10...1215...330...545...7...830

That was my night night. Luke my 10 1/2 month old still sleeps like a newborn...yes, a newborn...STILL being the key word explaining the fact that I haven't slept well in over a year. Yes, over a year!

It all starts when you are pregnant and the baby is laying on or kicking your bladder. If you are not up every hour using the restroom, you are turning over (if you can actually manage to turn over) because your hips are expanding and aching. So the last couple or more months of pregnancy...sleep is already a distant memory. It is a great way for God to prepare you for the baby's arrival! I looked back in my log and noticed I got 4 hours total the last 3 nights before Luke arrived. Yes, 4! Now 10 1/2 months later, I am still not sleeping. I have gone over 30 different reasons why Luke still sleeps like newborn. I've read articles, I've listened to advice, and I've tried many, many things. A few times in Luke's life, he has only woken up once. Right before he got the cold he has now, he did it two days in a row...then got a cold from me that I got from John. Before that was on vacation but that was only because he was extremely exhausted from traveling all day and getting to bed hours late. Before that was a few days before thanksgiving...and then he got a cold at thanksgiving. Before that it was in Mesquite in September. Then we came home, kept him in the pack-n-play thinking he liked it instead of his crib...didn't work. And he only did it a couple other times before Sept.

Q: Why do I remember those cherished nights?

A: The answer is the same...10...1215...330...545...7...830

Q:Why do I lay in bed for up to 2 hours trying to fall asleep?

A: 10...1215...330...545...7...830

Q: Why have I forgotten how to sleep?

A:10...1215...330...545...7...830

Q: Why does it take me 2 to 3 different times in the night to get 4 or 5 hours of sleep over the last year?

A:10...1215...330...545...7...830

Q: Why can I not shut my brain off knowing the world will revolve without me awake?

A:10...1215...330...545...7...830

Q: Why do I eat at least once and often twice in the middle of the night?

A:10...1215...330...545...7...830

Q: Why do I hear phantom cries when Luke is actually sleeping?

A:10...1215...330...545...7...830

Q:How can I walk through the dark house at night and not bump into any toys?

A:10...1215...330...545...7...830

Q: Why do I wonder if he is alive and go in and check on him when he sleeps longer than 5 hours?

A:10...1215...330...545...7...830

Q: Why do I like to stay away from anyone who is sick?

A:10...1215...330...545...7...830

Q: How have I survived 10...1215...330...545...7...830?

A: Only by God's grace! He is the Sustainer! Praise God for being in control and letting me lean on Him! Only by Him can anyone survive a year like this!

OK, so Luke doesn't sleep this bad every night...but almost! He typically sleeps 4 or 5 hours at the beginning of the night...which doesn't do me any good unless I went to bed at 8pm. Which leaves me NO time with John or to do anything without one of my boys present in a 24 hours period. Like read the Bible, take a shower...something for me. I've even tried it and cannot fall asleep before 10 or 1030....why? 10...1215...330...545...7...830. Then he wakes up every 2, 3, or 4 hours. So, I am at a loss. Lately, I have changed my prayers from 'Lord, teach Luke to fall asleep on his own, back alseep on his own when he doesn't need to eat, teach him to turn around in his bed when he hits the end instead of standing up, and comfort him'....to 'Lord, work a miracle in his life.' I believe it would be nothing short of that for him to sleep well! Pray with me please!

Thank you all for reading. Sometimes you just have to share your experiences. I am sure you can agree with me that it is a miracle that God has sustained me and kept me sane with little sleep. To God be the glory!

Noah's 3rd Birthday Party

We had a blast celebrating Noah's 3rd birthday! I was pretty excited about his party since this is the first one where he really knows what is going on. I talked over several themes with him. He loved most of the ideas. I decided upon Toy Story since that is one of his favorite movies right now...besides Bambi of course! The only thing he could tell me that he wanted was a candle! We certainly had candles! I bought a Buzz candle with a rocket ship on it. I haven't used it yet but plan on making him a cup cake so he can practice blowing out the candle. He wasn't interested in doing that at the party.

We had a great time. I tried my best to prepare for the party but we've been gone, packing, unpacking, and cleaning clothes since about a week and 1/2 before Christmas. We had his party on Jan. 7th. He is a New Years baby! I guess he will always get to celebrate his birthday over several weeks since we probably will not have a party on the 24th. My preparation took longer than most parties because I planned on making some cardboard box creations. I saw the idea on Pinterest and loved it. I am all about free entertainment even it is involves a little elbow grease! I am upset that I didn't get any pictures before the party. Totally forgot and was engrossed in the moment. As I always am...I am not know for being great and taking pictures! But here are some pictures of the party after the fact...

I decorated the tables with army men, letter blocks, toy story characters such as buzz, woody, potato heads, legos, cars, made signs for Pizza Planet pizza, etc. We had Pizza, cupcakes, Woody sugar cookie badges, fruit kaboobs, and Buzz lightyear green punch.

Here is Sheriff Woody's office and Buzz's Space Portal...

I also made two of these space ships to 'ride' and a rocket. Kids loved them.

We had a bunch of other toys laying around to play with too including a Toy Story punching bag.

The horse was a hit! The kids rode it...some chose to wear the cowboy hat. We also had a hulla hoop and played Lasso Bulsey. So glad John's Mom saved that horse from when he was a little boy. Noah loves it too!

Here is the presents table...after the fact. I put the goody bags in the wagon for the kids on the way out.

Here is Noah checking out his cool new toys...

New bike from Grammy and Pop! Yea!

We also had a Mr. Potato coloring contest! The 'older kids' even got involved!

Noah picked the winner! Congrats Skyler!

A last view of the party...

Very fun! Love you Noah! You are such a big boy!

First Motor Home Vacation!

This was our first motor home vacation! We had plans to cheer on the Cowboys at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona as well as go skiing at Santa Fe. I was thrilled about taking the boys without worrying about entertaining them in a car seat for 14 hours plus. Nice! I think the boys were pretty excited about going too...

Pop, Luke, and I got out at this look-out. Grammy was hanging out with Noah in the back bed while he took his afternoon nap. It was beautiful lookout (although I didn't get a picture of the lookout because of the sun shinning) and Pop bought Grammy and I beautiful necklaces from this Indian lady. She did an excellent job with all her work.

After a full day of traveling, we got out to eat at Golden Corral. Noah had his first experience with cotton candy. He is funny about weird textures and wasn't a fan of the treat...he went back for ice cream.

Luke also got a little taste of ice cream thanks to Pop...learning to love their grandparents for one of many reasons!

The boys also highly enjoyed moving in and out of the hotels every night. The cart was a hit every where we went. Noah loved climbing to the top and riding trying to give Mommy a scare and Luke just walked around it trying to climb on.

On Sunday, John flew out (thanks for Grammy's airline miles!) to meet us in Glendale, Az. He stayed to preach at church on Sunday instead of leaving on Friday with us. Monday, we took Noah to a place called Jump Street. It was so neat. They had so much to do and it only cost $4 to get in! Mommy and Daddy got to play as much as we wanted too!

This was a really big slide. John, Noah, and I all flew down it so fast. It went up to the ceiling! So cool!

These long trampolines went up the wall. Very neat! These were the smaller ones for the younger children. They have another bigger set for older kids. They also had a maze, a dodge ball trampoline court, a tramp that went off into a pit, etc. Neat place to say the least!!!

Here is our family picture at the game. This was the first full football game for the boys. We've taken Noah to about a quarter of a game before and he was very disinterested and wanted to run around. I wasn't sure how he would do at this game. But the boys did so well. Luke slept the whole first half (minus the last minute) and Noah was entertained the whole time (not really by the game). He ate popcorn, a hot dog, had a sucker, played games on the I-Phone, etc. It was such a fun game. A great memory for us!

Noah really liked the mascots and the band.

Luke had fun playing with Great Grandpa. It was so sweet seeing them play together. I will cherish that for a long time. I just had to have a picture of their hands meeting. So sweet! Love you Grandpa!

On the way home, we stopped at Denny's and a sweet lady made Noah a monkey! She did such a great job. Her husband and her (as well as another couple) both moved there to be missionaries. They do this on the side for a ministry and to supplement their income. So cool! Great entertainment for the kids while waiting!

The next morning we drove to Santa Fe to ski! John and I had a great time. I hadn't gone in a couple years because I was pregnant with Luke last Christmas. Grammy and Pop watched the boys while we had a blast! We hope to take Noah next year when I is 4. I bet he will love it! Loved the views...God you are amazing! What a beautiful creation!

I love skiing! It was such a warm beautiful day! The runs were great and they had even more snow than Colorado! What a fun time! Looking forward to the next ski trip already!

Thanks Grammy and Pop! We had such a good time!