With Thankful Hearts

Our Thanksgiving week was gone in a blink!

[caption id="attachment_3292" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Grateful[/caption]

On Monday we had our regular chiro appt and then music. According to muscle testing, Gabe is reacting to cat hair. We're going to try a few natural remedies and I'm hoping and praying they work because I cannot imagine having to get rid of our sweet furry friends.

[caption id="attachment_3291" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Waiting for brother to finish lessons.[/caption]

Tuesday we spent a good many hours at the Science Center. We don't go there often, but this year we have a membership. It's nice because the kids feel like they can really hang out at each station and spend their time building and creating. We met up with some of our friends.

[caption id="attachment_3293" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Science Center fun![/caption]

We met up with some more friends on Wednesday to jump at Skyzone. We were there for an hour and the boys were a sweaty mess! Luke had a good time, but Gabe was ready to hunker down at home. That boy can only stand to be social for so long.

I also did a good bit of cooking and baking just to make our Thanksgiving Day less packed. I'll post the recipe later, but I made an awesome sweet potato cake that I cannot wait to make again. Probably for Christmas.

We spent Thursday in Desoto with my dad, siblings, and grandparents. It was a relatively small crew this time which was fine with me. It's easier to spend time with everyone that way. My little nephew is 4 months old and is so alert and chunky. He definitely stole the show!

Before we got home we dropped by a friend's home to feed and water her dogs and chickens. She sweetly left a little gift for me: comfy socks and some essential oils! Such a nice surprise!

I made a full Thanksgiving dinner for just the 4 of us because I realized it had been several years since we'd had anything like that, due to food allergies. When we eat with family we eat whatever meat they have and then whatever veggies are available and that's it. I made a turkey breast, cranberry sauce, gluten free stuffing, green beans, roasted potatoes, and paleo muffins. Plus the sweet potato cake and coconut milk whipped cream.

[caption id="attachment_3296" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Gluten-free, dairy-free Thanksgiving Dinner.[/caption]

I wish I could say it was all good, but it wasn't. The turkey ended up being too dry. The gluten-free stuff was some boxed stuff from Trader Joe's and just not very good. The potatoes were such a disappointment because my baking stone broke and I had to make them in a regular casserole dish. Not even close to the same. The greenbeans, cake, and cranberry sauce were all tasty though!

[caption id="attachment_3290" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My biggest blessings![/caption]

I was hoping to relax on Friday, but Luke wanted to invite a friend over. He's been trying to get together with this friend for a long time and they were actually available. It's totally fine with me so he spent about 6 hours with us. Then I had to feed the dogs and chickens once again, and then my mom and siblings on that side came over for the evening.

It was a small group this year. Mom, Anna, Jacob and Jhamie, Karen, Tim, Tiza, Alli...I guess that's it! Chelsea had to work so they didn't make it up to Missouri at all.

We still had a nice time. I brought out my coloring books and they ended up being a hit. They women colored at the table and the guys played board games in the livingroom. The evening flew by and before I knew it everyone was heading home.

[caption id="attachment_3295" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Uh oh, Grams is trying VR.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3294" align="aligncenter" width="169"] The artist of the family.[/caption]

Saturday started out busy as well. Luke was in an impromptu show in Kirkwood. The kids played about 7 songs. The weather was really nice and they sounded good and drew a nice little crowd. I was grateful to see him play this show since I'd missed the other.

[caption id="attachment_3298" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Set up[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3297" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Rocker[/caption]

After the show Luke had his 2 hour band practice. Since it didn't make sense to go home, we sat around at Kaldi's and chatted and browsed the web. We didn't make it home until 3:30 and we were starving!

Ben had the idea to make a huge Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich. It took longer to make that I would have liked, but it was pretty epic. So good.

[caption id="attachment_3299" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Super awesome amazing leftover sandwich of doom.[/caption]

Ben's brother came over and the guys played games and watched youtube shows while I binge-watched Gilmore Girls. And yes, I watched all 4 episodes. I honestly wasn't planning to, because I didn't realize they'd all be released at once. Once I saw they were all available I was hooked. Didn't get to bed until 11 and it was totally worth it! Ahhhhhh!

Sunday was our day to break out the Christmas decorations and finalize our Christmas plans. Ben is really excited about getting the most out of the season. I love his enthusiasm, but I just hope we can pull it all off! :)

The house is decorated except the tree. The outside needs some lights and I need to do some clean up out front. There are a few potted plants that are now officially dead and need to be composted, the hose needs to be stashed away, etc. Hopefully we'll get to all of that in the next day or two and we'll be able to relax a bit.

I'm thankful for a day to really practice gratitude. I know the first Thanksgiving wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I'm okay with letting that part go. But, to me, Thanksgiving is all about family and gratitude and, yes, yummy food. God's given us a lot to be grateful for. Today and every day.