Boo-Boo: Our Deere Boy!

Boo-Boo turned 4 last week, and he chose a John Deere tractor birthday theme this year. So when we were at Grammie's, she made him a tractor cake to celebrate his coming birthday.

And then, when it was party-time at home, Mom made this John Deere cake. Boo-Boo insisted that we must invite Aunt Kelli to the party, too, because she LOVES John Deere. Unfortunately, she lives over 3 hours away, so we didn't ask her to make the trek. But Mom promised to let her see the pictures of the birthday fun.

Boo-Boo waits for his friends to arrive so they can get the party started...

Candle time!

PS - Puns aside, he is a VERY dear boy and we are so thankful for him!

Christmas

The boys are RATHER excited about Christmas coming...their little sister? Not so much.

Boo-Boo and Mr. Blue-Eyes pose with their new medeival castle.

Boo-Boo and Mr. Blue-Eyes show off their new knight costumes! (Do you sense a theme here?)

Miss Cupcake really enjoyed her "sleigh-ride" - a gift from her cousins - courtesy of her big brothers. Too bad the snow melted a few days after receiving it, but I think she probably liked it better indoors anyway.

Some "Firsts"

Cupcake celebrated her 1st birthday last month. She had her first taste of cake and ice cream and took a great liking to the ice cream...not so gone on the cake, though.

We also had the most snow we've seen here in Virginia over the last 3 years. We measured about 22" on our back deck! Crazy weather - the storm came just a week after Stephen mowed the yard for the last time of the season.

Cupcake wasn't so sure about the snow. We had her bundled up so well that she could hardly move! She was quite happy to go inside and take a nap while the boys played in that cold white stuff!

But her brothers sure had fun!!

Oops, wrong direction!

We have sickness in the house. Cupcake started us off, and now I've got it too. And Mr. Blue-Eyes isn't far behind. Problem is, I've been struggling with allergies or something that turned into a sinus infection that wouldn't go away. And now that I've been a bit better, I'm dreading another sinus infection brought on by this cold.

So today...and yesterday...and the day before...I was thinking, "Boy, how much simpler life was when I was a kid. I wish I could just go back to that carefree time when there was nothing much to worry about and no real health problems to speak of!"

Suddenly, today I caught myself and my thoughts turned. I realized that I was looking in the wrong direction. A little bit of sickness had made me wish for times past. But I should've been looking forward -- forward to the day that Jesus returns and all of our illnesses will vanish. All residue of our sin-tainted life will be swept away for all eternity. We will be made new and rest in the arms of Jesus, our Savior.

I'm praying that in our suffering, even small trials, I will only look forward, never back...only long to be forever in the presence of my Lord.