celebrating life

Today, we have our very first 8 year old.  And, we're celebrating it up.

Yes, I am that mom who takes her sons out of school to go to Lego Land.  

And yes, we always say "It's just kindergarten and first grade.  

But I have a feeling we will still be saying "It's just 11th and 12th grade..."   

We packed 2 days full in Chicago:  lego land, swimming, ikea, 

starbucks run for 2 after the kids are asleep, downtown, 

brunch at one of my favorite swanky li'l restaurants... 

 But most importantly, we played hard!

Eight years ago today, my life changed more than I ever would have imagined in just a moment.  39 hours of labor and 1 failed epidural later, I finally understood the verse…

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; 

but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish 

because of her joy that a child is born into the world. John 16.21

Every contraction, every push, every tear, every minute was totally and completely worth it when I met this little man.  

We drove by the hospital tonight on our way to T-Ball, recalling that moment at 4.51 pm May 2, 2003 when we welcomed into our world Miles Andrew.  
I love him more than I ever knew was possible!  

We have been partying hard.  And our house looks like it.  I will post the gluten-free chocolate birthday cake recipe soon, but not tonight.  

We're in a bit of a lego coma over here...