How did I get so lucky?

That's what I want to know.  I mean look at my three lads - they're adorable if I do say so myself (and I say so . . . perhaps because they slept in this morning and gave me an extra few moments to think).

Back in my mid twenties I lived with my cousin in the woods in Northern Saskatchewan.  She's a teacher, and her husband was a Band Counsellor at the time - helping to build a health center at the Reserve.  They needed a nanny to look after their two little ones until the summer holidays.  I remember Sharon looking at Bethany and Daniel and a look of pure love and wonder would be on her face.  I knew I loved her kids, Bethany and Daniel were amazing little people, who have grown to be amazing young adults, but I didn't feel the depth of wonder that Sharon felt. 

I feel it now.  I look at the faces of my boys in this picture:  I glimpse a bit of the teenager that Liam will grow into.  I glimpse Aidan in his school years, with lots of love and support from his peers.  I see that Kieran is finding his way, and will continue to grow and become an exceptional young man - who might look back at this picture and wonder why he gave a goofy grin.  And I'll tell him that it was a stage he was going through.

And finally, I see James and me behind them every step of the way.

Thanks to my friend Nancy who gifted us with the amazing family portrait at our local Down syndrome society Christmas party.