Well, we are officially in the "terrible twos" as Luke turned two on October 21st. I can't believe how he has grown and what a little sponge he is. He absorbs everything we say and do. What an awesome responsibility being a parent is. I am so thankful that God chose Chris and me to be Luke's parents on earth.  

That's my boy! 

Luke looking mighty cheery before church Sunday morning. This was right after he had fever for several days and before he had the croup... 

Mommy, Luke and Daddy pre-birthday party. 

Luke at his 2nd birthday party... This picture was taken right before he kicked his cousin James (notice how they are facing off) 

Here's four generations... Mammaw, Mommy, Luke and CC 

Mommy asked Luke to show her all of his new teeth. He gave me a crooked smile. 

Daddy and Luke making silly faces while Mommy was gone to Homemakers By Choice.  

Luke and I have been fighting colds most of this week so you can imagine our concern about tonights appointment at Portrait Innovations. everything went relatively well considering Luke had no nap and very little food for the day along with a low grade fever. 

This is my favorite family picture of the night. Of course, my eyes are all puffy and I never show my teeth when I smile but that is just me. Mom and Luke look great 

Portrait Innovations has got the right idea when it comes to selling pictures. 1. Don't rush the customer 2. Take LOTS of pictures 3. Do whatever it takes to make the kids laugh. 4. Offer several poses with several props. 5. Allow the customer to see ALL the photos on a big screen T.V. so you can see all the details and blemishes up front. 6. Offer simple price packages with a wide range of prices (go as cheap or expensive as you want) 7. Pictures printed while you wait.(We got ours within 15 minutes) 8. Give the customer a CD of ALL the photos to take home and email, print, or my favorite, post on the web. 

We had a total meltdown during the wardrobe change. Luke felt like he was on fire and couldn't quit rubbing his eyes. He was so tired. I have no idea how the girls taking his picture got him smiling again but it was magic. They really went above and beyond to get good pictures. I remember one girl was holding a football right off camera and letting Luke kick it out of her hands, she would duck back as Luke laughed at her chasing the ball. She must have done it a dozen times for 3 photos. 

These overalls have some miles on them. I had my picture made in them, my brother, his 2 daughters, and I believe 3 second cousins also. The straps were removed somewhere along the way so my mom used a bandana to replace them. One day, Lukes children will too. 

This is the best one with the Fire Truck. He was unwilling to sit on the truck in any form. All requests were met with a stern, "No". 

This is one of the last ones we took. He was clearly worn out and just wanted to lay down. We tried to get a shot of him looking up at me but it was no use. Oh well, we still got some good ones. 

Ramblin' Luke

I decided to make another video with the cowboy footage since you really couldn't tell wht was going on in the last one. Luke was a little tired by the end so he got a little crazy which makes for good videos.
The music is by Joe Thompson, whom we got to see at City Stages several years ago. A quick check of my Ipod shows that I listen to this album twice as much as anything else I own. I see that they have 31 copies for sale at $7.99 which is a steal. I can't cut grass or do yardwork without this playing.(either in the headphones or just in my head) At least give it a listen. (scroll down for the samples)

Cowboy Luke

Luke decided to wear his boots and hat the other night and I HAD to video it.
Funny story about Willie Nelson. We decided to name "down there", Willie. You know, "Your Willie needs washing." and such. Well, it moved on to "Willie Nelson" after a while.
"The Red Headed Stranger" is one of my favorite albums. My parents owned it and we listened to it a lot. I was thrilled when they gave it to me several months ago. I was playing it at home a few weeks ago when Luke went over to the record player and asked what it was.
I said,"Willie Nelson."
He looked in his diaper and then gave me a very weird giggle. Mandy started laughing and suggested that I told him the name of the album instead. I just handed the dust cover to her and let her read it for herself. We laughed for a long time, to Lukes amusement.
This weekend marks the 1 year anniversary of the accident. When the accident happened, she was praying for God to give her a testimony that would change peoples lives. (She had been asked to give her testimony at the womens retreat the following weekend) She left this afternoon to attend the Retreat this weekend, once again, to give her testimony, only this time she has what she asked for. God is truly awesome in the way he works. Now I know what it means when I read that his ways are higher than ours. I pray that God blesses all of you this week.

We came home the other night to find this guy waiting for us on the back porch window. Very weird and big. Luke said, "Don't like it!" and ran on inside. 

Here he is with my hand as a reference point for the size. He would have taken up my whole palm. 

He was still around the next morning.