This year was a Call Thanksgiving year. In years past, that meant we met with a great deal of Danny's extended Call family in Great Grandma's stake center cultural hall for the biggest Thanksgiving dinner ever. But over the years, families have grown and started doing their own thing on the years we usually do the Call Thanksgiving. This year, we finally reached a low enough number that it was determined the location should be moved from the stake center to the preschool.
It turned out beautifully! Somehow Lori and the other aunts managed to find enough room for 50 of us! It was so nice to have the kitchen built into the school, so that food could be cooked, warmed and served from there. The food, of course, was delicious. It felt like an easy year for Danny and I in that we only had to provide a couple of pans of our famous mac and cheese. :)
Robbie and Kris were able to travel home for Thanksgiving and it was great to have them here. We were only missing Kenny and his family, and miss them we did. Danny's cousin Michael was able to join us from the Lovell side, and we invited a member of our ward to join us that didn't have family to spend the day with. With the wonderful company and delectable food, it was the perfect Thanksgiving! We spent about 4 hours eating and visiting before we bid everyone a fond farewell and made our way home.
But only for a pitstop. We collected what things we needed to make Danny's gourmet hot chocolate, loaded the kids back in the car, and made our way to Grandma Candy's for buffet! Everyone, including my Mom and sisters' families, were pretty tired at this point...and everyone was still full! So we all picked a bit at the buffet and visited while the kids played. It didn't take long before we were all too tired to carry on conversations anymore and the kids were melting down. I'm ashamed to say it, but I totally didn't even think to get a picture of my family! Oops. Let it be written that we had a fantastic time. :)
Finally, after a wonderfully exhausting Thanksgiving Day, Danny and I were home with our family. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holidays...and with that a great many tender feelings for our Luke-Son. Last year, we really just survived the holidays. I only have scattered memories of last Thanksgiving, but I do remember crying...a lot. I would never have expected it, but this year I felt so light-hearted...and actually happy! Honestly, I felt grateful that Luke was where he was. And I don't think that feeling came from me. I think Luke was near, and I could sense his gratitude for where he was and what he was doing...and for where we were and what we were doing.
I am so very grateful for my life, and for all the blessings I have been given. I am blessed beyond what I deserve to be married to the man I am. Everything good in my life I have because of that singular decision. Danny is my best friend, my husband, my rock...and he's the epicenter of our family. Together, we have brought four (almost five!) of the choicest spirits into our family. I am so grateful for Claire, Sophie, Johnny, and Luke. I am so grateful for their unconditional love, and for how much they teach me. But I'm mostly grateful for the way they make me laugh and smile. I am grateful for my sweet Luke, for the experiences and memories we made with him during his time with us, and for how he influences us from the other side of the veil. I love that boy fiercely, and cannot wait to see him again. And I am grateful for the son I carry within me now, for how much he has softened my hardened heart and made me feel again. He's already healing my heart in ways I didn't know I needed.
With all of those choice blessings, and too many more to enumerate, I am grateful for my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. I know it is through Him and because of Him that I have all that I have. I love Him, and express my gratitude for his atoning sacrifice for me. For the times he carries me and lifts me up. I am so grateful that He provided a way for me to be with my family forever, to raise my son to maturity and have all the blessings of eternity with those I love. For our family, that is our song of Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving!
