Back To School

Dear Joshua and Luke,





We have had so much fun the last two weeks. We have been trying to do so many things before school schedules, routines, etc. began.





We have taken in a Grizzly game with one of mama's long time friends and her new friend, Jennifer and Colin. That was a fun night of mostly playing at the playground, eating nachos, soda, and cotton candy. All of the important things at a baseball game. At least you know how to cheer on our team - "Go grizzlies!!!!!"





Soccer has been in full swing for a few weeks. Joshua has been a great team player, and we are proud of his effort in the game. This year he is playing on a 4/5 year old team so there are a few players who have played for three seasons. He is doing a fantastic job of keeping up. He loves Coach Ryan, too. Coach Ryan was Joshua's t-ball coach, too.

We have a new sandbox, too thanks to Miss Nancy at Mama's school. You have had so much fun playing in it....but I have to tell you that we learned very quickly not to let you in the sandbox right after an application of sun screen! I didn't think the sunscreen was ever going to come off! (For the record, I told Daddy not to let you in there right away, but he didn't listen this time. :) )

We also spent a day at the Illinois State Fair with Grammy. It was a blast seeing the farm animals, visiting the exhibits, the horse show, and there is nothing like lunch at the State Fair. Luke loved seeing the pigs and goats while Joshua's highlights were the horse show and Abraham Lincoln and the cow made of butter. Next year we will plan to spend two days there. Be sure to see the pictures from the State Fair on the slide show at the right.

The fun never ends with you two boys. Even though we are going back to school, you can bet that we will still be doing many fun things. Stay tuned!

I love you both tons,

Mama

No Peanuts Please!!!!!!

Dear Joshua and Luke,

Peanut allergy? Where did it come from? Why doesn't Jesus help me? I don't even know where to start because I know this is only the beginning. Joshua started preschool this week, and while we thought we were totally prepared for everyone to deal with your peanut allergy (Mom talked to just about everyone at your school and your allergist), we found out we really weren't after the first half hour you were at school.

There were so many questions. How is Joshua's epi-pen different from other ones? What do we do if the first dose does not work. Daddy even went to the paramedics to get some questions answered about their response in the event of an emergency. So many things that people did not know and understand. We also realized that no one really wants to take responsibility for serving food to someone with a food allergy. I do understand that much of this is new, and I get that.

I know you do not understand why you can not eat the same food as everyone else at school. You do not understand why you have this allergy. You do not understand why mama has to explain your allergy to everyone on the t-ball and soccer team, church, friends, etc. And for goodness sakes, you are only four years old. There are many things you are trying to figure out. We are, too. And I promise that we will be with you every step of the way, making things as safe as we can along the way.

I can also tell you this for sure. You did nothing to deserve all of these food allergies. We have taken you to a top notch pediatrician (in the top 10 of all pediatricians in St. Louis), a top notch allergist who is the resident allergist for the food allergy support group in St. Louis, and I have researched everything I can to be the "expert mom of a peanut allergy kid (which I am not, but I try to be!)" None of this has adequately prepared us for these challenges, but don't worry because we are going to keep on trying!

Also, I can tell you this for sure. Things will get better as you get older. As you get older you will better be able to recognize signs of when you may be having an allergic reaction, and you will better be able to monitor what you are eating. I promise that we will help you and make this more manageable every day. We pray every night for a cure for food allergies (Parkinson's disease and cancer, too). I do believe that it may be possible in your lifetime. You may never be able to eat peanuts and nuts regularly, but you will be able to withstand a reaction in the event that you accidentally ingest a peanut or nut.

Most importantly, I will tell you that I am the most blessed mom in the world. It does not matter what challenges we face with you because Daddy and I will be with you and help you get through whatever we encounter. Despite our challenges with your food allergies, at least I do not have to worry about your glucose level six times a day, I don't have to worry about any diseases like cancer, I don't have to worry about putting you into a wheelchair every morning. You are a healthy boy, full of life and energy. You are the sweetest, kindest boy with the biggest imagination in the world. To me, you are perfect in every way. I could go on and on, but I won't...no complaints from me. I feel like the luckiest mom!

Luke - You are the best little brother in the world. You so clearly tell people..."No nuts, no nuts!!!" when we are around food. Thank you for being so good to your big brother.

I love you to the moon and back and back again.

Love,

Mama

My Two Favorite Names

Dear Joshua and Luke -

Did you both know that Daddy and I picked out very special names for you when you were born? For many years, we thought we were going to name a baby boy "Grant." But about a month before you were born, Daddy came along and said, "What do you think about Joshua?" We were leaning towards a biblical name, but we could not agree on anything. After reading the book of Joshua and realizing what a strong leader he was in the bible, we decided that we would wait and see which name matched how you looked and your personality. We really thought we were giving you a unique name, but apparently not as Joshua was the third most popular boy name in 2005! But that is OK because you are most unique to us!!!!!

Did you know that Joshua was the leader who took over after Moses passed away? He is most famous for his battle of Jericho..... (sing along ~ Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho......Joshua fought the battle of Jericho and the walls came tumbling down!) Father Bill recites our favorite bible verse almost every time he sees you..."As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15"

Then, there is Lukie, Luker, Lucas.....or "Lump a Lou" as Miss Sarah most affectionately calls you. We knew that we wanted another bible name....I really liked the names "Peter" and "Noah," but Daddy had many reasons why he was not as fond of those names, so it was pretty definite you were going to be a "Luke." We chose Luke because he was the author of one of the four gospels and the Acts of the Apostles." We also liked Luke's Latin origin with his name meaning "bringer of light, morning."

Luke's gospel has been our favorite gospel because it tells of many miracles including the miracle conception by God. And who doesn't love the beautiful birth story of baby Jesus? Luke was truly our second miracle baby. After praying and waiting so long for God to give us Joshua, we became pregnant on our own with Luke only 13 months after Joshua was born. It was a miracle again! And we are so blessed to have Uncle Luke, Dad's brother, in our lives. He is a great example of a leader of Jesus so after he gave us his blessing to use his name for our son, we decided for sure that you would be Luke.

Joshua and Luke ~ my two favorite names!

Love,

Mama

Million Dollar Mama

Dear Joshua and Luke,




You can tell that mama is back at work since I have not added to your blog in over a week. It has been so busy this week, and I have been working late almost every night ~ getting home just in time to tuck you into bed. A big thanks to Miss Sarah for the field trip to Eckert's (among many other fun things this week) and the great picture!

Sweet story from yesterday: I worked a 15 hour day and came home right at bedtime. As I walked through the door, both of your eyes lit up, and Joshua exclaimed, "Mama! You look so pretty!!!!!" After my great big smile back, he added, "Mama! I missed you so much! I love you too much! (I think he meant so much, but it was very sweet.) After you were both asleep and I looked in the mirror, I thought I looked far from pretty, but you made me feel like a million dollar mama!


Sweet story about Luke: Joshua has been working hard at teaching Luke new words. As soon as Luke says the new words, Joshua exclaims in the loudest, proudest voice, "Mama! Daddy! It is the first time that Luke said, "macaroni and cheese!!!!!" Luke looks proud and so is big brother. Mama and Daddy are the proudest though.

Tons of love to both of you.


Love,
Mama

A Week of Firsts

Dear Joshua and Luke,

It has been an amazing week. There has also been a few "firsts" such as your first races - the stock car races. I was not prepared for this. Dad sprung it on me at the last minute. It was good for everyone that he did because if given just a little bit of time, I would have certainly found several reasons not to go. Needless to say, you both had a blast. You did not even mind the ear plugs that we made you wear. You loved the hot dogs, soda, and snacks. I liked the family section in the stands, and I enjoyed watching you both have so much fun. I even enjoyed it a little bit, but I do think it might be a good Daddy/son night out next time. You both had such fun choosing the winning car with each trial.

Sunday found us at a picnic at the lake. Grammy made her yummy fried chicken, potato salad, and baked beans. She also brought along all of the other standard picnic fare - Fritos, cookies, cheese slices, pickles........ As a testament to how much you two love spending time with your Grammy and Papa, you both chose spending time with them over a parade and rides in a neighboring town where mama works. You chased the seagulls with bread (Joshua was so funny trying to sneak up on the birds. He was hiding behind the fence, trash cans, whatever he could find in an effort to surprise them. It was hysterical!), and had fun watching the waves and the other children on the beach. It was a great time. We stopped for ice cream on the way home, then jammies and books at Grammy and Papa's house before falling asleep in the car on the ride home ~ only 20 minutes, but you were so tired after a great day.

Another "first" for the week was so many words that Luke has used for the first time - huge, Uncle Eck, thank you instead of just thanks.....Luke is using so many new words, and putting lots of words together. His favorite words this week were, "Lay with me, Mom" and "Play with me, Mom." His words are becoming so much more clear, too. We are so proud of you!

Mama and Daddy will always love you guys.

Love,

Mama

Happy Birthday, Nana!

Dear Joshua and Luke,

We celebrated Nana's birthday this weekend. You were both so happy to go over and see Nana and Papa Ed. Nana has such a very special place in all of our hearts. You both wanted to take cupcakes to see her so that you could sing her happy birthday and help her to blow out the candles which we did two times. On the way there, Luke was saying over and over..."Papa Eck and Nana, Papa Eck, and Nana............" and giggling. It was so darling. Joshua wanted to hurry up and get over there....."No stops, Mom!"

Nana is a very special grandma. From the moment I was pregnant with Joshua, Nana was the most ecstatic grandma ever. She was so happy that Joshua was coming. Nana and Papa Ed spoiled him even before he was born with so many wonderful presents, too. The beautiful bedroom set that you both sleep in each day now was a huge gift from them before you were born, and so many other things, too. I will always remember the look on Nana's face when she held you for the first time. Again, she was so happy. She spoiled you like crazy and she still does. Even yesterday she said as Luke was eying up the candy dish, "You can have almost anything you want here." Nana even learned how to drive to our house so that she could come and see you after you were born ~ and she did many times. She would come over just to see you and spend a few minutes. Once she stayed with us for a few days to help me with you after you were born.

Nana was there when Luke was born, too. I think she might have been at the hospital even before I got there. She had that same look in her eyes and she held Luke for the first time. I do think she was the proudest Nana around. And she still is. She talks to you every chance she gets to on the phone, and the first questions she always asks me is, "How are the boys?" (usually before she me about myself, but that's OK.:) ) As you can see, Nana loves you both so very much.

Papa Ed loves you both so much, too. Yesterday he said that he thought you were both getting to be more handsome every day, and he is right. :) Papa Ed is most special, too. He has the kindest heart, most gentle spirit, and he is one of the most generous men I have ever known. More on him another day...... He deserves his own special blog entry another day. We will keep both of them in our prayers, and pray that Papa Ed gets stronger every day, and that Nana has strength to take care of herself and Papa Ed. Our whole family loves them both so very much! We are so lucky to be a part of their lives. I love you both tons!

Love,

Mama