Our Thanksgiving

The trip to my parent's house is not a familiar one to me.  It's not my childhood home that I drive to each Thanksgiving and Christmas season.  I feel as though I need to explain myself...you see we were in the same house the first 15 years of my life, but since then my parents have moved a total of 8 times (I think).  It's a running joke in our family that my parents will be announcing their next move any day now.  So it's not the house or the road there that is so comforting and familiar to me...it's the people inside the house.  

On this particular day, Thanksgiving day, in addition to my own family,  it's my mama and daddy, my sister and brother-in-law, my nephew, my niece and my aunt who make up those people I have known most if not all my life.  It's those people, not the house, that have provided years worth of cherished memories for me. 

When I see them, I am reminded of my grandparents who are no longer gathering with us in this life but are pouring out their thanksgiving at the very feet of the Most High.  I am also reminded of my cousin and her family and my aunt and uncle who were celebrating Thanksgiving out of town this year. 

Our kiddie table...

  
Another first to report for our girl...certainly not SK's first Thanksgiving but it was her first time to eat from the Thanksgiving table.  

She had dressing w/gravy and sweet potato casserole.

And this is what she did after she had her fill...

Caught her mid yawn, so funny!

One of Sophie Kate's favorite spots at my parents house is their front porch.  The only thing that could make it better is someone to hold hands with and talk to...

Aunt Betty and Sophie Kate

I am so thankful that everyone was healthy enough to travel this year.  Several of Sophie Kate's friends have been in the hospital lately and some even over the Thanksgiving holiday and my heart goes out to those families who may have been separated in some way.  Also, some of SK's friends are spending their first Thanksgiving in the arms of Jesus and my heart has been heavy for their families this week as well.

Our family has so much to be thankful for and I felt it in such simple ways...nothing complicated or manufactured just the simplicity of being together, playing with cousins, the genuineness of heartfelt conversation and good ole laughter.  It did my heart and soul good and that was just Thanksgiving day.  I have so much to share from our trip to Mimi and Pawpaw's house...the picture taking has reached unhealthy levels...hope y'all can handle it.

Thanks for checking in on us.