I remember my first Thanksgiving with Oscar's family. We hadn't been together that long, about 2 months or so. The whole family came, and so did a few strangers to me. There are always at least a couple of family friends that come to Thanksgiving, because everyone is always welcome, especially if they have nowhere else to be. This first Thanksgiving with my future in laws was memorable because they rented tables and chairs, so we all sat together, and we each took turns talking about what we were thankful for. I was so anxious, not really knowing what to say, since it was pretty much foreign to me to outwardly express my feelings, especially in front of the guests that I really didn't know. Listening to everyone sharing what they were thankful for was beautiful. Most were thankful for just being there, with all of us. When it was my turn, I knew what to say. I was thankful for being there, with all of them, too, and of corse I was thankful for Oscar.
Ten years later, Thanksgiving is still the same but we have our own traditions as well. Every year, for the past 6 or 7 years, we have family Thanksgiving and we also have our own Thanksgiving. I cook a turkey that literally falls apart when you put it on a serving dish, it never needs to be cut and my gravy never comes from a packet (yuck, packet gravy!). My sweet potatoes are whipped into a smooth and fluffy consistency with marshmallows and butter, using my trusty hand mixer. My stuffing always has bacon in it and I have made a variety of different side dishes to accompany the main staples, as well. One year there was a corn casserole that was absolutely delicious and another year I made a sourdough stuffing that was devine. I typically try to plan our Thanksgiving fixings on my Pinterest board, Thanksgiving. Check out some great ideas by clicking the link!
Now, I will share what I am thankful for and coming soon... our "2013 Thankful Tree", inspired by Pinterest...
11/1. Today I am thankful for my husband. I love him sooooo much! In fact, I don't know what I would do without him. After 10 years, he knows me better than anyone in this world, and he not only balances my life by being my strength where I am weak, but he is my soft place to fall when I need it, too.
11/2. Today I am thankful for my son, because when I look at his sweet face I literally cannot believe that this handsome, incredibly smart, creative and caring little boy is the little baby I brought home from the hospital 7 years ago. He is growing into such a wonderful young boy, and yet I still picture him as a baby, in my mind. It makes me both very happy and truly sad to see him grow up because while I am very happy and proud of the person he is, I am also sad that he already rarely lets me hold him, he calls me "Mom" instead of "Mommy" or "Mama", and he even gets embarrassed when I act silly...
11/3. Today I am thankful for Marissa, my sweet baby girl. At 3 years old you are already so independent and strong willed. You are reserved and shy, but you know how to let loose and have some fun. I love that you make everyone dance with you, when I am listening to Pandora and cleaning the house. Even when I am busy your little "dance with me" plea cannot be ignored, or even postponed. Your knock knock jokes that never end and make absolutely no sense truly light up my day. I love that 90% of the time, we get the same knock knock joke, that you made up all by yourself... "knock knock" "who's there?" "orange" "orange, who?" "orange is just a DRINK!" LOL. I love you, you're the best.
11/4. Today I am thankful for my mom. She is a wonderful support and both a generous and selfless person, I am proud to call her my mother. I am a stay at home mom, which is sometimes lonely, but luckily I always have someone to talk to, even if it is 4 or more calls per day. It is too bad that my mom lives so far away because she is also an awesome grandma. My kids say she has "spoiling powers", I think she is right.
11/5. Today I am thankful for my Granny Sharon, the best grandma that you could ever ask for. Granny has been like another mother to me, and I loved growing up living right next door to her. We spent more time at Granny's house than our own, when we were little. Christmas morning we would open our presents and then run, barefooted, next door to have Christmas with Granny. We used to go to "Zach's" restaurant all the time and I would order the same as Granny, snapper with lemon butter sauce. I have learned so many valuable lessons from my Granny, and I feel blessed to have been able to be so close to her throughout my life.
11/6. Today I am thankful for my Great Grandma Betty because she just warms my heart. She is 93 years old and has lived in the same house since she was just 17. She takes walks every day and goes to church every Sunday. She is inspiring to everyone in the family for being so active and sharp at her age. When you enter Great Grandma's house, it is filled with cards and photos of the many, many family members that dearly love her. I always walk around, very slowly, looking at all the pictures, amazed. I will always remember anticipating Great Grandma's molasses cookies, because she always sent us home with a bag of homemade cookies, and also how my mom and dad would try to hide them from us and only share the chocolate chip ones. I think about her when I make molasses cookies, and the ability to make an awesome cookie must run in my blood, because though Great Grandma probably wouldn't share her recipe, I think mine tastes just the same.
11/7. Today I am thankful that my dad chose Laura to be my step-mom, because she is my inspiration being a great hostess and cook. Laura always throws the best parties with the most divine appetizers, food, and drinks. Way before anyone ever even thought of Pinterest, Laura was making so many unique and tasty creations and decorating with the most thoughtful details. Thanks to her, I am a better wife and homemaker. Also, lucky for my kids that their Grandpa Matt married her, because Grandma Laura always throws them a birthday party and makes sure they get what they want and need, including nice clothes for birthdays and Christmas and gymnastics lessons which they want AND need.
11/8. Today I am thankful for my mother and father in law. If it wasn't for them, I would almost NEVER get a date night with my husband... but that is just the beginning. Other than the occasional babysitting, my in laws have had an immense positive influence on my life for the past 10 years. If it wasn't for my mother in law, I wouldn't have even met my husband. My mother in law has taught me how to cook many of my hubby's favorite dishes, and it is always so funny to me to see his face light up when I make chilequiles or enchiladas and Spanish rice. Thanks to my in laws for more than this, but I couldn't begin to tell you what having them in my life for the past 10 years has meant to me.
11/9. Today I am thankful for my job, because it is wonderful to have the ability to stay at home and be there with my kids, always... and I get my fill of babies with my adorable daycare kids!
11/10. Today I am thankful that Roman had an amazing and unforgettable birthday party, and all of our guests had a great time, too.
11/11. Today I am thankful for the kids' gymnastics classes. I love seeing their smiling faces as they "practice" and feel relieved that they both have the opportunity to get out of the house on a regular basis for fun and exercise.
11/12. Today I am thankful for my baby dog, Sonic, because he never refuses snuggles from me. I will add that he makes a good heater for my feet, too!
11/13. Today I am thankful that on this very day 7 years ago, I delivered a healthy baby boy who has given my life true meaning and undeniable happiness every day since then. Happy Birthday, Baby Boy!
11/14. Today I am thankful for having a friend like Andrea. We have been friends since before we were both married and became mothers... and both of us have changed throughout the years but one thing stays the same, Andrea is always there for me when I need her, and when I go to her house I typically wear my slippers and no makeup.
11/15. Today I am thankful for the "Egg Custard Pie" that my Granny so thoughtfully made for me, since she knew I was coming to visit. Egg Custard pie was my favorite as a child, and I haven't had one in years. Thank you, Granny!
11/16. Today I am thankful for my health and the health of our family members.
11/17. Today I am thankful for growing up living next door to my Granny. There is nothing like a grandmother's love. Being able to spend all of our time with her and learning from her has been one of the true blessings in my life.
11/18. Today I am thankful for my nephew, Dylan. I have always wanted a niece or nephew, and although he lives far away I still think about him almost every day and try to spoil him with presents in the mail, so I hope he grows up knowing that we love him.
11/19. Today I am thankful for Pinterest, because I get all of my best ideas and recipes from there. If it wasn't for Pinterest, my poor family wold have a very limited number of dinners rotating throughout the week.
11/20. Today I am thankful for the drive in movie theater, because I like to lay down when I watch movies and I hate when strangers sit close by me.
11/21. Today I am thankful for my brother, Ryan. Without Ryan our family might be pretty dull. I love him to pieces and I am very thankful he is my brother... and that he has forgiven me for forcing him to pretend marry our sister and toast their nuptials with pickle juice, when were kids.
11/22. Today I am thankful for the fact that I am nearly done with holiday shopping, and its not even Thanksgiving yet!
11/23. Today I am thankful for having everything we need a lot of what we want.
11/24. Today I am thankful for the internet, because it allows us to keep in touch and update our loved ones that we wouldn't typically be able to see as often.
11/25. Today I am thankful for fuzzy socks because I have unrelenting cold feet in the winter!
11/26. Today I am thankful for having a working computer this holiday season. It never fails that my computer breaks right before the holidays, and typically I am at the mercy of whomever will fix it. This year my computer broke right before Thanksgiving, but thanks to a warranty I got it back in 7-10 business days... just enough time to finish my "Things I am Thankful For..."project!
11/27. Today I am thankful that I get to sleep in tomorrow! Turkey Day!!
11/28. Today I am thankful for the opportunity to spend some quality time with family on Thanksgiving Day. Happy Thanksgiving!
