The Break

Well, Thanksgiving was not what I had hoped it to be.
I wanted a nice day (or two) for Lara.
Her first (and possibly only) Thanksgiving.
I was planning to take lots of pictures.
Make memories.
Good memories.

Things started out great.
Got up.
Enjoyed coffee with my hubby.
Watched the Macy's parade with the kiddos.
Facebooked and texted little messages to my extended family.
I was feeling good.
And blessed.

When Lara got up we said:
Happy Thanksgiving!
She looked at us like we were crazy.
She had never heard that phrase before.

Then, mid-morning.
I got sick.
Fine one minute.
Sick feeling the next.

An hour or so later.
Off went Ryan and the kids to his family's.
While I stayed home on the couch.
Calling my mommy.
(Who I had talked to on the phone earlier.
While I was feeling fine.)
Saying: I'm calling so you will feel sorry for me.

I'm pitiful.
I know.
But she came through.
Felt sorry for me.
Told my dad.
Who then felt sorry for me too.

By late Thursday night I was at least done
making frequent trips to the restroom.
Then more fun began.
12:00a.m. Ezzie.
2:30a.m. Ezzie.
3:30a.m. Ezzie.
4:30a.m. Jakie.
Good times.

Ryan and I were planning on Black Friday shopping.
A first for us.
That didn't happen.
We were disappointed.

But we were able to decorate Friday.
And Brookie managed to take a few pictures.

Ryan's mom bought this ornament for us.
It's still my favorite.
This year will be our 17th Christmas!Ezzie.My adorable girl.Looks just like her.She captured things beautifully.

I woke up Thursday morning.
Thinking about all my blessings.
Humming this:

Count your blessings.
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings,
see what God has done.
Count your blessings.
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings,
see what God has done.

Thanking God for each of my many, many blessings.
Those blessings didn't change.
Even though I got sick.
But maybe that was one of God's blessings, afterall.
On one of the highest calorie consumption days of the year,
I had zero.
Surely I saved a pound or two.
A blessing indeed.

Food, Family, Fun

Thanksgiving at my mom and dad's.
Saturday night.
My mom is a super cook.
Homemade butterhorn rolls.
Triple berry sauce.
Lemon meringue pie.
Key lime pie.
And much more.

My dad is nearly always involved
in the cooking of the meat.
We are a highly carnivorous family.
There was turkey.
And a pork loin that was grilled
with a fantastic homemade rub.
My dad makes the best mashed potatoes.
I have tried to duplicate.
And fail every time.
That pan brings back lots of yummy memories.
My nephew.
Being a pain.

My mom had cute projects for the kids.

And Ryan.

Brookelynn made the sails.

Ryan carved out the zucchini.

The Mayflower.

Project #2

Pilgrim hats.

Like any good aunt,

I told the kids about chubby bunny.

Levi decided to give it a try.

He made it to six marshmallows.

Before both of us nearly puked.
Oh, he's going to love this picture.

It was a great evening.

The three little boys disappeared after supper

and we hardly saw them all night.

The two older boys hung out with the adults.

And the two girls drove us crazy.

They are in that giggly, goofy stage.

We kept sending them downstairs.

They kept coming back.

With odd, made-up songs.

Wish I had pictures or video.

No.

I really don't.

It was painful.
Yet one more thing to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving

This beautiful centerpiece was delivered to our house today.
From some family friends from Michigan
who will be in Kansas to celebrate with us tomorrow.

So thankful for all the wonderful blessings
the Lord has given to me.
Most of all my family.
Hubby.
Kids.
Parents.
Brothers and Sisters.
Niece and nephews.
And friends.

Here's the first part of a little chorus that
has been running through my mind today:
Give thanks with a grateful heart.
Give thanks to the Holy One.
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.