Giving Thanks

This has been a busy few days. On Thursday we drove over to J's parents house for a turkey dinner. His mother makes the most amazing dressing. Ever. I want to take the whole pan and lock myself in a room and stuff myself (ha!). I have no idea how she makes it (I don't even think she has a written down recipe for it), but involves baking a hen the day before and using the drippings from that as well as the drippings from the turkey. Don't even get me started on her gravy.

Mmmm sweet potatoes . . . .

J has a niece and nephew that are around our age, and they each have toddler. One is 18 months, the other almost 3 years. Seeing those 2 run around made me realize how much Ian will have next year because he should be able to run around, too!

Friday was Thanksgiving, Round 2, at my folks place. Both my brother and sister were there with their families, as well as my grandfather. Both of my sibling's spouses are also from this area, and with all of the other Thanksgiving dinners going on on Thursday, it's impossible to get us all together at the same time. Our solution is to always have Thanksgiving (and Christmas) celebrations the day after the official holiday. It works out great - we get to indulge for 2 days!

Ian with his Meemaw

Our family for as long as I can remember, does an unconventional Thanksgiving dinner. Back in 1984 my mom won the Tennessee State Beef Cook Off with a Korean dish called bulgoki. It's a family favorite and we have it for most holidays and family get togethers.

Ian did great both days, we took along his "baby Vegas" and he entertained everyone with his jumping.

I have SO much this year to be thankful for that it's a little overwhelming.

First of all I'm thankful for my little boy, who has changed my life in a way that I just cannot put into words.

I'm thankful for J, I am so lucky to be married to my best friend. His smile still melts my heart every day. I love watching him be a father - there just aren't words for that either!

I am thankful for my family, both mine and J's. We are so lucky to have such good relationships with both.  I am thankful we live close and get to see them all as much as we do.

I am thankful for Pop, my 94 year old grandfather who drove himself to Tennessee for Thanksgiving. He is such an inspiration.

I am thankful for this little place we call home, with it's creaky wooden floors and tiny little bathroom.

I am thankful for our jobs. We are fortunate to both work very close to home, after both having to commute in the past we really appreciate it.

I am thankful for our silly old cat that tolerates our existence. We threaten to turn her into a hat daily, but truth be told we love her and even gave her a can of turkey Fancy Feast on Thanksgiving night. She ate every bit of it.

I am thankful for our friends, and still can't believe how many of them also have little ones. I think it's just super awesome that they're going to grow up together.

I could write a book of all the things I am thankful for this year.

Life is good.