Out with the old, in with the new

I'm not sure I am as excited about the new year as I am about the end of THIS one! I can honestly say it has been the hardest year of my life, although I have a lot to be thankful for. I am most thankful that Riley is alive and laying here beside me in the bed right now (it takes a little while for him to get awake). I am thankful for the rest of our family, who have all been so supportive throughout this year, spending countless hours and vacation days traveling to and from Duke to help us out and give Riley a new face to look at! He is certainly tired of ours! I am thankful for all of our friends, who are really more like our family. We have truly been blessed to be surrounded by some of the best people that love us and treat us like family. And I am thankful for all of the people we don't even know who have taken such an interest in our lives and our little boy. We couldn't have made it through 2009 without all of the prayers and financial support of so many people who gave so willingly. It is truly the only way I would have been able to stay by Riley's side day in and day out as I have for the last nine months.

Now, we enter a new era of this journey. A New Year, a new nanny and a new routine for mom and Riley. I go back to work on Monday, and I am VERY thankful to still have a job to go to. Both my company and Joel's have been so generous to allow us to do the things we needed to do for Riley. I don't know what to expect, but I hope this will be a good change for Riley. He has become very sedentary, content to sit or lay all the time, and this is not good. It is harder and harder to make him happy, and I wonder what goes through his mind. Is he wondering why this has happened to him. as I do? Is he wondering why he can't do all the things he use to, as I do? Is he angry about all that has happened in the past year, as I have finally been able to admit I am? Please continue to pray for our family in the New Year - pray for Riley's continued improvement both physically and mentally, pray for our peace in understanding all that has transpired this past year, or if not completely understanding, at least accepting and moving forward with God's guidance. And God bless everyone in the New Year.