Tickets, please

Our little boy is flat out crazy about trains so his birthday celebration included all things trains.  We invited grandmas, grandpas, cousins, uncles and an aunt.  His day was filled with lots of colors, cake, presents, and his favorite foods. 

We created a smorgasbord of food using a couple of trains that we already had, tape for the railroad, loaf pans and fake "Oreo" cookies for the wheels.  Then we filled the train cars with Titus' favorite foods: Chick-fil-a nuggets, veggies, fruit, and pretzels.  Our drinks consisted of ice tea (diesel fuel) and water with orange slices (water tower).  Yummy! 

Titus also specifically requested a train cake.  

So, Mommy set to work and spent Friday baking and decorating 

a cake just for our train loving little boy.

On each table we placed a lantern with a different photo

 of Titus' 3 year pictures on each side. 

Then we scattered some colorful confetti around. 

We then waited for our guests to arrive.  This was the hardest part for Titus. 

Finally, it was time to celebrate our little mister man.

Leaving Two Behind

My Titus Andrew,

Today you turned three.  I told you not to, but you didn't listen.  ;)

You might be on the small size compared to others your age (26 lbs and 36 inches tall), but you have a giant sized portion of heart and determination and an amazing mind.  You are 100% committed to whatever you do and I LOVE that about you.

You put your heart into everything whether it's reading books, playing hard, singing, or helping Mommy or Daddy around the house. Sometimes you use that power for good and other times stubbornness wins.  I pray that you never lose that incredible will power to always do your best and give everything 100% effort, just like you do now.

God has such a big plan for your life and He has given you some amazing tools that your Daddy and I already see in you.  We feel such an awesome responsibility to help mold you into the man He wants you to be.

My prayer for you is that your insatiable drive will be directed first toward God and then through Him, toward the journey He has prepared for you.  I think of Paul the Apostle who before he knew Christ, was driven to to pursue and imprison anyone who followed Jesus.  However, once his eyes were opened to The Truth, his same drive was firmly applied to helping others find their way back to God.  May your God-given tenacious drive and conviction be with you always!

Never in my life have I seen such an inquisitive kid and I love, love, love that about you.  I wish I could crawl inside your sponge-like brain and watch as it processes what you experience.  You have a thirst for learning and knowledge.

 

My prayer for you, is that as you grow, your inquisitive mind will dig deep into the wisdom of God because "His foolishness is wiser than human wisdom".  And that your heart will be firmly placed in the trust of Jesus Christ.  I know God has big plans for you Mister Man.  He has protected your life on several occasions.  Your story was a thrilling one even before you were born!
We are humbled and blessed daily that we were chosen to have the best seats to watch you grow, learn, play and serve.

Three is going to be a great year!  So lets celebrate and leave two in the dust.

We love you to Taiwan and back!

20 Questions

A couple of years ago, I saw an idea for asking the same 20 questions each birthday starting at the age of 3 on Pinterest.  I love this idea and can't wait to look back and see how Titus' answers change and evolve over the years.

1. What is your favorite color? Blue
2. What is your favorite toy? My cars and trucks
3. What is your favorite fruit? Apples
4. What is your favorite TV show? Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Soup
6. What is your favorite outfit? Crane Sweatshirt
7. What is your favorite game? Don't Spill the Beans
8. What is your favorite snack? Crackers
9. What is your favorite animal? Giraffe 
10. What is your favorite song? "Jesus Love Me"
11. What is your favorite book?  "Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site"
12. Who is one of your favorite friend? Naomi
13. What is your favorite drink? Orange Juice
14. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
15. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Animals: Digger, Mister Bear, Cousin Bear, Mickey Mouse.  My blankets (3)
16. What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Legos
17. What is your favorite thing to do with Mama?  Music
18. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Train cake
19. What do you want to be when you grow up? Work on computers like Daddy
20.  What is your favorite Bible verse?  Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."

The Big Two

Two days ago, Titus turned two.  We set the theme due to Titus' love for the fury red character, Elmo.  We laugh because for a year he has loved Elmo despite the fact that we have never watched Elmo, played with Elmo, or read any Elmo books.  Elmo was only on some of his diapers and I think in passing one day I said that the character was Elmo. Nothing more, not a big deal. However, despite my nonchalant attitude about him, Titus loves Elmo dearly.  He can spot Elmo clear across a store even when Daddy and I can't.  Odd....   So, Daddy and I set about to make his day fun filled and full of Elmo.

Friday, I spent the morning in the kitchen creating an Elmo cake.  I breathed an audible sigh of relief when it was finished and prayed that NOTHING would happen to it between then and Saturday.  Nothing happened to the cake...but...Friday night my camera was dropped and my prime lens will not come off.  I'm so sad.  :(  I love my DSLR camera and can't imagine life with out it.  The prime lens is great for taking portrait pictures but not for party pictures.  So despite my best effort we don't have a lot of great pictures of Titus' day.  But, we have a lot of great fun filled memories! 

It was sad thinking about this being the last time we would put our one year old to bed.  But two is fun too!  He was full of smiles and energy and I'm sure he could sense something fun was brewing in the house.

While he was sleeping we wrapped presents, blew up balloons to fill his room and hung streamers in his doorway.  

 

After some balloon fun we enjoyed delicious chocolate chip waffles.  Yummy!  He wasn't sure what to think about the candles in his waffles and being sung Happy Birthday, but he was patient with us. 

The rest of the day was filled up and overflowing with all things birthday.  Titus' day was sprinkled with many of his favorites: food, fun, and family. 

Thanks Georgia, for emailing me this wonderful idea for a veggie plate!  

Titus' red envelope filled with a crisp $2 bill

Titus loved his big day and we are so thankful for all our family that came and showered him with lots of love and gifts.  We are blessed!

Boxes Rock

Why do children love boxes more than 

the presents that came in them?

FINALLY!

The Big Day

To help create some extra fun for Titus' big day we hung streamers from his door and filled his room with balloons while he slept the night before.  

What a fun way to begin a birthday day!

What birthday would be complete without a special waffle breakfast complete with a birthday candle?  

Titus loved his first waffle.  

But, wasn't too happy about waiting to eat his waffle while Mommy and Daddy sang Happy Birthday and took pictures. 

We then went outside to look at the 4-5" of snow, while Daddy packed up the car so we could go celebrate the big day with family 

Mommy & Daddy spent a lot of time decorating at Papa & Grammy's house, cooking, and making everything special for the big day.

 

What a fun 1st birthday party!

 

 

Saturday night, Uncle Eric, Aunt Kate and Cousins Elle & Zane came to celebrate Titus too.

Two birthdays in two days means double the cupcakes and double the fun!

 On this special day we celebrate our Titus' life and God's perfect provision in bringing him to us.

We can't wait to see what the next year brings.