Here's to You

They say it's better to give than to receive.

I say it's not only better, it's easier too.

Lately we have been on the receiving end of much generosity from family and friends.

First Lucy was born. Adding a new member to your family is always life-altering.

Then we made the big decision to sell our house and buy a new one.

And now, of course, we have learned of the unexpected surgery our little Lucy will have to have in the much-too-near future.

It's always a bit uncomfortable to accept help. Even more so if you need to ask for it. And it's especially hard right now because I'm not sure when I will be able to return the favor.

Never in my life have events snowballed so quickly and so close together as they have now. I'm hoping after Lucy's surgery our family can resume it's usual pace and start giving back to all those who have given so much to us.

Right now I don't have a lot to offer. But I do have this blog. So I'm just going to take a minute to send some shoutouts.

To Grandma...
for babysitting, for chopping trees down, for cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, for books for William, for clothes and jammies for both kids, for garage hand-me-downs, for dinners out, for drives down, for a listening ear.

(All this and I STILL didn't find the time to go out and pick up her birthday present. But hopefully she receives her little treat in the mail this week.)

To Nana...
for babysitting, for lamps, for jammies for William, for clothes for Lucy (what is it with grandparents and jammies and clothes?!), for drives over, for concerned phone calls, for fresh-baked bread.

To George...
for tree-trimming, tree-trimming, tree-trimming. I know you love it but it's still time out of your weekend.

To Aunt Jackie & Uncle Reid...
for moving, for unpacking, for setting up beds, for borrowing yard tools, for babysitting, for food, for concerned calls.

To Uncle JoeJoe...
for babysitting, for changing poopy diapers, for building block garages with William, for college football trivia, for moving us out and moving us in. You're the hardest worker I know once you put your mind to it. Don't ever forget that as you navigate through life.

To Amy...
for being a last-minute Wonder Woman babysitter, for her listening ear, for her unconditional, everlasting friendship.

To Karen & Jeanine...
for get-well gifts for Lucy. Totally unnecessary, completely creative and 100% appreciated.

To Kati, Kali, Maria, Dona, Jill, Uncle Timmy, Aunt Becky, Uncle Mike, Aunt Sara, Uncle Kevin and Aunt Nicky...

for offers of dinner, cleaning and babysitting, for prayers and support.

To William...
for being such a kind and gentle big brother, for sudden hugs and unexpected "I love you's", for finally, FINALLY being potty-trained.

To Brian...
for his undying devotion to this tiny little church we've created. I still worship the ground you walk on even when it seems like I don't.

And finally, for everything and everyone in my heart that I've forgotten to type here. Sometimes when we make these types of lists it's the most glaring, obvious deed that gets forgotten. I hope that hasn't happened here but if it has, please accept my apologies.