I am writing this blog as I have officially hit “hospital drain out mood” (lack of sleep, the stress of having a sick kiddo & feeling sad about not all being home together as a family).  Mr. Jacob has decided to catch pneumonia right before Thanksgiving this year.  I don’t know what it is about him & holidays – he always seems to get sick on holidays – booo!

I need to readjust my mind set & come back to positive thinking!  Thanksgiving is 1 day away & I have so much to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving is an act of giving thanks; it is an expression of gratitude, especially to God.

I have been thinking back over the last 10 years and what a whirlwind it has been.  10 years ago today on Thanksgiving Day Bruce asked me to marry him.  We were living in Phoenix at the time & he invited my parents down for a surprise visit.  At Thanksgiving dinner, right as I was digging into the mashed potatoes, he asked, “Erin, will you marry me?”  My response, “Are you serious? Of course, I will marry you!”

I love this guy to pieces.  We are both strong willed and butt heads often but I sure do adore the guy!!!

Here we are today, living in Iowa with our family close by & raising 3 adorable children. I am thankful for my husband, my parents & in-laws, having a home full of laughter, supportive friends & family, my faith, & the list goes on.

I am especially thankful for all of my children – Hayden, JD & Jacob.  When we received the birth diagnosis that Jacob has Down syndrome our world had been rocked with emotions.  At the time of the birth diagnosis I didn’t realize what an amazing blessing God had delivered to us.  Each child is a blessing, Jacob happen to come with an Extra Chromosome Full of Love.  Jacob has a pure & beautiful soul with a smile that shines bright.  He teaches us valuable life lessons such as patients, acceptance of others, to be strong, to stop and smell the roses, & to appreciate the simple things in life.

It is beautiful to see the connection between Hayden, JD & Jacob.  Little do they know every day they are practicing inclusion, this makes me so proud.  Thanksgiving is about being thankful, helping others & inviting others to celebrate with you (just as the Pilgrims included the Native Americans) In other words Thanksgiving is about inclusion.  Inclusion is where everyone belongs & abilities are celebrated.  i am so thankful for our support system (family, friends, daycare, future school, church, etc)  the people part of our support system have opened their hearts to Jacob, included him and I am so thankful for that  – I am optimistic about the future 🙂

Have a blessed thanksgiving.