Andrew is 5!!!

My sweet baby boy had a big day today - actually a big weekend! We've been celebrating big-time around here because our sweet Andrew is 5 today!! Five years ago today, on the 5th anniversary of 9/11, God reminded us how He is the Creator of new life, how all things are in His hands, and how a day of sadness can also be one of great joy!

He gave us our firstborn, Wilson Andrew Shirley, Jr!!

Andrew is such a dear and is just so proud and excited to be 5!! This 5th birthday seems like a big one to me... he's just growing up. I am so thankful and certainly feel blessed by our Heavenly Father to have Andrew as our son. I can't help but be a little sentimental about him turning 5 - but at the same time, I could not be more proud of the boy he is growing into. He has such a sweet heart and sensitive, thoughtful spirit - he loves his family so, so much. He is truly the sweetest big brother and just knows how to demonstrate how he loves us. We love you bunches, Andrew!!

A few pictures from our Saturday morning celebration at home...

I am five!!
Blowing out the 5 "sparkler candles" on his birthday breakfast of choice - beignets!!
Opening his presents after breakfast... notice that Forrest and Ann Evelyn are each opening gifts, too. Andrew let them help open his presents! He decided this all on his own, and of course, they were thrilled! What a sweet big brother!
So excited about his Battleship Game!

His big present was a new bike!! It even has brakes on the handlebars! What a big boy!

God made you special, Andrew, and you are so very special to us! Happy Birthday!!