Searching for our tree of life

Well, as y'all can see from all the pictures my baby is not so baby-like anymore. Jakob had a very good birthday with my parents and sisters showing up in the afternoon and Jeremy's parents and Kara showing up that night. The next day was his birthday party and a few friends from church brought their kids as well as all the family and Jakey had a great time. A funny story...

On the little playground Jakob was wearing his sandals (he rarely wears shoes to walk) and he would fall down on the wood chips. He'd put his hands on the ground and make a grunting sound as he stood up. I guess he sees all of us adults groaning and grunting as we stand so he kept doing that every time he fell. It was so funny. 

Jakey loved his birthday cake (which we knew he would) and got really messy, which is exactly what first birthdays are for. After the party the families all came back to our house and we just spent time together which is a lot of fun. It's loud of course having everyone together, but I love it and really miss it. Jakob and his cousins Will and Kate played in the little pool together. Kate kept laying back on her back and wanting to kick her feet in the water. Molly had to hold her head up above the water so she didn't drown herself, but she was having a great time :) Sunday everyone went to church with us, which was nice. We packed out our "young couples" sunday school class. After church we went to Cracker Barrell and ate lunch and then Jeremy's parents and Kara as well as Dave and Molly left to go home. I really wanted to cry, but I held it in. I miss seeing everyone so much. I do okay while I'm here but when I see everyone and am reminded of how it used to be I do miss them a lot. Sunday night we had a watermelon picnic down by the pond after church, and the girls ran around and played with some of the kids from church. Jakob ate three pieces of watermelon all by himself. The weather was cooler and it was really nice. Monday my parents left. From the time I woke up on Monday I felt sad. I had a great weekend, but I knew my parents were leaving and I just couldn't shake the sad feeling. I started crying before my parents even got to my house. It really is a desire of ours that our children (or child whichever God chooses) are raised around their grandparents. Neither of us had that opportunity growing up. My mom and dad headed home and Carissa and Abigail stayed here with us. Jeremy will take them to Eufala on Friday to drop them with my mom and dad. Jakob is loving having his aunties here with him. They play in the pool, dig in the sandbox with him, read him books, he gets constant attention. When we're driving somewhere all I hear is "Shauna, look at him, he's so cute" or "Shauna look what he's doing" he is one adored little boy. Carissa and Abi really love being aunts. Yesterday Jakey had his 12 month well check. He is 21 pounds 11 ounces. Only 36th percentile for his weight (that was a shocker and a first!) He is 80th percentile for his height though. (I don't really remember what the height was) When you look at the markings they make for the height he really is so long now! He had to get 5 shots :( He did really well though, by the time I left the doctors office he was not crying anymore. Last night he was running a fever, but it goes down with tylenol. Today is Jakob's friend Ruthie's birthday. I am excited for her. Cat has been so sweet and such a friend through this whole experience. We went through IVF at the same time and ended up with due dates just a couple of days apart. It's so nice to know someone who knows how you're feeling and someone to encourage you when you need it. 

This is what we got Ruthie for her birthday. So cute right??? I wanted to make her some shoes, but everything I've read says it's very difficult, plus we've been moving and I haven't had any time to crochet. Ruthie's such a pretty little girly girl, I could just see her in this. Well, I've got 3 kids who are anxious to get to the library so I'm gonna go. Hope you all have a great day! 

L<3ve,

            Me

p.s. Please pray for Jeremy. He's on his way to Ft. Lauderdale right now. His interview is tomorrow. I'm just praying that if it's God's will for us to go he will work everything out. I know Jeremy really wants the job. Thanks girls :)