Thanksgiving

So, still getting the hang of this blogging thing. I hear we're supposed to update often? Oops! Thanksgiving at home was busy as usual, but wonderful. I think New Years is the holiday that typically puts people into a mindset of reflection, but this Thanksgiving brought on many thoughts of the hills and valleys through which we have traveled this past year. This time last year, Jerry was beginning his battle against leukemia, and so much was unknown at the time...How would he respond? Would he have a bone marrow match? With these questions and many more being answered with all the best possible outcomes, we had no trouble realizing how there are so many things we are thankful for this year. We are so blessed to live in a time of modern medicine that is truly capable of miracles.

As for Thanksgiving, we followed one of my favorite mottos. "Go big, or go home". This meant two complete meals, one with each of our families. We spent the early afternoon at my parents, where we were joined by 14 of our close family and friends. As usual, mom pulled out all the stops with a wonderful meal and 5 pies! 5! Of course, the infamous gooseberry pie made an appearance and I was very happy to snag a leftover peice on Friday. After our first dinner around 3pm, we headed to Kevin's aunt's house where we consumed a second dinner. Thanksgiving day is the day that Jerry's large family (9 brothers and sisters. 9!) converges back to DC, which made for quite the crowd. As it happens with such a big family, there were a few more babies this year than last (our nephew Andrew included), so it was wonderful to see the new little ones and catch up with everyone else.

Our trip home also included a visit with my good friend Erin from high school, reworking ductwork in Christopher's house (Kevin's job, not mine!), a 3'rd Thanksgiving dinner with the Tindales (whom I cannot find words to describe just how much I miss!), the "Dogue Bowl" (a football game tradition that's been going on in Kevin's family for years ), and some time relaxing with Kevin's family. Andrew is getting so big, I'm sure the next time we see him he'll be cruising around and getting into all kinds of fun.