A Thanksgiving Miracle

 

 

My mother-in-law, Diane, got her knee replaced this November.  She did great and she's recovering beautifully but it was pretty obvious that she wouldn't be able to create her usual Thanksgiving spread for the 20ish people that typically visit for the holiday.  It was a scary decision but I stepped up the plate (knowing full well that I might ruin Thanksgiving for everyone).  I'm happy to report that I did not ruin Thanksgiving!!  It wasn't the fanciest Thanksgiving I've ever attended and certainly nothing was made from scratch (and I had a much much smaller crowd) but it was edible and tummies were full in the end and that's a pretty good first try if you ask this Thanksgiving cook novice. 

 

Of course, post-Thanksgiving was just as warm and fuzzy.  We sat around nursing our full bellies and Chloe did 7 wild seconds on the laundry basket before she got bucked off. 

 

Then the next day, she let Uncle Carson have a shot at the loose tooth.  Pretty soon, she'll only be able to eat mashed potatoes and jell-o but hey, it's a living, am I right?

 

 

 And then this happened....

 

 

And I just noticed that Carson is in every picture...I guess I just love my photo-bombing, wild laundry basket bucking, tooth-pulling, dog snugging hubby :)

Everything Good Happens in November

Exhibit A:

Carson and I survived our first year of marriage!  I can't possibly go into a short explanation of what that means so I'll try to paint a metaphorical visual for you.  Imagine watching 2 people walk into a cave they've just discovered with looks of wonderment, curiosity, excitement, nervousness, and giddiness on their faces. Now imagine those same two people walk out of the cave a year later with their clothes torn to shreds, dirt on their faces, small twigs sticking out of their matted hair.  One of them has a limp and the other has a bloody wound.  But they're holding hands and smiling because, whatever just happened in there, they walked out alive and in love.  That's kind of what it's like.


Exhibit B:

I saw my favorite book (dare I say, of all time) turned into a movie and it still rocked.  My 9th grade fantasy came to fruition in the most fulfilling way ever.  I couldn't love Ender more than I do now.  And I couldn't love Asa Butterfield any more that I do when I see him bring my favorite character to life. 


Exhibit C:

I met Shelby Bock, part baby/part angel.  I'm tellin' you, this kid could sell some serious Gerber baby food with that mug.  I'm only an aunt and my love is like THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS
big.  I'm SO glad I didn't have to wait until Christmas to meet this precious girl.


Exhibit D:

Baby Kai was born on November 14th!!  He arrived safe and happy and looking just like his daddy.  I wish I could say I met him in person but only Mom, Dad, and Grandma Eileen have VIP passes at the time.  However, I'm hoping to prove my status as #1 fan and get backstage sometime soon.  I'm gonna need some serious snuggles when I do!