Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving dinner has been the same at our house for as long as I can remember.  The menu never changes because I am not allowed to change the menu.  I may add a new dish to the old menu, but I'm definitely not allowed to take an old dish off the menu.  My family is deeply rooted in tradition and they want to keep it that way.  I've cooked this meal so many times over the years that I don't even need recipes, and it takes me only a few hours to put it all together.  I start the day out lonely in the kitchen, wishing the kids would come help me.  Then they do come to help, and I kick them out within minutes and wonder what I was thinking to begin with.  Justice dresses up every year without fail, but never combs his hair because he runs out of time and eating is more important.  Jack?  He's sitting next to Justice, but he's wearing pajamas that don't match.  The Coach is dressed nicely, and Shandi is in her pajamas.  I'm covered in flour and wearing an apron.  We eat Thanksgiving dinner on the Christmas china, because it's too pretty to only use once a year.  Justice is always the last one at the table because he eats three plates.  He is also the first one to eat pie.  Justice always mixes his mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese together, and everyone says how gross that is.  Shandi begs me to make pumpkin pie every year and never eats any.  It used to drive me crazy, but now that Justice has decided he likes it I'm ok with it. The Coach cleans the kitchen after dinner, but complains the entire time about how full the refrigerator already is and wonders aloud fifty times where he's going to put all the leftovers.  The day plays out the same way every year, just like clockwork.  And for that I am particularly thankful.  I like the routine.  And my kids are pretty much in it for the food.

It has been a blessed year.  Dinner is over, football is on, and I get the opportunity to reflect on the things that I am thankful for this year.  It has been a whirlwind year of ups and downs, but our lives are full and we are content.  I am thankful for so many things. 

The birth of Jacoby takes center stage this year.  Just when we had given up hope, after facing years of loss and heartache and the quiet internal doubt of my faith, we were blessed with a healthy and strong little boy at a time that could have only been the workings of Heavenly Father.  We are richly blessed with the newest member of our family.  I thank God every day for realizing our prayers to have another child.

I am thankful for Jackson.  I have learned so much about patience and temperance from raising Jack.  He is growing up.  His antics have slowed, and he is being more responsible.  He leaves me little material to blog about these days because he isn't so mischievous anymore.  He attended his first "Turkey Bowl" football game at the church this Thanksgiving.  Other than trash-talking during the game by telling somebody they smelled like fish and telling a missionary he was going to kill him after the missionary accidentally tackled him to the ground during the game, he did pretty well.  While those things sound pretty horrible, it's actually a great improvement over what he used to be capable of.  He is finally learning his letters and schoolwork like a champ.  He has matured tremendously in the past six weeks or so.  I'm thankful he is making such great strides these days. 

I am thankful for Justice.  I am thankful that after the struggles with our older children, that Heavenly Father blessed us with this little boy.  I am grateful for his intelligence, his work ethic, and his faith.  I am especially thankful for his tender heart.  He is growing up, and it's going to be hard on me.  I pray that he continues the path he's on.

I am thankful for Shandi.  Shandi has had her share of trials, some of which she brought on herself, and some she did not.  Some of these trials have altered her path and have hardened her.  She continues to struggle with them emotionally, and I am thankful for her strength.  I'm thankful she hasn't given up.

I am thankful for Jamaal.  Jamaal snuggled up to me from day 1 in our relationship and he's been my sweet boy ever since.  I am thankful for his sweet personality and I'm grateful that he loves me like he does.  I miss him very much, he is too far away.

I am thankful for Joneya.  It was through Joneya that I learned what unconditional love is really about.  She gave me a run for my money, but whenever she had a problem and needed advice, I was the first person she called.  I am thankful she has turned into such a hardworking woman and such a loving mother to her son.

I am thankful for my grandson Jadyn.  The smile he puts on my husband's face is priceless and I am thankful for the bond that they have.  I am thankful to hear "HI GRAMMA!!" from the phone.  I am especially thankful that I am a part of this little boys life.  I can't wait until he's old enough to spend lots of time with us during the summers.  

I am thankful for my husband.  He is my rock and my strength.   He loves me unconditionally and has weathered a rough year without skipping a beat.  It took a great deal of courage to forge new family relationships after the reconciliation with my Dad.  I'm thankful he was able to put years of bitterness aside for the sake of our children meeting and knowing their Grandpa.  I watched him tearfully close the chapter on a 30 year career in the Navy, and then watched him switch careers like it was the easiest thing in the world.  I am grateful for his upbringing, his Mother, and I'm grateful he will be my eternal companion.  I am especially thankful that he works as hard as he needs to work to make sure I am able to stay home to take care of our little ones.  I am especially thankful he is a worthy priesthood holder.  I am thankful for his blessings, and I'm thankful for the blessings of comfort he gives our children.  He sets a strong example for our sons.  

I am thankful for my Dad.  After 14 years of misery, I have my Dad back in my life.   I still struggle with my feelings towards my Mother, but I have my Dad back.  He is proof that people can change.  I am thankful for the love he shows my boys.  And I'm thankful he was able to swallow his pride and pick up the phone to end 14 years of loneliness during a time when he was suffering the loss of my Mother.  And I'm thankful that he loves my husband.

I am thankful for my Aunts.  They stepped up and stepped into my life and have filled a huge gap that was left by my Mother.  They love me, they love my children, and they love my husband.  And I love them more than they probably could ever imagine.  And I thank God everyday for the strong women He put into my life.

I am grateful for my cousin BK.  She came back into my life right after I lost my Mom.  I have enjoyed sharing emails and family history with her.  I am thankful she doesn't beat around the bush, and I'm thankful that we communicate so often.  I'm thankful that she sent me a card after my Mom died, setting the wheels in motion for our re-connection.  I love her very much.

I am thankful for my Brother.  I am thankful he tried so hard in the months before my Mother's death to convince her to reconcile.  I know he did all he could do, and I am thankful for his efforts.

I am grateful for my South Carolina family.  My sister in law Kathy has wrapped her arms around me from day one and I love her with all my heart.  I am thankful that we have a close relationship and that she is so fiercely protective of me.  I am thankful for my mother in law.  I am thankful she raised such a wonderful son.  She did an amazing job amidst many trials of her own.  I am thankful for my beautiful niece Kristian.  She is growing up too quickly and will be off to college next year, but she has become a beautiful young woman.  I'm thankful she has filled my life with laughter and love.

I am especially thankful for my faith.  Without my faith, I don't know how my story would end.  My faith gave me the strength to get through some really hard times.  My faith keeps me sober.  My faith reminds me everyday that I get to live eternally with my children and my husband.  My faith helps me be a nicer person.  My faith helps me realize that I need to help others.  My faith keeps me from making unhealthy choices.  My faith reminded me on many occasions that I was loved by my Heavenly Father, and that I would prevail through the trials and become stronger.  

It has indeed been a year full of blessings and thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!