Full

Two years ago, we spent Thanksgiving in Tennessee with Brian's family.  The week prior had been a mad scramble to put together a nursery room, gather baby items, and mentally prepare ourselves for our first foster placement. 

Though we spent a wonderful Thanksgiving week with family, our minds were on a two-week old baby boy that would be placed in our arms the very next day.  He had lived two weeks without us, and we didn't want to lose another day.  

The four hour drive home was spent talking about schedules, feedings, future possibilities, and the unknowns that go along with a foster placement. 

Our lives were about to change forever.  And we couldn't wait. 

Last Thanksgiving, that baby boy, now a one-year old, flew with us to visit my family in New Jersey.  TD joined us as well for his first ever airplane flight.  

We had become a family of five, but one member had not yet been placed in our arms.  Tyson had legally been our son for a month, but we were still waiting on a few more pieces of paperwork before we could travel. 

Though we spent a wonderful Thanksgiving week with family, our minds were on a Congolese baby boy a thousand miles away. He had lived four months without us, and we didn't want to lose another day. 

This Thanksgiving, we are back in Tennessee, as a family a five.  No more waiting, no more wondering when we will hold a little one in our arms. 

It has been loud, chaotic, and utterly exhausting.  This week has also been amazing. There are giggles and sounds of little feet running through the house.  There are snuggles, and kisses, and little ones calling "mama" from another room.

This Thanksgiving, our arms and our hearts are full.  We are thankful.