Little Luke is a BIG 3 year old!!!

Luke was p-r-e-t-t-y happy on November 26th, when he came downstairs and found tons of little balloons and stars hanging from the ceiling, a "letter sign" just for him hanging above the door (It was a happy birthday sign, but he was more thrilled to point out, "There's my letter H!!!  There's my letter A!!!"), and a birthday chair decorated especially for the big guy.

And when I'd ask him how old he was now, he'd say with such fluctuation, "I'm free (3)!!!  I'm not a baby, Mom!  Don't worry!"  He loves to tell me not to worry about plenty of things.  And then he always gives my kisses and loves afterwards.  

Melts my heart every. single. time.   

He even loves to sit at the window and tell Lucy not to worry too, when she's whining because she wants to come inside.  He gets right on the floor as she scratching at the door, and puts his face right up to her nose and sing-songs through the glass, "Don't worry, Woocy, I'm right here.  It's OK, Woocy."  And then he'll turn to me and say, "Woocy is such a nice doggy.  She wuvs me." 

So here was our attempt at a chocolate cake with letters for the big guy.  We ate a couple while we were making them, so the "E" cupcake letter is a little sad.  But the most important part was that Luke took one look at the cupcake letters AND then the letters on top of those letters, and was so thrilled he couldn't wipe off that grin.  

Funny how I had to force myself to get going this particular morning, but as soon as I had my good morning hug from the birthday boy and saw some of these smiles, I was overwhelmed with gratitude.  If my heart could have gone into overdrive with love that day, it did.  Love for Luke.  Love for Jake.  Love for Kate.  Love for our Baby Blue.  Love for Joe.  Love for my Heavenly Father for giving me this life that I'm living.  And as I was feeling the immense love I have for them, my heart burned with the knowledge of their love for me.  I was so happy.

I reassured the family that my tears were happy ones that day.  And we went right on celebrating.  Luke was finished reading his letter cake.  He was ready to dig in!

He tried a little before we had a chance to light the candles that the kids put in for him. 

 Couldn't get mad at the kid, it was his birthday!!!

And then we got to sing :)  Always nice to have a brother close by to help you do most of the work!

He completely approved.  

Then it was time for presents!  If I had known what the outcome would be, I probably wouldn't have gone to the store that day with the kids to pick out toys for him!  Of course, then we wouldn't have had our sweet Baby Blue Berryhill moment with the Christmas wrapping paper, when I felt him so near (see my previous post "Little Tender Mercy").
Everything always works out.  

We got home, and Kate said she wanted to find a few more things for Luke to open.  She was very thoughtful about the whole thing, and went through all of our school stuff that was already in our office, to find the perfect gift for Luke.  

She cleaned and wrapped a dry-erase book that we had for practicing writing letters.  It was the 2nd present Luke opened, and it was also his last.  He wanted nothing to do with the other wrapped packages. 

"MY LETTERS!!!!!!!!"  And for the rest of the evening, he sat with Kate as she helped teach him how to trace his letters.  

Jake about had a hernia as he tried to get Luke to open up the rest of his gifts.  It was simply inconceivable that he would let packages go unopened.  But Luke didn't care.  One perk this year that Luke's birthday is so close to Christmas!!!-  I took the presents and tucked them away to be presented again in another month :)  Nice!!!

Three years ago, "Little Luke" was 5 pounds and struggling to survive.  Now he's as big as most of the kindergartners in Jake's class. 

 He can throw a fast ball and mean tantrum every now and again (thankfully that phase is starting to come to a close as he realizes that big 3 year old's simply don't act like babies); 

but will run his lanky run with his cute cheeks bouncing, from wherever he is in the house and will shout as loud as he can to welcome you home when you walk through that door.  "I give you wuvs!!!!!"  And then grabs your legs before you have a chance to bend over and showers your pants with peanut butter, spaghetti sauce or popsicle kisses and hugs.  I love my stained clothes. So does Joe.

We love you so very much, Luke. You make our world such a happy place.

Happy Birthday!