Circle of Lights

A short post with pics to start the holiday season.

Dad, Mom, Kevin and I
The first time in forever that the four of us have been together on Thanksgiving.

 

The kiddos decorating Great-Grandma's tree with Dianne 

The Circle of Lights....A long tradition for me. Although it's changed many times over the years, we don't ice skate afterwords anymore and the bars are off limits, we still have a blast. Last year we took our first carriage ride and this year Aunt Jan and our cousin Dianne joined us. 

I'm so full

Black Friday?  Not this year. I decided that since the hubs has to work today the kiddos and I would stay in our PJ's as long a possible.  Check.

 I'm still feeling super full. Not just from the 19 pounds of turkey along with enough stuffing to feed around 20 people, but full with a feeling that is anything but black. Yesterday was a feast of food and a feast of love. I would definitely say this was my favorite Thanksgiving yet. It was a day spent with lots of little things. We showed our family the new house, even though it's empty and technically not ours yet. We finished a puzzle that Wyatt and I have been working on for days. We lit candles and sang for my Dad's 61st birthday. I got to see my brother and it's been months since that happened. I got to see how happy it made my Dad that my brother actually came. I watched Trent and Wyatt look through toys books like they were both six. I spent time with just "the girls" shopping in the late afternoon. (Deep down I do not like the idea of supporting a store that believes we can't just take a day to be thankful for what we already have, but I went anyways.) I ate ooey gooey pumpkin cake, cauliflower salad, green bean casserole and homemade dressing, foods that I swear I could eat everyday and never get tired of.

Today is shaping up to be just as good. Wyatt and I started another puzzle as soon as we got up this morning. I actually got the coffee maker to make me a cup of coffee (I swear the stupid thing hates me).  The kids and I are going to get dressed and go to Grandma's house and help decorate the tree. We will sit down and write our letters to Santa. This evening and we will take them downtown to drop in the mailbox and watch the tree lighting. I think the only thing that would make me feel sappier in the holiday spirit would be a little snow.

Hope you all had a Thanksgiving that was full with really good "little things" and maybe even a few "big moments".

Zander

Things have been super crazy around here lately. Will fill in the blanks another day, but I wanted to share with everyone our new miracle. When I say new I mean a new addition to the big family I posted about here. My cousin Andy and his beautiful fiancee Dana welcomed a bundle of joy a week ago this past Monday. I know you're thinking 'Geeze, isn't your family used to people having babies....like all the time.' Well this baby is kinda special.
I wont dive into all the crazy details, by no means am I an expert. During the middle of the Dana's pregnancy she was told that her baby has trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 is a genetic disorder. These kids can have a multitude of problems and half don't survive the first week of life.  Well today Zander Jackson Carter is 10 days old. Last week when I went up to see the little guy the doctors were saying they couldn't find anything on the little booger that wasn't normal.
Praise God was all I could do. Well that and cry. He is so super cute and tiny. What a miracle. I can't wait to hold him, and don't think I wont elbow my mom to be able to hold him first. OK I'm kidding she could totally knock me out. This tiny little baby is proof positive that God answers prayers, for that I'm thankful.