This Thanksgiving I had so much to be thankful for.

I woke up on Thanksgiving morning at Mom’s house with my sleepy sweet girl looking like an angel as she slept in the bed on the floor next to my bed. She is a most beautiful sight to see! Sometimes I just stare at her as she sleeps and can’t believe how blessed I am to be Mom to this wonderful sweet daughter.

After we all woke up, my brother and I went on our traditional, “family is all together”, doughnut run. It’s usually a very comical trip while we stand at the counter trying to guess what type of doughnut everyone would like to eat. This year we got smart and took orders before we left the house. It’s a short trip to the doughnut shop but I cherish that time with my brother. That’s why I insist on keeping the doughnut tradition alive.

When we got home we were met with some very excited kiddos, ready to eat their doughnuts. Of course I’m not sure sugar was the best option for breakfast. We had some very rambunctious children after breakfast and I’m certain the doughnuts had everything to do with it. They got loud and I mean really loud. But, as I was listening, I realized that loudness was joy. Overwhelming joy that they could be together as cousins. They love each other, love spending time with each other and cannot help but be loud when they are together. I am so thankful they enjoy their time together even if it gets a little noisy at times.

The Parade! Finally, I remembered the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 9am and not noon! I miss it every year but not this year. My sweet daughter was so nice to remind me in the morning that I wanted to watch the parade and to check its start time. She watched the parade with me while we built and decorated ginger bread houses with my younger nephew and his Mama. My girl’s ginger bread house only stayed together for a little bit before she started eating all the candy. It did not survive to make the trip back to our house.

The weather was beautiful and perfect for being outside. Hide and seek as well as football and monkey in the middle occupied our time outside. My son and the older nephew threw the football for a long time while our two dogs joined us as we all played outside. Everyone was happy happy happy!

After lunch we sat around the table and told stories from our childhood. The stories included ones about Dad and his skiing adventures. I love remember him and his stories. I miss him so much, especially when the family is all together and he is not sitting at the table with us to add his humor to the conversation.

My oldest brother joined us for our big Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey, sweet potatoes, three bean salad, corn casserole and all the fixings. So delicious with all the traditional family food. Let me not forget Mom’s incredible pies. She always fixes 5 or 6 pies each holiday, this year: 2 coconut, 2 pecan and lemon meringue. Yummy in my tummy! Mmmmm!

Even better than pie was having the whole family together to celebrate and be thankful together. I am so thankful for my wonderful family, friends and all the blessings God’s given me.