Happy Birthday Luke!

Today I'm so very grateful that we are spending THIS birthday with our Luke. 

Happy 3rd Birthday Luke!

 I remember so well how it felt last year knowing he was having his 2nd birthday without us and watching it from afar.  We were very thankful, however, to see his foster family making his day special!  They (and the orphanage) made sure we received pictures from the special day.  We could tell from the pictures how well loved he was, and just how doting the foster parents (and foster sister) were with Luke.  At that time, I wasn't really comfortable sharing their picture, but I think it's time and I really wanted you to see the faces of this sweet family!  My heart swells with gratitude to them!

And now that we have him home, we definitely know that he was loved.  He has been able to love us with his whole heart and tells us he loves each one of us daily....many times!   It's also very obvious that his foster family spent time with him, and teaching him because he's very smart and catches on to anything and everything very quickly.

Our Little Emperor  :)

So this year, I am finding myself grieving for the foster family, because our gain, was their loss.  And I know they will be thinking of him and missing him today.  We definitely plan to make sure they get pictures of him this birthday.  I want them to see what a wonderful job they've done and how much he's loved and adored here, and just how well adjusted our little guy is.

I adore that face!

Today I rejoice and thank the Lord for blessing us with this precious little boy that was so worth the wait and I ask Him to bless the family that loved him first in a mighty way.

He's very serious with his play (or work as he calls it)!

To celebrate, Jason took the day off, and Joy has the day off from school, and we are spending the day with Luke and having a small family party for him here at home tonight.  We don't feel he's really ready for more than that right now.  More than that would be just too much and I think making his day special with family (and low key) will be the right decision for him this year.  I have a feeling next year, he'll be ready for a bigger party.  But for now, we're keeping it simple.

He still loves his footy pjs....it's hard to keep him in regular clothes because the boy loves his pjs!

As promised with Joy's pics, I will be back and share Luke's birthday photos as well. 

Happy Birthday, Luke!  We love you so very much.....to the moon and back!

~ Mama, Daddy, Joy & Colt ~