School's In!...and Out!

There have been a couple times when I have felt really old but Luke starting school has definitely made me feel the oldest. I mean, I have a kid in SCHOOL. Crazy. I have to admit, there were tears shed because of it. And they were all from me. I'm a crybaby. Especially when it comes to my babies not being babies. I just couldn't get over the fact that once he starts school he will be in school for the next, what, 13 years? Not counting college. And I would miss him during the day. Anyway, the time came for Luke to start school. I was sad and happy and nervous and excited for him. Here are his Meet the Teacher pictures:

Drew and I were both so shocked to see that Luke's teacher was Elaine Salas...that was my grandma's name! It's weird that his teacher has my maiden name but I think Luke kinda likes it.

His first day came and a lady from the ward came and watched Gracie and Jacob so Drew and I could both go and drop him off.

Isn't he handsome?

Dropping him off was hard and I started crying after leaving the room but I wasn't sad for too long because he was really happy to be there. 

We saw his bestest friend Dylan as we were walking in to the school and him and Luke held hands as they walked into school. Precious!

Well, as Luke was starting school, Drew was finishing up his program at Wake Forest. Longest two years of my life. We were ALL excited for him to finish.

The night of his graduation came and his parents were able to travel out and see it and his grandparents came up from South Carolina. The graduation was super fancy! we got dinner, which had chicken and steak and there was cheesecake and chocolate cake and deeeelicious salads.

He is officially an MBA graduate! Woot! Now to pay back the loans...

Jacob William Pepper (aka Jack)

Sooo...we had another baby! Surprise! Okay, so most of you already know this by now. That's the beauty of Facebook. Here's the birth story, which really isn't crazy because it was so short!

On May 7, my mom was scheduled to come into the Raleigh-Durham airport. We met her there and I on the way home from the airport I started to feel contractions. We started timing them. We got home and my mom and I ran to the grocery store after Drew got home from work. We were still timing the contractions, which were super close & strong. I had to stop walking around at the store every time one came. We got home and Drew left for his youth activities at the church. He always did his activity from 7-8:30 and then played basketball afterwards until around 10 or 10:30. My mom and I were making freezer meals while he was gone and by 8:30 I called Drew and told him I couldn't handle it anymore--we HAD to go to the hospital.

We get to the hospital and there is no one else in the waiting room. We get checked in around 9. I hate all the tests they do, by the way. They decide my contractions are close enough to keep me. I get a fancy (HA!) room and I can tell you honestly that this was the most painful labor of my three children. I was in so much pain. Those contractions were no joke! I asked for an epidural as soon as they could give it to me. I got one but I could still feel some pain in my left leg, but I didn't care because most of the pain was dulled. They broke my water around 10 or 10:30, I think. The contractions started to really pick up after that. Jacob came in, like, 20 minutes! It was crazy! I was in the hospital for a total of 3 hours before I had him. That seems so fast to me. But it was the most painful 3 hours OF.MY.LIFE. Good thing he's beautiful.

The next morning my mama brought Luke and Gracie in to meet their new brother. They love him so much!

LOOK at how small he is!! I can't even handle it!!

Two months later we had Jacob's blessing at church. Our parents were all able to come, so it was really special. Also, Drew's grandparents, his younger brother Matt, and my brother Steven came out.

In the blessing, one of the things Drew said was that Jacob would be a joy to his family. It is already so true. He is so smiley and happy. (Not that you can tell from the pictures.) But he really is. And he makes us all so happy when we see him because he has a huge, beautiful smile. Welcome to the family, Jacob William!! We're so grateful you're part of our family!!