Hi Friends…
I just wanted to take
a minute to wish you all a very Happy
Thanksgiving!!!
As we set our tables and
surround ourselves with loved ones this Thanksgiving day… I pray we are able to
slow down, and honestly assess our lives.
I pray we are able to
give thanks for everything we have been blessed with. It doesn’t matter if you
have a smaller house than you would like, or if your yard is less square feet
than your neighbors. It doesn’t matter if you make less per hour than the
person standing next to you.
You are so richly blessed!
If you are reading
these words, you have been given another day of life! You have an education! You have access to the
Internet, you own a computer or phone which allows you to find any type of
information you could possibly need to obtain!
You have a job, or receive some type of steady income that allows you to
pay for these luxuries! You have food in your pantry, or the ability to drive
to a restaurant and eat a nice hot meal!
We all have something to be thankful for…
I am so thankful for…
·
A husband who loves me
and has always tried his best to provide for our family.
·
Four beautiful, healthy
children.
·
Roof over our heads and
floors under our feet.
·
Being born in the USA.
·
Being born in Louisiana;
I love this beautiful land with its rich culture (and the best foods you can
find!)
·
My education.
·
The freedom to believe.
·
A bible that I can read
in public if I wish.
·
My many God given
talents.
·
Hot coffee in the
morning, and afternoon, and sometimes night : )
·
Many, many, many other
things…
My husband has such a large family, 8 brothers and sisters
in all, that we usually house hop for Thanksgiving each year.
My grandmother cooks a huge meal for all of us to gather and
eat, as does my Mother-in-law. Normally on Thanksgiving day we head to my
Grandmothers house for lunch. We eat some yummy food and visit for a few hours
talking and catching up with relatives who might live out of town. Afterwards
we head to my mother-in-laws for supper and visit just the same. My mother-in-law decided a few years ago that
it was better to have her holiday meals in the afternoon, so that everyone can
have a chance to visit all their family during the day.
This year my Mother-in-law had her Thanksgiving meal last
Sunday… so we will not have to try and make room for everyone’s cooking! Lol. Nothing offends a woman who has been slaving
over a stove all day more than to show up and NOT eat!
It is NOT easy to show up at the first home with all those delicious
smells and restrain yourself from eating all you can, to make room for the
second and possibly third homes! Now, just because my Mother-in-law had her
Thanksgiving meal Sunday doesn’t mean that she will not go ahead and fix
something up quick just to get everyone together tonight, I wouldn’t be
surprised at all if she calls to come over.
Today on my side of the family, I have a cousin (we were
raised together, so she is more like a sister) who lives in Texas and her two
younger children coming for a visit… as well as her brother (also, like a
brother to me due to us being raised together) who lives a few hours away is
coming with his wife and their newly born 2 month old son! I am so excited to
be able to spend some time holding and loving on that sweet baby boy!!! That is
in addition to the numerous aunts, great aunts, brothers, parents who are
normally around during Thanksgiving meals.
On my husband’s side of the family, he has a brother who
lives in Georgia who will be coming over for a visit. (oh man… just had a thought… I may actually have to fix a
meal today due to his visit!! AAAGHHH)! Lol.
Usually we just bring a covered dish to the home we are visiting. All of
my married life I have never had to cook a huge Thanksgiving meal for my
family. By the time we arrive at home in the late afternoon, we are so tired
and full, we couldn’t possibly think of eating another bite of anything.
I’ve grown rather fond of this arrangement : )
My grandmother is now 78 years old and I know that,
realistically, there may not be many more Thanksgiving lunches cooked by her
for our enjoyment. After there are no
longer lunches fixed by her, I will have to pick up the lack, and fix something
for our family. I can hope that the rest
of my family would still like to gather together, even if we take turns holding
the meals at our homes each year… but we will cross that bridge when we get to
it.
I think today when the kids wake up we might cut out some
paper leaves, and have everyone write on each of them what they are thankful
for. I can spread them out on the kitchen table or counter to be read aloud tonight. We have never done anything like that before,
just maybe voiced what we were thankful for… but I really love hands on
activities!!
If I decide to, I’ll be sure and take some pictures for you!
I hope you all enjoy your day, remember what you have to be
thankful for… and go to bed with satisfied bellies.
Todays Rambling Question is.... what are your Thanksgiving traditions?
