Thankful for the Firsts

Last year I celebrated Thanksgiving with almost my whole extended family. We gathered around shrimp dip, a turkey fryer, green bean casserole and football games on T.V. and stuffed ourselves. When we thought we couldn’t possibly eat any more, we traded in the buttoned pants for comfortable sweats and picked up where we left off. Two days later, all the women in my family decorated the house, prepared more yummy food and celebrated that we were all going to be meeting Addisyn Faith in about a month. I remember thinking that being blessed with my fist child and having family and friends there to celebrate was the epitome of Thanksgiving. I didn’t think it could get any better…but it did.


This year our family has so much more to be thankful for. Steve and I have enjoyed more blessings in the past ten and a half months than in both of our lives combined. This is because even an ounce of love radiating from our little girl is enough to fill our hearts for a lifetime. It’s that powerful and has motivated us to love inspirationally and wholeheartedly. During a holiday season of gift giving, reaching out to others, and visiting with family and loved ones, I think of all the children who are not able to experience love from their family. Just the thought of this makes me hold my angel a little closer and hug her a little tighter because I know the greatest gift Addisyn will ever receive in life is the love from her family. That is why this Thanksgiving was beyond special for us. Addisyn experienced incredible love from a family she had never met. After ten and a half months, she was finally able to meet the rest of the members of her California family (Nana has flown out to Delaware to see her twice already) consisting of: Aunt Kasie, Uncle Matt, cousins Treydan and Matty, Uncle Robbie, and Pape for the first time. And so, this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all the “firsts” in her life.



Like her first family trip to California and her first time on an airplane

and her first Thanksgiving

I could kiss these cheeks all day!!!

and the first time she played with her cousins Treydan and Matty

and the first time she was able to meet the whole California family that love her so very much

and her first time wearing camouflage

and the first time she saw some live farm animals

And some other firsts that we get to share with you this week:

Addisyn’s first sign that she has learned is the word “MORE”

Addisyn’s first kiss given to her dad on Sunday morning

My first give away:
I am thrilled to be able to start doing give aways on my blog. As most of you know I am a bit obsessed with crochet hats and hairbands. Shauna is the owner of Bouquet Beanies and she is offering one lucky commenter the beanie hat below. She can make it for newborns up to adult sizes. Comment on my post below between now and Thursday at 6pm Eastern time and your name will be entered into the give away. The winner will be announced on Thursday at the end of Steve's blog post.  For more information on the item and Bouquet Beanies, click here

With Love,

Stacy Hart