So grown up

At just before 9:20 pm this day last year, my life changed forever. Little Caden Bradley (soon to be forever coined "Nugget") was born. How that year has flown by. He's faced so many challenges and accomplished so much despite that. He's touched lives of people who only see him once - they see his smile and like a shopper in Wal-Mart told me last month, "That just speaks to a total inner joy." How true she was. Caden's been such a blessing. We've had so much fun with him this year, and he's blessed us in so many ways. I've learned so much about adaptation and perseverance from him. He will always be our happy boy. Happy Birthday, Nugget, Mom and Dad love you so much.

Thanksgiving Day luvins

I know this comes a little after the fact, but here it is. I've never had more to be grateful for than I was this past Thanksgiving. I'm grateful that my Heavenly Father trusted me enough to send me my Nugget and his special needs. I'm grateful I have such a fantastic family and husband to support him. And I'm grateful that Caden's personality is the way it is - for all he's needed done, for all he will still need to be put through, I can say without hesitation that he is a child of pure joy. I hear his laugh, and the feeling I get is what I envision it must feel like to see God smile.
This Thanksgiving, he decided to spread his love with my sister, his Aunt Leicha. She was lying on the floor in a turkey-coma and he waddled over to share his blankie. Every time she'd snug up to it, he'd go "awwww" and snug right down next to her:

Lettin her give him some cuddles:

And him giving snuggles back:

The boy entertained the whole family for a good 30 minutes that night. I have a feeling he'll be doing that his entire life.