Thanksgiving was over six weeks ago, and I'm just now getting around to blogging about it. I know my memory is going to be fuzzy, thanks to a whole new level of sleep deprivation. But I can say this with certainty. This year's Thanksgiving was the weirdest Thanksgiving ever.
It's hard to feel in the holiday spirit with your baby boy in the hospital. Even though we were incredibly aware and grateful for our blessings, it was hard to get the emotions going. Danny and I were just so tired. Danny spend the night before at the hospital with Luke, so I was at home with the kids on Thanksgiving morning. I'll be honest...it wasn't a pretty sight. I was so incredibly exhausted, and bummed that I wasn't with Luke. Or, to be precise, that Luke wasn't with us. The kids were also tired, and they smelled blood in the water that day. They were out of control. And I was trying to get them bathed and looking cute before we headed to Grandma Candy's for the first portion of the day. I don't remember particulars, but I do remember yelling a lot...and maybe teaching my kids some words they didn't know before. ;) Like is said...it was ugly. By the time Danny made it home, I was in tears and ready to cancel the whole stupid thing. Not just Thanksgiving, but the entire holiday season! He talked me off my ledge, helped me finish getting the kids ready, and we headed to Grandma Candy's. Papa stayed at the hospital with Luke for the morning so we could spend the first part of the day with my family, and then Grandma Candy was going to head up to the hospital to switch places so that we could all be together for the Call/Lovell Thanksgiving in the evening. Oh, the hospital shuffle!
Once we got to Grandma Candy's, my mood had improved, if only marginally. The kids, however, we stoked! Claire, in particular, was so excited for turkey. That girl loves her meat. And they always enjoy their time playing with Isabelle and Eli! These cousins really are becoming the best of friends.
Especially the boys. Every time they see each other, they run across the room and give each other a big hug. After that, they are basically inseparable.
While the final preparations were being done for dinner, Danny took the opportunity to sit and look through our new cookbook from Aunt Heather. The lucky girl got to spend some time with Guy Fieri from The Food Network, in the flesh, and was able to fandangle us a signed copy of his new cookbook. Awesome! Note how Danny is barely able to open his eyes. I seriously had to take four pictures to get one with his eyes open at all! That's how tired we were.
The girls passed the time making Thanksgiving pictures for Luke's room. They were missing their baby brother, too.
And finally it was time to eat! And it was delicious, as always. It was nice to spend some time together. It had been over a week since Luke had been admitted, and we hadn't spent time together with anyone. It was a nice reprieve from reality, complete with a side of cranberry sauce.
Somehow, Johnny ended up being the only one at the kids' table. Maybe that's why dinner was so nice... :)
Then we made our way home for a quick rest before heading to the school for Thanksgiving Part II. Claire just about lost it when she found out that we were getting to eat turkey again! The kids all enjoyed their second helping of Thanksgiving fare...
But they especially enjoyed being able to see their cousins on the Call side! Uncle Robbie, Aunt Kris, Andi, and Liam came from California, and the girls were so excited to see Andi again.
And we were all excited to get the chance to meet Baby Liam. He was the tail-end of the Call grandkids for 2012. We started out with Luke, then Lucy, and then Liam! We had great plans for a picture of the three together, but that plan was obviously thwarted. We'll have to save that for another time. But for now, two out of three isn't bad! :)
We enjoyed getting the chance to sit down with the Call side for a nice dinner, too. We hadn't had much of a chance to talk to any of them outside of the hospital either. We were reminded of how much we love and appreciate the relationships we have with our families, and how grateful we are that we're back home and close to them. All too soon, and yet not soon enough, it was time to leave Claire, Sophie, and Johnny to play with Grandma and Papa while Danny and I made our way to spend some time with Luke. We are so grateful for our children, and we are especially grateful for their strength and maturity in the face of adversity. They have each taught me and Danny so much already. We love each of them more than words can say.
We drove as fast as we could to be with Luke. My heart ached all day being without my little guy. And on his first Thanksgiving, too. He'd had a good day with Papa, and then with Grandma Candy. But I know he was definitely grateful to see us! And we were definitely grateful to see him having such a great day. Once I was with Luke, my mood lightened, and I was able to feel those wonderful holiday emotions that I hadn't been able to earlier.
While it was definitely the weirdest Thanksgiving ever, it was still a good Thanksgiving. And it was especially poignant to us this year, as we had been constantly counting our blessings. While I could spend hours naming each and every blessing, I can sum it up pretty quick by saying that we are eternally grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the gift of His infinite Atonement. It is by this, and through Him, that we have everything we do and the promise of everything we desire. It is through His priesthood power that Danny and I were sealed in His holy temple, for time and all eternity, and it is through that sealing that we are promised to have our children with us forever. That knowledge has been the source of such immense comfort during this trial with Luke's health. We have never been more grateful for, or reliant upon, the truths of the gospel that Danny and I have been privileged to know from infancy. It is truly overwhelming to glimpse our Heavenly Father's love for us and our little family.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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