Special Day

We made it. My 100th post.

I have very much enjoyed this blog and the opportunity it gives me to record and remember my life in a fun and creative way. A big "thank you" to my sweet friend Kim for inspiring me to enter the blogging world (and for helping me in the process). I am also grateful for my old friends who have supported and encouraged me through this crazy time and for the new friends I have made on the journey.

I enjoy sharing pictures and stories of our family on this blog. And it has been very therapeutic to share the present while remembering the past.

But today is special for another reason.

Today is Robbie's birthday.

He would be 4. I have tried to write this next sentence about a hundred times, but I just can't find the words to express how I feel. So, I've decided to share a little treasure.

On Saturday, January 13, 2007, my husband sat down with Robbie at the breakfast table and pulled out the video camera. We were so proud of all the "tricks" he had mastered and thought he was definitely a genius! Little did we know that three days later, Robbie would be in heaven. I still find it hard to watch these videos. He's right there, yet it has been so long since I have been with him. But this video also reminds me that our God is not only sovereign, but He is Love -- prompting my husband to capture this video which would become priceless!

*Remember to mute the music at the bottom of the blog*



Robbie, I miss your big blue eyes and rosy cheeks. I miss your fat feet and your funny expressions. I miss hearing your sweet voice and touching your soft skin. As your "dadoo" used to tell you, we love you lots and lots like tater tots.

And I could not conclude my 100th post without giving you a glimpse of our Joy.



Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I Peter 1:3-9


Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

II Cor. 9:15

Post 99 - in case you're counting.

Just wanted to share a few pictures from our fun weekend. Eveley Joy had an absolute blast at Luke's birthday party. (She will tell you that Luke is her boyfriend, but don't let her daddy hear that!)

They had a fun "choo choo train" for the kids to ride on. At first, they weren't too sure about it, so they made they the dads ride along.



But in typical Eveley-fashion, she decided she wanted to do it "by myself". On a side note, where do kids learn these words? She now says, "I do it myself, mom." It's not as if I go around the house saying that. (unless she hears me say, "I just want to be by myself.") Hmmm...



Doesn't that look like fun!?!


Then the cute couple decided to take a ride together.






They play so well together!


As usual, Eveley required a major scrubbing. But the fun continued.




She cracks me up!!

Mother's Day Gifts

If you would have asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day, I may have said a quiet day alone -- nobody tugging on my pants; nobody whining my name; no mouths to feed; no bottoms to wipe. I may have answered that an afternoon relaxing on the couch alone watching HGTV would be the perfect gift.

But, then I remembered that I had 3 months of that. 3 months where I could sleep in as late as I wanted to, go to bed in the middle of the day if I needed to, eat when and what I wanted to. I had no crumbs to sweep up, no smudges to wipe off, no cries to console. And it was pretty awful!

So, today, I changed my Mother's Day request. I snuggled with the munchkins. I read books, played in a tent, planted flowers with Eveley, gave Caleb a taste of a banana milkshake, and kissed them both as many times as they would let me.



Somehow, Caleb and Eveley must have known it was Mother's Day. They both slept until 7:00 this morning. That was a fabulous gift! And my sweet husband made me a WONDERFUL lunch after church. We put Caleb in his jumperoo and sat down to eat. Just then, Caleb began to show off his talent. Those of you who have been around him for any amount of time have no doubt witnessed this talent. Let's just say that he is all boy and has a very loud digestive system. As the noise began, my husband looked at me and said, "Ah, dinner music." Caleb jumped around and gave us his ear-to-ear smile. I'll spare you the rest of the details, but it all ended in a change of clothes for me and a bath for Caleb. Motherhood!



I am very thankful for my precious Robbie who let me first experience this whole motherhood thing.


And I am thankful for my sweet mom and wonderful grandmothers who have influenced my life, teaching me the importance and value of being a mother, and my mother-in-law for mothering my honey so well!





"Better moms make a better world!" [shout out to my MOPS girls!]

Lots of Friends

We just returned from a long weekend away where we attempted to see as many family and friends and sleep in as many different beds as possible. Well, we didn't try to do that, but that was the result.

My youngest sister Carrianna graduated from college this past Saturday. She received her BS in Nursing (with honor)! She is one smart cookie.



Almost the entire family traveled to Ohio to watch her graduate. (My brother Rob and his family couldn't make it since my sister-in-law is expecting their third child any day.)

Bob and I decided to drive halfway and spend the night in a hotel on Thursday. This was the first trip where Eveley seemed to really enjoy and appreciate the change in scenery. As we walked into the hotel, she kept saying, "This is awesome." It was hilarious. She was consumed by the glass elevators and begged to ride them as many times as we would let her. I loved watching her get so excited.


Here she is helping me pack.

Eveley is still sleeping in a baby bed. Her "big girl" bed is already set up in her room, and we talk about it every day. But I haven't wanted to push the issue since she is such an exceptional sleeper. I thought this trip may be the perfect chance to get her into a big bed. The first night she slept in the big bed and seemed to do just fine. When she woke up to find herself in bed with daddy, mommy, and Caleb, she sat up and said: "Yea. Lots of friends."

On Friday we made it to Ohio and met up with the rest of the family for Carrianna's nursing convocation service and then graduation on Saturday.




The entire clan


Love the sisters!




After a yummy dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, we drove to Lexington, KY to visit our fun friends. I've written about them before here. We were able to stay with them until Monday and had so much fun. Eveley was just one of the boys and loved playing with Cade and Cooper.


Here she is in one of the boy's pirate hats!

And Lauren really helped with Caleb and Bennett. We had a blast and wish we lived closer.



Caleb and Bennett



Eveley can't resist a pair of glasses...even if they are Mr. Potato Head's

I am so blessed to have a wonderful family and great friends. This was a much-needed mini vacation for us. Now, back to the laundry...