{ luke turns 3!!! }

It's hard to believe it, but it's true.

Our Luke is three years old!

It totally seems like yesterday that we were praying and preparing our home for a baby.

Oh how we hoped and prayed for you, buddy!!!!

Big sister Hannah, when asked back then what it would be like to have a new baby, simply said:

"It IS gonna be GREAT".

And it has been.  GREAT and so much more!

We didn't have a big party or anything.

Just a relaxing day at home.

And Luke wanted a horsey ride….so he got one. 

 

That million watt smile!!!!

 

Luke has been OBSESSED with baseball this summer.

Hit-dee-ball-run-fast-Cardinals is ONE word.

He loved his baseball cookies.

 

And his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle mask.

 

And his balance bike.

 

We had to break from birthday festivities for a violin recital.

And although I intended to record the performance, I simply got two still frame shots.

One when I hit "start" and one when I hit "end". 

Whoops!  MOTY.

But Hannah played a lovely version of Braham's Waltz.

She really has come a long way from her Twinkle days. 

 

And Luke took advantage of the opportunity to get in a nice nap

before the rest of the birthday celebrating began. 

 

After the recital, we headed to the farm for dinner.

Luke definitely wasn't uncomfortable being the man of the hour.

 

An evening with GMa and GPa and the cousins at the farm is probably exactly what he wished for.

I think it's his favorite place on earth.

 

Then, finally, the birthday boy got to RIDE THE MULE!!!

Birthdays are the best.

We love you, Lukie!!

So thankful that God chose us for you 3 years ago.

We are thankful that your brave, selfless birth mother chose life for you.

You have brought nothing but LIGHT to our lives.

Happy Birthday!!!!!