SEVEN

SEVEN

years ago this morning I was sitting in church.  I realized that my discomfort and squirming in my chair during the service was a little more then this already restless girl was used to.  I leaned over and whispered to Marc that today was going to be the day. 

After lunch we went over to my grandma's house.  I sat on the couch and held her hand as she was in her rocker...I noticed that my contractions were coming somewhat regularly....together, she and I timed them. 

At dinnertime the contractions continued but were mild.  I called my sister and asked her to come over at 8pm, so we could get Jorie to sleep....we didn't want her to know what was happening to make sure she got a good rest.

I was DETERMINED to get Jorie to sleep before I went to the hospital and DETERMINED to not go to the hospital and be sent home with false labor.  And so I waited...

I was sitting on the couch talking with my sister when I realized that I had just stopped in mid conversation because I couldn't handle the pain....it was time.

We arrived at the hospital just before 10pm.  I was hurting and I wanted my epidural.  I knew my baby was close to coming out but I didn't tell anyone because I wanted my epidural.  As a nurse, I KNEW what I could and could not say in order to get my epidural.  :)  The anesthesiologist FINALLY came.  As he was putting in my epidural I could feel my baby crowning. 

I laid back and out my baby came.  That fast.

11:17pm.  Another Sunday baby.

I knew that my baby was going to be a girl.  I was sure of it.  I had grown up with only sisters and I thought that was perfect.  Girls is all I knew, girls is all I wanted.  When the ultrasound several months earlier had shown that this baby was a boy, I was bummed.  And very surprised.  Surprised that God thought that a boy would be good for ME.  Up until 11:16pm seven years ago, I was totally clueless and naive to what a son even was.

And then....out came Luke-ee.

I will never forget the moment I laid my eyes on him when I felt my entire body fill with love for him.  He was mine and I never looked back.  From the MOMENT he was born he was my love and my adoration for him instantly matched that of my daughter's.

I would describe his first few years of life with 3 words:  eat, sleep, smile.  He was the happiest baby EVER.  He was soooo easy.  He continues to be so easy and so fun to live with. 

How can it be that seven years have gone by?  Seven years living life with Luke.  What an adventure and what a tremendous blessing to me.  I love that kid more then words could ever describe.  He is such a cool dude and makes me laugh more then anyone! 

He is constantly hungry and  constantly processing something in his head.  He LOVES to play sports.  He retains every piece of information he has ever heard.  He is so gentle.  He loves math.  He adores his Papa. He is my protector.  He loves to wrestle and collect bugs. He cries if I kill a bug.   He is so good to me. 

Mr. Luke has taught me sooo much already in these short seven years.  He has taught me that it sometimes IS more fun to jump IN the puddle rather than walk around it.  He has taught me that some bugs really are cool.  He has taught me that the same Holy Spirit power that is living in adults who call on the name of Jesus can live in little kids too (because I see that power in him).  His firm and solid faith in God constantly inspires me.  He has taught me to think even more out of the box.  His creativity inspires me.  Oh, isn't it amazing what God can do through a child? 

Seven years.  Ahhhh, it has been so so so good.  I wouldn't trade him for the world.  I am so glad he was a boy.  I am so glad that God is sovereign and that His plans for us are so much better then we could ever dream of.  Oh, how I love my Luke.  Happy Birthday you big stud!

Happy Birthday Mr. Luke.

This momma loves you soooo much.