What we are thankful for...

Over the course of this week we were able to spend much needed time with both sides of our family and reflect on what we are truly thankful for.

We celebrated with my side this past Saturday and even managed to get professional family photos that day. This is the first time in almost 25 years that we had a professional family picture with my parents. I am so glad we finally managed to get this done considering we have been talking about it for over 5 years now. Then Thursday we celebrated with Shawn's side. Both of these occasions were well needed days where we could relax, eat, catch up on life, and laugh. We are very close to our families and enjoy the time we are able to spend with all of them. It never turns in to crazy chaos that people fear when it comes to family get-togethers over the holidays. We are thankful and fortunate to have so much love and help from our parents and siblings. From the daily phone calls, update text messages, informative emails, and facetime, we appreciate it all. We are especially thankful for our parents more than ever over this past year. They have given up so much of their time to be there for us. Whether it is watching Dominic while we take Jacob to appointments, coming over to provide a meal, or staying over while Shawn is at work, we could not have made it through this year without them. Our parents have always been a major part of our lives but they have provided so much strength and support for us that it is hard to even explain.

Aside from our family, we are thankful for our friends and co-workers. They are constantly lending an open ear and offering a helping hand if needed. As I stated before, I had to make a tough decision to stay home this year from work. To my surprise, my co-workers at school have teamed together and have been providing our family with meals throughout the past weeks to make life a little easier on us. We are more than appreciative of this wonderful gesture and the time they have taken out of their busy days to think of us. I am thankful for our NORO family and I look forward to paying it forward to them in the future.

And last, but not least, I am thankful for our family of four. Jacob has been a blessing in our lives. As challenging as the days are, he is full of love and hope. Dominic has been an amazing big brother with unconditional love for Jacob. He is a smart little cookie, makes us laugh and we love his crazy imagination. Shawn has been the most patient and understanding husband a wife could ask for. We have faced many hurdles this past year and he has been my rock through it all. Although I wish circumstances were different in certain aspects of our lives, I would not change our beautiful family.

I hope everyone had a safe and healthy holiday.. And steered clear of any crazy Black Friday madness!!