It's All About Family

On this Thanksgiving Eve, I know many of us are pondering the year and thinking of things we are thankful for.

When I think back over the year, there are many things that come to mind.  It was a pretty crappy year.

My husband lost his job.  Twice.
We needed expensive and unexpected car repairs.  Three times.
My entire family moved out of state, leaving me "alone" for the first time.  Ever.
My job has been unrewarding and there were many mornings where I hated to get out of bed.

And, as I type this list of crappy things that happened, I'm also reminded that some pretty good things happened too.

My husband found a job.  Twice.
Our cars are still running and for the time being, we have avoided taking on new car payments.
I've adjusted to my family moving away and surprisingly, I talk to my mom more now than when she lived close by.
While I'm still stuck in a dead-end job, at least I have a job.  Right?

Of course I'm thankful for my children.  They are my true purpose in life.  If we could afford it, I would love nothing more than to be home with them.  Thinking ahead, I'm hoping to have some flexibility with my work hours so I can be home after school when they start kindergarten.

There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank the Lord for my babies.  It's so funny how perspective changes. Before kids, I was very career-driven.   I wanted to take on more and didn't care what I had to do.
Now, my job doesn't seem to matter.  Don't get me wrong.  I still work hard and I'm dedicated to what I do. But, I'm not willing to travel or relocate like I used to be.  I just want the day to end so I can see my babies and snuggle with them on the couch.

Oh, those snuggles.  They never get old, do they?   No matter how stressed I feel, it all goes away as soon as I feel their body relax into mine.  I still rest my head on theirs and take in their smell just like when they were babies.

That's not weird, right?

So, let's talk about Thanksgiving dinner.  In the first time EVER, we didn't have plans.  I was happy and sad.  Maybe it would be fun to have a small dinner with just my little family?  But, Thanksgiving is about family and I was a little bummed that we wouldn't be seeing anyone.

My sister-in-law is now hosting and to put this in perspective, I'll just call her Hoity and my brother-in-law Toity.  They are very odd.  They live in a million dollar house but they act like they are poor.  Until they want to buy Pottery Barn furniture.  She hosted last year and I think it's pretty standard that people bring different dishes to share.  Last year, I brought mashed potatoes and a broccoli side dish.

Now, my SIL is very nice but she's not always the brightest bulb in the pack.  As I was preparing my dishes, it occurred to me that she might not think to make gravy.  And, how horrible would that be to have to eat mashed potatoes without gravy?!

So, me being the planner, I rolled up in there with my mashed potatoes and gravy packets in my purse.  Just in case.

This year, I again offered to bring a dish or two.  I again got mashed potatoes and this time, green bean casserole.  She told me her mom was bringing dessert and that my MIL was bringing the meat.

Um, what?

Isn't it standard that the host typically makes the main course?  Who the hell asks a guest to bring MEAT?

Oh!  It gets better!  My MIL came over last weekend to visit the kids and said she needed to leave by 3:00 so she could make it to the Honey Baked Ham store.

OK, stupid question.  Do they sell...... turkey?  Because the last time I checked, T-U-R-K-E-Y was the meat of choice for Thanksgiving.

I asked her about it and she said she was planning to buy a turkey breast.  Doesn't that feed like, 3 people?

So, now I'm gonna to have to roll up in there with mashed potatoes, gravy packets and turkey legs in my purse!

But hey - at least we'll be with family.