Friday, November 25, 2011

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving!

It's so hard for me to believe that 2011 is nearing its close. Thanksgiving is the official beginning of the holiday season, and before we know it, we'll be celebrating New Year 2012.

Our holiday started on Wednesday afternoon. We gathered all of our stuff, ourselves, and the dog in the car to head up to Mom and Dad's log home in the woods. The highlight of the drive up was definitely the BP potty stop, where Joshua saw 2 dead deer on top of a van. He wanted to pet them, but we decided to look instead. Then of course, we had to have a long conversation about why they were there and what would happen to them. He's looking forward to hunting with Grandpa Mike someday.

We got to New Lisbon in time for dinner, and Dad made his homemade reubens to celebrate, because it was also Mom's birthday. Josh got to watch some Dora and then went to bed. The rest of us stayed up for a while, but no one was up super late. Josh ended up spending a few hours in the big bed with mom because he was having trouble sleeping in his closet.

Thursday morning we enjoyed cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade while Josh played and the food was prepared. Josh also watched a Christmas episode of Curious George before the Packer Game started.

We shared dinner this year with my parents, my brother Paul, my Aunt Judy, my Grammie, and family friend Louise. It was a little bittersweet, as it was the first holiday without Grampie. We are very thankful that he is in heaven with Jesus and that we will see him again.

Josh took a bite of the turkey leg (tradition since his first Thanksgiving) and we enjoyed a wonderful meal - turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, various breads, cranberries, and deviled eggs.

After some nap time in the afternoon for most of us (not Josh of course!) we took a nice walk on a beautiful afternoon, and headed back for dessert. Josh decided to take his nap in the car on the way home instead.

We're home now, the little one is snuggled in his bed. I am so thankful for my life - trials, triumphs, tragedies, and tears all work together to refine and purify me. I am thankful for the Spirit of God living in me, which enables me to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient(!), kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. I am NOT those things naturally, but with His help, I strive for them.

Our weekend is by no means over. On Saturday morning, we'll be heading up to Chris's parents' house to celebrate with them. We're looking forward to seeing everyone, and Joshua will love having his cousin there to play with.