I realized this morning that as I was reading some other blogs they each had a list of things they were thankful for. I know I am a little late, but I think this weekend really showed me I had a lot more to be thankful than I had ever realized. I won't list, but I just wanted to share some of the things that happened to make my Thanksgiving the most special (not sure if that's correct, it's not specialist, is it?) ever. Thursday I had Zach's family over for Thanksgiving. This would be my first Thanksgiving in our new home and my first to cook almost everything by myself (I'm growing up so quickly). We are very close to Zach's family and I just love having them around. Cindy, Zach's mom and I cooked while Zach's dad slept and Zach and his little sister, Cassie played Monopoly, and believe me it was hard getting Zach to help occasionally. When his mom is around, he depends on her to everything, so I think he figured she could help me. Oh well, I told him I was looking forward to cooking, so maybe he thought I didn't need any help. But I was successful. My Stuffin' Muffins didn't turn out quite like I wanted them too, but they went over very well. My Aunt Becky gave me this recipe, the base being my late grandmother's stuffing recipe (which is the best stuffing ever!) mixed with a Rachel Ray stuffing recipe. I couldn't get the middle to cook all the way, but it worked out and they tasted tremendous (if I do say so myself). I had fun, I made the stuffing and ham (the Evans' like ham, not turkey, so I had to sacrifice) while Zach's mom did the potatoes and the yams. There was plenty of pies, apple, pecan and pumpkin cheesecake. We were supposed to eat at 3 and didn't eat until 4:30. I guess next year I will start a little earlier and work on my stuffing, which took the most time. I enjoy the time we get to spend with them and are truly thankful that they have excepted me into their family. I love each of them and am lucky to have each of them in my life.
Friday was back to work for both Zach and I, and I had to work again Saturday. Then Zach and I went to look at dogs at the Humane Society. We have decided that we would like to get a dog for Christmas. I really enjoyed looking at each one of them. We really had fun and can't wait to get one. We decided that we might have to wait until after Christmas, though. I don't know, but we are going back today to look. So I will keep you posted. After the Humane Society, it was back to Scott City to pack for our Thanksgiving jouney to St. Louis to visit with family and friends. We try to get to St. Louis to visit at least once a month, and try and spread out and visit as many people as possible. On a day and half visit we have to decide who we're going to see and that's it. It's hard to get around to seeing everyone and if we go up there for more than a few days, we usually bite off more than we can chew. This weekend was a party with friends on Saturday and Sunday a visit with my mom and dad, a birthday celebration with Mom. Saturday my friend Mikey had a get-together at his home. This is not a rare occasion as Mikey loves to have people over and is one place you know you're always welcome. We saw people we hadn't seen in quite a while and I realize how much I miss home when we see them. We enjoyed some beer and some fun times, games and excitement. It's always a blast with my friends from LU. I don't think I have ever met people like Mikey, Michler, Hags, Colleen, Kyle and so many more anywhere else I have been. We have had some fun times and some drama, but I know anyone of them would be there for me in a heartbeat and for that I am also thankful.
Sunday would be the day when we would enjoy what we thought would be a short visit with my mom and (step)dad. In the past, my relationship with my mom and dad have been strained. My dad was not OK with Zach and me getting married and for that reason alone, my mom missed my wedding (different subject for another day and another blog). So time spent with my mom and dad had been very few and very far between. In recent months my parents have begun to make amends with me and we are slowly but surely getting back to where we were. Still unsure if we are welcome in their home, every visit is very shaky and awkward in some way. But this one was very different. If you know my mom, you know that her very most favorite thing is Christmas. Every year, the day after Thanksgiving was spent getting the house decorated and putting up Christmas lights. It was always so much fun. Sunday being her birthday, all she wanted to do was put up the Christmas lights and decorations. The house they live in nowadays is a lot bigger than the ones we grew up so this one called for a little bit more lights and decorations. Zach and I were what seemed like more than welcome yesterday. We were there all day, helped put up decorations, looked at old photo albums and even got a meal out of it. This was no ordinary visit and things are finally coming back together. I have been praying for this for over 2 years now and we are finally healing and this is more than I could have ever asked for. I realize now that I couldn't ever live without my family. I know we have had our differences but I am so very thankful for my mom, dad and my brothers.
I am also thankful for my husband. He is my rock and without him I would be lost in this very big world. He has been through a lot with me and I don't know what we would be without each other. I love seeing him happy and as he has had some differences with my dad and has really not been welcome around him. He finally is starting to get to know my family and is enjoying spending time with them. He gets along real well with my brothers and I enjoy watching them hang out together. We will be going back up there for Christmas and I know that this will be even better than the last.
a month later
11 years ago
