Charles Tucker's big day!

Well today we celebrated Charles Tucker's bday all day long! We woke up to him and Mary Taylor playing in the playroom next to our bedroom and because their daddy and I had been up half the night with sick Henry, we stayed in the bed a wee bit longer. But as soon as we popped out of bed, Tucker was begging for dinner, which is what he says when he is hungry. I was thrilled to be able to tell him that today was his birthday and it was time for his special birthday breakfast! He said, "Yeah, my Thomas birthday!" So CT had eggs and whole wheat pancakes with marshmellows, maple syrup, and sprinkles.

I think he was sad in this picture because I would not let him touch the candles....

There's my birthday boy!!

After he ate his breakfast we let him open his birthday present, which was a remote control Thomas the Train, but it took about two minutes for him to open his present. It was a good lesson of patience for Henry and daddy, they were about to go crazy watching him. Charles Tucker could teach us all a thing or two about not rushing life and notice he doesn't throw the paper on the floor, but he put all of the wrapping paper on the table..(pause the music at the bottom of the page)

Then it was time to get ready for church, at least half of the family. I decided to stay home with Henry and clean up the house to get ready for the party and the week ahead.

Later that afternoon, Nana came over and Charles Tucker opened more gifts and enjoyed his special day that was all about him! He really seemed to feel special and loved. It was really cute how he relished in it! He even wanted me to read every birthday card he opened.

We decided to just have a family birthday party for various reasons, but mainly because Charles Tucker thrives the most when he is at home with his brother and sister! We knew we could love on him best and make him feel special with less distractions around. He sometimes get's overwhelmed in a large crowd with lots of people around. So this would be a special present to him just us all being together! Of course we invited the grandparents, but only Nana could make it because she lives in town.

But, poor Henry missed the whole thing, because he was asleep in our bedroom, don't worry when he got up around 8:30 he had a hamburger and cake and ice cream...at least he was feeling better.

Little miss priss....Tucker's partner in crime!

Then it was time for the much anticipated Thomas the Train birthday celebration!!

It has become a tradition in the last couple of years for me to make each child's birthday cake, so I have fun with it! I found this idea off of pinterest. If you haven't been to pinterest yet, you got to check out all the cool ideas for just about anything and everything. Yes, it can led to coveting and wanted to spend money that you don't have, but doesn't going to target do that too? So if you are already obsessed with too many things on the internet, maybe it's not the place for you to go, but if you are in need of some fresh new ideas it's a great place to explore.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you!

We love you sweet Charles Tucker DeBardeleben, we hope you had the best birthday ever!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday

Charles Tucker!! Hard to believe it is has been a year since we skyped with you during your 2nd birthday party at the babies home. We even had a party in honor of you! Remember watching this video in Uganda? (pause the music at the bottom of the page)

You can read about the rest of our party Here.

These are some pictures our sweet friends took for us during your birthday party. As I think back on this picture a year ago, I thought you were just so precious in this picture, but knowing you now, I know you were not comfortable sitting in this chair. You were scared and nervous, but wanting to have fun, just not knowing how to do it. I can't wait to see you at your 3rd birthday party tomorrow! But, oh, how wonderful the "mamas" were to throw each of the children in the home a birthday party with cake, decorations, and music! A pretty special place!

These were two of your favorite friends at the babies home, Miriam and Benjamin, who had the privilage of sitting at the birthday table with you. I know both babies left you during the next couple of months while you were still there. I always wondered if it made you sad to loose your friends, or was this just another loss that seemed to come your way.

How cute were you to eat so much birthday cake! Knowing what I know now, this perfectly fits your personality! You are a good eater compared to Henry and Mary Taylor, but your favorites are still french fries, cake, and anything else sugar, you became an American real fast! Look and they even had "Kickamouse" (micky mouse) birthday plates...how did they know you would grow to love "kickamouse?"

 
And now licking your fingers, that's my boy!

Thank you to Miriam's mother for filming his special day...we will always treasure this!!!
(pause music at the bottom of the page)

So tomorrow we will celebrate his 3rd birthday, but first birthday with our family! What a special day this will be! In so many ways Charles Tucker mimics things that his brother and sister do such as the way they play, what they say, and even the things they like. All this is natural and healthy, considering he is learning so much about being a brother, son, and a friend to others. But, one opinion he did have was to have a Thomas the Train birthday! He has been talking about it for weeks, especially since we picked out his plates, napkins, hats, and balloons at the party store a couple of weeks ago. We spent so much time talking about Henry's Star Wars party all summer (which I still have not blogged about), that often he did not understand why Henry got all the special things. So after his party was over, the whole month of September we have been talking about Charles Tucker's birthday!

Well, I have to do three reasons why we love you, buddy!

1. You have such a big his heart toward other people. You are the most loving child I have ever met! Always  sometimes willing to share, but always defending your sister and making sure she is taken care of. You give the best hugs!

2. What soft skin God has blessed you with!! And we love your "hammer head!" You have the cutest voice and laugh I have ever heard!!

3. I love you just because your my son and God has lovingly placed you in our family to teach us how to love unconditionally. What a gift you are!

I guess that was more than three, but I could not help it!!!

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3

Happy Birthday Tuckbuduck!!

Martha Jane's Airport Homecoming!

Yesterday, we welcomed home the Gilbert family with precious Martha Jane from Uganda. Driving to the airport brought back a stream of emotions I remember feeling when I got off the plane with Charles Tucker on December 31, 2010, nearly nine months ago. I was exhausted from traveling with a two year old who screamed everytime the flight attendants made him wear his seat belt, but so freaken excited about seeing my children and husband who had returned two weeks prior. Then walking off the plane to see a sea of friends and family waiting to hug our necks and welcome us home...which ranks upon the top ten most wonderful moments of my life! Like Jane said at our airport homecoming, it is a glimpse of the wonderful consumation we will experience once we get to heaven and see Christ's face and not have to face the pain and suffering of this world ever again! Oh..what a day it will be! He will welcome us with loving arms just because we are his son or daughter, not for who we are, but because of who Christ is. Such a taste of eternity to bring an orphan into a family and then to be greated with loving arms from an amazing body of Christ...beautiful!!

Teddy and Hannah were some of the first to arrive...

Teddy got a little restless and kept trying to run off...so Dee gave him his iphone to watch cartoons on...isn't he precious! (Hannah, I hope you found yours in your car?!)

And little Kenser made herself happy by pulling off all the shinny things on Martha Jane's poster...I think she though they were stickers, which she is obsessed with...

Lium(sp?) and Caroline paitently waiting for Martha Jane to arrive...

Oliver and Mary Stuart playing on the floor to pass the time....

And this little girl name Blair is reading Oliver a story...how precious is this?

Some kids are not so entertained like little Miss Georgia who decides to take a nap on Martha Jane's poster, such a goof ball!

And then these two little ones are pretty fried and daddy is even more having to entertain them while I pretend to be photographer....

Carson and baby Issac waiting for baby Martha to arrive, along with some eager kiddos...

It was indeed a beautiful scene as Jane came running to hug our necks as she cryed seeing her parents and other special people she had missed for the last four weeks, along with wide eyed Martha Jane on her hip as she took in all the new sights and sounds. She was probably shocked to see so many muzungos (white people)!! She is quite a ham, laughing and smiling the minute she met everyone! Too cute!

Back in December when we were in Uganda, I had the privilage of loving on Martha Jane, because she lived in Charles Tucker's same baby home. She was so tiny back then, but I just remember her beautiful little face. At the time, I didn't know she would become Terrell and Jane's daughter...so cool to look back and to think of all the mamas who took care of her in the babies home. I know some of you read my blog, so thank you Agnus, Victor, Sara, Francis, Miriam, Martha, Dora, Brenda, Samuel and I know I am forgetting so many caretakers, but thank you all for loving on Martha Jane and Charles Tucker while they lived with you!! You will always be apart of our lives!! Both of our families are planning on taking a trip back in about five to ten years, right Gilberts?? I know I know you need to get over jet leg to think about that!

I am just thrilled for the Gilberts to be back in town, we have desperately missed them!! I can't count on my hands and toes how many times Henry asked to go play with Chad...you guys were definitely missed! And Jane we have so much catching up to do, I can't wait to hear everything! But, for now I hope you guys are getting some much needed rest and enjoying being a family of 5!

Such a reminder of God's never giving up, unfailing, redeeming love!!

DeBardeleben beach trip in July-post #3 and Happy Birthday to Pop!

Our last day at the beach was fun, but really hot. We were beached out at this point.... 

Can you guess who is under the blankets??

  
For dinner, we got dressed up and went to the Crab Shack. It was really cool to see these alligators surrounding the restaraunt...The kids loved it...

We had to get a picture of the two girls in the family with their matching dresses...Nana helped just a little...

Just precious of Betty and Mary Taylor....

Then we attempted a group shot of the four older cousins....

 Betty's largest fan on this trip was Henry....

Henry in all of his craziness, could not get enough of soft skinned squooshy Betty....

This is the same guy who hit his new born sister everyday for a whole year. Boy has he come a long way...

We really had a lovely time being with the DeBardelebens, but it was pretty strange not having Pop with us. We all miss you Cleve! If you were still here, we would be wishing you a Happy 65th birthday today.