November 26

It was most definitely a different kind of Thanksgiving. For the first time ever, we had dinner at our own house with just our immediate family. And we used our china --the good dishes!-- for the first time ever, too. (Seriously. The sets were still sitting in our garage in their original boxes. All I can say is that 18 years can fly by and things just don't get opened when you don't have the occasion to use them.)

Anyway, we all chipped in to make the meal happen. Isaac made the Jello yesterday, Abby made an apple and pear pie, Brady helped with a few sides, I whipped up some mac and cheese (which, along with the inclusion of the Jello, prompted Abby to note that we'd added a Kids' Menu to the Thanksgiving dinner offerings this year), and Adam took care of the turkey breast, pumpkin pie, and cranberry bread.

So yes, we gathered around our beautiful table in our dining room in our lovely new house and enjoyed a meal that we prepared ourselves, for each other. And although he wasn't here-here, Logan was represented by Lambie, who had his own place setting. So we ate and gave thanks to the One who created us and enjoyed our time together.

This life is filled with peaks and valleys, but there are always reasons to be thankful. And today I am grateful for all of mine. And for all of you.