Happy Birthday Jacob!

The year in pictures:

Wow, the time flies, doesn't it! Friday morning at 7:30 Scott asked me, "Do you remember what we were doing on this Friday last year!" We've reminisced numerous times throughout the year, but it was so much more special this weekend! One of our favorite memories we talked about was when we received our "ticket to Hollywood"as we called it (yes, American Idol viewers that's what we felt like). We walked out of the doctor's office on Thursday the 4th with a pink piece of paper giving us the information we needed for our preparation for induction the next morning. Scott joked that day that he would love to run out into the waiting room yelling to all of the other very pregnant women, "We made it! We made it to Hollywood" That's how we felt anyway; "we've finally made it to the day we'd been waiting for!!"

We had talked on the way to that doctor's appointment about how we had both been praying and hoping the doctor would say, "Okay, let's go ahead and get this baby out!", though neither of us thought we would be so lucky! At the appointment, I decided to go ahead and voice my opinions of how I was ready and really thought it was the right time (as I'm sure I had said just the same the week before). Then, Scott voiced his opinion of, "No, really today's not a good day. I have to haul cattle as soon as we get home!" To my complete shock, the doctor responded with, "Well, what about tomorrow then? Do you have to do any cattle work tomorrow?" Scott says he'll never forget the look on my face! I'm imagining it as a mixture of complete joy with a hint of terror...or maybe complete terror with a hint of joy! Either way, it was a surprise to both of us and after flashing our pink "ticket"around as we left the clinic, we sat in the car, looked at each other, and I actually said, "Oh my gosh! We're having a baby tomorrow! What have we done!!"

Now, I was talking to my mom yesterday and discussed how Scott and I have both spent some time thinking back this weekend to a year ago and all of the events that went on and she said she does the same still whenever one of us girl's birthdays rolls around. I believe I remember the story mom always told me about the day I was born. I think she and Dad were at a basketball game in Tremont on the night of the 29th and she wasn't feeling very well. She was two weeks overdue; I was supposed to be her February baby. I say, good thing I waited so long or else maybe Kendall wouldn't have ever had the chance to be the February baby! Anyway, I'm having troubles remembering the other details and who knows, maybe I've mixed them up with details of my sister's births, but I do remember she and Dad telling me that they were offered the chance to fib and say that I was born on the 29th of February instead of the 1st of March so that I would have a unique birthday! Crazy, I know!
Having thought about this story, I tried to think of the things we would get to tell Jacob when he's older.

• I believe one thing would be the fact that Daddy almost passed out before the pushing even started and Mommy told him he couldn't leave.
• Another would be that as soon as Mommy started giving up, Daddy wouldn't let me!
• Of course we'd have to tell about Aunt Karen and Grandpa Rankin both calling numerous times during the delivery until Daddy finally answered the phone and told them both, "She's pushing! We'll call you when we're done!"
• We'd tell him that Sharon Larson came to check in on Mommy and Daddy that afternoon before he was born.
• I'm sure Daddy will tell him that he was born during "King of the Hill", one of our favorite shows.

Well, anyway, I'm sure the list could go on and on, but these are a few things that we like to talk about and hope that Jacob will enjoy hearing for years down the road.
Of course, before Jacob was born, we thought about how much our lives were going to change after this new life came along. However, I know we did not come close to understanding how much this gift that God gave us would bless our lives and the lives of so many others who care for him. We are so thankful for the joys, and trials too, that have come with Jacob and can't wait to discover more of the gifts he has to share with us!

The Birthday Cupcake That Took Jacob Ten Minutes to Eat

sorry for the scary red-eyes

"Is this a trick?"

"Are you sure I'm supposed to eat this?"

"Wow, this is really good!"

"I'd better hurry before they take it away!"

Thanks for checking in! Love and God Bless! Scott, Kim, and Jacob