Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and it seems that many (especially retailers) would prefer to skip right over it and go straight on to Christmas. Even Mother Nature seems to have jumped on the Christmas bandwagon. Personally, I'd like to enjoy Thanksgiving before moving on to Christmas. I have much to be thankful for.
This morning when I awoke and saw the layer of snow on the ground, and big, juicy snowflakes furiously falling, I didn't feel like being thankful for the turn in the weather. I am not a fan of the cold. Good thing I live in Wisconsin.
But slowly as the kids came down the stairs, heavy with sleep still worn on their faces, I couldn't help but feeling thankful again. Four sleepy kids at my breakfast table. Thankful.
Yesterday Joey returned from deer hunting with his dad. Since Todd will be staying up north until Wednesday Joey rode halfway home with a friend of Todd's and then the kids and I drove the to the friend's house in Oshkosh to pick him up. We decided to make a day of it and I took all four of my kids (it was good to have all 4 with me again) to the EAA (Aviation/Airplane museum that my kids LOVE) for a few hours and then to an early dinner. It was a fun day and a nice welcome home for Joey.
The drive back home was eerily quiet. Joey was overtired from lack of sleep at deer camp and the rest of the kids were worn out from the exciting day. While Gracie slept Tommy and Ben told Joey about an accident we saw on the way to Oshkosh. A huge accident. A scary accident. Firetrucks, police cars, ambulances, and helicopters were all on the scene. We all said prayers for the people involved and were reminded again how lucky we are. I think it had an impact on us the rest of the day.
It was very dark by the time we got home. Showers were taken, snacks were handed out, and we all snuggled together for a movie before bed.
It was very strange not having Joey with us this past weekend. One by one the kids will be joining their dad up north for deer hunting and Joey started the tradition this year. I think deer hunting season will just get weirder and weirder for me from here on out. It has been just me and the kiddos during this week for so long and I am starting to see that fade away. Bizarre how quickly this time has come.
But this morning there they were around my kitchen table. All four of my sleepy children munching quietly on their cereal. The more the snow fell the wider awake the kids became. The bigger the snowflakes the bigger the smiles spread across their faces. Soon our house was bustling with the excitement and chatter of all FOUR of my children. And I was thankful again.
11 comments:
You are a wise old soul in a beautiful young person's body. I am seeing the time with my grandchildren change. We used to play games, take walks, be silly together, but now I have to compete with an ipad...even though the parents restrict the time on them, it still takes time away from being with me. But soon they will have BFFs and other relationships, so I accept that I am just a warm soft spot in the road until they grow older.
Growing and changing. Our family has had some changes this past year. I'm holding out for one last Christmas photo card with the kids this year!
Wishing you a wonderful turkey day with your family, Kat.
What a beautiful post!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
A beautiful post full of family, love and tenderness. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving.
You've expressed so well, in words and in pictures, what so many parents and grandparents eventually experience.
There is joy in every phase... even the teen years. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yeah, but those years of them busy doing those things like hunting with dad are so special in their own way, too!
Happy Thanksgiving, Kat!
This whole post made me tear up. Time really does just fly away, whether you're ready for it to or not. I'm glad Joey's back safe and sound and had that time with his dad. Glad you were all safe on the drive to get him, accidents like that do cast a shadow and let us reflect on how lucky we are. Life can change in the blink of an eye. I'm thankful for every "normal" day we get.
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. Thank you for encouraging me to take time out and remember to be thankful at such a hectic time.
So sweet. Banden would be very jealous of your snow… he's been staring out the window just hoping and waiting for it to snow, ha ha! There isn't any in the forecast but he continues to stay hopeful. :)
Wow! All that snow in November. I suppose that is why I am thankful to live in Texas. At least until August when it is sweltering. :) Happiest of Thanksgivings to you guys!
Love the pictures of the bench!! That bench definitely does have a view! It is hard when the kids grow and start developing their own lives so to speak and aren't around all the time; its a good feeling they want to branch out and do things, but we do miss them.
I hope you and yours have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
betty
This post was beautiful to both my eyes and to my heart. I love it.
I also love Thanksgiving, and to each his own but I won't start celebrating Christmas until Thanksgiving is over. I wish the stores would wait as well, but I know they won't because Thanksgiving is not a big money maker.
I hope you enjoyed your day very much!! xoxo
Post a Comment