E turns 3!

A very merry birthday it has been! Despite it all, E woke up to singing us all serenading him with "Happy Birthday" and our little boy repeated over and over that he was now 5 - not 3. Um, wait a minute son. Don't grow up too fast!

Cupcakes at preschool and more singing, takeout for dinner, and a trip to Toys R Us - and of course, more Lightning McQueen birthday cake - and this little 3 year old was one happy camper! Oh, and lest we forget the Geo Trax that he finally got for his birthday! :) Funny how even when we went to check out at Toys R Us the cashier knew all about our story and our home. But for a little while it was nice to forget about the mess and just let a kid be a kid in a toy store!

He wanted to bounce balls, push buttons, play the video game, ride the power wheels - oh yes, we still have to replace that! He decided to try out Lightning McQueen again, then a John Deer tractor (no baby, you will NOT go to Rustburg) and then finally upgraded to a Cadillac!

We also took a trip back to the house to take his picture in front of his tree that Pap planted when he was adopted. We get his picture in front of it every year - this year the scenery in the background isn't quite as nice to look at. But it's a reminder of the growing thriving tree that represents our growing thriving boy. Soon the house will be gone. But I was stand in front of that tree to make sure it's still standing!

Thanks for joining with us as we celebrated. This has been a wonderful distraction to everything else that's been going on. Tomorrow reality may (or may not) sink back in. Either way, for today, May 9, Happy Birthday Elijah! You are one loved and special little boy! I do not know what the future holds. I do know that in your short little life thus far, I've seen a story unfolding that I would never have believed. I pray for God's hand to be upon you. I pray for His blessings to be yours. I pray for you to know Him and walk in His wisdom. I pray for you to love him with that "happy heart" that's inside your body! I pray for your mind to grow in the riches of His promises. I pray for your hands to serve, your feet to go. I pray for your life to always be a testimony of Him and His goodness. I love you with all of my heart!

(There's a few pictures from Mother's Day too.)