Turkey Day

Hello there!  I hope every had a very Happy Thanksgiving!  We sure did.  As my sister-in-law says, "There is always always always something to be thankful for."  Nine years ago, Russ and I could never have imagined how abundantly God would have blessed us.  Thanksgiving morning, I looked up and saw two precious answered prayers playing in the floor, the fire going, Christmas decorations and lights, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in the background.  Happy Thanksgiving to us indeed!

Russ and I were thrilled to not be traveling on Thanksgiving weekend.  This has never happened.  In nearly all the 10 years we've been married...we have always traveled home for Thanksgiving.  This year, we were home.  We hosted my side of the family on Thanksgiving Day.  My mom came early that morning to fix brunch for us complete with fruit arranged like a turkey, muffins, cheese grits, and breakfast casserole.  It was delicious!

Smith napped through the whole thing, but our spunky three year old was ready and waiting for her muffins.  She's pretty picky, so muffins was a success in my book!

Closer to lunchtime, my dad and my sister arrived.  They stopped to visit my grandmother, who is recovering from TWO broken legs!  Bless her heart, y'all!  Russ and I may have been hosting Thanksgiving, but my sister (the gourmet chef of the family) prepared most everything for Thanksgiving dinner.  My parents were able to relax and enjoy family.  One of them may have even hid in Millie Janalee's room to take a nap.

Russ has not had many days off lately.  He's been working lots of weekends and had some night calls.  So he also enjoyed a day of relaxing and hanging out with family.  He served as our "lobby entertainment" at the Johnson Inn.  Ha!

I think everyone enjoyed a low key day watching football and spending time as a family.  The kids ran around and played together, napped, and fought (Ha!) while the adults ate and ate and rested.

Some lent a helping hand in the kitchen while Kristin slaved away on a delightful and traditional Thanksgiving meal...

We laughed a lot and tried to stretch out our full bellies from time to time.  We had to make room for more!

And at the end of the day, the main meal was served!  Kristin planned the menu and worked tirelessly all week helping me decorate for Christmas, making cookies, and then preparing most of this meal herself.  Thankful.

Russ and I broke in our dining room table for the first time.  It feels good to fill Nonnie's table with those we love most.  We even pulled out MawMaw's dining room table in the foyer.  We filled them both!  Such joy!

Russ and I have had a rough year.  But we have also had an amazingly blessed year.  We are forever thankful for so many people, experiences, and things in our life.  What a joy it is to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...

From our family to yours - Happy Thanksgiving!