LJ's 3rd Birthday Party Pics

It was so neat to see my sweet boy have fun with our loved ones to celebrate his 3rd birthday. Thank you all of you who came to share this very special day with us! We have more pictures but I still need to upload them.








LJ's little buddy, Seb

This is sweet Mickey! She loves to hang out with LJ.


Madison and Madysen!

LJ with our beautiful friend, Auntie Nikki

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More Pictures of the Boys!

It's Autumn!

Living in Southern California during this time of the year makes my heart yearn for home, Northern California. It's amazing how this state can have extreme differences in weather! I know... I know...I shouldn't complain that Los Angeles is always sunny. That's one of the reasons why the real estate in this part of the country is ridiculously high! But I do miss feeling and experiencing the changing of the seasons up in the San Francisco Bay Area (where real estate is also high!). I love that when I drive down the streets, you literally see the different shades of burnt oranges, browns, yellows and reds! I love seeing the leaves floating in the air and smelling that clean, crisp air. Enjoy these pictures of autumn!

By the way, Melissa @ the Inspired Room
is having a Mr. Linky for 20 Little Things to Treasure in Autumn! Here's mine:

1. Goodbye 3 digit temperatures, hello 2 digits! (I pray)

2. Boots, boots, and more boots (although people in Los Angeles tend to wear their boots all year long)

3. Scarves, Scarves and more Scarves (again people in Los Angeles wear their scarves all year long. What's wrong with these people?)

4. Pumpkin Ravioli makes it annual addition to The Spaghetti Factory Menu

5. Pumpkin Spiced drinks popping up everywhere! Can you tell I love pumpkin foods?

6. Flannel Sheets and flannel pajamas

6. Lighting a cozy fire in the fireplace

7. End of Summer Sales! I stock up for next year

8. Watching this one tree lined street in my neighborhood go through changes--leaves turning different shades of yellows, oranges, browns, reds, and then watching all the leaves falling off the branches

9. Watching my son's eyes get big as he looks at the pumpkins at the pumpkin patches

10. Hot Chocolates and Apple Ciders

11. More Spice Flavors from Coffee Mate and International Coffees

12. Harvest Festivals

13. Putting away my summer clothes

14. Taking out my sweaters, cashmeres, turtlenecks, long sleeves

15. Taking walks outside in the crisp fall evenings

16. Thanksgiving Dinners with family

17. Start of New TV season

18. Making Soups and Baking Breads

19. Candles--pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger

20. Making it a blockbuster night and cozying up with the hubby!

Happy 3rd Birthday My Sweet Boy!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given." Isaiah 9:6

Dear LJ,
Three years ago today, Mama and Dad welcomed you to the world at 1:18pm. We were so overjoyed to see you! I've always heard from people that when you see your baby's face for the first time, you just fall in love. Sweet boy, that was the case for me! I saw your face and mama's heart was immediately filled with love for you. Your dad and I couldn't stop thanking the Lord for the gift that he blessed us with, YOU! Immediately, we also dedicated you to the Lord, just like Hannah did when she gave birth to Samuel.

The last three years, Dad and I have enjoyed watching you grow. Oh how time flies! Do you know that everyday, from the day we found out we were going to have you, Dad prayed over my tummy asking God to protect Mama and the precious baby growing in my womb? That's how your father is, so full of faith and love for God, surrendered to Him.

When you were born, do you know that Dad insisted of taking pictures of all your momentous achievements? But really everything you did were worth being recorded that if you so much lifted a finger--click, a picture was taken by him!
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Do you know that despite my being a Pediatric Nurse, I became alarmed each time you had a sniffle, felt a little warm or had a little cough? I can be calm and collected taking care of the sickest children at the hospital but when it came to you, my first born, I was Mama first and nurse second





Do you know that you have this amazing gift of loving music? At the young age of 9 months, you would proudly lift your hands up high during Praise and Worship at church. This love for music continues to grow each day. Oh how you love playing the drums, piano and guitar! You love it so much that every Sunday, you climb up the stage and see if the P&W team will let you play any of the instruments.


Do you know that Dad and Mama knew you were going to be a loving, caring big brother. The moment you saw your baby brother, Lucas, you just took on the big brother role right away. You're so protective of him, loves playing and entertaining him. You're Mama's big helper!

Do you know that you adore your father so, that everywhere he goes, you go. Oh and I wouldn't have it any other way! Son, you'll see as you grow how great your father's love is for God, through his character, his works, his lifestyle. Oh and I pray that you and your brother will be like him, so on fire for the Lord!
Sweet boy, we have many more memories that Dad and I are looking forward to creating with you. Dad and I pray every night that Jesus will continue to give us the wisdom in raising you and your brother. We pray that we instill in you both the most important thing, loving Jesus with all your heart, mind and soul. Happy 3rd Birthday my sweet boy! You are created for greatness! I love you.

Mama