Sibling love...

Today was the day that my sweet girls went back on track after being off for four fabulous weeks! We had a great time surprising my parents in CA for Thanksgiving, baking, shopping, playing, etc. I never enjoy sending them back...
They play so well together and I really miss them when they're gone!
I realized this time... that Justin noticed that they were gone too. I'm sure he's noticed in the past... but he was looking all over the house... babbling. Pretty positive he was calling their names in his own way.

So I have a question for all of you out there. Have you taught your child how to sign names? If so, do you just make up the sign? I would love to teach him how to sign all of our names so that he can ask for us.

For those of you who didn't catch this on facebook... Justin has pretty much mastered home visits from Early Intervention. (walking, stacking, sorting, etc.) He will now have a Speech Therapist do home visits! I am so excited to focus on Speech. He will continue his pre-school class once a week on top of this. (He does say "Mom!", makes an "aaaa" sound for airplane, an "mmmm" sound for car and "ma," which we think is more.) I can't wait to hear more words come out of his mouth!

Three Angels...

I read this on another amazing blog and wanted to share it... I hope my friends who have already read this or posted this don't mind that I am sharing it...

Once upon a time, three angels were busily working in the miracle factory. They were responsible for wrapping up all the little miracles and sending them on their way. Normally they wrapped each one in bright, sturdy paper with big, shiny ribbons. They stamped it with a delivery date and away it would go to the parents who eagerly awaited its arrival. Things usually ran pretty smoothly. One day, however, down the conveyor belt came a little miracle that made the angels pause.

"Oh my," said the first angel "this one's uhm...well...different."

"Yes, he is unique." said the second angel.

"Well I think he is quite special," said the first angel "but I don't think he will quite fit our standard wrapping procedures."

And the second angel added, "And we know he's special, but will everyone else?"

"Not a problem," said the third angel "obviously a special miracle deserves extra special wrapping; and of course we'll send him off with our most heartfelt blessings. Then everyone will see how special he is."

"What a wonderful idea!" replied the others.

So they searched the shelves high and low for their finest paper, and their most delicate ribbons. When they were done, they stood back and admired their work. "Beautiful!" they all agreed.

"Now for our blessings," said the third angel "for it is time for him to go." "I will bless him with innocence and happiness," said the first angel.

"And I will bless him with strength to face the many challenges that lie ahead" said the second angel.

"And I will bless him with an inner beauty that will shine on all who look upon him" said the third angel.

Before sending him off, the third angel, who was very wise, gently tucked a note inside.

And it said:

Dear Parents, Today you have received a very special gift. It may not be what you were expecting, and you may be disappointed, angry and hurt. But please know that he comes with many blessings, and, while there may be pain, he will bring you much joy. He will take you in a very difficult journey, but you will meet many wonderful people. He will teach you patience and understanding and make you reach deep inside yourselves to find a source of strength and faith you never knew you had. He will enrich your lives, and will touch the hearts of all who meet him. He may be fragile, but he has great inner strength. So please handle him with care, give him lots of attention, shower him with hugs and kisses, love him with all your heart, and he will blossom before your eyes. His spirit will shine like the brightest star for all to see, and you will know that you are truly blessed.

Author Unknown

We LOVE our very special gift...

Custom car for J-man!

I had to share this...
I was at Costco with my kids the other day.
This is what they saw....

...and of course, this is what they said...
"Mom... we should get this for Justin!"
Yes... Daddy drives a Mustang... and wouldn't that be cute.
But no way... at least not right now. He's too young... and it's NOT in the budget.
~
So they came home and made this... just for him...

...oh yes... that is HIS personal license plate! It might not be a Mustang... but it's custom built just for him!
I LOVE my kids!