Our Thanksgiving weekend

Our Thanksgiving was quiet this year.  It was just the four of us and mom but if you include the dogs we had a grand total of eight.  The day was so relaxing and we have so much to be thankful for.  This year felt a little different to me.  Jay no longer living at home probably played a part in that and usually we have more people but this year Kim was with Craig's family.  Jay picked mom up and Nick and I drove her home.  The food was amazing and we enjoyed each others company.  

The picture above is our family picture we sent to Ausili's.  Not the best picture of the four of us but it is what it is. 

Our festivites wrapped up early and I got under my new blanket (that I seriously adore) and did nothing the rest of the night.  It was delightful. 

I'm learning how to be an adult parent.  I think Jay needed a hair cut but this momma kept her mouth shut.  I was just glad to see him, shaggy hair and all.  

Mike smoked our turkey and then fried it.  It was ridiculously good, as always. 

Jay made these hog wings.  They were very good and apparently very easy.  

 My mom, Walker and Cole.  Cole knows he's not allowed on the furniture but Walker has no boundries (just saying).  Since mom can't cook for herself she loves eating home cooked meal.  It made me happy to send her home with several left overs!  

Conversations with Nick

There's been so much weighing me down lately.  I'll blog about it.  It's simply a matter of me trying to figure out how to put my thoughts and feelings in writing without being all over the place.  Last night in an attempt to refocus my mind I pulled out my blog books.  Gosh am I glad I kept those books that highlight my life as a young mother of two awesome boys who helped shaped who I am today.  I laugh out loud at the stories and wonder where the time has gone.  These days the boys don't give me as much to write about but last night Nick and I ran an errand together.  He drives, I tag along.  I relish these times because once he's 16, he won't have a reason to bring me along for the ride.  Legally, he has no choice now.  Ha.  Nick shared with me that while he was out blowing leaves over the weekend he reflected how good his life is.  He said he's so thankful for good friends, great parents and living where he does.  My heart burst to hear my son so happy and what a great reflection for the week of Thanksgiving.  

Cousins are the best

 Yesterday Kim and I went and had lunch with Aunt Karen and Michelle.  The weather was beautiful and the company was delightful and of course we shared many laughs together.  I am very close to all my girl cousins on both sides of my family.  I realize it's truly a blessing.  I'm the oldest out of all of them and there's probably a little "mothering" I do from afar -ha!  I like to check in with all of them frequently to see how they are doing.  

Michelle reminds me the most of myself as a young mother but she is way more patient than I was.  I swear that girl is patient as the day is long.  She is an encouraging soul and I've always been in complete admiration of her relationship with her bonus child, Jayde.  

Kelly is my cousin that first exposed me to the University of Alabama.  Who knew that years later my sweet god daughter, Faith, would end up going to AL and that Kelly would help guide her through the rush process.  I know Kelly and Karen kept Faith and Jenny sane during that time period.  I love watching Kelly from afar.  She is adventerous, brave and determined.  She recently moved to FL and I can't wait to visit her.  

Amber is a go getter.  She doesn't let any grass grow under her feet.  She is upbeat and friendly to a fault.  The joke in her hometown is she can't go anywhere without seeing someone she knows.  She is smart, funny and level headed.  She's my "yes" cousin.  Whatever Kim and I come up with as something to do, Amber is always all in!      

Cora recently made a bold decision and moved to FL.  I so admire Kelly and Cora for being brave enough so make the moves that they did.  Cora has had to work for everything she has.  Every decision she has made has been for the betterment of her family.  She loves babies!  My does that girl love babies.  She also has an extended bonus family she has taken on as 100% her own since day one. She has sound advice and a big heart.  

My weekend

 My weekend was rather uneventful but that's okay.  The weather was gorgeous for November in central IL.  On Friday night I had a small happy hour for my dear friends, Calli and Betsy (picture above).  I know I must sound like a broken record sometimes but truly I am beyond blessed to have such amazing women in my life.  Calli is my friend through our older boys and Betsy is my neighbor friend.  On Saturday I had a quick visit with my friend, Jenna, who is now my neighbor.  Today me, Mike and Nick went to church and Nick has been at a friends all afternoon so yep you guessed, it's just been Mike and I this afternoon.  I did some meal prepping and relaxed.  All in all a great weekend. 

Saturday Mornings

 My house is quiet this morning.  Mike is working and Nick left with friends to cheer for his other friends at the state XC meet.  I was up early and got a good walk and work out in.  I'm now sitting at my dinner table with my lap top open, my dogs snoozing about two feet from me and my coffee steaming.  If I just painted a really nice visual it's because it is.  My Saturday mornings have sure changed through the years.  Most Saturdays were filled with cartoons in the background, syrup on the breakfast bar and the sounds of fighting between the boys and I loved every second of it while I was living it.  There is no one season I loved more than the others, although I'd go back just one time to hear my boys yell "Mom's home" when I got home from work and see them run across the kitchen into my arms.  It was a good thing I didn't know when the last time they would do that but one day it just stopped.  Instead these days I relish hugging my almost 20 year old when he stops in for a quick visit.  I enjoy praying with Nick everyday before school, knowing that in a blink of an eye that time will also soon be over.  I am really enjoying this season of my life and I try everyday not to take it for granted.  

I have always been uncomfortable with advice to take time for youself, to make sure you're taken care of so you can better take care of the ones you love.  Don't get me wrong there is so much truth in knowing and understanding this but it use to annoy the heck out of me.  I thought it was a complete joke when I was in the trenches of working full time, parenting and being a wife.  In fact it really just pissed me off.  In my 30s and most of my 40s, there was little time to focus on myself.  Turns out that advice is really meant for middle aged women like myself.  Ha.  These days I love that advice and soak it up nearly everyday.   I'm healthy physically and mentally.  I get some form of exercise everyday now.  Mentally I do it for my overall health, not for weight loss which is whole new concept for me but I like it.  I'm surrounded by girlfriends who fill my cup over and over again.  I can finally sit back a bit and breathe and enjoy my boys, accepting that perhaps the hard work we put forth was all worth it. Mike and I laugh more these days maybe because our boys are more independent and somehow we never lost sight of what attracted us to each other way back when.  I enjoy these quiet Saturday mornings.  They renew my spirit and remind me of what more is to come.  

My surprise TX weekend

I might have pulled off one of the best surprises ever!  I love that this happened.  I was missing Jenny and Faith a lot.  I coordinated my trip with Faith and Curtis coming home for their fall break. I surprised Jenny and Faith.  We were over the moon to see each other.  

I even got to hold Miss P!  

I am so grateful for this past weekend.  I am grateful that when I ran it by Sieb he smiled and encouraged me to go.  I am grateful I got my airline ticket for free (thank you airline points) and I'm thankful for close friends who transported Nick to and from school.  I am also so thankful for my job. A few of my teammates were also off but I was able to take 1 day off but work the other.  It worked out perfectly.  I am so glad I'm able to work remotely when I need to.  

My heart is so full!