Happy Birthday Sommer!

Sommer, I love you! You are a great and enthusiastic Aunt-to all your nieces and nephews. I love that I can always count on you for an honest opinion and even though I am different from you in personality and temperment (I am so high strung); I love how you accept me and love me just the same. You are truly the most forgiving person I know. You loving and very generous. I hope that you have a great birthday and know how much you are loved.

My Sister, My Friend

Heather, Happy Birthday!! I am so grateful that you are my sister. The time that we have been able to spend together over the last 15 months is priceless to me. Our friendship and closeness means so much to me. You are a great example to our family. Your devotion to the gospel and your family is an inspiration to us. You are so easy to be with, I love how I can be myself-you might tease me, but I know you will always love me. Thank you for all you are to me and to so many others. I know that you wear a lot of hats yet you do it so well. You have a plethora of talents; you are great at many things. You are thoughtful and fun, smart and social, loving and nurturing. I love you. Today I hope that you feel that love from all those whose lives you touch.

Luke's Birthday Party

The final installment of Luke's festivities were today. We saw Wall-E with his friends and had cake, presents and games at our house afterward. We had a good time, but I think that it was kinda a long day for Luke. He was tired and cranky when all was said and done. But we had fun. Here are some pics.

Luke's birthday

We had a great day yesterday. Luke and Ty and I went to the Scoville Zoo here in Decatur. We had a great time seeing the animals. For a small zoo it is pretty nice, well landscaped and clean. They have a train and a merry-go-round that we all rode together. Luke asserted his independence by choosing his very own seat for the train explaining that Ty and I could sit behind him. We saw alligators, a wolf, camels, a zebra, cheetahs, a spider monkey and lots of birds. Most of the birds are allowed to roam around the zoo which is interesting. Even the bald eagles. You know when you are a Mom through and through when you are even willing to brave the snake and bug house! An exhibit I would always pass on previous to motherhood. I HATE snakes and spiders and creepy crawling things. I pretty much wanted to jump out of my skin the whole time, but we stayed long enough to take the tour of each cage TWICE! That was huge for me! I tried to show genuine enthusiasm as he pointed at giant cockroaches, pythons, tarantulas and such. But, anything for my boys! Ty seemed to enjoy the zoo as well. It was drizzling a little, but Luke loved that because he could hold his umbrella.

They also had a petting zoo that we had never participated in before, but yesterday we went around checking out the goats. Luke was actually pretty timid and not interested in touching them, but enjoyed being up close. Later he tried to climb in with the Galapagos Tortoise. Good thing it wasn't the gators!

These goats would jump up on the ledge to be fed. It was so funny.
New clothes from Grandma Burt.

Sporting his recent tussle with the pavement-check out that huge bruise on his forehead-all swollen and everything just in time for birthday. Poor kid. Why is it always his face?

Tyger on the train.

After the zoo we went to McDonalds, because hey, what three year old doesn't love that. I found myself trying to make the day extra special, letting him choose the music in the car, letting him help make pancakes for breakfast, watching his favorite shows, no chores etc. But except for the chore thing, that is pretty much our typical day. Man my kids have a pretty sweet life. They are definitely the center of our universe, and they know it.

When Dad got home we started the festivities. Unwrapping presents-all 10 minutes that it took. Then we played with our new toys. A bug collecting kit ($2.00 from Target-good idea Dad!) and the Wall-E action figures were the highlights. The walkie-talkies from Grandma Swensen were also very exciting to him. So we went outside with our walkie-talkies and collected bugs!! How much more excitement can mom take for one day? ha ha.

Dad helped Luke catch a spider-Yipee!
Then time for Wall-E cake! He was so adorable. The look on his face when he saw the cake was priceless. I have rarely seen him so excited, he had to cover his mouth with his hands with genuine, lovable surprise. I was pretty proud of the cake, it turned out really cute. We had a great day.


Now I know why my Mom made us take so many pictures of the cake. It takes forever to make!
The boys enjoyed eating the cake as you can see. Ty would scream when his tray was empty.

Saturday is the friends party-can't wait.

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.