THREE-YEARS-OLD!!

It seems like just yesterday that we found out that we were expecting our first born son. Now, he is T-H-R-E-E! That is so hard to believe. KJ's birthday has been celebrated and celebrated over the last few weeks and he has loved every bit of it. In fact we had a cupcake today at lunch for a special treat and he requested that we sing Happy Birthday to him again then blew out the imaginary candle. I have loved watching how he relished every detail of his special day(s) from the singing to the cake to the presents to the friends to blowing out the candles...he loved it all. That says a lot out how our oldest lives life.


KJ-
I am so proud of you and so thankful to call you my son. The Lord has been so good to mold you, from your earliest days, into the perfect fit for your position as the oldest child in our family. You have a lot of responsibility at such a young age with your brother watching everything you do. I love how seriously you take that responsibility already. Not only do you watch out for your little brother, you are a big helper to Mommy and Daddy, too. I love that you know how to wrestle hard with Daddy and be tender and sweet with Mommy (and baby sister in my belly). Baby sister is also going to be so blessed by all that you can teach her and by how protective you will be of her.

Some of your favorite things right now are playing outside, your race cars, being with friends, wrestling, reading stories to me or Daddy, playing games and any kind of ball! You play HARD at everything you play and are very intense in all things. It makes us laugh to see your tongue between your lips as you concentrate on the task at hand. We pray that you will always be intentional about the things you set your mind to.

Your Daddy and I are praying for your heart. We're working with you on obeying, not arguing, and being respectful. I know these are such hard lessons to learn. As we teach and mold you, it has been good for us to remember that we struggle in some of those same areas and we strive to be obedient to all that the Lord has called us to. You are making us better people through your example! As we pray each night "May KJ and Cbug come to know Jesus as their savior", there is no greater wish that we have for you as we celebrate you and your 3rd birthday. We love you more than we can tell you.

Mommy


Here are some awesome pictures that one of our favorite photographers, Cindi, took just before KJ's 3rd birthday. I think they capture his 3-year-old personality so well. You are amazing, Cindi!

What a fun little man! Happy Birthday big shot!!

ABL

Mothers' Day

While I have always appreciated my mom, I really did not fully grasp all that she sacrificed for me until I was a mom myself. I now realize that I could never say "thank you" or "I'm so sorry" enough times for all that she endured!

I have a new appreciation for the amazing humility she showed as she spent years of selfless service raising 3 children. She never let on that her job was tough and although she claims there were moments she lost her temper, needed a break, or said things she regretted none of those moments are what I remember. They must have been significantly outweighed by the fact that she came to every single sporting event the three of us participated in (rain or shine), cooked countless dinners and knew each of our favorites, spent money she could have used for her dream house or wardrobe on braces, college and a little Ford Probe, and that she always made our home a place I always wanted to bring my friends to.

Over the years our relationship has continued to grow and change. Now she encourages me to be a better Mom to my own boys (and soon to our baby girl). She is a confidant and friend and no one understands me better. She has blazed a little trail, despite the miles, between my house and hers still making it a priority to be so invested in my life. Mom, I'm so thankful you are always only a phone call away and I'm so thankful for the relationship you have with KJ and C-bug. Can't wait for baby sister to meet you, too!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, Momma!!

ABL

Smothered!

We can't wait to meet you, Baby Sister!

You are already SMOTHERED with love,

Mommy

Has it really been one year?

KJ's 3rd birthday is not for a few weeks, but we celebrated this weekend. With baby sister scheduled to arrive so close to KJ's big day, we decided to play it safe. And it made the party a lot more fun for me, too, than I'm sure it would have been if we had waited. He was so excited about BLOWING OUT CANDLES and singing "Happy Birthday" that he could hardly stand it, and I could not stand the thought of him missing out if baby sister arrived early. I'm so glad it worked out.

I'll write more about our special oldest child on his birthday, but for now was just marveling at the difference in these two photos (last year's party and this year's party).

My what a difference a year makes! In some ways time seems to have flown by, but I can also tell that our little man has grown and changed SO MUCH this year. We sure love him!!