Happy Birthday Justin! 10 YEARS OLD!

March 3rd, 2014

Justin turned 10 and I can't believe it!  We kept his birthday pretty low-key with a few fun surprises. Luckily Nana and Papaw were here to celebrate!  We had a small family party the day before his birthday, with a monster-truck birthday cake at his request.  Justin just wanted Frozen and Just Dance 4, and we also surprised him with his very own (non-cellular activated) iPhone.  It's amazing what the new OS and a new cover can do for an old hand-me-down.  He was beyond surprised and excited!  I loaded it up with all his favorite games and songs, and he loves surfing google for pictures of trucks and cars to draw!  The following Saturday Justin went on a father/son birthday trip to Birmingham.  Not sure they made it all the way there, but that was where Justin wanted to go.  They stopped at the train museum on the way there, as well as a few car dealerships, and then had lunch together.  Justin loved it!

We are so thankful for our sweet Justin!  He brings an amazing love and spirit into our home and family, despite his challenges.  He is always surprising us with his knowledge and abilities!  Justin is incredibly independent, amazing with his time management and is quite responsible when it comes to following rules and getting all his work and homework done.  He has been super successful this year in his 4th grade classroom (28 students and 1 teacher) with minimal support, and about 30 minutes of pullout for reading, per day.  He has made the A-B honor roll twice now, this last time with only one B (an 89% in Social Studies).  His teachers and classmates adore him!  And Justin is quite the artist!  He practices and practices and his car and truck drawings are getting pretty awesome!  We love you Justin, and the amazing, unique individual that you are!!