I started this blog so that our far flung friends and family could keep up with the Shoups. Prior to KIC's entrance into the world, it was only a minor inconvenience to have friends and family so far away. That's what phone calls and trips were for. Plus, Brent and I are so fiercely independent, it was not natural to us to acknowledge needing help of any kind.
As K grew older, we moved more towards parenting and socializing with friends, and even with each other, was put on the back burner. We were both enthralled (and still are) with our baby girl and didn't really want to be apart from her. Our first date after KIC was a rushed Thai dinner with an even faster drive home. I think we were gone all of 45 minutes, a fact my friend laughs about to this day.
As KIC grows older, so too does our support system. Our friends and family are still far flung, but we have gradually added other houses to our village. This post is to recognize all those wonderful people in our lives, and to hopefully inspire adding your house to someone s village. Often, the people that need support the most are the ones who never say a word.
To our wonderful parents: Thank you for every offer of help, every trip to visit and every thoughtful gift. We know KIC means a lot to you and know that you mean a lot to her. We are grateful to have you in our lives.
To great aunts and uncles: Thank you for your love and support and the efforts you make to establish a relationship with KIC.She loves many of you as much as she loves her grandparents, which says a lot.
To the aunt and uncle who are so thoughtful: Thank you for your continued love and support to KIC. I know that as she grows older, she will appreciate knowing how much you love her.
To the godmother that nobody could replace: From the gender phone call to the blizzard the day of her birthday to countless baby bath nights, few could love her more, and for that there are simply no words.
For the friends who have (and continue to) invite us for playdates and provide coverage when we need it most: Thank you. We, and KIC are lucky to have you, and we look forward to watching our kids grow together.
To the teachers who can, and do, read this:Thank you for instilling core values, inspiring a love of learning and for putting up with shenanigans.
To the friends who travel this parenting road with their own KICs and become a source of comfort and counsel: Thank you for understanding nobody's kid is as bad/good/cute/infuriating as mine and knowing when to provide counsel and when to simply listen.
To the many many people who have offered their own time for KIC to experience first horse rides, first rescue road trips and firsthand looks at veterinary science, thank you. Every experience has made an indelible impression on her.
To the slightly insane (you kind of have to be) person who assimilated into the Shoup house recently: Thank you for becoming part of our village. We have each benefitted so much from your presence, KIC most of all. Know that no matter how long you are with us, we appreciate you. Just don't leave tomorrow, K??
Finally, for everyone who has said how great my kid is, or how much they enjoy her, or who has asked to hang out with me as a poorly disguised ploy to see KIC...for anyone who can read this, thank you for being a vital part of our village. Except those who remind me how much KIC looks like Brent. You get kicked to the curb. ;)
In short, thank you. No matter how long you are with us, or how far apart we are, we feel the love and can't say enough how much it means to us. And we like to think KIC has turned out pretty well, because of it.
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