HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX

ALEX TURNED 4 TODAY!!

It is hard to believe that Alex is now 4. Where has my little boy gone! Weighing in at birth at 9 lbs 15oz - he continues to grow everyday. What a sweet little boy. He has been waiting for his birthday for weeks now and is already talking about his next birthday.

What a fun filled day we had! It started with church this morning and then we meet our neighbors for a movie. Alex and Maddie have really taken to the neighbor kids. Alex was sad to not have cousins to help celebrate his birthday so I thought it would be great to invite his new found friend, Emile. He is 12 years old and Alex adores him. They have already come up with a secret hand shake!! We all went to the movie Ratatouille. (What was really neat is one of the rats in the movie had the name Emile).

Elzette, Alex, Emile, and Maddie excited to watch the movie.

Our neighbors - Etienne, Emile, Elsabe

(It has been great getting to know the neighbors!)

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After the movie our family went to a local restaurant (Spurs) to open presents and play!

Alex waiting patiently to open his presents (a golf set, legos, and matchbox car race track)

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Alex and Maddie had their faces painted - Of course Alex picked spiderman!!

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Riding a miniature ferris wheel at the restaurant
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All throughout the week Alex received packages from home! The mailbox was a hotspot!! The first card to arrive was from Ben and Laura Lappenga in Seattle (Laura you are so great at that!). He carried that card everywhere and showed everyone we meet in the mall!!

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Then Grandma and Grandpa Leenstra sent a package.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!

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Alex trying on his new safari shirt (this picture is for you Grandpa!!)

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Later in the week a package from Grandma and Grandpa Dieleman:

Can you tell they love the anticipation of seeing what is inside?!?

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Alex was so excited - Spiderman PJ's

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We also received a gift from Aunt Jen, Uncle Greg, Jacob and Aiden. Foam castles to put together! It was great to see the kids creativity. It took them about an hour to put together their masterpieces!!

Very proud of their designs!!

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I would just like to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has sent love from home!! It is great to check our mailbox and have such love and encouraging words from friends and family. Thank you also for all the emails too!! We are truly blessed! I do not know what we would do without all your support and love. There were days that were very lonely and sad and then I would go to the mailbox and a friend from church or a family member just sent a beautiful card with a bookmark and encouraging words! It always seems to come at the right moment! God sure has blessed us! He knows what we need to help us get through our ups and downs.

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Anyway - about Alex - what a joy it is to have him around - he defiantly has a sense of humor that can put a smile on your face no matter what mood you are in. He is full of love and kindness. If he isn't giving out compliments he is making a funny face or joke to make someone laugh!!

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Here are a few of his latest sayings:

"Mom, I have never seen God."

"Well you know he lives in your heart right?"

"I don't see him in my heart, but I can feel him pushing in my tummy!!"

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"How do pigs write?" "With pig pens!"

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"Mom, I love you as high as the heavens with Jesus and Peter, around the moon, to the bottom of the ocean, and back again"

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"that's easy peasy!!"

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We are happy to see that Alex is adjusting well here - yet he talks about going home and can not wait until Christmas. I pray that God continues to bless Alex! He is healthy and happy and a joy in our lives. May he continue to love learning and keep his carefree joking spirit! We love you tons Alex!! You are truly a gift from above! HAPPY BIRTHDAY
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We would also like to say happy birthday to those who also have celebrated a birthday lately - Aunt Katie, Uncle Johnny, Aunt Sonny, Arianna, Grandpa Leenstra, Aiden and coming up Jessica. May your birthdays be special and filled with love!! May God bless you!