck it out and finished the race. 

And even though this daily writing journey may be coming to a close, I know that our journey with obedience to the Lord is really just beginning. 

I have begun to look at our life as one big adventure. I don't really know where we'll be or what we'll be doing a year from now, and I am perfectly okay with that. As long as we're seeking after the Lord and following Him wherever He may lead us, I know that the story will turn out good. 

I honestly feel like one small chapter is closing and another, much bigger chapter, is opening with blank pages to be filled. 

There is so much more story to be written. 

How do I thank you for walking this journey with me? There have been tears shed and laughter shared for sure. But you have read on as devoted followers. You have become so much a part of our lives. You come up to us at events and on trips to tell us that you've been reading and following. And I am always humbled and honored that the Lord would use someone like me to reach so many people. I know that He has used my words to touch each of you in the right moment at the right time. 

Not everything has moved you. I'm sure lots of it has nearly bored you to tears. But I know the Lord has had His hand on the things you have read and the ways you have been touched and I am so grateful that it was not all in vain. 

Regardless of how long you've been along for the ride or what brought you here, thank you. Thank you for being a safe place. Thank you for challenging me. Thank you for encouraging me. I am different 365 days later because of you. 

.....day 364 of a year of writing.....

Who Does That?

Someone knocked on our front door tonight and told us they might be interested in buying our house.

Really? Who does that?

Well, who does that besides my husband? He knocked on a door when we were looking for houses in Piedmont a while ago. But, I don't think normal people do that.

Brian invited the guy in and showed him around. Then, his wife came in and they got the grand tour.

Please note that our house is a mess. We have been home from our latest travels for over a week now, and we still have two suitcases in our bedroom full of clothes. Oh well.

It turns out that this couple had looked at our house when it was on the market 3 1/2 years ago when we bought it. They loved it, but couldn't afford it at the time. They have friends in the neighborhood and would love to live here. As an added bonus, they think we have the prettiest house in the neighborhood.

The random guy at the door came almost in the same moment in which I was asking the Lord for mega signs that couldn't be ignored. And then someone randomly knocks on our door asking if we'd be interested in selling it. Really?

It's almost humorous. It's one of the things I love about the extremely relational God we serve. He knows us and knows what we need. It really made me want to throw my head up towards heaven and say, "Seriously?"

It's a rather interesting twist in our plans for the future. I asked for things I couldn't deny. I wanted and want His hand all over any decision we make to move anywhere. And yes, I'm being extremely stubborn right now and basically asking Him to lay it all out. If that's what you want....make it happen. I will go in faith, but I need to know that it's the Lord calling.

Right now, the Lord is making some advances. It will be interesting to see what comes of it all. Stay tuned? I guess that's all you can do. I guess that's all I can do. Stay tuned.

.....day 363 of a year of writing.....

Something New

We went car shopping today. Boy, oh boy.

I used to drive a Volvo......that I was in love with. When we decided to become foster parents, we knew we needed something with a third row. The Tahoe was our answer to needing more space.

And, I don't love my Tahoe. It's not even close to love. It's really not practical for us. There is no storage behind the third row at all. It doesn't really work for us and really won't work once we have a baby in tow that will need baby stuff like a stroller and diaper bag and all the "stuff" babies need.

The only thing that works for us in the Tahoe are the bucket seats in the second row that allow Addison to get to the third row easily. Other than that, I'm not a fan. There is no place to change a diaper. I know that sounds crazy, but it's important to a momma with a baby.

I don't know what the best answer is. We are considering a few things....a Ford Explorer,

a Ford Flex (that's Brian's pick).....I think it looks like a lunch box

a Toyota Sequoia

A Honda Pilot 

Possibly even a....dare I say it?....a van....like a

Honda Odyssey (which apparently you can put a spoiler on to make it seem cooler)

It's so hard to make a decision. I feel like I may have to drive a million cars to find one that I like. Don't I sound picky? 

There are just certain things that I care about as a momma.....like space to change a diaper, room for a stroller when the third row is in use, easy access to the third row (where I wouldn't have to move a car seat from the second row). Plus, I want something safe that drives well and will last. 

Oh goodness.....finding something new is often tough....I'll keep you updated on the search. It should be interesting. 

Do you have any advice to offer? Thanks for all your comments on Facebook. It's so much fun to see everyone's suggestions. 

.....day 362 of a year of writing.....

I Heart the Olympics

How I love the Olympics! But, they are making me so very tired! I can't help but watch the late night coverage of all the events in London.

All this late night cheering has made this momma tired. I love the Olympics, but I will also be happy when they're over.

I hate that I can't see it all. I don't want to miss any of it.

Anyone else have that problem?

My personal favorites....gymnastics (of course), diving, swimming, track and field, and sand volleyball. But honestly, I'll watch any of it.

Sorry for the really awful picture. But I figured since I haven't posted pics in a while, you might need a picture. So here's my view from the couch while watching Ali Raisman's medal ceremony for her gold medal win on the floor. Clear as mud, isn't it?

Hope you too are enjoying the Olympics....even if they are keeping you up until all hours of the night.

.....day 361 of a year of writing.....