A celebration is coming....

I have already mentioned that I am beginning to plan Cooper's first birthday. I just wanted to say a few things about this before I get started into full on party planning mode. Yes, you read that right. I am almost the mother of a 1 year old. How is that even stinking possible! This time has gone by so quickly. I remember being home that first week from the hospital and thinking that literally it felt like time stood still that week. After that it was pretty much a blur. I wish I had taken time to mentally capture each moment and just relish in it a bit before moving onto the next thing. I am learning though to just be in the moment and enjoy each stage for what it is.

I am really getting so excited about this party. It's definitely about Cooper but this is also one birthday that is also all about a lot of other people too and very special to us in more way than one. This is sure to be a huge celebration. I cannot even describe how blessed we have been by friends and family over the past several months with support and love. These parties will be a way of saying thank you to all of you who have encouraged, loved, prayed for and just supported us. We want you to be involved in this special day with us so that you can see the fruit of OUR labor. The child that we have brought up this far with your help and the help of our faith in God. He is so good and we owe our blessings to him but you have had a hand in this moment as well. As cliche as it is and corny as you might think it to be I really do think it takes a village to raise a child and that has been demonstrated to us in a huge way. I hope we remember this feeling and help others as much as we can through the journey as we were helped.

So, as we sing Happy Birthday and watch Cooper destroy his cake and tear open presents. Just know that it will be your moment too and we hope that we make you feel like it is. We look forward to this wonderful celebration to come and sharing plans and pictures and all that fun stuff. We love you all and words are not enough to adequately thank you for what all you have done for us ;-) We are about 2 1/2 months away!