Feasting

Being away from family during the holidays is harder than I could have ever imagined. My thoughts kept drifting to Utah and thinking of the gatherings going on there. I feel guilt over my kids not getting the chance to see their cousins or grandparents which leads to sadness that they won't get to have close relationships with them that living nearby would allow. But Michael is always so good at making me feel better. He reminded me that although that may be true, we have much to be grateful for. We live in a beautiful place, we have our health, our home, our cars, lots of nice things. We have our children, a great paying job, health benefits, and we have each other. Right here. Right now. We are very, very blessed.
This year we were lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving with some good friends of ours, the Lums. They invited us over to their home for some feasting and fun. They have two amazing kiddos, Jessie who is our Corrine's age, and Jacob, who is a bit older than Hunter, but didn't seem to mind hanging out with him at all. Corrine and Jessie busied themselves with (among other things) decorating napkins for us. The above shots were of the only ones that didn't get used during our meal. Jeanine and I couldn't bear to ruin their loveliness, and Laynee didn't want to use a napkin that was written on. Speaking of Laynee, she was in heaven. The second she saw Jessie's room, she abandoned all thought of us and food - which isn't surprising seeing as she never eats anyway! Jessie had polly pocket princesses galore. And if you think The Bug has forgotten about it yet, you are sorely mistaken. In fact, just this morning in the bathtub, she says, "Mom. 'Member Jessie? Pincess toys? Fun. Mom." I swear her memory is better than that of an elephant. We were at the store one day, and she saw a book that had Ariel on the cover. I let her carry it around the store and when we got up to the counter, I had her give it to the cashier, but told the cashier that we weren't going to buy it that day. Then to try to pacify a panicky Laynee Bug, I told her she could ask Santa for it for Christmas. That was over a month ago, and everyday she reminds me that we need to ask Santa for the Ariel Book. He better not disappoint.

This scrumptious meal hit the spot. We had sweet potato fries, smoked turkey, gingered carrots, mushroom gravy, fresh green salad, stuffing, fluffy rolls, and cranberry sauce. (Don't you just love their blue cupboards? They had me reevaluating my own cupboard colors.) After we had eaten the main course, we practically devoured the maple pumpkin cheesecake. Mmmmmm, I want some more NOW. And how awesome is it that they gave us all the leftovers to take home? Love that.

Thanks so much Lum family. We had a fabulous time and can't wait until our next get together.