Our Thanksgiving

We had a beautiful Thanksgiving.  This was the first year that we decided to host it at our house since our sweet friends moved away in July.

I had a little pre-Thanksgiving stress - so we baked cookies and it made everything better.  I still can't believe how smoothly all the preparations went the two days before, from preparing so much food, to clean and tidying up the house.

On Wednesday we doubled team it, Nate entertained the kids and helped me clean [yes, my husband is awesome] while I turned up the music in the kitchen and cooked and baked away.  I had so much fun, and in a few hours I made three pies, 2 batches of cupcakes, dressing, prepped the turkey for the next day, and made dinner for that night.  I love cooking and baking - especially when Nate is home to play with the kids and I can do it guilt free.  I made almost everything from scratch and for the first tine my pie crusts were totally awesome!! I was so excited for the next day, to finally eat!!!.

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Thanksgiving day went even smoother.  We had no break downs, no deep breathing that leads to hyperventilating - just smiles and peace.  I even got to take a bath on Thanksgiving morning - apparently that is unheard off.  I got a little cocky in my we have it together mind especially when we managed to get both kids down for a nap at the same time before the guests showed up.  We sat on the couch, waiting on the turkey to rest, and didn't know what to do with ourselves.

Fast forward 20 minutes, people start showing up, I still need to heat up the soup, make the gravy, and take the turkey apart - and we are running late - this is where the stress surfaces.  Luckily we have laid back friends who stirred the gravy, put food out on the table, made small talk, and made me feel like everything is just fine.

We spend the day with friends, celebrating a homecoming after nine long months, celebrating new friendships, and celebrating our thankfulness for Jesus.  It made me happy to watch everyone, at home, cozy and comfortable.  The chaos of little people running, playing and laughing - it all made me feel so aware of all of the things we need to be thankful for - the big and little.

Here is our Thanksgiving in pictures.

The food was amazing.

Apparently the pumpkin cupcakes were a hit.  They were pretty good even if I have to say so myself.

Even thought the house was completely trashed and messy - I had fun, I enjoyed it, and didn't care that is looked messy - huge step for me.  I sat and talked, and listened, and ate instead of moving around frantically trying to clean.  I am proud of that - the moment I just breathed in and took in the scene before me, and it flooded with me gratitude.

I am thankful for so many things in my life that it will take me forever to name them all.  I am going to try to think about this things always, and not just wait till November and Thanksgiving to realize it.


Happy Thanksgiving from the Cooks.