A Small Thanksgiving

Audrey got sick.  Really sick.  We'd planned to go to Jenny's for Thanksgiving but after Audrey came down with a fever and horrendous cough we decided not to spread it around.  For the first time in my married life we had Thanksgiving alone. It was a little too quiet. We watched the Thanksgiving Day parade on TV while we cooked and Audrey played with her toys in the living room.  I made 8 pies which turned out to be a mistake because by the end of the week everyone was sick and I was trying desperately to make it through them on my own. They were delicious but it didn't happen.  I may not have a taste for pie for a little while.  

Thanksgiving evening we revisited leftovers and then we put Audrey down for bed early.  After she went to bed we had Paul's parents and his brother's family over for pie.  It was nice to have a little bit of Thanksgiving with family.  I felt bad that Audrey missed it.  My favorite part of Thanksgiving at my parents house was being able to eat as many pieces of pie as I wanted in the evening and then again for breakfast.  The pie lasted a little too long this time.  Maybe next year we'll only do 4 or 5.  

All in all it was simple.  Paul and I were talking when the day was coming to an end and we decided that despite the lack of people it was sweet to have our little family together celebrating Thanksgiving alone for the very first time.  

I'm so grateful for so many things this year.  I'm grateful for our new home.  I feel so blessed to be here and every time I walk in the door I have to pause and ask myself, "Is this really our home?"  It's been 8 years and this home feels more like home than any of the rest.  

I'm grateful that I have such a sweet little 4 year old girl.  She tells me a million times a day that she loves me and I have to thank my Heavenly Father every night that she is mine.  I'm grateful that I have such an amazing husband who is always there for me and who knows me so well and makes me want to be a better person everyday.  He makes me so happy. He is the best Daddy and the best husband anyone could ask for. I'm grateful that I have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.  I'm grateful for the knowledge that he lives and that he loves me.  Everyday I try to be more like him.  I fail a lot, but I'm grateful that he is there to pick me up when I fall.  I'm grateful for the hope that adoption has given me.  I'm grateful that we have the ability to pursue it.  I'm grateful for so many other things: health, life, family, food, water, clothes, cars, and the list goes on.  I am so blessed.  

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving as much as I did.  Bring on Christmas.

 Poor Audrey was so sick.

 Paul was my right hand man.  I've never been so impressed by the cleanliness of a kitchen.  Especially on Thanksgiving.  He's amazing!