In Memory of...

3 years ago, today, the unthinkable happened. In a random act of violence an innocent life was taken, 2 children were left without a mother, a family was left without a daughter and sister, and many people lost one of the sweetest, most selfless friend they will ever know.  This post isn't about me and my heartache, but rather to share about a beautiful person who should still be on this earth today.

Alison Joelle was one of my first friends. We met when we were 3 months old and grew up around the block from each other. A couple cool things we had in common: first, we were both adopted as infants and born 4 days apart! Second, we both came from a family of 4-she was the oldest of 4 and I was the youngest of 4. We went to summer camps together, talked about our first crushes, drove each other around in our "cool" first cars, and attended each other's weddings.

The last time I saw her was at Starbucks in our hometown. I was up visiting family and we ran into each other. It had been awhile since we had seen each other and we spent a couple of hours catching up.  I thank God for that random meeting because I never would have fathomed that 4 months later her life would be taken.

Some of the many things I love and admire about her: her laugh...for those of you who knew her, I'm sure you can still hear her contagious laugh in your head! Her ability to make friends with almost any and everyone-there was not a judgmental bone in her body. Her sense of humor. Her love and devotion to her children.

Sleepover :)

One of my favorites: Playing on the swing set in her back yard.

Lined up on our first day of Kindergarten!

Junior high church camp = awkward pose :)

Her senior banquet/prom

Celebrating her 21st birthday

Alison, thank you for being a loyal and loving friend. You are one of the first people I hope to see when I get to heaven. You are missed beyond words to so many people.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him...The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.~Psalm 34

ONE!!

We celebrated Luke's first birthday this last week!  Many emotions have been flying through me this week-sadness that the first year with our first child is over and excitement for the next phase of his life.  As I finished up his baby book and created his month-by-month banner for his party, I reminisced about each month of his life, remembering milestones and events that happened. As I think back over the year and all that has happened-house, new job for Jesse and opportunity for me to stay home full-time after this school year is over-I tear up realizing the goodness of our God. A year ago I was a new mom anticipating returning to work and figuring out how to juggle both; this year I'm wrapping up the school year and planning my weeks with Luke as a stay-at-home mom. The Lord truly does answer the desires of our hearts.

Well, enough mush talk...onto the pics of the birthday boy!

At 12 months, Luke is 19 lbs. 13 oz. and 28.5 inches long!

We sang happy birthday to him in his crib, then gave him his birthday gift.

Next, we hit the streets!  First stop: breakfast

Then onto the park-one of his FAVORITE places to go!

That night we invited some friends over to celebrate his birthday and witness his first encounter with sugar :)

Testing out his new swing set with his Aunt Cassidy

 Saturday we threw him a BIG party!!

Month-by-month banner

Wish I could take credit for this cute, yummy cake-but it was all my friend Jayna!

Enjoying his swing with Lucy, who loves him to pieces every Tuesday!

Sharing his cake-so polite:)

The Jacobs clan

Sharing his new toy with his cousin and friends

Almost ready for a nap... :)

Three generations of Jacobs boys

We had a wonderful week celebrating our amazing son! He brings so much joy into our lives-this has definitely been the best year yet!

One of my fondest memories-holding my son for the first time :)