monday.
january 26.
made it past
another shitty day
relatively unscathed.
both happy to
be home, we
crashed hard last
night and slept in
a bit this morning.
made it to work
around 9:00
after dropping maddy
off at her
second home.
looking forward to
a quiet week.
made it through
the work day
without falling asleep
then picked up
maddy and went home.
we stayed in for
the night,
each enjoying
the laughter of
the other while
playing with maddy’s
musical toys.
last year at
this time,
we were picking
out paint colors
for maddy’s room,
and retrieving most
of our stolen shit
from our local
police station.
today also marks the
13th anniversary
of my first date with
liz.
we never really celebrated
the date, and
she would always
laugh when
i remembered and
brought it up
(and i remembered and brought it up every year, even though i’m pretty sure she didn’t remember the exact date of that magical awkward night).
why?
because she thought
it was “cute”
that i would
remember, let along
bring up that
first date.
fuck…by now
you’ve seen my
so you know what
she was dealing with.
on top of
it, i got lost
on our way
to the science museum
(i was totally unfamiliar with st. paul back then).
even then i
couldn’t figure out
what the
fuck made her
want to hang out
with me after
that night,
but she did,
and i’m glad
she did.
especially when
i stare at that
little baby she
left for me.
tuesday.
27 days in,
and i can’t believe
the month is
almost over.
we did nothing today.
well, i fulfilled
my obligation at
the office and
maddy had
another day of
fun at daycare,
but the night
was reserved for
some much needed
rest and music listening.
wednesday
january 28.
time is moving
too fast,
but that may
be for the best.
same old, same old,
plus a get together
with creepy karyn,
who delivered to madeline
a few gifts,
(she especially loved the tissue paper)
and a giant quilt
with robots
all over it.
we went to
the french restaurant
in eagle rock,
and i got reacquainted
with one of
my favorite meals.
thursday
january 29.
today was the
day that our story
ended up on
the front page
of aol.com,
which led to
a server crash
that took my site down.
not good.
that sucked, especially
because there was
no warning from
aol that the
story was going
to be going up
that day.
aj and i
spent a bit
of time trying to
get things up
and running with
little luck.
we arrived at the
only solution available…
get a new hosting company.
after work
and daycare,
we met up with
a few friends
in the park at
the end of the 2,
along with
a film crew from
the rachael ray show,
and taped some
footage, some of
which they used
on the show.
maddy smiled the
entire time,
even doing a few
tricks for the
folks with the cameras.
photo by gentle ben.
later, we said goodbye
to our friends
and headed home
for some more filming.
the film crew
picked up pizza
from the best
pizza restaurant
in town,
and hung out with
us until almost midnight.
after they
said goodbye
and maddy passed out,
i packed up
my suitcase
for my trip to
nashville, then tried
my best to
get some rest.
kept thinking about
liz,
which makes
it almost impossible
to sleep.
woke up the next
morning, the 30th
day of the month,
and took
maddy to daycare
before finishing up
my half-day of work.
the g. grandparents,
having just arrived
from the mn
to hang out with
maddy for the weekend,
met me outside
my office
and the three
of us picked her
up from daycare.
the reunion was great…
seeing them all
smile really made
my day.
a few minutes
later we were
at the airport
and i was
saying goodbye,
giving maddy a kiss
for me and
a kiss for
liz,
then i was
on my way
to nashville.
boy it’s weird
to be in an
airport alone,
traveling without madeline.
i miss her already.
only my third
weekend away from
her.
i spent
my alone time
listening to
music and reading,
both things that
are nearly impossible
to do with a
squirming child on
one’s lap.
soon enough
i was in nashville.
met up with
my friend alaina,
(who arrived from the oh a few minutes before me).
and as we waited
for my luggage,
we randomly ran into
april, the woman
who is responsible
for us being here.
see, april has
a friend that
hooked us with
tickets to see
the silver jews
in a cave outside
the city.
i’m particularly excited
because it had
been announced that
it was to be
last show
for the band.
and as it turns
out, the town
nearest the cave
is the place where
my great grandparents
met and fell in love.
(they went to the southern school of photography in mcminnville, tn, and we grew up hearing all about the place and their time there).
that night we
met up with
a couple of alaina’s friends
for drinks at
a bluegrass bar.
had a great time,
but i was exhausted
and we had
a long weekend
ahead of us,
so i crashed early.
january 31.
last day of
the month
and a day
i’ve been looking
forward to for
nearly a month.
out the door and
on the road
to the show,
we stopped along
the way for
food and
some photographs.
and this sign
made me turn
the car around
to get a
better shot.
we turned a corner
and saw the sign
for the place
we were headed.
we picked up
our tickets
and soon enough
we were walking
toward the cave.
this is as close
to a religious experience
as i will
ever have,
so instead of ruining
it with my words,
i’ll be reverent
and let the photos
speak for themselves.
amazing.
we left the place,
alaina driving,
i slept the
entire way back
to nashville.
we arrived and
did a little shopping
for our kids
as well as a
little walking.
then i met
dolly parton.
we went out for
some drinks and
some live music.
we watched a lady
hold up a
drunk guy for
about an hour,
then we went to
the next bar
and i saw a poster
that included a
reminder of a
date that still holds
great importance in
my life.
checked in on
maddy, deb and
the grandparents before
crashing hard again
that night.
sunday.
a new month
and another step
further away.
got up and prepared
to meet with somebody
before my flight.
had an interesting
meeting that helped
solidify a decision
that i had
already made,
then it was back
on a plane
and back to my baby.
i slept the entire
flight, waking up
when the plane
landed in burbank.
the g. grandparents and
maddy were waiting
outside for me.
it was great to
be back, but
maddy didn’t even notice.
she was asleep.
we drove the grandparents
down to the lax,
and the two of
us went home
to spend a little
quality time together.
i had a great weekend,
and it was good
for me to
get away,
and it was good
that she could spend
a little time with
liz’s
family, but it
feels really,
really good to
be back.
112 Comments
Love the pics! It looks like you had a well deserved Daddy weekend.
Can’t believe that prom pic was on the Rachel Ray show.
Someday I must try this best pizza place… I <3 pizza. Hmmmmmm pizza. Especially with BACON on it!!
Those cave photos are absolutely amazing. What a wonderful experience.
Amazing photos!!! Just reading about all of your travels makes me tired. Give little Miss M an extra hug from us.
P.S. That quilt was the fucking bomb!
Has Maddy tried on her boots yet or are they a little too big? Looks like you had a really great trip.
What a place to watch and listen to a concert – wish I could have been there! I am sure you missed Maddy but it is good to have some time away – it is good for both of you.
WOW. Those photos of the Cave are intense… I need to go there for SURE!
Has to be one of the most amazing places to have a concert. Awesome!
It does feel weird traveling without the baby. Suddenly you feel very incomplete without your little sidekick. I end up being unproductive sometimes just thinking about her instead.
I think I need to make a trip to those caves! Amazing. SO far, Arcade Fire at Coachella 2 years ago was my closest religious experience. I had just been introduced to them a few days before, so I didn’t really know what to expect. But the sun was setting behind them in the amazing desert landscape and they just came out and took over and I was awed. Like you said, words don’t do it justice.
Glad you had a good trip! You are almost caught up!
i can just imagine how spiritual it was for you in that cave. i’ve felt the same way about music many times.
You have a beautiful baby girl. And while I don’t know you personally, I admire the person that you are and the strength that you have. My prayers are with you as well as my thoughts!
Matt,
Maddy is adorable…..
Lindsay
http://www.rememberingavi.blogspot.com
Awesome pictures!!! Sounds like you had a good mini vaca
Wow, cave pictures were awesome! The show must have been fantastic. I noticed your Salty Dog sweatshirt, I’ve actually been to that bar…it was pretty cool.
Glad you were able to enjoy a little adult time. As much as we adore our kids, it’s a must to take a breather every now and then. Much deserved!
wow that looks like it was an amazing show! Were they the first to have a concert in that cave? Such a unique idea! Glad you had a great weekend.
Awesome writing as usual, I so much look forward to your posts. Yeah, Liz was right, how can you remember the date of your first date with her? That is so so cute of you, even though she laughted at you, I bet you, she really really liked the fact that you could remember it. Maddy is precious. You have no idea, or maybe you do, of how great of a job you are doing with her. You are a great Dad ans she is a happy perfect baby. I love that first picture of her, where she is laughing while playing in between other kids at the park. Thanks again for sharing you story with us. Take care, hugs.
I’m glad you enjoyed your time in Nashville. Having lived here all my life, I’m somewhat biased when I say it’s one of the best cities in the south. I’ve been to the Caverns a few times, but I had NO idea they ever did concerts there. I’m going to have to remember to keep my eye on that…
Amazing pictures. thanks for sharing.
Glad that you got a little time to yourself. It is great that you have the support of your family as well as Liz’s. I am continually amazed by you, Maddie and your story.
PS. Love the photo stream at the top of the page
What a blast. The concert in the cave looks SO COOL! I swear you do the most amazing things!! Hey I made my clip for the RR show but obviously I wasn’t good enough as I did not make the cut. LOL But I was thinking of you, Liz and Madeline the whole time and I should send you what I wrote (hell, I liked it.
) Seems you and your family remain close in our thoughts, heart and prayers. Chelsea always thinks every baby is Madeline. And Emma is still drawing and writing to you. Hope our paths cross again!!!
We love you guys here in TN! Glad you got a chance to experience Music City. Oh…and I know where that pet casket sign is. Ah the joys of living in the south!
What an awesome location for a concert. I’m glad you had a chance to enjoy yourself with your friend.
Wow, that cave thing is amazing. I can’t imagine the acoustics in there??? Awesome!
How’s the crawler doing?
Wow, the concert in the caves looked like it was amazing. Sounds like you had a great time and had a nice little, well deserved, break. Glad you enjoyed it so much!
wow! I had never heard of that place for shows. Those pictures are amazing.
That is the coolest cave EVER! I can only imagine how fun that was!!!
Looks like it was an amazing time! Maddy is as cute as ever!
Holy cow Matt!!! That cave concert was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. How were the acoustics… That must have been sweet.
I am SO glad you got to go to that concert, I am sure you really enjoyed that. Great pics. xo
Just a hint for your teething girl…
- cold teething gel.
Anything she will teeth on ( pacifier, teething gel, teethers) put in the fridge. The coolness will comfort her sore gums.
Oh, she ‘s just as adorable as ever and LOVED ya’ll on the RR show!
You are an awesome dad!
Wow, what an amazing cave! So beautiful, I bet the music sounded better then it ever has before. Sounds like you had a great time too.You deserved a little you time, glad you got it. Oh and that green sweater your wearing, too freaking cool!
I just got back from my first solo trip with my son. Thought of you doing this all the time. The flights weren’t as bad as I thought. There are some nice people and some not nice people. I got the bulk head the first flight which was great. The way back to MSP though was tougher. An old lady ahead of us layed her seat back for the whole flight. As if there wasn’t room in the first place, now there was even less. Let’s just say when Patrick started kicking the crap out of her seat, I didn’t stop him. I took a photo of my son in his stroller at our resort as well and it reminded me of lots of your stroller photos of Maddie.
I can’t believe the Silver Jews are breaking up! and I didn’t even know! so glad you were able to go and see that amazing show, you’ve certainly earned a little rock n’ roll time.
Sounds like another great trip! I’m originally from Chattanooga, TN so looking at those pictures brought me back. You should definitely check out Chattanooga sometime. Summertime there is nothing but free music and great beer. : )
Gorgeous photos! The cave looks amazing. And LOVE Dolly. ;o)
Maddie is so beautiful and is so lucky to have a father who adores her so.
are those pew breakers (boots)?
Hmmmm. That cave.
Do they make you sign some sort of release before going in there? What if the music is too loud and it collapses? Would the city be responsible for that… or the manager of the band. If he survived?
The caves were awesome! Thanks for blogging
Love the pics. Thanks for sharing.
Liz was a lucky woman to have you in her life. Just like Maddie is a lucky girl to have you as her Daddy.
A robot quilt…that rocks!!!
Still waiting for pics of Maddy in those boots!!
WOWEE That cave is awesome!! I’ve never seen anything like it! I’d love to know what the sound was like. Thanks for sharing those photos. I was wishing i was there.
Love maddy’s gorgeous wee face smiling in the middle of the kids at the park. awww. x
BERMAN! BERMAN IN A CAVE!
I am so jealous.
Beautiful pictures as always. Will be thinking about you guys Saturday night in Cincinnati as a musician by the name Peter Adams perform Neutral Milk Hotel’s album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea in its entirety. With Matthew Shelton. All ages, $5. Now anytime I hear them I think of Matt, Maddy and Liz. Stay strong! You are doing great and I think it makes us all appreciate what we have and try to love and care just that much more.
*Smiles* I loved seeing all those pics.
you deserve a little break now and then. you work hard being a good daddy, and even the best daddies need a break. 
so how mobile is miss M these days? *grins* i bet she’s on her way to walking.
Great photos Matt! I can NEVER get enough of that prom photo!
sounds awesome! although, i must admit, i am VERY claustrophobic, so i dont know how long i could have lasted in a cave! i am a wuss.
Again, it was totally my pleasure to pass the tickets along to you. I’m so glad we ran into each other in the airport! And ridiculously pleased you went to Roberts Western World on Broadway.
Hope you got that email about the Donor software. Don’t hesitate to email or call to talk more about it. I’d love to help the creeps with that section of the Liz’s Foundation!
-April
It is good for you to get away. I am sure you missed Maddy tons, though! Looks like you had a nice trip.
Good for you having a well-deserved weekend away. It must be nice being back home with that beautiful little girl; I hope she’s smiling a little more every day for you!
“even then i couldn’t figure out what the fuck made her want to hang out with me after that night, but she did, and i’m glad she did. especially when i stare at that little baby she
left for me”
These lines brought a tear to my eye. You truly are blessed Matt!
wanna know what impresses me most of your blog? Madeline’s face is ALWAYS clean! My kids are barely ever boogie-free or food-free or marker-all-over-their-face free in their pics.(i wont even mention what they look like after being left alone with daddy for a few hours!) Good Job Matt, you are doing great!
Great post! The pictures of the cave are amazing, I can’t imagine what it was like to walk in there. Beats any venue I have been to, hands down.
Love the pictures of the flying Madeline. What is it with you Dads that you like to balance your children with one hand. My husband does this with our sons and freaks me out!
Dude, I read you every chance I get. And I love your baby, and the fact that you share her with us. But what is up with that green and blue sweater?
For the love of all that is good and …… musically holy – ditch the sweater.
I personally love that freaking sweater!!! LOL
Matt,
Loved this post! My favorite part is when you talk about your first date with Liz and about how she left you Maddy! It made me cry. Isn’t it amazing how looking at your child can make all the bad things go away…at least for a few moments! Keep up the great work!
Hey Matt; I love your blog and everything I was recently reading AOL as usual. But I ran across this article and thought about your situation as well I’ll post the link to the story.
http://news.aol.com/health/article/mom-almost-dies-in-labor/360263
If the link to the story doesn’t work heres the story.
Mom Home After Near-Death DeliveryAOL
posted: 5 HOURS 26 MINUTES AGOcomments: 0filed under: (Feb. 26) – An Ohio mother who slipped into a deadly coma just after giving birth to her fourth baby is now home from the hospital — nearly two months after the ordeal, according to WLWT.
Lori Smith, of Morrow, Ohio, gave birth to daughter Delilah Grace on New Year’s Day. An hour later, the 38-year-old mother’s body abruptly shut down. Her heart stopped and blood clots formed in her brain, liver and kidneys, the television station reported. Smith spent the next two weeks in a coma.
Smith’s family decided to take her off life support on Jan. 14, after her physicians said there was no hope she’d recover. But on what family members believed would be their last visit with her, Smith’s three elder children asked her to blink her eyes if she loved them. Smith’s eyes moved slightly — the first step toward her miraculous recovery.
“For some reason our life was spared,” Smith, who held baby Delilah for the first time on Wednesday, told WLWT. “We’re here and whatever that is, I’m not sure yet. But I know there’s work to be done.”
Asalamu Alaykom,
Just back from my own trip. Funny how we have to go away from home to remember who we were wanting to be. I understood a LOT more why you travel. I felt more of the immediacy of life and death–nothing does that like burying a child. Thank God it wasn’t my child. I don’t know how my friend survived these days. Mr. Matt, I’ve been with a family all week who has been trying to understand a sudden tragedy. I understand you more in this regard as well.
I continue to admire you as a good person on the planet who is doing his best to live while knowing he will die.
First, it’s fantastic that you got to be on your own with a friend…if only for a weekend. Every parent, regardless of the situation, needs a bit of “me time”. Not only does it allow them time to breathe, but it can also give them a reminder of just how important their children are to begin with.
Second, those photos of Nashville and the concert are simply phenomenal. While your words normally paint a vivid picture, your pictures ended up telling the story.
The Cave pics are
unbelievable
Just…WOW!
Been reading your blog for a few weeks now and just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading about the love a father has for his child – I have lived right outside of Nashville my entire life and love it here and actually slept in Cumberland Cavernes when I was in middle school, but you couldn’t pay me to do it again…Glad you enjoyed your trip here!
So glad that you got to go experience that show- and what a place to see a show- WOW!!! You needed a little get-away!
You never cease to amaze….and I must admit, I’m wonderin’ what it is that you’re solidified in…you’ve been hinting at in-but I know that you’ll reveal, let us stranger folks in on it in due time!
Peace & hugs to you & Miz Maddy!!!
Hi Matt,
I just came across your blog and want to thank you for sharing all that you have. Just spent the past couple days reading through the entirety of your archives and have just now caught up.
Thanks to you, my musical world has expanded and I’m disappointed that was the Silver Jews last show as I’ve just now discovered them. Seems that happens to me quite a lot.
So thank you once more and my two tiny sproglings (18 months and 10 weeks) will continue reading your inspiring blog.
What a cool-looking concert! And that Madeline – she gets bigger every week!
Amazed again with you, all you do and your wonderful Madeline! Thanks for sharing, you are truly inspiring.
What amazing pictures! Thank you so much for posting them for us – I always enjoy looking at them.
Maddy is just one of the most adorable little ladies EVER! In one of the pictures you posted today (taken at the park), she looks so much like her mom that it could take your breath away. Beautiful!
So glad you had a nice weekend – you deserve it!
Hugs from VA!
that concert looked amazing!! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Take care you two!
At the end of my horrible day today, i sat down to relax and look at the computer. I ended up on your site. I wanted to tell you that what you are doing both in life and on the web is amazing. Reading your thoughts helps in so many ways. I forget about how bad my day was, think about how blessed i am, and helps me see those good things that happened today that i overlooked because many things overshadowed them. So thank you for that! Thank you for being an awesome dad, many could take lessons from you!
Wow. Those caverns are gorgeous. I now have to make the trek across the country to go there.
Hey Matt! I have been following your site ever since your story was published in People. I was reading your most recent post and almost dropped my computer on the floor when there were pictures from my town on here! .. I live about two minutes from the Angel Sleeping Pet Caskets and have actually jumped off the dam that is in the photograph!! Mcminnville is a really small town so there is not much to do
.. just thought that was crazy and makes it really feel like a small world! .. oh and Maddy is adorable!!
I’m looking forward to the time that Maddy refuses to wear any shoes other than her boots.
I’ve been following your blog since Madeline arrived (I was expecting our daughter at the same time as you and Liz) and love how you have been raising Maddie to be such a beautiful little person. I had to comment tonight for the 1st time when I noticedf your Salty Dog hoodie. I live just north of Homer! I love how small this world really is. Thanks for sharing yours with us!
What an awsome cave to have a concert in!! Pics were great, as usual!! I must say everytime I see Maddy in that shirt she was wearing in the park, makes me want to go and find it to buy it for my daughter, Chloe!! I love it!! She is so Cute!!!
Wow. The SJ show looked amazing. I’m really, really glad you got to experience that. That Maddy girl is super cute and super lucky to have a good daddy.
Awesome pics as always. So glad you had a great time @ the concert! Maddy is gorgeous as always! and you are AWESOME!!! take care!
Matt,
Just thought I would say hi and let you know that I will pray for you and your little gal. A friend of mine forwarded me your story. I can relate. It’s been a long month. My husband, Mark, died last month after a dirt bike accident. We too have a little one. Well he doesn’t think he’s so little- he’s 6 yrs and 8 months.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Here’s ours: http://www.prayforthelamberths.com
-Angie
I can’t just read one of your posts and then get on with my day. Your words linger.
Matt, I really admire your strength. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. Your daughter is beautiful, and she is lucky to have an amazing father. You two will be in my prayers.
-Layla
I’m totally not surprised that you remember the date of your first “date”. Based on what you’ve written it sounds like it was one of the red letter dates of your life. As such, it should certainly be remembered and celebrated!
Also, I loved reading about the fact that you have other “shutterbugs” in your family. I imagine you were greatly affected by their presence.
Take care of yourself (and your beautiful child)
The pictures were beautiful. Glad you got a little time for yourself. Maddy is just adorable.
What a great weekend. I so look forward to those getaways sans kid, but then am dying to get back and see her again.
Hope you had a moment to relax on your weekend away! Maddy is beautiful! The cave pictures were amazing!
Great gig pictures, looks class.
Okay, I am going crazy over here since you made the vague comment about “solidifying a decision.” What decision have you made and why did you have a meeting in Nashville to finalize it? I love your blog and your posts are some of the best on the Internet. It is a pleasure watching Maddie grow and develop through your pics.
What a cool place to have a concert, inside a cave. Awesome. And, I love nashville. Such a great nightlife and fun to see all the stores and great live bands that aren’t famous but have great talent.
Grandma Karyn & the ::awesomesauce:: quilt. : )
Love the pictures!! Maddy is getting so grown up looking!! She’s sproutin’ some hair, man!!
Happy Friday to you. : )
But your time not spent tidying the house has been well spent, wouldn’t you say? Commemorating Liz with a foundation AND helping other parents who are in similar situations?? Amazing work, stand proud and tall and hire a cleaner if you must, those are minor details.
The first picture of you and Liz together with your box of belognings is excellent. I love the comfort of it.
Sorry, but I am not familiar with the Silver Jews (my music generally stems more mainstream, unfortunatly). But, holy shit, that looks like a phenominal show!
Love to you guys! Can’t wait to hear about the BIG decision that you have made!
The cave is nothing like I had pictured in my head before. When I got your twitter back then, I was feeling definitely kinda mildewy.
So did the Silver Jew guy remember you>! I mean-of course, how could he forget–but the last time you saw him was a little sentimental, no?!
Dolly is looking a little flat these days…maybe she needs a pump er up?
I love your photography! So awesome!
That cave looks so cool! And I think that the sweater looks good on you.
@Angie Lamberth: You’ve come to the right place. Good luck to you and your little guy!
Holy cow, a concert in a cave? Maybe I don’t get out much, but that’s way awesome. And great pictures, as always!
oh I had just forgotten about your prom pic…thanks for reminding me!
Soooooooo glad you had a great weekend to yourself, but I know how hard it can be to leave your kid(s). Mine at 10 and 4 years old…and our only babysitters have been my parents and my sister ~ that’s it. I don’t trust anyone else with them! ehehehhe
* cause my friends live a few hours away!*
That was a cool location for a concert! I lived in Nashville for 3 years and NEVER heard of that cave!
haha I loved being in and around Nashville, great things always going on there. (but from a small town MS girl, it was a big place for me! LOL)
Glad you got to enjoy that weekend and the RR show was awesome but I’ve told you that. Loving the pics of Madeline. SHe is growing so FAST! And she is still so very happy. Good job Matt!
Hey Matt, This is unrelated to your last post,
Do you know that Wilco as well as Dave Matthews Band and My favorite Widespread panic are going to be at 10,000 Lakes Fest this July 22-24!!!! You should come and have the grandparents watch Maddy!!!!!!!!!
Matt, I’ve been following your story for some time now. You are doing a great job. Maddy is beautiful and she will love how you are helping her to remember her mother as she gets older and she’ll love you even more. I live in TN and have never heard of the caves, will have to check those out, however, I work close to the clubs you were visitng. Glad you enjoyed your trip to our city. You are in my prayers.
Hi Matt I have been following your story for a bit now. I am a part of a message board on Ivillage for babies born in March of 2008. We think of you as an honorary Clover Cutie! (that is what we call our “playgroup”) For some reason tonight reading your blog especially touched me. I think it is perhaps the picture of you two last year and as the one year birthday of my daughter approaches I have been also thinking a lot about what was going on in my life this time last year. I am so sorry you lost Liz. She seemed to be an amazing woman. Maddy also seems to be such a beautiful spirit. My heart goes out to you. You are doing an amazing job enduring. Peace and love
A meeting in Nashville after the concert, and a solidifying decision…?
I’ve got it! They want you into the band. How fantastic! Liz would be proud.
Same thing happened to me on London’s Regent Street after U2 played on the roof of the BBC this Friday.
Afraid I had to decline — yet again…
I remember this……
Didn’t know where to post this, so here it is.
I am sure you hear this a lot, but your blog has touched me so deep inside. I am just a 24 yr. old law student, but the night I found you blog and read the early entries, I was bawling. And bawling. Had to call my boyfriend to calm me down. Something just hit a nerve and reached me so, rawly.
Thank you for sharing your story. Your and Madeline’s journey has helped me discover so many things about myself. A truly priceless gift.
Hey Matt & Maddy,
We have missed you!!!
Rachel & Mychala in the mn
Wow–what an AMAZING place to see a concert! Loved the pics!
Matt, just know you always have love and white light from all of your friends on the ‘net.
i am so jealous of that silver jews show! holy crap!
From the first time I read your story and your blogs since. I have just been in awe of you. Not a day goes by that I don’t stop in to see how yours and maddys day has gone. You are an absolutely wonderful father to that precious baby girl. I know that your beautiful wife is looking down everyday with one of her liz size smiles and she knows that the two of you together will have a good and healthy and happy life together because she knows you are a good man and a strong man and that no matter what you will always put your maddy first before anything else. I admire you very much for being able to share something so painful but also so beautiful. I’ve always been a firm believer in talking, saying, writing it out and to never keep it in. If you do that it will just eat at you and then pretty soon you will have so much inside that you can’t even remember anything good to talk about. Thank you for allowing me into your world a bit. I have an 8 month old son myself and I know exactly how difficult it is to do it on. But it’s soooooooo worth it. The best part is just when they look at you, thats all my little guy has to do. He just looks up at me with those blue eyes and no matter what, all is well and thats what keeps me going. Good Luck..xoxoxo
Did you paint the birds??
In RE: to the bird pics -I commented on the wrong post, don’t know what happened there???? I was refering to the ones you were painting last year for M’s room!!
Huh. I guess it never clicked that your and Liz’s first date was the same night as my first date with my husband. 13 years ago Jan 26th.
I have a hard time sometimes coming to read your blog – because I came so very close to not making it through my own daughter’s birth – only luck and a miracle got me through… and I’m so aware every day of the fact that they were a breath and emergency experimental surgery away from being without me as well that it’s hard to even think of.
But you and Maddie make it easier to think of without crying. Even though it has been 6 years here.
Too Too bad I didn’t know of you back then. I could have hooked you up with a tour of Fort Campbell! Lots of great photo ops there, with all the old planes and helicopters on display! Next time you want to take a trip you should go explore Mammoth Cave, in Cave City Ky. There is also a cool riverboat trip my girls love to take…it would be a great experience for Maddy and you.
Matt, I saw you on Oprah and started reading your blog. After many hours of reading I am caught up to today. I cannot believe the journey that you have been on for the past year and a half. You can be proud of all that you have done. I am a 27 and have a husband and two kids, Charlize(3) and Brytan (.5). Since reading your blog I am living each day with a new found appreciation for my husband and children. Thank you for that. By the way, my sister in law lives in San Diego, and we are in Milwaukee, if you or we are ever in our or your area, I would love to meet you and Maddy! Talk to you soon!