Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011 was "epic" as Colin would say. This time last year I was pacing the floor of our home, tapping my fingers on every surface available, praying, praying and praying for our Letter of Approval so that we could go and bring Miss Maddox home forever. It didn't come and I was so sad....this year she was home with us, there was no more pacing, but a lot of loving and taking in all of the things that we have to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving is the one holiday each year that Ryan and his siblings are all together. Yes, there are celebrations throughout the year for this and that but someone always seems to be missing. No one misses Thanksgiving. This year proved to be no different. In honor of Ryan's parents' 55th wedding anniversary, we all met at a "mansion" in the mountains for the occasion.

Maddox wasted no time at all roping G-Dad in. They could be spotted throughout the holiday putting their heads together to see what was on the agenda next. Dancing was at the top of the list.

Maddox's first Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for you little one. We are thankful for your giggles, your smiles, your love, your trust.

The children spent hours upon hours playing air hockey and pool.....

and Ms. Pacman......

and Simpson pinball.....

and cards with the cousins.....

Thanksgiving evening, everyone gathered together for a special toast to the wedding anniversary couple. We told stories and laughed at the memories......a great time of sharing!

Nightfall came and we happily retired to our beds.

That is when it all fell apart.

Black Friday. Cloud 9, our home away from home, slowly became known as The Infirmary.

While thousands all over the US were out shopping, I lay awake in bed feeling a bit unsettled. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I was sprawled out over the coldest, most comfortable bathroom floor there ever was. I was beyond sick - I was selfishly bargaining with God to free me of the pain and let me see my children grow up.....it.was.awful. On this very weekend 16 years ago, I met my husband. I asked Ryan the last time I had been this sick and he said he thought this was the worst he had ever seen me....it was horrid. While I curled up, barely conscience of the world around me, Ryan would frequently come into check on me AND he would give me the update - aka the who's up, who's down. We began our Thanksgiving weekend with 20 people in one house. By Saturday evening, 6 of the 20 remained illness free. Luckily, it was short lived, 24 hours max and sleeping, be it in a comfy bed or on the bathroom floor, was the best remedy.

Though we are not thankful for the stomach virus, we are so thankful for the time we were able to spend with Ryan's family.