I realize this post is too late for our Canadian version and too early for the American turkey, but every day of the year is Thanksgiving for me. I could write a Really Big Thank You Post each time I roll out of bed in the morning. Every time I buy another stack of thank you cards at Target, I am reminded of how truly blessed we are.

Just in case I haven’t done a good enough job thanking these people in person, here is a small shout out to those I couldn’t survive without.

Brandon’s mom: She tirelessly helped me with Creighton during his early (very fussy!) weeks. There was no social smile at that time. Nothing to tell us we were doing a good job or even the right things. I’m sure she was just as exhausted as I was, but — without complaint — she joyfully changed every single diaper (even the ones in the middle of the night) and relentlessly worked to keep her new grandson happy. She is going to make an amazing Nana. Creighton has no idea how lucky he is!

Thank you, Kim, for traveling 700+ miles (each way!) to share that early burden with me. I couldn’t have survived without you.

My mom: She just left yesterday and I already miss her. Her visit from 1,300+ miles away included 2 matinees and 1 Husker football game for Brandon and I. What a treat!

Thank you, mom, for your never-ending belief in me and my abilities. Even when I doubt myself.

Brandon’s dad: He came with Kim shortly after Creighton was born and (just as I predicted) searched our house high and low for things to fix. The lawn was mowed. The dog was walked. The errands were run. The grandson was spoiled. I can’t wait for Creighton to play with his PawPaw at Christmas.

Thank you, Howard, for so thoroughly accepting me into your family and putting up with my liberal Canadian tendencies. Your occasional phone calls out of the blue mean a lot to me.

My dad: His visit (with my step-mom) is still pending, but his support has no end. There may not be another person on this earth that makes me feel as special as my dad does when he tells me he’s proud of me.

Thank you, dad, for raising me with liberal Canadian tendencies and helping me to see that my best is more than good enough.

Tammy: She is the wife of a fellow MUA student and stay-at-home hero of adorable twins. She has also oh-so-graciously offered to watch Creighton later this month when I go back to work. As our house guests over the last month commented on all of the gorgeous baby things we have, I was re-reminded (over and over again) of Tammy’s generosity. Our house is filled to overflowing with beautiful baby furniture and toys thanks to the twins.

Thank you, Tammy, for sharing your good fortune and good nature with us. I know your generosity will be repaid countless times over in your life.

Zlata: Another MUA wife and stay-at-home hero, she has offered to help watch Creighton in January while we wait out the daycare waitlist. She is a beautiful person and I hear they call her “the baby whisperer”.

Thank you, Zlata, for being a friend we can trust and count on in a city where we have no family and very few friends.

Aunt Nancy: First off, she made the awesome thank you cards pictured in this post! Thank you for the thank yous! For a couple of weeks after Creighton was born, it seemed there was a package on our step from her every other day. From engraved heirloom spoons and sippy cups to homemade diaper changing bags to restored mementos from when Brandon was a baby, Kim’s sister has done a great job welcoming our new baby into the world. She also snips and sends us diaper coupons regularly.

Thank you for thinking of us, Aunt Nancy. The mail you send means a lot to Brandon and I.

Linde: Linde helped organize a surprise baby shower for me while I was pregnant and was the very first(!) babysitter for Creighton. It was Brandon’s birthday. Maddy had recently passed. And our new little guy was only 5 weeks old. Linde encouraged me to leave him with her and take some time with Brandon, just the two of us. It was a quick dinner out at Cheesecake Factory, but the restorative powers were extraordinary.

Thank you, Linde, for being a friend during my time of sorrow and my time of need. I can only hope to return the favour someday.

Brandon: I really try to thank this special person every single day of our lives together. He has done such an amazing job of taking care of us financially and I feel truly blessed to be married to a man with such a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility. This is a guy that doesn’t call in sick. He always gives 110%. He tells me I look beautiful even after I’ve been up all night with Creighton. He loves me. He adores his son. He is our Superman.

Thank you, Brandon, for paying all of our bills on time and being around when your family needs you most. Thank you for being an incredible role model for your son. And thank you for quitting your job in December so we can spend time with family in Nebraska over Christmas!

Of course there are more of you out there… I am thankful for the thoughtful emails and comments I get from each and every one of you. I am thankful for the kindness of random strangers that happens to touch my day. I am thankful for our fridge full of food and the roof over our head.

But mostly I am thankful for the opportunity to pass along my good fortune to someone else that needs it.