Happy Birthday Luke! (7-7-07)

I was waiting to blog about Luke's birthday till Tim uploaded his birthday party photos, but alas, it hasn't happened yet, and I wanted to go ahead and wish him a happy (belated) birthday here.

He was born 22 years ago on 7-7-85, and he celebrated his big day this year on 7-7-07. So, of course we had to have a party.

Relatives and friends were invited. Mark grilled in the 100 degree heat and with a dewpoint of around 70. Tim had bought a window a/c unit for his office upstairs, so we had the central air going and two window units (the other is for our back office--my blogging office).

I've decided to copy past posts of Luke's birthday/birthday party of the last few years. He is a great kid--ooops, young man! Wow--22!

Love you Luke!




Luke's birthday

2004


I can't let this day go by without acknowledging our son Luke's 19th birthday. Wow--it seems like only yesterday (I know that's a cliche......) that he was born. Now he's talking about moving into another home with his friend Alex (Alex's grandfather recently moved out and the house needs some updating, which Luke could help do).

He just graduated from high school, so I guess a chapter of our lives is ending. But even if he moves, it will only be a couple of miles away, to a nice area of Minneapolis. He'll keep working with Tim, and I'm sure he'll be back home for occasional meals or to visit the dog (and us?).

Nineteen. Sounds so old, but I don't feel old enough to be the parent of an almost-20-year-old. Old enough to have a daughter-in-law or grandchildren????? I do have friends about my age who already have kids-in-law and some even have a grandchild or two.

Well, I don't regret getting older. Each day, each month, each year is a gift from God. I'm glad I've lived to see Luke turn 19 and see the fine young man he is becoming. We have lots of good memories--many of them camping, some helping him with homework (especially during his two years of home schooling), watching him play baseball and basketball, hearing him play in his school bands (clarinet, then bass clarinet), listening to him on his guitar, bass guitar, and lately drums with his head banging band. He's excited about moving his instruments and his band to a new location. I may not miss the loud noise, but I will miss the drummer/guitarist/bassist son. But I rejoice at his new place in life.

After all, didn't God give us teenagers to make it easier to let them go? Godspeed, Luke. Happy birthday, honey. Stay in the Lord's hands--the best place of all.

Till next time,


Suzi


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2005

Twenty years ago little Luke, our firstborn, came into this world. It was after a long labor, and my blood pressure was steadily rising--so he ended up being an emergency C-section. He was healthy, though, and we were so thankful. I was in pretty rough shape for a couple of days as a result of toxemia, but I recovered from the whole experience in a couple of weeks. Luke, meanwhile, was happy, sweet and wonderful.

Grandma and Grandpa Nelson were at the hospital to see their first grandchild. Uncle Greg was just heading off to hockey camp, but Luke made his appearance before they had to leave town. Uncle Jeff must have been around somewhere, too--Tim is the firstborn, so at that time his brothers weren't married.

It has been fun to watch Luke grow up into a wonderful young man. It's hard to believe that he's not a teenager anymore--never mind that he left infancy, preschool and school-age years long ago. He's been a great example to his younger siblings--helpful, smart and kind. He's not perfect, but we are very blessed to know him as our own. Have a great day, Luke--I don't know where the time has gone, but we are grateful to God for giving you to us. We love you!

Till next time,


Suzi (proud mom of a grown kid)

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2006

It's not easy to get the Nelson crew together in the summer. Planning around summer vacations, baseball games, kids activities, etc. makes it tough.

So, when I planned Luke's birthday party (kind of last minute--his real birthday on July 7 happened while we were at Cornerstone) I set it for a Sunday, thinking that would be best for everyone. Luke was working at night (delivering pizzas) so I scheduled it for 1 pm, after church.

Turns out Tim's brother Jeff and family were leaving town Sunday morning. His other brother Greg was prepping for a major kitchen remodel which was to take place today. Maybe a couple of Luke's cousins could make it.

Then the morning service went long on Sunday. And, ironically, after church there was a birthday party for another boy who was turning 21. I had to drag Tim away from cake at church at 12:40 when I needed to get home to prepare a salad, set Mark to grillin', and have Tim pick up the DQ birthday cake for his son.

We made it home before 1. I coaxed Christina into helping me assemble the chicken cashew salad. Mark set to flipping burgers. 1:15 came, and nobody had arrived. I guess I was grateful, because we needed the time, but I was a little nervous too. Had everyone forgotten?

Well, Tim did come home with the cake, and then Grandma and Grandpa Nelson arrived. Our friend Judd came, and Luke arrived with his girlfriend Katie. Cousin Terry came on the scene a bit later.

It was a nice gathering--Luke also brought his new cat Omar. Of course, all the adults thought he was named after the famous actor Omar Sharif, but I guess there's a well-known (?) guitar player named Omar Rodriguez. Anyway, we had to put Raven in the office--Omar & Raven's first meeting didn't go to well. (Omar hissed from under the table and Raven barked like crazy). Finally we let Raven out while Katie held onto Omar. They seemed to have arrived at a sort of truce. (This after Raven checked out--I won't go into more detail than that--Omar's litter box that Luke had brought along.)

Everyone was able to fit into the living room and we had enough food--not too many burgers or brats, but enough. There was a little bit of cake left, but since we have a new freezer, it fit nicely inside it.

Our next summer birthday party is this Sunday--niece Nicole will be ten! Nephew Alex and Tim have August birthdays, and then we get ready for the fall lineup of parties.

I'm glad we're still making the effort to get together even though the kids are getting older and schedules more crazy. Even the animals are making an effort. I wonder what Greg & Kari's dog Avery (a toy poodle) would think of Omar--they are, at least, closer in size...

Till next time,


Suzi