Luke's Fourth T-Ball Game

I'm finally posting pictures from Luke's t-ball games.  He wasn't able to play in the first game because it had not been three weeks past his surgery.  I took pictures at the second game, but I didn't think they were very good and didn't tell the story.  I forgot my camera for the third game.  Tonight, I finally took some great pictures of Luke in action.  He is loving t-ball and doing great!  He does not like to get out so he runs as fast as he can to base.  He usually makes it!  He is a lot of fun to watch! 

swinging in the batter's circle

up at bat

swing batter

on base at first, ready to run

on base at second, ready to run

running to third

scoring a run 

waiting to see some action as first baseman

waiting to make one of his two plays at second base

T-Ball Opening Day

As most of you know, Luke is participating in t-ball.  This is something he has wanted to do now for awhile.  Practices started in March and he was doing great.  Unfortunately, after his hernia surgery he had to sit out for three weeks.  This past Saturday was opening day for the Harundale Youth Sports League.  Luke's team are the Giants. There was a parade complete with the Glen Burnie High School marching band.  It was a lot of fun!  Luke was disappointed that he wasn't able to play in the first game Saturday afternoon, but he will be able to play Thursday.  The following pictures are from the parade on Saturday and of course there will be more pictures forthcoming as we play out the season.  Enjoy!

Luke's 6th Birthday Celebration

The day started with breakfast in bed (donuts), balloons, and first gift of the day; a new game for his gameboy.  For some reason, Luke has started sleeping with Nathan.  That is why all of these pictures are in Nathan's room.

Later in the day, Luke received two cards in the mail.  One was from Mama Jean and the other was from Pa Jim.  Both had sweet green surprises inside!  Luke was excited to say the least! 

Luke knew that we were planning on going to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner, but he didn't know that he would be receiving the royal birthday treatment.  It was fun to surprise him like that! 

Luke and his friend Jacob.  They were playing Luke's favorite game; Brave Firefighters. 

Happy Birthday Luke!

Happy Birthday Luke!

                                                                                       
Today, we celebrate you, our sweet Luke!  I can't believe that you are six years old today!  God knew that we needed you in our family!  He knew we needed someone that would think outside the box.  We needed more laughter and comedy! I feel so blessed to be your mommy!  You are amazing!  You challenge me in so many ways to stretch and grow as a person and parent. 

                                                                                             
One of the reasons we chose your name was that it meant "light."  You definitely have brought more light to our lives with your smile and your laughing eyes.  I love your snuggles first thing in the morning.  I love that you fall asleep so fast because you have lived full throttle all day long!  You are energetic and spunky! 

                                                                                             
As much as I want you to stay little, I eagerly anticipate what the Lord has planned for you in the future! We love you precious Luke!   Happy Birthday!

Our Brave Boy

Ever the scrapbooker, I took some pictures of our experience today at Johns Hopkins.  Everyone was so nice and made the day as pleasant as possible.  Thanks for all of your prayers!  Our Luke is doing great!  In the first picture, Luke is opening his "Sorry you have to have surgery.  We love you very much!" gift.  It was a Star Wars Clone Wars snuggie blanket. 

trying to figure out the snaps to make armholes

When we arrived in the pre-op area, there were already two other boys playing Wii.  So Luke was patiently waiting for his turn.

doing what he does best!

Then we had some surprise visitors...

Luke was watching the clowns do their funny magic tricks.

Luke did great!  We are resting at home and I think that the next day or two may be pajama days! 

Road Trip

We took a road trip today.  We traveled over this

and two counties to reach our destination.  We traveled about an hour away from home.  You might be asking yourself, "Where would they have gone that would have taken such great lengths?"  Maybe a museum, art gallery, or place of historical significance.  And all of those would have been great guesses.  But no, my sweet friends and family, we were on a mission.  We were traveling to a place that is quite numerous in the South, but quite scarce in the Mid-Atlantic. 

Yes, we traveled to Easton, Maryland to the nearest Sonic for lunch.  The boys were so excited!  Luke ordered a root beer float and a corndog.  Nathan wanted a vanilla coke, hamburger, and fries.  Jarrell and I ordered the Brown Bag Special with tator tots.  He ordered a Dr. Pepper and I ordered a cherry limeade.  Ahhh, love that Sonic ice! 

We didn't just visit Sonic, however.  We visited an Amish Farmer's Market, where we purchased a homemade cherry pie and walnut sticky buns (for breakfast in the morning!)

We drove past Frederick Douglass' birthplace in Talbot County, Maryland.  We also visited Adkins Arboretum.  It was a beautiful day with highs in the 50's, plenty of sunshine and not a cloud in the sky.  It was a great day spending it together! 

Luke was picking up rocks along the trail.

Nathan was holding up a rock he had found.

It was a great day!

The MVA and Heaven

Not much exciting has happened lately.  Nathan and I are getting over colds.  It has been cold and rainy, but no more snow, thank goodness.  We can finally see the grass again!  

Last Friday, we went to get my Maryland driver's license (at the MVA).  It was not a pleasant experience to say the least.  In a nutshell,  it involved a man of Middle Eastern descent, a thick accent, the aforementioned man not using  complete sentences while giving directions and the questioning of my documentation.  The whole experience left me feeling like an illegal immigrant and frustrated that this is now life post 9/11.  However, it is now official; we are Marylanders.  

Jarrell had met us there from work.  So after the horrible experience, I let him take my car with the boys.  I took his car, so I could have just a few minutes to process my frustration (cry).  When I started the car, I automatically turned on the radio, but being in Jarrell's car, it wasn't on the station I have programmed in my car.  But it didn't matter, because God used the song on the radio that day to remind me of a wonderful truth.  The song was Carrie Underwood's Temporary Home and the chorus says: 
This is my temporary home.  It's not where I belong.  Windows and rooms that I'm passing through.  This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going.  I'm not afraid because I know, this is my temporary home. 

I'm so thankful that this old Earth isn't it!  We have the hope of Heaven and I am so grateful! 

Philippians 3:20 "But our citizenship is in Heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ"