Not only is it Thanksgiving and I'll be celebrating with so many of my favorite people, but our baby boy is turning 1. How fitting is that? So much to be thankful for in that little 25ish pound sweetheart. I'm just overwhelmed! I literally can't wait for next week to be here … yes, it means that he's officially a toddler and our baby baby days are gone … which is a little sad … but more than that, we get to celebrate the most memorable year yet.
The longest, shortest, sweetest, most precious, heart-wrenching, life-changing 12 months of our lives.
The computer screen is getting a little fuzzy ;) guess I should add tear-filled to that list too! Pulling it together …
So here goes my list of thankfulness for this incredible year. I'm thankful for:
- Our faithful Heavenly Father.
- A safe delivery of our healthy baby boy.
- Our family, and friends who are family, that were there at the hospital to support and celebrate with us during our rather long labor and early morning delivery. I'll never be able to thank you enough.
- Hearing his sweet, deep voice for the first time. Not what I was expecting, but such a glimpse of things to come in getting to know our big little miracle and his very own personality.
- The moment they told us how much he weighed … 10 pounds, 10 ounces … WHAT? … I know this sounds crazy to most, but it was such a gift to me … to know that God knows me and would be so thoughtful to give me a baby weighing my favorite number … after such a long, difficult pregnancy and labor that was so much harder than anything I expected and wasn't always sure I could endure … it was such a sweet gift and one that gave me so much new confidence that he loves me and cares about me uniquely, sweetly. Such a small thing, I know, but not to me. It has honestly brought me great peace in this year, knowing that in the midst of suffering (physical & emotional) and the best of times that he is with me and totally in control … and good … and trustworthy … and personal.
- Our jam-packed-hospital-room-taco-eating-football-watching Thanksgiving 2009. You guys are the best ever!
- The first six weeks at home and having Tim able to be home with us. He took such good care of us and was so patient with me and so willing to help, even with middle of the night snack cravings and dirty diapers. A huge gift to have that time together to bond with our son and depend on each other as we learn how to be parents.
- And watching Tim love and care for and protect Weston. I seriously fall in love with him all over again. I am so deeply grateful for my partner. I love you honey! You are such a sweet daddy.
- Our families and their incredible support, especially in those early days. Thank you for helping to take care of all of us in so many ways!
- Our out of town visitors who couldn't get here fast enough to meet our little guy. And who have continued to make intentional efforts to love and support us … we love and miss you!
- Our home. Its just a place, but its our place and I am so thankful to have a home and to be safe and surrounded by the things I love.
- And being able to stay home. I wasn't sure how I would handle it having loved my job and being not so domestically inclined … I have been shocked by how much I enjoy staying home. I am still learning so much about managing my days and our home, but I am enjoying it so much more than I thought I would. I have even started to enjoy cooking … some ;)
- Tim's job. Saying its been hard to have him gone traveling so much is an understatement, but we are so thankful that he has a good job that provides well for us, especially in this economic climate.
- Our adventures to Seaside, Tallahassee and Arizona. Such great memories vacationing as a family of three. And our road trips visiting family … just wish we were closer!
- Our last months with Charlie. It was heart-breaking saying goodbye to our sweet kitty in July. I got him two days before Tim proposed, so he's been a part of our family since the beginning. I am still so sad that he got sick and had such a short life, but I am so thankful that we had him and for all the joy and antics and laughter he brought to our lives. And I'm so grateful that he got to be a big brother. Even though Weston will never remember him, he was so sweet and loving and protective of him. I'll cherish those mornings when he joined us in bed, me on one side of Weston and him on the other. I loved my Charlie Jones, the great cat crusader, and I am thankful that he's not suffering anymore.
- Our 5th Anniversary in July! So much has changed since that day and its so apparent that we are really we … and that we are better together … and that God has grown us so much since then!
- Playing Sarah and Isaac at Grace's Youth Summer Camp. I'm no actress, but it was a great privilege to help bring this incredible story of God's plan and faithfulness to life. My favorite moment was in the scene with Weston as baby Isaac … after Abraham asked me what I thought of his name and I responded with, "Oh, it's perfect! He has brought me great laughter and everyone who hears of this miracle will laugh with me." and he clapped! It was precious … and memorable … and I pray that the lessons stick with the kids for years to come. (Thank you Chelle for coming with me and making it possible!)
- Unexpectedly getting to hear Kendall's Vespers speech at Camp Champions with Weston. So thankful for that place and the continuity and character and community it has provided for our family. Being so proud watching her stand where I stood 13 years ago … she was just 2 then … and where Michelle stood 9 years before that … realizing how fast time goes and how moments are really just that. But how powerful such a moment can be. I am sure I will remember this one for a lifetime.
- Our small group for continuing to journey with us, especially in the midst of so much change! Looking forward to what God has in store for us!
- Our new "nieces" and "nephews" … Atticus, Contessa, Madigan and Anjali … what a joy to celebrate alongside their moms and dads as they entered the world. And what a joy to walk through this first year of parenthood with them.
- Play-dates and the wonderful moms to hang out with. I'm so thankful to have so many friends who are first-time parents too. Thank you for all the encouragement, both in person and through your blogs ;) so many of you have no idea how much I have learned from you!!
- Our new DSLR camera and iPhones that have helped us document this year and keep in touch with family. Now to try to manage and organize it all!
Wow! So many things and I could keep going! But I realized I have been writing this now for over two hours, that's ridiculous … reminiscing apparently makes for slow typing ;) If you've made it this far … I am thankful for you taking the time and am impressed!
There will probably be more Thanksgiving and first birthday posts to come, but this has been so good for me to spend this time reflecting on the blessings of this past year. I encourage you to do the same!
