A Birthday Celebration!

It's hard to believe that 4 years ago we welcomed Neal into our family.  He has been such a blessing to us and I have learned so much from being his mom.  It's amazing how fast times goes, especially as you watch your little kids grow and change each day.

This year Neal wanted to have a "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle" (TMNT) birthday.  I have had to become a TMNT  expert over the last several months and can now tell you each turtles name, his weapon and I can even sing the theme song (from 1980's cartoons).

I think I might get as excited as Neal about his birthday parties each year 'cause my favorite thing about birthday parties is making the cake.  I had a ton of funning making "Michael Angelo" for Neal and decorating the house with Ninja Turtle balloons.

I worked on the cake while Neal was napping and it was so fun to see his face when he saw the cake for the fist time.  He was so excited he immediately starting reenacting ninja turtles and "saving" Gwendolyn and I from the bad guys.

We had a great time at his party and enjoyed visiting with everyone so much that we didn't really get any pictures of the actual party...but we did record the highlight of the party, the birthday song.

Over the last four years Neal has changed and grown so much and each new stage of his life brings about things that I hope to never forget.   So, here are a few saying and things about Neal at age four: 

Favorite Things: 

1) Any superhero (especially The Flash, Bateman, or a Ninja Turtle) 

2) Reading books

3) Being silly, or trying to get people to laugh

Silly Phrases/Saying: 

1) He calls M&M's "m & m & mies"

2) "Can we Skype on daddy (or Grandma or Gigi)"

3) "Mommy when I grow up big i'm gonna have fur on my legs, just like daddy" 

4) "Are you kidding me?" 

Neal has such a sweet and gentle spirit, he often comes up and just wants to give us hugs, kisses or snuggles and will quite often, out of the blue, just say "mommy (or daddy) I love you".  He has been a wonderful, caring and very helpful big brother.  He always looks for ways to help with Gwendolyn and always wants to make her smile or laugh.  We continue to pray each night that Neal would know, serve and love God, and pray that Christ would soften his heart and bring him to salvation.  We are beyond blessed with this precious and undeserved gift from the Lord.

Happy 4th Birthday to our favorite little boy!!