Counting Blessings!

I'm taking this Mother's Day to count my blessings.

This past March on Carson's birthday, my mom became an official Breast Cancer survivor....WOW...5 years have passed so quickly. I'm so thankful that she caught it so early and that she is a survivor. I can't even begin to imagine her not being here today to be a part of our lives. My boys love her so much and she does so much for all of us and everyone around her. She gives herself so unselfishly and never expects anything in return. She is patient, kind and loving and brings such joy to the lives that she touches. I couldn't ask for a better mom. She is always picking up things here and there, pajamas, jeans, a trampoline (just a little something, haha,) a rope swing, weighted belts, etc.....basically anything that can help our little Carson get better. She reads books about Autism and is so involved in helping our little boy get better. This is one of things that I love most about her. She inherited so many of my Grandma Bolone's qualities. For those of you who know me well know how much I loved my Grandma. She was the closest thing to an angel walking the Earth. I can't believe she's been gone almost 10 years. I wish so much that she was here so that my boys had a chance to get to know her. I miss her everyday but still feel her presence so strongly in my life.

I'm also thankful for my mother-in-law. She loves our boys so much and they love her too. She is a very involved Nonna and we are blessed to have her in our lives. She too, is constantly picking up little gifts for the boys and they always love their "surprises!" She is also very involved in getting Carson better, whether it is learning what he does at therapy so that she can help reinforce it or as simple as reading a book or watching a special to learn more about what is going on. In my mind, this type of stuff is just normal but that is because both Emily and I have been blessed with type of stuff our whole life. I'm not clueless to the fact this, in fact, is not "the norm." Neither of our moms are ordinary; they are extraordinary.

Beyond our own mothers, we are so blessed with all of the other special mothers in our lives. Both of our sisters are great examples of what mothers should be. They too, love our boys unconditionally. Our boys are blessed to have each of them as one of their godmothers. My godmother, Aunt Carol is also a special blessing to us. Her heart is so full of love. She too gives of herself unselfishly. She loves our boys so much and they love her too! She is always picking up special food for Carson and it is so thoughtful. Carson has been asking everyday that it is sunny out to go swimming at Aunt Carol's. He doesn't get that it is not warm enough just yet. My Aunt Denise helps us out a lot too...just watching the boys once in a while for Em to run an errand or two. It's a great help! We are also blessed with a tremendous amount of support from some great moms in Em's family....Aunt Cindy, Aunt Donna, and Aunt Mary...just to name a few. All of Emily's aunts and cousins are great moms and a great support system for us.

The boys also love their Grandma Linda and Great Grandma Ellie in Florida. We don't see them as often as we'd like but the boys love their time with them when they get it.

I've mentioned a lot of great moms today but one in particular that I want to acknowledge today is my beautiful wife Emily. She amazes everyday with her patience for our boys (and me sometimes.) She is one of the hardest working women I know. Although she no longer works out of the home, her new full time job is much harder than anyone can imagine. Her day starts at the crack of dawn, usually not after a night of restful sleep (remember we have Carson) and goes until bedtime. She is constantly running the boys to doctor appointments and therapies and to top it off is now dealing with a new little baby growing in her belly making her nauseous daily. She is a real trooper. She always remains positive and happy and I respect her so much for that because I know the pain that she feels deep down and the stress and worry that she has about getting our little man better. Our family would not be able to function without her. She is a true blessing to everyone that knows her. I often wonder how I got so lucky. My boys have the best mom! We are so blessed and I love her more that words can say!

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Love - Jay