Luke Jacob is 3!!

I can't believe Luke is three today!I have spent a lot of time thinking back to that day. The day I became a Mom. I had been waiting and praying for that day for so long. It was truly the best day of my life! I remember thinking that no baby had ever been more beautiful or loved or anticipated. He was all my dreams wrapped up in 8 lbs. and 10 oz. Being his mother felt so natural. Looking at his tiny face and holding him in my arms for the first time are priceless treasured memories.

Luke at 6 months! So adorable.

Age 1! What a fun time for us as parents. Watching him grow and learn are the most rewarding memories I have as a woman and mother.

Age 2! This is when a lot of new experiences opened up for him and us. I remember thinking how big he seemed last summer. No longer our little baby, but now looking back at the changes he has made in the last year I am certain that the baby who stole our hearts has turned into the little boy who rules our world.

Luke is now a lovable, affectionate, passionate, feisty, compassionate, exuberant kid!! He has such a funny sense of humor too! He really understands what it means to be funny and he does it on purpose.

He loves singing and dancing and when there is no music around he makes up his own, melody and lyrics. He knows the words to countless songs from country to classic rock, from instrumental to church music. He loves instruments and can pick out their individual sound when listening to music. Top on his list are Star Wars and Enchanted soundtracks. He sings the Imperial March (Darth Vadar's theme) when he is bored...he has been known to do it during the sacrament. Wow, we are trying to teach him, but sometimes it doesn't take.

He also loves watching sports with Dad. He loves to play catch and ride his bike.

His current favorite shows are "Super Why!" and "Word World" on PBS.

He has an exceptional memory! He only needs to hear or see something once in order to repeat it. This can be a detriment as a parent... you really have to watch what you say!

He talks a mile a minute (I wonder where he gets that) and is so animated as he does it. He LOVES friends and makes them wherever he goes. Friends to him are anyone, any age, sex etc. When we go to stores he always wants to talk to the other shoppers-usually about Star Wars. He says to me, "I'm talking to the people, Mama". He is so friendly.

He loves hugs and kisses and still loves to be cuddled. He loves to grab a blanket and cuddle on the couch with us. He calls it "stay warm". He lights up when we are all together. He says "family" with the biggest smile on his face as we all huddle together in a big family hug. He loves it being just us-all together, loving each other. I love it too. I remind myself all the time that there will come a day when he won't search for me when he is hurt, scared or tired. A time when a hug and a kiss from Mom won't make it all better. A time when he won' t try to crawl in bed just to cuddle with Mom. I will miss these days when they are gone. I love the closeness we share and I hope it will always be a part of our relationship as he grows in life.

I know that I have gone on and on, but he really is an exceptional kid who has stolen our hearts. Thank you Luke. We love you with all our hearts. Thanks for making us parents.

Luke's Birthday Party

I am so excited for Luke's birthday party next Saturday! I found a Wall-E cake pan and party supplies and I made these (I have to say-adorable) invitations. Our party guests will be making their very own Wall-E robots (out of boxes that fit over the kids). I can't wait!

Potty!

Luke is going in the big boy potty! He went successfully 6 times yesterday and already 4 today!! Whohoo! We have had a few accidents, but all in all we are very pleased with his enthusiasm and success. Candy seems to be the new incentive that really fires him up. He was getting Star Wars cards. That was working, but later today the novelty was wearing off and Mom needed to "sweeten" the deal. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will continue along this path and get better and better. See the big boy pants in the picture? His little bum is so cute in real underwear.

On a side note-I love seeing the boys play together. Here they are playing with Ty's excersaucer-"making music" as Luke says.

Our efforts are paying off!

I told you that we have been working in the yard a lot. The previous owners let the yard go completely. The lawn was COVERED in weeds. Dead trees, overgrown bushes etc. etc. But we have been working hard to make our yard a more enjoyable place to be. I LOVE my flowers! Everyone who comes to our house comments on them. The pictures do not do them justice. It really looks beautiful.



We planted the hosta bushes around the tree we significantly pruned and are trying to safe (half of it was dead.) We cut the evergreen WAY back and now you can see the other little bush that you didn't even know was there.
We have two lilac bushes that frame the walkway up to the door. They were beautiful this spring when they bloomed. The bush on the far left will bloom shortly. It is so gorgeous with big white blossoms.

Happy Father's Day!

Babe, you are the best! Hands down, end of discussion. I love you more than I could ever say. I am so grateful that I was right about you when I first met you-you are the best dad possible for my children! I always knew you would be! Thanks for all you are to each of us every day. Without you life would be very dull, very empty. All my love today and always!

Thanks for always caring and wanting to be involved. Lots of love to you today. Love you Daddy!

Love you Grandpa! Happy Birthday and Happy Father's Day. We were thinking of you today. Thank you so much for your love and support of us in whatever we choose.

Papa, you are such a great example to us. Jake said to me when we were down seein' ya'll that if I ever need to remind him to shape up, just to remind him of you-his hero! We love you!

I hope all you men out there who touch our life, brothers, uncles and friends, know how much you are loved and appreciated today.

Jake's new calling

Two weeks ago Jake was called to be the second counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency. I am really excited for him and this new opportunity. He has never served in the Elders Quorum. I know that he will do a great job. Last night they had there first presidency meeting. He was really fired up about there role in the ward and the missionary opportunities serving in this capacity affords. It was really special when they set him apart. During his blessing he was promised with health to be able to serve. The boys and I were promised with an extra measure of strength to be able to carry on at home when he was away. Finally, what stuck out to both of us...he was promised that as he served faithfully in his calling and truly magnified it, he would be lead in the right direction according to his career. That is such a comfort to us. As many know, we feel like it is time to start looking for a new job. Hearing that, and also a recent spiritual confirmation to Jake that it was time to really be aggressive in this matter, makes it easier to trudge ahead even if we are uncertain of the outcome. I am so grateful for Jake and his testimony of the gospel. I am so glad that my boys have a great example to look to of hard work both spiritually, educationally, and in the work force.

Rocker Ty!

Jake was playing Rock Band the other day and Ty crawled over and picked up the drum sticks and started bouncing up and down and waving his arms (this is his way of dancing). Ty LOVES music and singing, just like his brother.

You are never going to believe this...

Flying is an adventure, that much I can say. In all the times I have flown I have never had a moments hiccup. That all changed Monday. The day started out completely normal. Heidi was gracious enough to be our taxi service to and from the airport. We went out to breakfast Monday morning and then she dropped us off at the airport. We sailed through check-in and security. The flight from Salt Lake to DFW airport (Dallas Fort Worth) was going smoothly when the captain came on to tell us that we were 30 minutes from our destination, however no planes were being allowed to enter or leave DFW. We continued to circle for about 20 minutes. Then we were told that we would have to be diverted to Abaline Texas until the weather calmed. There we would refuel, wait and be on our way as quickly as possible. It sounded good in theory. However we were on this big jet and heading to an airport that accommodated small commuter planes. After an hour on the runway we were told that we were cleared for take-off. As we headed down the runway and began to make our turn to the straightaway and take off, the ground crew who were directing our path steered us wrong and the wing of the plane hit the fence surrounding the runway. It knocked a signal light partially off. So of course we stopped while they deliberated on how to proceed. Another hour went by. We saw maintenance crews outside our window taking pictures of the light, but not repairing. Finally they told us they could not fly and we needed another plane. We de-boarded and everyone filed into this tiny airport that was actually closed for the day-no other flights out until the next day. After about 30 minutes they decided the only way to get us back to DFW was to use that plane, but we had to make the flight in the daylight. By then it was 7:20 pm (we were supposed to arrive at DFW at 4:50). Our connection to Louisville was leaving at 8:00 pm. So of course we missed our connection. We finally made it to DFW around 9. There were no more flights leaving for Louisville until the next day. However, they wouldn't give us our luggage. They did put us up in a hotel for the night. So slightly defeated, completely worn out and frustrated we went to wait for our shuttle to the hotel.
By this time we hadn't eaten since breakfast, we were completely out of hot water for Ty's bottle and we were anxious to get to the hotel to sleep. Ty was sleeping in my arms so we figured we should just get there. Then we waited for the shuttle, and waited and waited. 30 minutes goes by, no shuttle. We called the hotel, and they assured us it was on its way. Another 30 minutes, then another. About 50 people from our flight were out there waiting for this stupid shuttle-but no sign. Jake did find an abandoned wheelchair for me sit down in (I was still holding Ty-still luckily asleep)-there were no benches by the shuttle waiting area. As a bonus, remember it is Dallas, so even though it is night-it was still hot and humid! Finally Jake begins to walk down the long underground road, searching for any sign of the shuttle. He sees it coming and it starts to pass us. Jake stepped in front of it-literally. So of course it stopped, but he wasn't going to let us on because we were no longer standing under the designated gray sign. He starts to drive off again, I have never seen Jake so angry! Jake yelled at him that he had a 9 month old waiting out here for close to 2 hours and we were getting on the shuttle. I climbed on at Jake's insistence, without him. I thought the driver was going to drive off, but he didn't, he then allowed Jake to collect our bags and board. Others already on the shuttle said they had to get the driver to stop in similar ways. We continued to drive and if we hadn't made him, he wasn't going to stop for the rest of the people waiting further down. What a jerk! Seriously!
So we finally made it to the hotel, checked in and got to our room. By then it was 11:30. No bags, no food, no toothbrush even. All shops were closed-no food within walking distance. We ordered pizza and went to bed. We actually fell asleep before the pizza got there. So Tuesday we got up went back to the airport in the same clothes, no toiletries to freshen up, and flew to Louisville, luckily with no more snags. Once we got to Louisville we then still had to drive the 5 hours back to Decatur. It was a very long 2 days. Jake says it is just a blur of exhaustion and rage to him.
On the bright side, Ty was a complete angel through it all. There were other children on the plane just screaming and not sleeping etc. But Ty just went with the flow. Falling asleep wherever and eating when we could-no complaints. We really felt blessed during our ordeal that at least Ty was not unhappy.

Salt Lake Vacation

Whirlwind vacation

We really enjoyed our vacation to Salt Lake. It was quick and absolutely full to the brim of fun and enjoyable moments. Our main purpose was to attend a wedding of a very close friend. We are so happy Adam and his new wife, Lynnette. I love attending sealings. It always makes me think of our own wedding and the beautiful promises we received.

We had so much fun seeing both sides of the family and a few close friends as well. All of our nieces and nephew have gotten so big. Thank you to all of you who made yourselves available so that we could see you. We miss you all already and can't wait to see you again hopefully soon-with all of us!

We missed Luke terribly (he stayed in Louisville with his Deshler cousins and Aunt Heather and Uncle Reed). He didn't miss us very much though, when we went to pick him up he called us Uncle Jake and Michelle. Then he laughed and called us Mom and Dad. The look on his face was priceless when he saw us, ( I know he really did miss us) but I am so grateful that he has such a great relationship with them. It was pretty horrible timing for them, they are trying to move, but they helped us out and took great care of him. Apparently, Luke started calling Uncle Reed "Dad" out of habit. So cute! He loves them all. As an extra bonus their Grandma (Grandma Deshler) came to visit and Luke attached himself quickly to her and started calling her Grandma. He was so cute with her too. He told us that he has lots of Grandmas. Thanks again Heather and Reed.