7 years!!!

Well, Joe and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on the 22nd. It was a really nice day and this year we really felt like we had something to celebrate. We actually got to go out for dinner and a movie while my mom watched both Luke and Drew. I pumped a bottle in case Drew got hungry and it gave us a few hours out of the house. It was a little strange to be away from both of them, but also nice to spend some time together. We had a nice dinner and then went to a movie (which was not a good movie at all) But it was still a nice night out, and both the boys did well with Grandma at home.

Pics of Drew & Lily's headstone

He loves to sleep with his arms above his head...it is so sweet!!
Luke enjoying being a big brother!!!
Drew-6 days old

Well hadn't got a chance to put up a picture of Lily's headstone yet. Was going to get on here and write a little something on her birthday, but just didn't feel up to it.

The last year has been a roller coaster of all different emotions, and with the birth of Drew it is all bitter sweet. We are so thankful for him and enjoying every moment with him, but my heart still breaks and yearns for Lily. Especially now realizing all that I missed out on with her. Her birthday was a hard day...thinking about all the what if's and could have beens and also reliving that day one year ago.

Drew is already 2 weeks old today..I can't believe it. It has been flying by, and makes me sad. With Luke I was always looking forward to the next stage in his life, seeing him do the next big thing. But now I want to soak in each day and realize that they are only this little for such a short time. I guess after you have had one already and you see how fast they have grown you realize that it goes by way to fast. He is changing alot and it has been fun to see the differences in personality with Luke and Drew as babies. Even though as much as I think they look alike at times and there is a lot of stuff that reminds me of Luke as a baby..they are so different too.

My mom has been here now for almost a month and she is leaving in a week. It is going to be hard to see her leave. I love having her here and so does Luke of course. She has been such a great help. We have a good routine down and I guess I will have to adjust to a new one after she leaves. But she might be back in November for a few days and then in December for Luke's birthday, so that will be nice. Especially since she no longer has email so I won't be able to send her updated picture of Drew and I am not so good about printing them out and sending them by snail mail :-)

Well hope everyone is doing well...hope to post again soon!!!

Drew Alan

DREW ALAN

September 10, 2008

3:48pm

8lbs 3oz, 20in

We are so thankful to have our little blessing finally here.

Last post till baby.....probably.

So thought I would get one last post in before baby comes. I am not due for two weeks but since I only post about once a month I doubt I will post again before the baby gets here.

~

So lots going on here lately. One major thing is Luke has started pre-school. He went one day last week and then had a full week this week. Monday-Thursday. He goes in the morning from 7:45 till 11:30. That seems early for pre-school uh? I don't even think elementary and other schools start till like 8:30. Anyways...no more sleeping in for me, which I guess I need to get used to since you never get to sleep in with a new baby in the house.

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So Luke is really liking school so far. It has been quite an adjustment...probably more for me though. I went with him the first day and watched and helped out in the classroom. Was nice to see what they are going to be doing everyday. This week they started the normal routine and Luke has been riding the bus every morning. They have a few bus stop locations around town and one of them happens to be a half a block from my front door. It is super convenient. It will be really nice when the baby comes...alot easier than driving him to school and walking him to his classroom to sign him in. Anyways...wasn't sure how he would do going off on his own for the first time without mommy and going on the big school bus. A new venture for both of us. He did great though and he loves the bus. It was a little weird for me the first day, especially walking back home and having the whole morning to myself. I didn't cry, but it was kinda sad. It is really the first time I have been away from Luke besides the occasional nights out here and there. The house felt pretty lonely. Also made me think of Lily and what it would be like around here right now if she was here. Having a little (almost) one year old running around. Would have been some good quality time for us. But I am excited that I will have that with the new baby.

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So, Luke has officially started the new journey and stage of his life into schooling. It is sad to think that never will he be home with me again all day and just hanging out and spending time together. He will be going to school now until he graduates and leaves the house. That is so weird to think about. Thank goodness for it only being a half day right now and for summers too.

First morning of school
Walking up to his classroom
Playtime
Lunchtime
2nd day of school
waiting for the bus
Getting on the bus...he did so good!!!!

So here is a new pic of me at 37 weeks. I am will be 38 weeks tomorrow so only 2 more weeks to go. I am at the point now where it is so close yet so far away. I am definitely more anxious this time around to get it over with. I know I have two weeks left, but something tells me I might not make it that far. But I could be totally wrong. I usually go over a few days. I just know that I have been way more tired this round and I guess I am just hoping it is soon.

~

My mom is on her way here!!!! She is driving from Washington and will be here tonight!!! I am so excited. After she gets here I will be officially ready to have this baby. Besides not looking forward to labor, but that is a given. Lord-willing I will have a fast labor. So remember me in your prayers...I am definitely feeling the fear double this time and feeling like such a wimp when think about labor pains....yuck.

Guess I should post too about the other new addition to our family....This is Pebble. Our little dwarf hamster. We got him a few weeks ago, cause Joe decided that Luke needed a pet. He is cute and a lot of fun to watch run around his cage. But you have to stay up late or get up early if you want to see him in action. He pretty much only comes out at night.

Well hope all is well with everyone in the blogging world.

My New CAR!!!!!, Company, Quilt, More Company, And Prego Pic

Well things have been pretty busy around here, but am going to catch up on all that has been going on. It has been nice staying so busy, the last month or so has really flown by.

Joe and I have lived in Colorado now for just about 4 years. It will be 4 years in September. And the whole time we have lived here we have just had one vehicle. So I have pretty much been without a car for 4 years. Joe did have a few jobs where he would carpool so I did have his truck once in awhile. Well I am excited to say I finally have a car of my own. We have worked really hard this year to pay off some debt and lower our overhead in order to afford to get me a car. It is so nice. I think we got a really good deal on a really good car. I really prayed that the Lord would provide us a good car that we could afford. It was definitely needful with the new baby coming and Luke getting older. I want to start getting him into some activities and hopefully put him in pre-school this fall.

So here it is, a picture of my new car!!!!!
Also this month my good friend Heidi came out to visit me from Washington. It was so great to see her. She was here for about 5 day. W mainly just hung out around the house and talked and went for walks every night.
The weekend she was here we took her to Telluride, which is about an hour from our house. It is kinda a little tourist town. It was a beautiful day with beautiful scenery.
A sweet picture of Joe and Luke
Telluride, CO
Thought I would share this too, a picture of a quilt I made for a friend of mine who just had a little girl. I think it turned out really good. It was a lot of fun making it.

So at the beginning of the month we also had more company. Our friends Rob and Cherisse and there little girl Jenna came out to Colorado for a wedding, so we got to see them. The last time we saw them was when Luke was 4 months old. It was great to see them again and spend a few hours with them.
Rob, Cherisse, and Jenna

Well here is a 30 week prego pic of me. I am actually 32 weeks now!!!! Only 8 weeks to go!!! Guess I should have Joe take another pic. I am feeling pretty good. I am feeling big and starting to get uncomfortable. Strangers always ask me "Oh when are you due?" I say September and they give me this look with wide eyes and say "OH really" I just smile and say yup, but inside I am thinking "thanks alot, do I really look that big?" Oh well I guess I am just to that point where I am going to be big from here on out.

My mom will be here in about 6 weeks, so I can't wait for that and then will only have to wait 2 more weeks for baby. So just starting to get things ready around the house and try to enjoy the rest of the summer!!!

Things I've been wanting to post about...

So have been wanting to post again for awhile and finally am. This is definitely a multi-subject post..hehe.

Here are a few pics of the flowers that Joe got me for mother's day. I know it was over two weeks ago, but still wanted to post some pics. They are beautiful white lilies. I just love them. They smell soooo good, and they last a long time. I actually still have three flowers on my kitchen table right now.
Here are a few pics of Luke's room. We just got him a new bed. He was still in his toddler bed and barely fit. I really wanted him to have more play space in his room. It was pretty crowded cause he had his bed and then we had a futon for company. We really wanted to get a trundle bed so we could have a twin bed for Luke and then when we have company we can pull out the trundle and pop it up to make a king size bed. I looked for months for a trundle bed. They are very expensive new, so I was checking local classified ads and Craig's list for a used one. I finally found one and it was just what we were looking for and a great deal. It came with the day bed, trundle and the two mattresses all for $100.00. I was very excited and we found it at the perfect time, the same weekend we had a yard sale and sold the futon to make room for the new bed. Luke was really excited too. He loves his new bed and has adjusted well. He hasn't even fell off once yet. He has so much more space in his room with just the day bed and a few toy boxes. One side of his room is completely empty for play space. And we have already used the trundle a couple of time for company!!!
Here is the bed with the trundle under it.
Can you tell he likes it?
I like to hang out in his room alot now too and just lounge around on his bed.
Ok, so finally here is a prego picture of me. I am 24 weeks and 3 days. I am feeling good, but starting to feel big already. Only 3 1/2 months to go!!!
Here are some picture from the cemetery in Pateros. It was sad being so far away and not being able to go visit Lily over the last 9 months and on the holidays like mother's day and memorial day. But we have lots of family that has gone up to see her and bring her flowers so that has been nice.
Flowers from Joe's parents and sister. They are very pretty.
Here is her temporary headstone. My mom made it and I think it looks really sweet. We have the new one on order and I can't wait to get it put in, in a few weeks. I will post another picture when we do.
Well I guess that is all for now.

Sis. Vickie

What a wonderful women. She was a great wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be greatly missed. Our love and prayers go out to the family. May the Lord be their comfort and strength through this time.