Justin turns 4!

It's so hard to believe that my little guy is now 4 years old. To me it just seems like yesterday that I had him. Justin and all my boys are a true blessing from God and I can't even begin to explain how thankful I am. Each one is so special and totally different from each other. They all have taught me so much and together we are still learning, discovering and growing everyday together. Looking at life through a child’s eyes you learn to appreciate the small things so much more and realize to slow down and enjoy every single minute while it is here. I think when I had Justin God was trying to teach me some lessons to prepare me for Motherhood. When I first found out I learned that love was unconditional, bed rest taught me patience, premature labor I learned truly that Faith is bigger then a Mustard Seed, his 2 week stay in the NICU I learned to be happy in the moment and celebrate the small accomplishments along the way. Then when I brought my miracle home is when I realize that it is truly amazing how God takes something so small and turns it into a beautiful little person and trust us to care for this little life! A baby so small, yet the big things he will accomplish and become through the years with the help of God and all of us. We are so proud and love you Justin! On Saturday we had his birthday party and he had a big part with picking out everything for his friends. It was so much fun because he had opinions of what he really wanted. He is big into Monster Trucks and it didn't surprise me when he picked out that for the theme. It made me laugh because for Ryan's birthday I made Lightning McQueen pillows for all the kids and then Justin looks at me and said "Mommy what are you going to make all of my friends? I was thinking scarves, hats, blankets...what do you think?" I had my work cut out for me. For each of his friends I made a Tire Pillow with their names and year on it. Then I took the theme of a Monster Truck outing with hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, etc. and used that. The kids got to take home a popcorn container filled with treats, popsicles, cars, sidewalk chalk, balls, flash cards, homemade Monster Truck lollipops, etc. Then I even made a treat box for the whole family to enjoy. Each family got to take home a large popcorn box with cotton candy, popcorn, cookies, popsicles, etc. My favorite part of the kids parties is making the birthday cake...I really enjoyed making this one! I would have never guessed that Darin was actually the first one to get into the cake! Go DARIN!!!For a craft each child got to color a Monster Truck and they, also, got to make a Personalized License Plate to take home with them. We had a ball pit and then Paul and Daddy brought out their Remote Monster Trucks for the kids to race and play with. The kids all had a great time and the best compliment I could get was when I hear that all the kids went home all tuckered out!!! Something that I thought was so funny was the other week Paul had his shirt off getting ready and Justin looks at him and says “Daddy why do you have hair on your Chest??? Is it because it slid off of your head!” Oh my goodness...Justin has so much personality and he has turned into such a little man!!!
It was such a busy week getting ready for the party and last minute things. On Sunday we all went to Cracker Barrel and in an instant so quickly Ryan licked the black checker. There are always times when something happens that I look and say to myself I will be surprised if they are not sick in 2-3 days. Long behold he got sick on Wednesday night. At first he was complaining about a pump knot he had gotten from a bad fall he took on Sunday. So the doctor told us that if things changed to take him to the Emergency Room. At the same time he came down with a high fever and a virus. So Wednesday in the middle of the night we took off to Fairfax Hospital. It surprised me how quickly we were in and out. He got better quickly and everyone was well for the party. Then slowly one by one we are each coming down with it. I don’t think I will ever play checkers again without Lysol Wipes!!! I love how these guys like to share, but seriously….