The worst Thanksgiving ever!

At least that's the way it started out. So what happened to make my kids dub this "the worst ever?" Well Tuesday we headed up to Columbus to have an early Thanksgiving dinner with my parents and my sister and her husband. They (my sis & BIL) made a short trip to Ohio from their home in Nebraska where he is a pastor and had to divide their time between our parents and his parents. We celebrated early so they could also see his parents. The dinner was yummy - my mom's usual fabulous cooking. We also did something new this year. Each person had a placecard listing a different Bible verse about being thankful. We went around the table reading them aloud and telling one thing we were thankful for. How cool is that?

It was after dinner that the trouble began. David and Rachel had been coughing for a couple days and continued coughing there also. The others were concerned about them - thought it sounded serious. When David started running a slight fever, everyone kindof panicked. My dad, trying to help, gave 3 of the kids codeine to try to stop their cough so they could sleep. Well Matthew slept so soundly he didn't wake up to use the bathroom. So he was up around 4 a.m. soaking wet and upset. I didn't sleep well that night and apparently neither did he! The next morning we ended up going home. The other grownups were too concerned about the kids' coughs to want us to stay until Thursday like we'd originally planned. It was a very upsetting morning and knowing that no one wanted us there had me in tears as I drove home. We went to the pediatrician's office where I found out that David has an ear infection and Rachel has some slight chest congestion. After everything that happened, their illnesses were nothing serious after all. The kids were crushed that their trip had been cut short.

But in spite of all the drama, our holiday turned out quite well. We managed to find a webcast of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Watching the parade is a tradition in our family and the kids were heartbroken when they thought they'd have to miss it. Fortunately they didn't. Hurray for the miracle of the internet. So instead of spending the day with extended family or traveling or cooking, we spent the day playing games, resting, talking, laughing and eating leftovers. Reading on Facebook about my friends who were cooking, running around busy and stressed out made me glad that we were alone together as a family.

As much as I complain, I know I have a lot to be thankful for. Here is a partial list (in no particular order):
1. I am thankful for a wonderful supportive husband who works hard at his current job (which is job-hunting) and lets me nap whenever I need to.
2. I am thankful for my messy house; I know it'll never be clean but the mess reminds me of my husband and 4 loving children. I'd rather have a messy house than a life without my kids!!!
3. I am thankful for my kids; being a mom may not be a glamorous job but it is the hardest, most fulfilling job I have ever had. I wouldn't trade the hugs, kisses and love I get from them for all the money in the world. For all those who say I am "only" a mom who doesn't have a job, I say that there is nothing else I'd rather be and no job I'd rather have.
4. I am thankful for our lack of money because it has taught me what is really important - not tv, not shopping on Ebay but my family and friends.
5. I am thankful for my parents in-law who have been so loving and supportive through this whole nasty time of unemployment and stress.
6. I am thankful for all our many friends - you know who you are!
7. I can't say I'm thankful that Phil doesn't have a job. But I am thankful for God's faithfulness and provision during this time. This has been a real test of my faith.
8. I am thankful for Brett, who loves our kids and goes out of his way to spend time with them, teach them about God and be a part of their lives. (In fact, as I write this I am sitting in a house populated only by Phil and 3 cats. Brett took all 4 kids for an overnight at his house tonight. How cool is that?)

There is so much more that I am thankful for. But in the interest of not putting to sleep the few people who read this, I'm gonna stop now. I've hit the most important ones already anyway.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! I hope your holiday was joyous and fun