There is so much to be thankful for – family, friends, good health, prosperity but it’s easy for me to pick what I’m  most thankful for today.  Today is my twin sons 20th Birthday – on Thanksgiving this year!

20 years today I gave birth to twin nuggets who’s combined weight was a little over 5 lbs.  After 5 weeks of bed rest in the hospital they arrived 9 weeks early and spent the next two and a half months in the NICU under the care of the most wonderful nurses and doctors on the planet.  It was an incredibly stressful time where everyday brought new challenges and fears.  At at the end of their extended stay they came home where they grew, thrived, and secured a forever place in my heart.   I won’t kid you, having twin premature babies was a huge challenge but once they were home I never looked back (who had time?).   I can’t imagine life without these two.    They have been the greatest joy of my life and when they arrived I admit my world shifted and was never be the same.  My needs didn’t come first and I was happy to sacrifice everything for them.   Someone once told me that being a parent meant that you will experience the highest of the highs but you will also experience the lowest of the lows.  I hate to brag but I’ve experienced a lot more highs with these two boys than lows and for that I’m very thankful.

My husband and I have been blessed with two of the most loving and sweet boys any parent could hope for.  They are smart, fun, and hysterically funny.  Jack and Jared are fraternal twins and are different in almost every way.  It was like we got two for one – just brothers born at the same time really.  Different looks (a redhead and a brunette, green eyes vs blue,  and major personality differences and interests).  They have brought joy and laughter and amazement.  They overcame every fear the doctors had for them for being so premature.  God has been so good to us.  These two are our miracle babies for sure and I seriously can’t wrap my head around the fact that they aren’t teenagers anymore – they are 20 YEARS OLD!!  I’m not even sure what that will look like and if it changes anything.  I guess they’re like baby adults now – not 21 and not quite legal.

I am so proud of these two and that they are being pursuing their dreams in college.  They still come home for the holidays and they still call occasionally and ask me questions so I think they’re not quite grown (but I seriously think that goes on long after their adults – I still call my mother and ask questions!).  So Happy 20th Birthday Jack and Jared!   I love you both to the moon and back!

What are you thankful for the most this year?