I think I say it every year, but it’s hard to believe another year has come and gone. 2012 definitely goes down as the most tumultuous year of my life. Not a day went by that I didn’t cry either tears of despair and sorrow or tears of outright joy.
I am so thankful to be in the place we are in right now and so thankful for each and every one of you who interceded on our behalf. I’m so thankful for my husband who has been my steady rock throughout all of this, my knight in shining armor who rides in to rescue me from what ever pit I happen to fall into. His infallible sense of humor liberates me from the mundanest of days, cheers me on the saddest of days. I’m thankful for my parents and my siblings and my friends who dropped everything and came running the day we got the terrifying amnio results. You’ve all been at my beck and call when ever I’ve needed you. I wonder how I got so lucky? I’m thankful for my sweet big kids who mean the world to me. I’m thankful for the amazing group of women in my Bible study, friends from our small group(s) and beyond who prayed us through all of those early days of uncertainty. You are the backbone of the thousands of prayer warriors who have fallen in love with Nora and prayed her here to this day. I’m thankful for Dr. S. who never encouraged us to terminate my pregnancy and never made us feel ridiculous for choosing to take a huge leap of faith. If we were willing to entertain the idea that God just might have better plans – then so was he!! I’m thankful for all of the individuals who were willing to talk with William and I about their own often painful but BEAUTIFUL experiences as the parents of a baby with trisomy 18. Suddenly we didn’t feel so alone even if the road ahead was dark and uncertain. They lit the way for us and gave us the courage to put one foot in front of the other into the unknown. I’m so thankful for all of the people who brought us meals, watched our kids, cleaned our house, sent us notes of encouragement, and reminded us that they were praying! Many of you were complete strangers, stepping out of your comfort zone to allow God to minister to us through you. I’m so thankful for my sister Emily’s high school friend Melanie who graciously stepped forward to offer her services to document Nora’s birth in photography. Never has there been a more beautiful story told through photographs, as is evidenced by the huge following I gained on this blog through her incredible talent. I’m so thankful for my labor and delivery nurses, specifically Amy, and Kate C. and also Ginger who have become dear friends through all of this – and Kate R. who has become an even dearer friend. The countless nights they came to stay with Nora, even enlisting their friends and others to give us the luxury of SLEEP! You have no idea what a blessing that has been! I’m so thankful for the compassion and love shown to Nora by the second pediatrician, Dr. R. who went out of his way to come and assess her after she was born — as a BABY not as trisomy 18. I’m so thankful for our pediatrician Dr. B. who has made himself ever available to us, treating us as if though we were close family. I’m so thankful for our team of specialists, therapists, and palliative care group who ensure that we are doing all we can for Nora. I’m so thankful for all of the amazing friends I have met along this journey that I otherwise would not have known, and all of the old friends who are more valuable than gold. Most importantly I am thankful that God chose us to be Nora’s parents. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who dwells within me, giving me supernatural strength and power to do things and see things in ways I could NEVER EVER do on my own.
I received a Year in Review from WordPress who host this blog. This is a cherished summary of how you have interacted with Nora’s story over this past year. I am incredibly thankful for each and every one of you who follow along with us on our journey, for your prayers and your encouragement. You mean SO much to us! Here’s to an awesome 2013 and many, many more! Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check out the Year in Review from WordPress!
Here’s an excerpt:
About 55,000 tourists visit Liechtenstein every year. This blog was viewed about 1,400,000 times in 2012. If it were Liechtenstein, it would take about 25 years for that many people to see it. Your blog had more visits than a small country in Europe!
iwillcarryyou 
As I read this, something became crystal clear to me… and I know you realize this as evidenced by your words. Because of your unfailing trust in God, he has sent armies of people to help you. God always promises that if we trust Him, He will provide… in everything. This is alarmingly evident by this post. In doesn’t matter that you have days where you are struggling to understand the “whys” of your journey. You never stop trusting, leaning on and relying on God to pick you up. And He NEVER fails to provide what you need and ask for.
The world owes you a THANK YOU as well. The number of comments that I read of people who are having a bad day, or struggling with something and then log on to your blog only to be lifted out of whatever burdens them at the moment is nothing short of astounding! How many people have looked at their children and families differently because of you? Countless. I am one of them. This has been a year that I have finally moved from “I need to start….”, to actually DOING it (as evidenced by a two month FB sabbatical). Meeting Nora and getting to care for her has been an enormous faith builder for me. As have the conversations we occasionally engage in when I am there. While you see it as me helping you, I, in turn, see it as the complete opposite.
What you have done for people’s faith is perhaps the greatest gift that you could give back to God for the countless things He blesses you with. Everything comes full circle.
Here’s to another incredible year with the most loved baby on the planet. Happy New Year, Yuskos!
What a great blog! I saw Dr. R’s wife in the grocery a few weeks ago and told her about your blog and story – and your comments about him when he came to meet Nora. Love the blog report in review….. will contine praying for all of you.
Happy 2013 to you all! God Bress and as always, in our prayers!
š happy new year! Maybe I’ll see you at Sarah’s birth?:-D
Word Press is awesome! How fun to get a year end summary of the activity and all the people you’ve reached. May God continue to shower you with the grace for your journey!
Isaiah 14:24: The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand,
Your path has been planned before the foundations of the worlds.
Peace be with you
Stacy
What a great way to start the new year. Reading your blog is always so uplifting. The world is a better place with Dr. R He is amazing to work with! I only wish he was in our unit more!
Thank you for sharing your journey. I am amazed at your strength and grace during this last year, and am so grateful for all the support you are receiving. God bless the doctors and all the support people you have in your life. I look forward every single day to reading here and seeing how wee Nora has grown so strong and big! Bless you all, Yusko family. Big hugs from me in Canada with wishes for a healthy happy 2013. samm
We missed your funny Christmas card this year and had no idea what you have been going through. Thank you for responding to our card and sharing your journey with Nora with us. She surely is God’s littlest angel and has been lovingly welcomed into a very special family. We will keep all of you in our prayers. Happy New Year from Bethlehem!! With love, Maryann and Pat St. John.
Happy New Year! I look so forward to my daily dose of Nora. She brings me peace on very stressful days. May she continue to be the blessing that she is to you and all of us in 2013.
thank YOU for sharing this journey with us! love love, silvy
HAPPY NEW YEAR… that’s all I can say!! ā¤
I check your blog everyday to not only get my “fix” of little miss but to get your beautiful insight to this world that doesn’t always makes sense. But through you I know that trusting God can give us strength we never knew was possible, and I THANK YOU for being such an inspiration with your gift of writing so candidly and from the heart. May you and your family continue to be blessed!
THIS IS ONE FANTASTIC BLOG. LOVE HOW YOU WENT THROUGH 212. PRAISE GOD FOR BEAUTIFUL LITTLE NORA ROSE. SHE IS LOVED BY SO MANY WHO HAS NOT EVEN MET HER. I AM NOT GIVING UP HOPE THAT I WILL GET TO. LOVE THE NEW YEAR PICTURES. WHAT A BLESSING YOUR FAMILY HAS BEEN THROUGH 2012. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ALL THROUGH THIS NEW YEAR AND MANY MORE TO COME. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MANY BLESSINGS. BETTER GO TO THE NEXT MESSAGE.