thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. My whole family gathers together - no matter where we are or what else is going on in our lives. We stuff ourselves in minutes with the food it took days to make. It's the one time of year I actually set aside my title as "undomestic goddess" and excitedly spend hours in the kitchen baking, cooking, mincing, stuffing. (And for the record, I am a very good cook when I want to be.)

This year it was different though.

Maybe it's the exhaustion from spending the past 3 weeks not sleeping. Maybe it was just too much trying to juggle a very active 11 month old with getting the holiday feast ready. Maybe my inlaws were just more annoying this visit than any other time I see them. (How long do we REALLY have to debate whether it's safe to use the mayo that expired back in July? And why do I end up explaining to mother in law at literally every meal we have together that she cannot feed my son seafood until he's a year old?)

I had to leave the house at one point because I couldn't deal with everyone. (Having to get the new jar of mayo was a convenient excuse). It took at least half a bottle of wine to get through the meal. And my poor son appears to be allergic to his new medicine - for the past 2 nights he has puked up everything he's eaten within minutes of taking the meds. Back to the doctor tomorrow to see what they're going to put him on and if 2 days of not being on antibiotics has done any more damage to Andrew's kidneys.

But no more complaining. This is a day to be thankful. And I am thankful -

My son doesn't have cancer. If I had nothing else to be thankful for - this would be more than enough.

Andrew. He's just amazing. And it never fails to melt my heart when he smiles at me or when he walks over to me, arms open for a hug, screeching "mama" at the top of his lungs.

My husband, Brian. More than ever with recent events, my rock.

Our moments together, which are too few and far between.

My friends and family. How could I have gotten through this month without their love and support?

Holiday pies and bonus checks from the office.

My very understanding boss who has exempted me from my billable hours requirement for the month.

XM Radio so I don't have to listen to Christmas music beginning November 1

Cold nights and warm fires.

And I still hold on to hope - hope for my first full night of sleep since I was 5 months pregnant...


Happy Thanksgiving