Memories

10pm. All is quiet. Kiddos are fast asleep. Hubby too. Dishes aren't done. Laundry is piled next to my chair . I am exhausted but am smiling, sitting here and reminiscing about my life five years ago today.

It was a Wednesday as well. I was nine months pregnant, humongous and nervously laying in a hospital bed. I was being induced with my first child. I had gone to the doctor earlier that day for a routine visit. I remember discussing that I hadn't been feeling the baby move much. I remember having ultrasounds and other tests too. My blood pressure was a little high. The doctor said that being so close to the due date (March 9th) we could go ahead and induce so inducing it was. I remember packing and re-packing, and then re-re-packing my hospital bag, taking a pillow, blanket, books, magazines, cameras, cords, and a ton of other stuff that I didn't even use or really need. I remember thinking how funny it was that I knew I would be having a baby soon. Sonny was nervously calm, if that makes sense and together that Wednesday night, we went off to the hospital to check in. In the car, we discussed a myriad of things, one being that when we went home together, it would no longer just be the two of us. Amazing!

I remember the uncomfortableness of not being able to do much, just had to lay there and look at the white walls, white curtains, white doors, etc. Sonny was tired but stayed by my side. It was such a scary and exciting experience. A baby was on its way. My baby. Amazing!

It's so unbelievably true how fast time goes. The hours in a day never changes, but the years go by so fast. Tomorrow my baby will be five.

Thank you, Jesus, for my bouncing baby boy... who is still bouncy! I love him so so so much!

Luke on his first birthday

A Sisterly Surprise!

This post should have appeared sometime around three weeks ago, but I had some camera downloading difficulties so here it is, late as ever! A belated bloggy Happy Birthday to my sister, Tammy!

I didn't get to take as many pictures as I would have liked to but all in all, here are some of the best!

This is a fun outside decoration for her yard from Amy. The petals spin in the wind - so cute, so Tam!

A great friend of Tammy's (Deena) and I arranged the surprise party for our dearest Tammy! It was so much fun to get together with old friends and sisters (and Mom and Grandma) to celebrate Tammy! And talk about childbirth, Sarah!!! :)

Here is sister Molly - who really looks like a "sister" - adorned in a blanket since my basement was so cold! :) Sorry, Molly!

Here is the birthday girl, enjoying many laughs over old stories and memories! We all shared a story or memory of Tammy, with most of them ending in an uproar of laughter! My story had to do with a certain toddler bed that she stole from under my eyes at a garage sale a few years ago but I'm over it. Really. :) (j/k Tam!)






Last but not least, here is the awesome cheesecake Missy made for the dessert, which is Tammy's favorite. It was so delicious and pretty with the fruit on top that we all decided we had to take a picture to remember it! Thanks, Missy!




Tammy - thanks for being a wonderful friend first, then sister! I enjoy our Amish country trips and singing together in church! I am thankful for the recipes you pass along and the coupons you share! I am thankful for your love for Christ and how it shows! God bless you! Love, Mary

A.D.D. surprise

No, not "attention deficit disorder" - this stands for Aunt Dee Dee! :)

Aunt Dee Dee came over very early yesterday morning with a surprise for the birthday boy! Before he woke up, she put balloons all over the living room floor and a big gift on the table! Here a little video I took when he woke up and came out into the living room -

The video is a little long but it's funny. His first reaction is "What is this? It's an entire mess!" I don't know where he learned 'entire' but it was funny. Most kids would run and kick and play in them but mine says it's a mess - go figure :) He goes on to play with the balloons only to get distracted by a piece of paper, only to be distracted again by his trains (new ones he got for his birthday). Give him a break, he's blond! :)

A.D.D. got him some Thomas legos and a kids digital camera with batteries and a memory card along with a Thomas book and one of his favorite treats - oatmeal creme pies which he calls 'pumpkin pie'. He was surprised and very happy with his gifts! Thank you, A.D.D.!

I hope to post again soon with pics from his birthday party! We had such a nice time with our family - it was a great day!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Luke!!

With a heavy heart, I post about my son's 3rd birthday today! It, of course, was a very happy day but inside, I just could not get over the fact that three years have already passed! As I was preparing for this post, I went back through some old photos and picked out a few to share. Luke is so special to me and I'm so thankful to be his mommy!

This was Luke's first time in church

This was our first trip out after Luke was born. We went to visit my parents and I just love how he is so bundled you can hardly see him in there!

First night in his crib... alone... without mommy in the room...

(I didn't sleep that night!)

A trip to Grandma Tucker's house without being woken up. I just threw him in the laundry bin and took off. (FYI - she lives 30 seconds away!)

Luke's first Christmas - a charming photo of him with cousin Rose

Love, love, love this one!

Meeting Zachary for the first time in the hospital! Love that long lock of hair!

Luke's first birthday

We had to cancel his party due to a huge snow storm that day so him and I hung out all day at home in our pj's taking fun pictures of ourselves and napping together while Daddy (and all the uncles) plowed. Thankfully, everyone could come over the next day for his party!

Momma and Smiley

This was taken a few days before I delivered Zachary.

Praying to "Gee-zuh" for Daddy's birthday dinner!

This lip thing started late last year. Whenever he sleeps, he does this and I usually go in to his room after while and pull it back out :) What a kid!

Luke and Papa after his 3rd birthday party was over!

This is Luke turning 3 at 4:18 p.m. today! We are usually up from nap by now but after such a busy, long weekend, I let him snooze to his heart's content... well, I mean 4:45 p.m. but it was a treat to have the extra sleep!

Lord, thank you for this little boy for whom I prayed! He is a treasure and I thank You so much for giving him to me!

Luke, Happy 3rd Birthday!

Love, Mommy

Luke

In three short days, my baby will be 3 years old! THREE! As they all say, 'Where does the time go'?

In honor of my little blondie, I have added train decor to my blog and his picture, which he just thinks is the neatest thing!

I love this little boy more than words can say!

Happy Birthday!

I find myself rushing to get this post done before midnight so it's officially posted on today's date! Ever have days like that? Ever have weeks like that I should say? Rush, rush, rush...

Just want to wish Daddy a very Happy Birthday today! It was a very busy day for all of us and with church in the evening, we could not celebrate. Well, we did manage to go to Wendy's for dinner and celebrated by sharing frosties! But, a little party is planned for this Friday with our families and we're looking forward to it!

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mommy, Luke & Zach

Happy Birthday, Amy!

Just want to send a very

Happy Birthday

to my SIL Amy today!

Isn't she lovely!?!

Have a great birthday, Amy!

Love you

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today is Sonny's birthday and the boys and I decided to get him a special dinner! We got his favorite fajita burrito from Chipotle, his favorite Iced Coffee, and a special strawberry ice cream sundae! Luke enjoyed his very first kids meal from McD's, which brought a little dog toy inside that he loves and has been carrying around ever since he opened it. Ironically, it's the perfect toy as he just learned how to say "dog" this week! He also likes praying at the start of every meal even though he doesn't always wait for everyone to be seated (like me!). Zach enjoyed his first jar of prunes - yummy! All in all, we had a very fun and delicious dinner to celebrate Daddy!