Lincoln turns 5!!!

My sweet boy (and crazy smile-er ;) turned five on Sunday and we just finished up his big birthday bash. He is such a huge blessing to our family and is an unbelievable gift from God! Lincoln is into everything American History right now... I know, weird. But he loves, loves, loves old presidents, wars, and the story of our country. So he asked for a Revolutionary War birthday party. Um, yeah. I was a bit stumped. We could have had a reenactment in the front yard but I just couldn't do it ;) Then I thought we could pin the leg on the amputee but that just didn't seem right for a little kid party! How do you throw a war party?! We've tried to sensor our country's violent history for an age appropriate audience so we settled for a red, white, blue party with lots of patriotic flare and no games. It was awesome and Linc's friends are so very sweet and amazing and they had SO much fun tonight celebrating my little guy!

Lincoln is such an awesome kid. He is such a great big brother, inspiring Christian and so excited to learn everything he can. I gush over him ;) I gush over all of my sweet kiddos! They are just such a blessing and help me grow and learn everyday. I couldn't be more thankful for how these kids have changed my life, starting with my Lincoln. He has challenged me to notice the world around me more, to be genuinely concerned for the eternal salvation of every one from the grocery clerk to our neighbors and to his buddies much more and to see the world as a child. I get it! I really understand why Jesus said "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:17. Lincoln has demonstrated to me how to take God for what he says he is. When Lincoln hears a story about Jesus walking on water he is blown away! I've heard that story over and over and somehow it had dulled over time. When Lincoln hears the story of Jesus feeding 5000 or of God splitting the sea or of Jesus bring Lazarus back from the dead he reeeeeaaaaly understands the amazingness of it all. He is awed! He's still hearing it as if for the first time and it is HUGE to him. God has blessed my socks off by all of my children. Lincoln continues to show me why Jesus loves children so very much. Their innocence and their ability to see just how magnificent and powerful He is inspires me to think about my God like a child, completely trusting everything He says and recognizing the magnitude of what He has done. All that to say I love my Lincoln and am SUPER thankful for his impact on my life! Happy birthday little man! Onto the party details (cupcake toppers and the little paper banner found here)!