Our Thanksgiving, 2009

Thanksgiving this year was wonderful.  I have always loved Thanksgiving and it really didn't have anything to do with the food, since I don't really like turkey or dressing(stuffing).  Maybe it was the memories of being at my Granny and Papa's farm.  Maybe it was because Christmas was around the corner.  Not really sure, but I love the Fall and I have always loved Thanksgiving.
 

This year was extra special because my brother, sister in law (really a sister I never had) and their children made the long trip down here from Tennessee.  When I say long, I mean LONG TRIP...and they did this with two small children.  And my sweet sister is very pregnant and due in just a few weeks!  Boy!  I am praising God for them making that sacrifice of sanity and making that effort.  I think God surrounded our whole week together.  He answered so many prayers.  The kids were wonderful and played sweetly together.  They seemed to sleep ok and adjusted fairly well to being away from home and their normal surroundings.  It was just such a wonderful few days to be with them.

Mom did a wonderful job hosted so many people.  I think we had 14 ppl at my parent's house for lunch on Thanksgiving day and it was fabulous.  Mom made things simple and kept things easy and everything was so special.

Also, a big answer to prayer, was that my dad's parents were able to make the trip down to Georgia also.  We were concerned that they wouldn't be able to drive down, because of my grandmother undergoing chemo, but she was unable to get her chemo a few days before Thanksgiving.  I know she had to be exhausted and not feel well, but my grandmother looked wonderful and never let on for a second that she might be tired or hurting.  My grandmother, as my grandfather calls her, is really the Energizer Bunny!  She keeps ticking even after most people would have given up!  She is a walking testimony and I am thrilled that she was able to meet Baby Bean and hold him and to be able to hug and kiss on all the other kiddos!

On the day after Thanksgiving, the whole crew came over and spent the day at our house and it was fabulous.  We enjoyed a quiet day- just sitting around and talking and eating.  The kids played so well and Bubbie and Peanut were able to open their birthday presents from BB and Papa John and from Uncle Matt and Aunt Jana.

We were all so sad to see our family leave.  It was so much fun to be with them.  I am so grateful for those few precious days that we were able to spend together as a family.  Bubbie and Peanut were sad to see the kids leave.  Peanut even wanted to wave at his precious cousins one more time before they left.  My parents and all of us siblings, and our families, haven't been able to be all together since Uncle Mookie's wedding in June 2007.  Since then we've added 3 more children into our family and are expecting one more!