Justin is Three!

August 31st, 2006, was the last day that I even pretended to have it all together. I think that one of the many reasons the Lord blesses us with children is to make us laugh at ourselves. All the "I never will do that" phrases that would escape my lips before having one of my own. I truly don't think I even had a glimpse of what the Lord went through nailing his son to die on the cross for me until I had a son of my very own. As I told the girls at my biblestudy on Tuesday nights, I would never let my son die for their sorry sins. So in the midst of a day if celebration, I also ponder how truly amazing is my God's love for me that he gave up his ONLY son. And to think that I only have one son as well. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice so I didn't have to sacrifice mine.

On a lighter note, my sweet little I man woke up today with a 3 awaiting him from his trying-to-be-creative mother. Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa for the new art easel - even mommy is trying it out. As you can see I was no art major, and all Justin could say was that there were lots of W's inside that 3. Sure, that's what I was going for, right?

Hard to see when there's no light (it was 6am, after all), but the sign says Justin is 3. And this little 3 year old has become potty trained in the last week and half, all on his own. After hemming and hawing over when to start the process, this little man, starting when we took a trip to Dallas, did all the work for me. So other than a pull-up during nap (we tried without it and I didn't like the end result) and a diaper at night, we are an underwear-wearing boy during the waking hours of the day. Happy Birthday to me!

We have started eating our food in any shape made from my newly organized drawer of cookie cutters. Would you like a 3 shaped pancake anyone?

I make this poor boy wear this hat for each birthday. It's funny to see how he looks each year he has worn it. Don't know how much longer he'll let me do it, although everyone in this family knows not to upset mommy when a camera is in her hand...

After a little playtime with our new buddy Xan, we were off to the mall to try out Build-a-Bear. Justin sported his new Baylor jersey that Papa Snuf gave him for his birthday.

Though not a big fan of helping put the stuffing in (too loud, Mommy), we chose a heart, a happy birthday song (help me - it is already driving me crazy), and sewed up our newest friend.

What did he choose, do you ask? Can't you tell?

Why is a black lab wearing a Nascar uniform with matching hat, black boots, and a birth certificate stating his name is Mack. Welcome Mack, you are the newest member to join the party with other friends in Justin's bed every night. Photography disclaimer - sorry for the yellow photos, but the fluorescent lights in the store were making my camera become very cranky. Just capturing the moment, right?

After gobbling down Chick-fil-A (Derek was bewildered at how much Justin ate), father and son went on the ostrich on the top level of the carousel. I think Derek finally sees the value in Memorial Mall playdates.

I am thankful for this little boy and the best three years that we have already had with him. Happy Birthday, bub!