Simply Sara

One of the greatest joys in my life is getting to pray with Lucas. Since the day we found out we were expecting, Matt and I have prayed over Lucas. During the pregnancy we asked God to give us a healthy and happy child, and He did. The early weeks of his life, we prayed everyday that God would watch over our tiny baby and guide us through the challenges of first time parenthood, loss of sleep and post-partum. We prayed through every sniffle, cry, and struggle. God proved his faithfulness over and over, giving us countless times to rejoice in His consistency and favor. Over the last couple weeks, we have seen a change in Lucas's behavior during prayer time. Instead of squirming and being loud, Lucas now quietly holds our hands as we seek the Saviour. As a mom, my heart is overjoyed that my baby is now beginning to understand the holiness of our God. I want so much for Lucas to understand the power and awesomeness of prayer. I hope that as he watches us struggle and fail countless ti...

The Christmas season has been so much fun this year! We started partying on the 21st at a Christmas drop-in hosted by my in-laws. Kathryn and I spent the first part of the week baking sweet treats to give away. Matt returned home in time to attend his family parties at which Lucas was the center of attention, naturally. As his bedtime came and went each night, Lucas would hit his second wind, entertaining us all, until he finally crashed around 11:00 pm. Christmas eve, Lucas received so many fun gifts and toys, although he did seem to enjoy the tissue paper and boxes more than anything. We let him sleep in Christmas morning since he hadn't shut his bright eyes the night before until midnight! I made sausage biscuits and a cheese omelet as a special, heart-clogging treat. We decided to give Lucas two gifts this year - a flashlight and a fisher price ball popper - and a few small items in his stocking. At noon, we packed up the car, went to Mimi and Poppy's for lunch, then drov...

Today is December 23, two days before Christmas, but Lucas decided it was time to open presents! Thankfully the present he pulled out happened to be one for him! Doesn't he look like such a big boy in this particular picture? I can totally imagine him as a 5 year old, ripping through presents on Christmas morning (or before!). Matt got home late last night! :) We are braving the crowds this afternoon to pick up a couple last minute gifts. Tonight is the first of 3 family Christmas celebrations! All of the good food will be a true test of my self control! Here's to not gaining any holiday pounds! Much love!  

Christmas MEME 1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Both - but not at the same time! 2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Santa leaves unwrapped presents on the couch, Mom and Dad wrap presents 3. Colored Light on Tree/House or White? White. 4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope. 5. When do you put your decorations up? This year we decorated about a week into December 6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Mushroom Rice Casserole 7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? My sisters and I would wake up at a predetermined time in the middle of the night, meet downstairs and look at the goodies Santa left us 8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't actually remember when I found out. I just sort of did. 9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Never as a child, but occasionally as we got older. 10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Our Christmas tree is full of ornaments from Matt's childhood and special ornaments we've been...

I'm playing catch up again.... Is this becoming a habit?? So Lucas is 15 months old now! :) Wow! We went to his check-up a couple weeks back and were excited to hear that he is moving up the charts in weight and height. His head size has remained in the same percentile (75%) with his body in the 35-45%. Personally, I don't see a big head when I look at him, but I guess he has really big brains! ha Our doctor gave us great tips for handling the temper tantrums and meltdowns that seem to pop up every so often. He even had a plan for a picky eater -- let him go to bed hungry! I must confess, Lucas's current pickyness does frustrate me. I just want him to eat his veggies! I'm super excited that Christmas is coming, but I'm sad at the same time because I don't want it to be over! I told Matt the other night that I want to leave our tree up a little longer than normal. The warm lights and pops of color brighten my mood everytime I look at it. Kathryn is in town this ...

A few days ago, I was feeling adventurous, so I gave Lucas a cup of applesauce and a spoon. As you can see, Lucas quickly learned that the food reached his mouth much faster by his fingers and not the spoon.  

Oatmeal is just the right consistency to stick to a spoon! 12/5/06 

I think he's finally getting the spoon figured out! 12/5/06 

Last week I was digging through some of the mess in my room when I pulled out all of the pictures taken at Lucas's birth. I cried as I looked through them, reminding me of the spectrum of emotions I felt that day. So much has changed in my life since Lucas was born. Only recently I felt like God was bringing me into a new season of life, a time of surrender and faith, after a tough first year of adjusting to mommyhood. Our pastor recently said that marriage is a magnifyer, bringing to light the good and bad we tried to hide in dating. Well I think parenthood is even more so that way. God used Lucas's first year of life to make my heart vulnerable as He dug up the hard places in my heart and restored the hurting places. I am so thankful, not only for the precious little boy still sleeping in the room next door (it's 11:00 a.m. and he's still not up!!!), but also for His mercy which greets me each morning and gently molds me into the woman He created me to be. To be hone...

Lucas is walking now - everywhere! As we were leaving the Y today, he walked the entire length of the building and wouldn't even let me hold his hand! I'm so proud of our big boy!! It seems that everyday brings new and exciting adventures with him. In fact, last night he learned the word "shoe"! Matt is out of town this week for work, so pray for us!

Halloween doesn't have to be a scary, gloomy day! Instead it was a great day full of candy and friends!  

"So, where's the candy I keep hearing about??" 10.31.06 

Bring on the candy!!!! Last night our adorable bunch a little ones dressed up and canvassed the neighborhood looking for yummy treats! After a rocky 30 minutes in his costume, Lucas seemed to tolerate being Tigger and even seemed to enjoy it by the end of the event. I felt somewhat sheepish asking for candy when clearly, we aren't going to give our one year old any, but he sure does look cute, and we appreciate the addition to our candy stash!! Happy Halloween! 

Lucas and I spent the afternoon playing outside! It was such a beautiful day to play! 10.30.06 

Lucas walked up and down the driveway, into the cul-de-sac, and across the yard, pushing his car! This boy is on the go!  

Woohoo!! This is fun! 10.30.06 

What a great weekend! Daddy, Mommy, and Lucas traveled down to Georgia to visit Grandma. On Saturday we drove to Americus to spend the day with aunts, uncles, and cousins. This picture was taken at the cemetery where Lucas's great-grandparents are buried. 10.28.06 

Lucas especially enjoyed playing with his cousins James and Joshua! 10.28.06 

I think sports are definately going to be in Lucas's future. 10.28.06 

Lucas and Cousin Alyssa took turns brushing each other's hair Sunday morning at Grandma's house! (Okay, so it was more like chewing on the brush....) 10.29.06 

Wow! Lucas had just taken three steps all by himself!!! Our big boy is going to be walking soon!!! 10.29.06 

Thanks Mimi for my new car! I feel so big riding around in it! I love you! 10.14.06 

One of Lucas's new favorite things to do is to play outside! 10.14.06 Lucas has so much fun riding around in the car Mimi found for him!  

One of the last days of warm weather. Lucas had a blast in his sandbox. Thanks again, Grandma! We love you! 10.05.06 

Lucas took his first REAL step last night!!! Here's what happened..... Last night, I decided to prepare a traditional southern dish, chopped steak with sauteed onions and gravy. Typically we avoid such fatty foods, but I think it's okay to splurge every so often. Mashed potatoes, green peas, and squash rounded out the menu. Lucas played on the kitchen floor while I prepared the food. We played "catch" with a rubber ball for entertainment until Lucas couldn't wait another minute to eat! (It was already after 7pm.) After giving him some grapes in his highchair, I picked up the pot of boiling potatoes, proceded to knock over the frying (hot) pan of meat, and spill grease all over my kitchen floor! Thank you Lord that Lucas was off the floor! I'm not letting my mind explore the possiblity of what could have happened if he was still under my feet. Fast forward through a clean kitchen, a vegetarian meal, and to us three playing "catch" on the kitchen fl...

We woke up to a cold, rainy, fall morning today. The perfect day to curl up with a cup of hot tea and a new novel. However, I have this urge to get out of the house, brave the rain, and go to Wal-mart! No, my love for Wal-mart has not grown out of control. Typically I only venture to wally-world when forced. But today I want to work on poster board signs for my yardsale coming up this weekend. And for that project, I need some poster boards. Perferably ones in bright, neon colors as to attract as much attention as possible. We have only gotten to use Lucas's sandbox a couple times due to the changing weather, but yes, he does love it. Hopefully some sunshine will head our way soon, so we can get back outside and enjoy this new season. Last night, we went to Kmart in search of a Halloween costume for L. Curious George was by far my favorite costume, but we couldn't justify spending $18 on an outfit that would be worn for only a couple hours. We did, however, enjoy using our co...

Annie steals a kiss as Lucas and Andrew play under the highchair. It's a good thing I just cleaned the kitchen floor! Right now the boys are eating lunch. It's hard to believe that Lucas is 13 months old now! His favorite book right now is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See?". In fact, he woke up crying last night about an hour after bedtime only to be satisfied after I read him this book! This afternoon we are going to try out Lucas's new sandbox! 10.5.06 

I love the way Lucas can find items to play with all over our house. Never mind the pile of toys in the den or nursery, Lucas is busy opening cabinet doors and pulling out objects that interest him. I sometimes wonder what is behind the choices he makes. For example, why did he just pull a plastic pitcher out when it was stacked beside shiney baking sheets? I love the way he is constantly jabbering. Sometimes really loud and other times to himself, Lucas always has a conversation going on. I've been so torn lately realizing that he is no longer a "baby", but fast becoming a toddler and my emtions are trying hard to catch up with that reality. At our one year check up last week, Dr. Treash kept reminding me that we need to stop thinking of him as a baby and essentially stop treating him that way. We are especially guilty of doing just that in the way we hold Lucas's sippy cup for him. I would like to say that Lucas simply has a hard time getting the milk out and that...

Thank you so much for coming to my birthday party. I had so much fun and I hope you did too. Thank you for all of my wonderful toys, books, and puzzles. Mommy and Daddy are excited about my toys too. They like to play with them as much as I do. Mommy has been telling me just how blessed we are to have such special family and friends. I don't know what blessed means, but I do know that I feel very loved. (waving bye-bye) luv, Lucas

"Am I supposed to paint with this or just eat it?" 9.9.06 

"This is so much easier" 9.9.06 

"Mommy, can we have cake everyday?" 9.9.06 

Happy Birthday, Lucas. Today you are one! And we are so proud to be your Mommy and Daddy. You have brought overwhelming amounts of joy, laughter, and love into our lives. A year ago today, an exhausted Mommy and Daddy were gazing into your dark eyes and marveling at the love we felt for you. You are the greatest gift God has given us and we love you with all of our hearts. Mommy and Daddy

I wanna sit in your seat Daddy!  

The Denmark girls back together again...Kathryn, Sara, Kristen, Mindy, and Kelly 

It's an etch-a-sketch! We had a great breakfast at the "Egg and I" in Estes Park