You KNOW It's a Good Thanksgiving When...

the phrase "there is a testicle caught in my throat" is used at the dinner table that your mother is also sitting at.  All I can say is that it involved my sister (Lisa) who had recently eaten calamari for the first time and apparently got the words "testicle" and "tentacle" confused. Maybe it was a boy squid...dunno.  Either way, it made for a great laugh. 

We had the Thanksgiving gathering at our house again this year.  It generally consists about about 30 adults and children.  Quite the madhouse but so much fun.  Justin makes a delicious turkey, stuffing and gravy and the rest of us fill in with an array of side dishes (and of course desserts!).  
Oh and we had a new delicacy this year:

We really missed having our NY Youngers (Grandpa Jim and Aunt Amanda) here this year like we usually do.  Hopefully they will get to visit us before or around Christmas.  

There is much to be THANKFUL for this year (as always).   Healthy kids, family and friends topping the list. Job stability in a very uncertain economy is another. I've really seen a lot of folks out there struggling over the last year with the death of loved ones, loss of a job, ailing parents, sick children - and I know every day, not just on Thanksgiving, just how blessed we are.  And it is wonderful to take the day and share it with the family and all be Thankful together.

Let the Games Begin!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

The cooking fun has started around here - the turkey will go in soon, the sides will be made and brought by all the family coming over. There will be 21 adults and 13 kids here this year - pure insanity but I guess that is what Thanksgiving is all about!

This year has been a stressful one - job loss, Margie's cancer and treatments, loss of a friend - but in the midst of bad stuff - I feel so blessed to have a wonderful family and so many great friends. A husband that works hard and loves his family, rotten little kids that will tell me I'm the "best mommy ever" (luckily they don't have another mommy to compare me to!), a warm house with plenty of food and the Freedom to thank God for it all.

I hope we can all take a moment in the middle of what will become the chaos of the holiday season - to just stop, take a look and take it all in. And be very Thankful and grateful for all that we have.

Enjoy the day!