Celebrating

This weekend begins with a story that started almost one year ago.  The boys and I were headed to the Gallatin Library to return our books and check out new ones for the week.  As we entered the parking lot, I looked down and realized I had left our bag of due books on the kitchen counter.  The boys were sad and I needed a plan B quick.  I called my grandmother (who lives close) to see if she and my grandfather would like some afternoon company.  Just so happens they weren't at home...crazy.  Plan C - head to the nearby city park and let the boys picnic and play.  As the boys were playing, I met a mom sitting on a bench and we began to chat about kids, jobs, etc.  She was a new transplant to the area and I invited her family to join us at church one Sunday.  We didn't exchange any information accept for our names and kindly parted ways.

Later that week, I received a Facebook friend request from this sweet lady.  I had NO idea how she had found me seeing that we only exchanged first names.  Turned out that she called the church and asked if they had any member with the name 'Adrian' (glad my name is uncommon!).  From there she found me on FB and we became 'friends' :)  I invited her to iMom which was beginning soon and she jumped at the chance to join.  Fast forward a few weeks - she comes to the first meeting and a few days after surprisingly gives premature birth to her son, Gage, 2 months early with complications.  The Lord knew they would need some support and our table was given the opportunity to love on her family with meals, encouragement, and prayers.  From that moment has grown a friendship that has continued to be a blessing in my life.  Her family began attending church with us on Sundays at LHG and recently, Michael had the JOY of leading her oldest son, Caleb to Christ at VBS.  I stand amazed.  Coincidence that those library books were left on the counter one summer day last July?  I think not.  God is always at work...we just have to stop and grab hold of the opportunities he places in front of us.  Kieryanne, so so glad the Lord brought us together that picnic park day.  Thankful for the gift of your life and the strength that you portray - you really are a Superstar! 

Celebrating Caleb and Collin's carnival birthday 

Happy Birthday Caleb!

Celebrating didn't end at the birthday party.  The Sunday after, Michael had the honor of baptizing Caleb during our morning church service.  What a gift!  We are so proud of this young man and the decision he has made to follow Christ!

Cole with his Poole buddies

Cole and Caleb

Party Under Construction

Almost four.  How can it be?!?!

Our kind, funny, determined, energetic little boy LOVES diggers, dumpers, and construction vehicles in general.  His favorite activity is to play outside in the dirt or sand scooping, pushing, rolling, and dumping.  When the weather won't warrant outdoor play, he's using them in the house with legos, buttons, or coins...practically anything he can find small enough to fit the buckets and loaders.

After his airplane party last year, I knew 'Diggers and Dumpers' would be the perfect theme for #4.  He stuck with it ALL year and this weekend we enjoyed celebrating the JOY of this little boy at the Johnson Construction Site with family and friends.

While browsing through Hobby Lobby last fall (one of my favs) I noticed they had some super cute construction decor in the party department.  Since I knew our theme in advance, I used my daily 40% off coupon (download the HL app) and visited the store multiple times over the past couple of months to purchase one item each time with the discount.  I only chose a few specific items to boost the construction flare - a table runner, themed napkins, straws, favor boxes, and outdoor signs added the perfect touch.  The rest of the decor was printed freebies from blogs/internet sites or made from art supplies already on hand at home.  We put all those construction vehicles to good use as centerpieces and a homemade cake helped keep the budget extremely low.

Construction hats for each kiddo and coloring pages for when guests arrived

Favor boxes filled with stickers, a digger, and construction eraser

'Concrete mix' cups for each guest

Knowing that I love to party plan and host in our home, Cole blessed my heart in a BIG way the Friday before Cade's party.  I was in full-on decorating/baking mode and we had just taken a break for lunch.  While eating, Cole looked at me and said, "Mommy, this party is going to be amazing.  Thank you for loving us so much.  I am Wowed and Proud."  He just giggled at the rhyme he made and my heart about burst with love and gratitude for his kind words.  Little did he know that my love language is words of affirmation, and hearing his encouragement filled up my love tank for sure.    Whew...love that boy to pieces.

Saturday morning, we woke to a gorgeous spring day and couldn't wait for the guests to arrive.  The kiddos headed straight outside and played for close to an hour digging in sand tables and hammering golf tees into floral foam with toy hammers.  They were so engaged and it was a great way to practice fine motor skills.  

Hammering station that they all LOVED

Thankful for sweet neighbors that let us borrow their sand table.  Think Cade needs any more diggers? :)

Love, love Ava's sweet hand on Cole.  

Next up was lunch, Happy Birthday singing, and gifts.  One blessed little boy!

Easiest cake ever...the less perfect, the better!  Yellow cake, chocolate icing,  ground graham crackers, chocolate rocks, and Cade's diggers.

 Happy Birthday to You...

Lastly, it was back outside for a game of 'Construction Simon Says' and more sand/hammering fun.

Enjoying a few new toys...

LOVING his new crane

Bubble fun

What a way to end the day.  Tough boy...fell chasing bubbles on the driveway.  

We loved, loved spending such a beautiful day with those our little boy loves most.  Thankful for sweet friends and family that could celebrate with us!