A Letter From Dad (Thanksgiving)

First, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I was thinking it had been an awfully long time since I had posted to the blog, and so I wanted to share what I am thankful for as we approach the hectic holiday season.

- I am thankful for two beautiful boys and a loving wife.  Kristi is an amazing mommy, and the boys and I are so lucky to have her.
- I am thankful that Elias no longer has a heart defect (we found that out today!).  He is set to have some minor surgery on Dec. 2nd.
- I am thankful for Isaac and the progress he has made.  We knew all along he would need to be the little engine that could.  So far, he CAN!  He continues to make progress and we continue to monitor some of his difficulties.  He will get a CT-Mylogram sometime in the next few months before determining the best course of action on his spine.  It seems we will have to continue to hurry to wait.
- I am thankful for Tim, Laine, Kevin, and Debbie (our parents!!!)  They have been amazing through these first 6 months (and the months previous too).  It is awfully nice to know the support you have from parents.
- I am thankful for Eli rolling around the floor
- I am thankful for Isaac rolling over
- I am thankful for doctors who continue to take good care of us.
- I am thankful for therapists who come to our house and work with Isaac on different issues, whether it be eating or movement related issues.  They have been fantastic.
- I am thankful I haven't opened the front door for our dog when she has been annoying!  She is sitting here right now cuddling with me while the boys nap and I can't imagine our house without her.
- I am thankful for Russ, Andi, Brett, and Roxanne, our brothers and sisters who have been there with us from day 1 and are never too busy to listen to us.
- I am thankful Brett and Katie are moving back from California to Emporia, KS.  Not only because Kristi gets her brother and a great friend back but I have someone else to go to sporting events with when he has the time.
- I am thankful for all the aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and other relatives who have checked in on us or watched the boys.
- I am thankful to our church and small group who continue to show us patience and love even when we haven't been able to make to those events nearly as often as we should or would have liked.
- I am thankful to friends at school who consistently ask about the boys and how they are doing and if I need anything.  Thanks Dan, Kendra, Maureen, Nick, and Lori.  I really appreciate it.
- I am thankful for just being the gift of these twin boys.  God apparently knew we could handle it.  A few less quizzes along the way would have been nice but I think we are doing quite well in this class so far.
- And, I am thankful again for Kristi.  She is it.  She has it all.  She is stuck with me and she still smiles!  I can't even begin to think of where I would be without her.

Isaac and Eli,

It is your first thanksgiving.  November 25th, 2010.  You 6 months and 11 days old.  You are my world.  I love watching your laughs, your cries (yes, I like that sometimes!), your questioning looks, and your interaction with one another.  I want you both to know, I love you.  And when you need some money as teenagers, go ask your mom!  :)

Happy Thanksgiving