Down On the Farm..First Birthday Party..

"In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit.
- Marge Kennedy"

WOW..I cannot even begin to express my thanks to everyone who made it out to Jack's Party on Saturday..What a fun time we had! As I looked around about 5pm on Saturday and caught a short glimpse of everyone that was there my heart about burst with joy. I saw so many families, generations..and laughter. What is better than that? We had a blast..there was about 50 people that showed up and it couldn't have been better. My heart is still full from it all! I was so proud that I did not get emotional but twice this whole week, once when reading a letter my Mom wrote to Jack for his Birthday..and the second when I opened the Photo Book that Jena made..the first picture was taken moments after I had given birth to Jack. It's so crazy how you can love someone so much in just a few minutes. I do believe in love at first sight..;) It's been such a wonderful year being a mother. It's truly the best gift that God could ever have given me. We are so blessed to have family & friends like we have. Thank you so much for sharing in a special memory on Saturday at Jack's First Birthday Party. He will never remember it, but I will never forget it.


Here is a link to the photos that I have..there were to many to post ;) You have to copy it and paste it.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2189884&id=38309395&l=d50316bfd8

Almost Home..

Me-Jack-Eli-Kelly-Aubrey(in sling)-Owen-Diana-Nathan(in snugli)-Lana(& her cup;)

What a crew!! We had so much fun at Hubers with you guys!

Daddy & Jack in the car...

Jack always wants Max to play with him..he's holding the ball for him to get..

The past two days have been crazy in our house..Michael has been working alot..Jack has been cranky..and I'm trying to get things together for a party 3 hours away..with over 50 people coming!! Oh not to mention a Fall Festival at our church next Wed. night that I am having to prepare for as well ;) And here I am blogging when I should be packing for Paducah!! Jack has his suitcase packed..with toys, he's put about 8 toys in his suitcase so I guess he's ready. He has his birthday suit ;)..so nothing else matters!! Here is a few pictures to get you through one more day! A video as well..the $3.00 car is back in action, he loves getting in and out of the car..he will play with this thing all day if we let him!!! Enjoy and See Everyone Tomorrow!!!

I'm ONE!!!

It is so hard to believe that a year ago today Jack Thomas Murphy was born into this world! I remember waiting so patiently for him to arrive..and now he's ONE!! We have had a wonderful day so far! This morning a neighbor of ours brought Jack a gift..and it was incredibly sweet of her. He is unwrapping it below ;)..she bought him a truck so that he can play with it outside and she can see him! After Mom2Mom we met some great friends out to eat lunch. Mrs.Angela came prepared with cupcakes for the kids..Jack LOVED him so cupcake and his gift ;) I figured Jack and Eli wouldn't take a nap after being filled with so much sugar but I was wrong, they were asleep before we even got home ;) Being a mom for a year has been amazing. I love every minute of it..and how can you not? Today I was thinking how much God's grace means to me..I feel like God has blessed us beyond our means with Jack. For someone to tell me today that Jack has a gentle spirit, meant the world to me. That is what I pray for him is that he keeps that gentle spirit and that he remains the happiest boy ever. I pray that God will use him in so many ways and to hopefully bring people to the Lord. I could care less if he becomes a doctor or a lawyer one day...my hope is that he pleases the Lord and does His will. I'm so thankful God loaned us Jack for a time..I've shouted so many praises today , because my heart is just overflowing. I've also pondered so many memories of Jack this past year. From the moment I first held him in my arms..until today smashing cupcake everywhere..he is such a blessing. I cannot wait to celebrate on Saturday with all of our family! Thank you for all the prayers and love you've given Jack in his first year of life..I pray for many more birthdays..and that God will continue to be with us as parents and help us to raise Jack to love the Lord. Happy First Birthday, Jack Thomas Murphy..Mommy & Daddy love you so much!!!!!!

I've Got A Feeling..

I've got a feeling many of you are ready to see this sweet "almost one year old" boy ;) A year has gone by so fast..didn't we just bring him home from the hospital?? Anyways..I will save my "Jack's First Birthday Thoughts" for another post..2mr ;) This weekend The Murphy house celebrated the fact that Kentucky Basketball is going to be on TOP again, in what seems like FOREVER!! I remember getting together at everyone's house in high school watching UK games and how awesome we were..and I just can't wait!! After Michael watched Big Blue Madness and couldn't hardly sleep afterwards from all the excitement, he took his son Saturday morning to buy his first UK Jersey ;) More important it's a John Wall jersey..who is going to be an ALL-STAR..anyways..enjoy these pictures of our little UK Fan ;)

Is he cute or what?

Friends ;)

Yesterday afternoon was so beautiful here! Jack and I enjoyed a run (I ran, he rode)..and then we went to this huge open field to play..Jack just wanted to eat grass, but Max ran around!!

Our sweet friends the Oedy's had us over for a playdate today..we are hoping to take turns at each others houses this winter to play... The kids did great! It's so funny because we had 4 kiddos there..and they are all 10 months apart..starting with Lana who is going to be 3 in February!! But they played great together and we had a blast!

Jack loved this kitchen..(I know its pink..but he loved it ;) Maybe he will be a chef someday!

Also, Jack has lately been pointing to stuff and saying what sounds like "What's that?"..Michael and I truly believe that is what he is saying! Is that crazy??? He will repeat it each time he points to something!! So, we tell him what it is ;)

Enjoy!

Jack & His Car

Jack is all about this car..yep. The $3 car my Mom bought a yard sale..that I MADE HER GO BACK AND GET!! We were lucky enough to get outside today and soak up some sun..I like to get my Vitamin D..we had so much fun playing outside. Jack of course loves to point at EVERYTHING. So, he pointed and I told him what things were (teachable moment right?). We have a few elderly neighbors who love to watch Mr.Jack playing outside!! They even come out to see him and talk to him. In 8 days he will be one. He is learning alot at a very fast pace..yesterday he was giving high fives..climbed on the couch (yes, by himself when Daddy was watching him)..and is giving kisses ;) He is jibbering so much that I can barely keep up with his conversation..We are hoping it warms up a little before Jack's party. We are going to roast hot dogs..marshmallows..have a hay ride..and just be down on the farm. We can't wait. Enjoy the pictures and the videos..

Big Guy..

Only 12 days!!

13 days til..

Jack Murphy is 1!!! Wow! I still can't believe it..it's crazy how fast this year has gone. Today we met our friend Rachel for lunch and I had a few people ask me how old Jack was..it took everything I had not to cry when I told them in 13 days he would be 1!!! I know..I'm sappy..but it's been so fun watching him grow..hitting major milestones..let's just say my heart overflows every time I look at him ;) So with that being said here is a few pictures of Mr.J for you to enjoy..also it's almost 14 days until we arrive in Paducah for a visit!! I'm BEYOND excited about this!!

My Mom bought his this shirt when we went shopping last week..seems to be true..incase you are wondering it's a 12 month shirt..;)

Getting into EVERYTHING!! I was cleaning..he was messing ;)

Enjoy..

The Croup & 1st Haircut

Hmm..it's been a while since I've posted which is due to the fact that last Sunday Jack got the croup..yes, it's actually a sickness not just a saying. I always thought that the croup meant somebody was a little under the weather. Anyways..on Tuesday the Croup still wasn't any better..and he seemed as if he had gotten worse! So I took him back to the Dr. who told me not only did Jack have the croup..BUT he had a double ear infection as well!!! WOW! As of today he seems better..still tired from being so sick, but better. The Croup was scary..I am more prepared for next time this happens (just in case)..but it was horrible. I thank everyone for the much needed prayers for us last week!! All of the sickness made me almost forget that he was going to be ONE this month!!! What?? How did this happen?! This time last year I was on lovely bedrest..and waiting..waiting to see what Jack would look like..if he had hair..who he resembled in the family..his eye color..if he had 10 toes fingers..and now here it is almost a year later!! He is growing so fast and getting to be such a big boy. Yesterday we hit a milestone with his first haircut..huge THANKS to Sarah who cut his hair even if he was SCREAMING the whole time..you did awesome and we appreciate it.

Before the haircut:

During the haircut:
After the haircut:

He is surely something else! I cannot wait to be in Paducah in just a few short weeks to celebrate Jack's First Birthday with everyone. What a celebration!! This past week has been a hard week for me with lots of trials and disappointments..sickness..I'm just so thankful I can take all of those burdens and lay them at God's feet..We've had many of talks this past week and let me say that our God is Good. Enjoy the beautiful weather this week!!