Happy Thanksgiving!



For the second time in our eight years of marriage, we ate Thanksgiving dinner WITH FAMILY!  Aunt Cindy, Uncle Rick, Jeremy and Tucker decided to spend this special week in Hilton Head, SC.  The farm's loss is our gain!  Now that we have children, it is becoming even more special and desirable to be near family on the holidays.  Since we travel to PA for Christmas, we stay put for this holiday.  The one time that worked out for us was the year we actually lived in PA.  We certainly make the best of it, as most military families do.  But I realized this year, just how special it is to be near family.  Who loves your children as much as you do?  Who, other than your spouse, can hug you and make you feel so special?  Whose presence lets you know 'you belong to me and I to you'?  Family.  I miss out on this experience most of the year and am therefore, more excited than words can say to have these special visitors.  And Aunt Cindy just may be the best at meeting these particular needs.  She hugs long, helps without asking, gives graciously, smiles in adoration, cries for your losses, listens without judgement, and beams at your accomplishments.  Can I just say I'VE BEEN NEEDING THIS!  I guess it's pure and simple nurturing.  Something I give every day, all day.  And today, it's for ME.  And even more for my family, which makes me happy, too.  My children get to be spoiled in a way that someone who hasn't seen them in months wants to do.  It occured to me today that my girls are missing out on that.  A weekly trip to grandmas or aunts who are so anxious just to read a book to them or work on a craft when mommy has grown a little weary of meeting every need and desire. 

So our three-part Thanksgiving break included a day at the beach, a trip to the children's museum, Thanksgiving dinner and shopping (golf for the men)! 

Menu included cheesy corn dip, pita chips and hummus, cheese and crackers, turkey, cranberry sauce, hashbrown casserole, baked corn, pineapple stuffing, turkey stuffing, roasted carrots, pumkin gnochi in pumpkin sauce (World Market), rolls, wine, mimosas, seasonal beer, pumpkin pie and warm apple crisp with ice cream.  I was happy to have a crew to cook for.  I highly doubt I would have cooked this much for Barrett and the girls.  I was glad for the opportunity to try out some new recipes and offer my love through the bellies of my family.

MMM MMM

I am full.  Physically AND emotionally.  Today, I am thankful for my family of eight!