The Big Number 3!!!

Elijah will turn 3 years old on May 13th - the day we get to Thailand. I cannot believe that he is 3! I know that everyone says this about their children every year, but it's so true that they grow up way too fast! It's like time accelerates when you have kids. Every year on his birthday, I get very sentimental thinking back to when he was born. Elijah had a stroke and stopped breathing after he was born. He was in the NICU for 8 days and we finally figured out that he had a blood clotting disorder that caused the stroke which caused him to stop breathing. It was a very scary time in our lives but God brought us through that storm leaving us stronger and more faithful on the other side. I thank God that Elijah's life was spared and that he is as healthy and happy as he is today!

We decided to celebrate his 3 years with a party before we go to Thailand. That occurred yesterday on Cinco de Mayo, which means that we had a big Fiesta! He had so much fun and it was a great day to spend time with family and friends before we leave the country. We had taco salad for lunch, opened presents, ate cupcakes & ice cream and the kids hit a Curious George pinata full of candy. Afterwards he got to go home with Jason's parents (Nana & Grangoat) to spend the night last night since we were driving up there today anyways for Jason to preach. Their present to him was by far his favorite - it's a small motorized John Deere tractor for him to drive. He literally drove it for 2 hours yesterday after most people had left the party, and then it went back to Nana & Grangoat's house to stay there so he got to drive it around again this afternoon. He thought he was such a big boy, but we'll have to work on his driving skills before he turns 16 since he kept running in to things and looking back over his shoulder while driving. :-) Here are some pictures of the big day!

The tractor

Elijah with George the pinata


Hitting the pinata

The table with his cake shaped like a sombrero that my mom and I designed ourselves!


The sombrero and Curious George sunglasses


Opening presents


With his friends: Jonathan (cousin), Clare & Ellie


Blowing out the candles

Eating his cupcake

As you can see, he had a great time. I can't believe we leave for Thailand in 5 days! Please keep praying for our passports - they are supposed to be overnighted to us and be here by Tuesday, which is only 3 days before we leave! I will post as soon as we get them because I will be so excited and relieved. I have also had some thoughts lately on what it means to give something over to God and would like to hear your opinion on the subject, so that will come soon as well. On another note, Jason was honored to be asked to preach at the Payap church in Chiang Mai the day we arrive in Thailand - he is a little nervous but it will be a wonderful experience he will never forget. This week will be spent preparing for our trip but I will blog again soon. Have a blessed day!