A Year of Thanks

How can I put into words just how thankful we are for all the wonderful people in our lives? It just is really not possible! We could not have made it to this point as parents without all the wonderful love and support of family and some amazing friends. This is definitely a journey best shared with others ;-)

Our parents have sacrificed (not in their eyes...they just get excited to see Cooper) a lot over the past year to come and help us whenever we needed which seemed to be quite often. They don't live just around the corner although with the way they go back and forth you'd think they do. They live an hour away in Florence and it has not proven to be a barrier to them seeing our little man. Although I would love for them to see Cooper every day that is not where we are right now so the next best thing is that they make time whenever possible to come and see him and to help us out. We realize just how blessed we are to have two sets of grandparents that love Cooper and want to spend as much of their free time with him as possible. We love you all so much and cannot thank you enough for being such a crucial part of Cooper's first year ;-)

Our siblings and other family members. Thank you for the wonderful and fun way that you love Cooper. Thank you for finding ways in your busy schedules to come for a day trip or to get any chance you can to see and spend time with him. He is growing up so fast and we could not be more happy that you all are a part of this with us. We are so lucky to have such wonderful brothers, brother in laws and sisters and sister in laws to share this with. Cooper is so lucky to have so many people look forward to spending time with him and playing with and spoiling him. As he gets older I look forward to him spending time with all of you teaching him about what you love to do. Whether it be biking or fishing or whatever. It will be done in love and that time will mean so much to him. We love you all!

To our amazing friends thank you for times that you have helped babysit or in the early days when we were having formula issues and a screaming baby coming to give some relief and let me rest or just take a shower. So many friends have provided meals before with me on bed rest and also after Cooper came. We had so much help with Cooper the 4 months after maternity leave was over that I went back to work. We definitely could not have made it through that time without the amazing help of friends we received. We have been blessed and so overwhelmed with the support you all provide. We love you and hope we can even be a fraction of the help for you as you have been for us.

Our sincerest thanks and love to anyone and everyone who has supported us in prayer or in any other way throughout this first year. You are appreciated more than you could ever know. We still have so much to learn and hope that you continue on this journey with us to see what comes. To God be the glory for all of this.