Welcome to the world, Luke James Donaldson

Thank you to all of those you have kept Baby Donaldson in your prayers for these past few months! God has done great things in him and in us today. Luke James Donaldson was born today after Bethany was induced this morning. He was 19.5 inches long and weighs...

a whopping nine pounds and thirteen ounces! Bethany has already nicknamed him Chub-chub.

Luke was born crying loudly as he came into this world, and Mammee and Pappy were actually able to hear him outside the delivery room! He is big and healthy, which is just what we were praying for. Thank you, Lord!

His heart surgery is scheduled to take place in 5 days. Please continue to pray for Luke and his family, to give them peace as they worry about Luke's upcoming surgery. And please pray for his doctors and nurses that God will provide them the skill and wisdom needed to perform the surgery.

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:19-20

Grace's birthday party

Today was Grace's 2nd birthday party. We had it at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center.

The science center has stuff for all ages.

We started the party at the Wharf of Wonder.

It's geared for children under the age of 5.

Here's DeCater looking out the light house.

And Aunt Hope and Grace playing in the ball pit.

Grace fell overboard and needed the life saver.

Here's the fish market.

Here's DeCater with his mommy, Sarah.

Even little Drew was anxious to play.

Meanwhile, some of the guys played in the Hands On Hall. This is Ron, DeCater's dad, Uncle Seth, and Grandaddy Freddie.

Before we knew it, it was time for cake! So we headed upstairs.

Here are Grace's presents.

And her cake.

The kids got to play with playdoh.

Grace played peek-a-boo with some seashells.

Grandaddy Freddie played, too.

So did DeCater.

The cake was super yummy!

See?

Then it was time to open presents!

Then we went back to the Hands On Hall.

Then we went to My Body Works exhibit.

There's a six foot beating heart in the room. Very neat but somewhat disturbing. Especially when it speeds up because it's having a heart attack.

You can perform a virtual open heart surgery.

There's all kinds of interactive things to do. You can see how strong you are.

David's really strong.

He had 180 pounds of pressure from one arm while arm wrestling.

And there's this interactive thing that you use your feet to push buttons to pump blood through a heart. It's hard work!

Here's the Bio Lab.

Those are mini brains on those trays.

It's a really cool lab where you can learn about germs.

One of the funniest things was watching the kids (and adults) play with the My Body Noises display.

The science center has more stuff than you can easily do in a day unless you want to spend all day there. We could have easily spent several hours exploring everything, but our tummies told us they were hungry so we finally decided to leave and get some lunch. We ate at the Original Oyster House and then headed home to play with all the new toys. It was a great party for the kids and adults, too.

It's your birthday, Grace!

Good morning and Happy Birthday Grace!

Grace woke up early this morning and climbed into bed with us and didn't notice her presents in the family room.  But when David carried her downstairs that was the first thing she saw.  She pointed to them and said Wuss tat? 

David told her it was presents for her.  She couldn't wait to get her hands on them.

She opened her first present, her new backpack.

As soon as she saw it, she said Pack-pack!  On!  On!  Help me, Dah-ee!  Help me.  Peas! 

And then she opened her new wheeled suitcase.

Next came her new vanity.

When she saw Dora, she just stared for a few seconds and finally said It's Dora?  Grace is a BIG Dora fan.

Then she sat down and started playing. 

She brushed Dora's hair.  And she used the hair dryer on Dora's hair.  And then she said Preh-ee (pretty) Dora. 

Grace would have been content to play with Dora all day long, but we reminded her she had one more present from Mommy and Daddy to open.

Her new kitchen.  I love the look of pure delight on her face.  It just warms my heart.

The first thing she did was open the fridge.  That's my girl!

Then she noticed the pickles.  It's a pee-call, Momma! 

Then she found the pizza in the microwave.  Pee-zah!

Then her phone rang and she told "Dora" that she had a stah-bee (strawberry).

Then she ran back to her vanity and decided to blow dry her hair.

And that's when she found the scissors!

And tried to cut her hair.

Thank goodness they were just plastic.  Now I need to find my scissors and hide them.  Quick!