May 24

At this time last year, I was in the hospital waiting for Baby Luke's arrival. I'm pretty sure it was this point in the afternoon that I had already been in labor for a good 10 hours when the boiler at the hospital broke and heat started pouring into my room (and most of the hospital). The thermostat in my room went up to 80 degrees and the indicator bar was way past that. It was hot. I literally wanted to go give birth in the parking lot just to get out of that room (as long as they could bring my meds, haha!). And occasionally I'd waddle down to the "snack room" to open up the ice chest and get some cool air. But that's another story for probably, well... never. 

It's Luke's first birthday today and in classic third child fashion, we don't have a gift and I only just this morning ran out to get him a cupcake to smash. I'll take his picture later for evidence of the day and next week we will have a little party with family. We love our little guy and he's already been serenaded several times with "Happy Birthday to Luke". 

I have a few, very few, quiet minutes right now so here's big picture update of our sweet boys. 

Luke follows the twins everywhere, including to their bedroom when they're sent in for timeout. And they're so sweet to let him tag-along. Right now they love pretending to be the Ninja Turtles. They don't watch the show but Don has told them the stories and they've gotten the little action figures from McDonalds, which is all they need. Jacob is Michelangelo, Josiah is Rafael, Luke is Donatello, Don is Leonardo, and I'm April O'Neil. And Luke really is part of the story in their minds. Sometimes they'll hand him a big sock and say, "Here's your bow staff, Donatello". 

This was a cool rainy day that I let the twins bundle up a little to jump in puddles and Luke watched them the entire time, while pounding on the door (his way of pleading to get out and join them). 

I probably took this to show Don what the house sometimes looks like when he's gone. It makes him all the more impressed and me feeling all the more accomplished when it's slightly picked up when he gets home. These are actually their "quiet boxes" meant to be played with quietly in their beds or in their room. I just don't even know what happened. 

And these next pictures... what can I say? Luke's into everything. 

See how he outsmarted me and got through my blockade? 

Fun at the Morton Arboretum with Aunt Sissy and their cousin, Noella. 

Cruisin' in the backyard. If you only knew how slow this thing goes, but to them, it might as well be a convertible. 

Fun with their friend on a sunny spring day. 

Living their dream riding and driving a tractor at Papa's farm in Michigan. 

He loves to play baseball and he already hits the ball really well when we pitch to him. And this tough guy face, I can't handle it. 

Roadsters

Buying flowers at Home Depot. Nearly every time I'm out, someone comments that I really have my hands full, and I *almost* always respond, "Yes, full of good things!" (got that from a book- can't take credit at all, but it's a great response because it shows how we value our children, it's a reminder for myself, and it tells the little listening ears that they are loved!)

They decided to make a trench on the side of the house. Then fill it with water. (Good thing we don't care too much about the yard!).

My handsome guys. 

These little shorts, shoes, and his bare arms. Love him. 

Sucking on a graham cracker while the twins play soccer. 

"The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with JOY!" Psalm 126:3