Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thankgiving

This year's Thanksgiving feast will be pretty low key. The kids and I are going to hang out here at the house, watch the Macy's parade, and eat some turkey. We could go to one of the dining facilities on post, but who wants to go out to eat with four kids by themselves??  Not that eating with four kids here at home is much better, but at least here they can leave the table and go play.

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays.  As a child our house was always full for Thanksgiving dinner.  Friends and family crowded around the table.  I remember one year when we had about 20 people elbow to elbow in the dining room. It was a good thing my parents had a very large table. Those memories are wonderful and I hope that my children will have similar memories, but as a military family we are often far from home.    Our first year in Germany we spent Thanksgiving visiting castles along the Rhine and came home to have tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches! Last year was the first year in a long time that we spent with our family on Thanksgiving. Other years we traveled to other countries. Only once have I cooked my own turkey.

This year finds us without family or travel plans. Scott will spend the day eating a Thanksgiving dinner prepared for him at the army dining facility in Iraq with a bunch of other soldiers.  I've always heard the saying, "You know you're a military family when you've spent at least one Thanksgiving at the DFAC." Maybe next year we can try that.  Tomorrow I'll cook the smallest turkey I could find, along with mashed potatoes, cranberry jello, stuffing, and sweet potatoes.  Oh and don't forget the pumpkin pie. My kids would request a new mom if I forgot that!

Tomorrow is a day to give thanks to God for all he has done for us. I am thankful for my family. My loving husband who emails everyday to let me know he's safe,  my kids who are pretty good most of the time and are quick to give hugs and kisses and tell me they love me, for my parents who raised me to know the Lord as my savior and friend, and for my brothers and sisters and their families.  I'm thankful for God's provision.  I am thankful for my sisters in PWOC and my church family.

To everyone we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and pray that God blesses you abundantly in the year to come.