Joshua's 5th birthday

Today my little boy is turning FIVE!  I can't believe how fast time has flown by.  It seems like just yesterday we saw him for the first time.

Then after months and months of waiting, but also seeing the Lord move in mighty ways, we got to bring him home!

It's been three years of fun and tears, joy and laughter, trial and error, pain and growth.  This adoption journey has not been anything like we thought it would be. But God has been so good and faithful through it all. He is still growing us and teaching us to be the perfect parents for Joshua.

Joshua has smiled and laughed, pushed his boundaries, learned to love, become an older brother (twice), and is continuing to learn and grow in the Lord.  He is an awesome helper, and enjoys it too. He goes to Cubbies and does such a great job memorizing verses.  He loves to tell other people the rules to obey, even though he's still learning to obey himself.  He takes such good care of Maverick and Anchor and always wants to be with mom and dad when we're around the house.  He adores his grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.  It has been so much fun doing school with him because he gets excited about everything! He has an amazing long term memory.  I love to see him try new things and make new friends.  I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for him this year.

***ALL ABOUT JOSHUA***

favorite food: macaroni and cheese, strawberries, carrots

favorite drink: Dr. Pepper

favorite color:  orange

favorite thing to do:  play with motorcycles

favorite sport: (after asking "what's a sport?")  football

favorite movie: Home

what he hopes to do this year: play games at Chuck-E-Cheese

what he wants to get: spiderman remote control car, spiderman mask, and real spiderman webs

what he wants to be when he grows up: (after saying spiderman) a construction worker like daddy

my verse for him this year:  "Be strong and courageous!" Joshua 1:9

what I hope he learns: ride a bike (without training wheels); be a leader and set a good example

*****

For his birthday, I surprised him early in the morning with a date to Starbucks!

Then his cousins are coming to spend the night tomorrow.  We plan to play at the park, eat macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets, and then go get ice cream. After that, we'll watch his favorite movie. In the morning, I'll make cinnamon rolls, fruit, and juice.

(Maverick was soooooo excited to stay up late for ice cream and a movie.)

Then the real party begins! I asked Joshua what he wanted to do... I kept emphasizing he could have anything he wanted, expecting him to be completely unrealistic. But all he wanted was a red cake, spiderman ballon, his friends, and to dress up like spiderman.  So his friends are coming over to make pizzas and have Dr. Pepper. Then we'll go see Alvin and the Chipmunks and then come back for cake and ice cream.

I love this kid like crazy and am fervently praying the Lord continues to knit our hearts together.  I plan to do date nights once a month and maybe once this year we could go on a trip.  I want him to know how special he is and how grateful I am that he made me a mommy.  God knew exactly what He was doing when He brought Joshua into our family. And I just hope to show him how awesome adoption is, because we've been adopted into God's family.  It's been a rough road, but my prayers are that this year would be a turning point and that my relationship with Joshua will never be the same, for the better!

warrior wednesday

Life has been crazy busy lately, and unfortunately I've had to take a break from homeschooling. Not because homeschooling is hard, but because Anchor has been a pretty difficult baby. He spits up a ton and cries if he's not being held. I honestly don't know how the third child can be so demanding.

So we're taking a break from our work because I also figure it's going to be a pretty hot summer and we might as well be inside, in the AC, doing school. That way I'm not pressured to finish by the end of May, we can spend more time outdoors since the weather has been phenomenal, and it will also give Anchor more time to grow out of this fussy-can't-stop-spitting-up phase. It's a win-win-win situation!

So here's what we've been up to:

practicing cartwheels (we signed Joshua up for gymnastics in January)

making mud pies

learning how to make our bed 

eating goldfish 

riding bikes/cars

playing in the sprinklers

I'm embracing my newish role as boymom! It means lots of mud, baths, roughhousing, sound effects, bumps, and bruises... but also a whole lot of love, hugs, and kisses! Joshua even brought me flowers!! I love how boys take care of their mommies. I'm blessed beyond measure with my three!

Little Anchor is trying so hard to sit up... it's such hard work!! He either falls forward or turns his leg and goes sideways. He is gaining weight though! At his six month check up he weighed 15lbs! WAHOO!!!!

We've also learned to take "silly face" photos, and now it's hard for mom to get us smiling nicely!

Dad has been working like crazy so we really soak up our time with him on the weekends. 

Easter

Easter is my favorite holiday!! I love the weather (most of the time), the pretty dresses, the food, the egg hunts, and most of all the reason we celebrate. I am in awe that the God of the universe sent His ONLY Son to die for me.  I celebrate that He overcame death and that the enemy is completely powerless! I love the words to this song "Christ is Risen" by Matt Maher.

"Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead, we are one with Him again,
Come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the grave."

I decided at the last minute to make Easter baskets for the boys.  I filled them with candy, and Joshua got a new water bottle and Maverick a plate and cup.  I don't let my boys eat much sugar so I'm regretting spending money on candy I don't let them eat. I hope to plan ahead next year and get books, a movie, toys, or things they can play with instead of eat.

"He is risen indeed! Happy Easter!"

We went to my cousin April's house for lunch and the egg hunt.  I'm not thrilled with the pictures I got of our family, but something is better than nothing. The boys had so much fun playing and hunting for eggs. I'm so grateful for family and traditions.

On Monday, we met my dad and Gay at Arbor Hills for a picnic.  The weather was gorgeous and it was so nice to just be outside and in each other's company.  We had sandwiches and then headed off on a walk. Jack brought his puppy Mozi and the kids loved playing with him! Of course I didn't get any pictures, but it was the perfect end to this Easter season.