Meant to be forever!

Fifteen years ago today...

these two silly, optimistic, immature, naive love birds....


..vowed before God to love each other forever..no matter what.
These years have produced the blessing of four amazing children and the pain of losing some of our dearest family members.

Happy Anniversary, honey. I do love you more today than I ever dreamed I could. You are an amazing father and my best friend.

Tucked inside a moment

Just another day at the beach.

Seizing an opportunity to bury their sister :-)

You never really outgrow digging in the sand on a beautiful day, do you?

Or maybe...you are just beginning to learn that it is loads of fun!

An age old pastime.

"My durn".

Sometimes you wake up and do the most ordinary things, and you take away a moment that will stay with you forever. Today was one of those days. Precious. Nothing out of the ordinary, but just a wonderful day spent with all of the kiddos except Landon (she was with a friend).

No fighting. No complaining. It was pure bliss.

Even the water was exceptionally blue for the East coast.

See? Bliss.

Jon Wilson turns 8!

Wilson celebrated his 8th birthday this past week. Where has the time gone? He is sure growing up before our eyes and is turning out to be quite a fine young man. I am fascinated more and more everyday by his wit, his intensity and his knowledge of wildlife.

A wise mother of six boys (huthem) once told me that the things I get away with involving my girls would not fly once Wilson was old enough to have a say. Boy oh boy was she right! He does not let anything slide. At five years old he said to me "Mom, you do not expect me to believe that a fairy flies into our home and takes my tooth and replaces it with money and then proceeds to fly back out of our house, do you?" Master of logic and probability: Wilson.

Happy Birthday, son. You are a treasure and a blessing to us.

Listening to Grammy wish him a Happy Birthday and sportin' his Boopsie's reading glasses. Dick Van Dyke allowed him to wear these on his birthday. Is he cute or what?

I guess this one is Star Wars meets GI Joe?

The fun continues with a little birthday Nerf battle. Is Stephen behind enemy lines with no weapon?

Pals

Nothing like a few good men to share your special day with you.

W-ild animal lover

I-ntense


L-ikes to be at home


S-trong-willed


O-pposite of non-picky eater :-)


N-urturing

For this child I have prayed..1 Sam 1:27

This past Sunday was a day for celebration. Not only did I get to spend Mother's Day with my precious family, but my mom and sister were able to be with me us well. What a day!

Also, Sunday morning we dedicated our newest son to the Lord in front of our new church family. All of our children have been dedicated on a special day in the past and Stephen was no exception to this tradition. For some reason, this day was overwhelmingly infused with emotion.

I guess it stands to reason that the pastor's sermon was on the book of 1st Samuel and Hannah's longing to have a child. It was a personal charge for us to take these children that God has blessed us with and raise them to know Him and to know He is real and He is faithful and good and that His word is truth. WOW. A daunting task to say the least..I am so thankful that we are not left alone to try to pull this one off in our own strength. I, personally, would fail miserably every time....I keep praying that He will hold tight to his promise in Jeremiah 29:11 that says "He knows the plans He has for us.." and that he will make something glorious out of these tiny lives that have been entrusted in our care, regardless of our shortcomings.

Unmatched in silliness, perceptiveness, disorder and loyalty: Team Lucas

Blessing of a mother: "Grammy,Grammy, what did you bring me?" doing what she does best..loving her grand kids

Dick Van Dyke and three of his "little Richies"

(This is one of my favorites..truly it is how he looks most days when he gets home from work...several hanging on his pants leg)

Oh, if you only knew how representative this really is of a normal moment at the Lucas household. Ah...chaos. It settles in like an old friend...

Everyone loves Aunt Too Too!

Hope your Mother's Day was a reminder of the many blessings you have been afforded, whether you have a "quiver full of children" or a mother that you can "rise up and call bless-ed" today or in the whisper of prayer in her memory.

Not only on Mother's Day, but each and everyday you are missed and loved:

Grandma Deanie, Nana and Mamaw Nellie

The sound of freedom

We took the kids to the air show at MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) this weekend.

It is always a treat to watch the jets fly overhead in a gripping display of speed and agility.

The sheer noise alone will send chills up your spine. To me it is overwhelming to think that on the other side of the world the very freedom we enjoy is being defended by jets and fighters just like those flying over our heads. Our country is clearly blessed as evidenced by the top of the line aircraft and excellently trained pilots and wingman. Saying "thank you" sometimes just doesn't seem like enough for the thick blanket of security we sleep under..does it?

Thank you Marines, Sailors, Airman and Soldiers.

The kiddos (Austyn was in VA at a chorus competition) climbed on every apparatus that was available to them. Guess who loved the artillery and guess who loved the vehicles with steering wheels? I bet you can.

Anything with wheels...

Anything that fires or explodes...
See, I knew it wouldn't be hard.

Ever since Saturday I have been trying to figure out a way to get someone to let me ride with them in an F-16 jet. I just know I would love to feel the G force going 600 mph straight up. Jon says I would never make it because the cockpit would feel alot like Mission Space at Epcot and I am NOT up for that. Shoot! Perhaps one day I will have a son who desires to be a fighter pilot...hmmm.

______________________________

Now, guess whose kiddos received the good character award for TRUSTWORTHINESS? It sort of made me smile that they both got it for their individual classrooms. Way to be trustworthy Landon and Wilson...you rock!

More SB fun...

This is turning into the sermon that spans the season. Here are just a few more clips from our much needed travels back to the place we have called home for most of our lives. These photos are just pieces of what we did during the middle of the week. One might think that sweet Maia spent the whole time with us...Stephen just loved her and we took LOTS of photos. Of course, I sure did not mind spending time squeezing her and telling her how happy we are since she joined the Edmisten family.

We also spent a wonderful morning at my grandmother's home. The kids always love to see their MeMe. It reminds me of when I was a child. I loved to go visit my great-grandmother's house because there was so much to do. She had great places to explore and even better stories to tell about the treasured things in her home. The same is true for them...they had a wonderful time just visiting and exploring the backyard. We love you, Meez.

Stephen and Maia sliding (sort of..)

My sister just started a new business (bleaching teeth) inside the mall. We were so excited to finally be able to check out her set up. The kids begged me everyday to just go and hang with her while she worked. I finally figured out that they had the 4-1-1 on the video game store. She has gotten to know the owners quite well and they have allowed Ethan to spend a good deal of time playing computer games... It took me a moment to catch on..see, they thought I was just going to drop them off and let them veg out while playing video games endlessly. Sorry, not happening. :-) Her kiosk is probably the cutest and most inviting one I have seen in some time. Go Mel, go!!

Getting sugar from Maia

She must have kissed him twenty times. It was the sweetest thing, for now :-0

Dana refers to Joy and me as her "detergent friends".

I also managed to spend an evening alone with some of my friends (Mika, Liz, Cheryl and Julie). We ate dinner together and laughed until we cried. It did my heart so good to see them again and actually spend time catching up with them. When I returned, the kids were still awake..my poor mother had shown them such a fun evening that they couldn't wait to tell me all about it. Yikes!