Our little miracle baby

Luke Robert Hamblin
Born Saturday May 22, 2010 9:54am
6 pounds 13 ounces
19 1/2 inches long
Adopted Tuesday May 25, 2010 3:00pm

Our Sweet Angel Birth Mommy "Aunti Kara"
(Mark's little sis)

This evening hours after becoming a new mommy for the third time in three years!

The best Daddy any kid could have

The crazy, excited(Claire) confused (Sean) older siblings

The past four days have been filled with love, emotion, joy and peace. Sometimes I wonder how all of this happened and how I have a new son in my arms today. I just know that baby Luke was meant to be here. He has changed his birth mommy's life and will continue to change ours. We are humbled and full of gratitude for her courage and strength. She loved him enough to let him go. We are so happy that Kara will continue to play an important role in all of my children's lives. She will always be the favorite aunt.
Well, that's the story for now. We now have a three year old daughter, a 16 month old son and a four day old son. We might be totally crazy but we are good at crazy! Wish us luck!!!

Bragging Rights

I am always so quick to brag about my sweet kiddos on this blog. Today's post is about Mark and me. Mark finished writing his dissertation this week. His professor is reviewing it and then he can officially turn it in. I am so proud of his accomplishment. His paper is a summary of everything that he has studied and researched over the past five year.
My news: I have lost 35 pounds since January 2, 2010 due to my new best friend Weight Watchers. I sleep better, I have more energy, I am happier. This change was overdue. I am so grateful to Mark for supporting me by not offering me cookies and ice cream. I am over half way to my goal. I am so proud of myself.

Birthday part 2

Claire requested a trip to the dinosaur museum for her birthday. Claire's love of dinosaurs is just one more thing that makes her so much fun! I asked her what her favorite part was and she said, "the dinosaurs." We were lucky to have Grandpa Hamblin, Aunt Kara and her friend Daniel with us.

Running through the tunnel.

Uncovering dinosaur fossils in the sand pit (Claire)
and
eating sand (Sean)

Playing with Daddy in the water. Celebrating Claire's birthday was the best. I am so excited for her fourth year of life. Claire gets more and more fun the older she gets. She loves her new toys and looking at these pictures. I'm glad we could provide a special day for her.

Birthday part 1

Posing with her new Lightening McQueen and Miss Sally that her friend Spencer gave her. Cars and Toy Story are her favorites.

Claire received new Toy Story Toys. There are no words for how excited she is about her Buzz Lightyear. She received a Woody and Bullseye as well. The next day Grandpa's dog chewed Woody to pieces. We told her that Woody broke, hid the evidence and ran to Shopko for the replacement Woody. We would do anything for this girl!

A special day for Claire

Today our daughter is three. Today we get to celebrate Claire. I am thrilled to dedicate a whole day to her. She tries so hard to listen and be nice and please her parents. She is a kind girl who is sensitive to the needs of others. She is beautiful, smart, fun, strong, happy and kind. She is the best big sister to her "baby". We have been planning her birthday since January. Today is going to be special.

Life isn't complete without a baby brother

Snuggling with Daddy when the kids woke up this morning.

Just love 'em

What am I to do with these two??

Our upstairs Grandma

Sister Gallaher bought my kids birthday presents. She and the kids were so excited. She is the greatest neighbor. We have loved sharing a roof with her these past 4 years.

Go To Bed!

10:52pm Reading books with Dad. Way too happy!

Happy Birthday Mark

Happy Birthday to our crazy, fun Daddy! We celebrated with a trip to the temple and the Bean Museum, dinner at magleby's fresh with crazy, fun Hamblins, heavenly chocolate cake and the world's largest tub of Jelly Bellys! What a fun day together.