A Week of Thanksgiving

Last week, we were in Pennsylvania celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with my Beloved's family.  Yes, the trip there is always a bit strenuous because when you cramp two boys (it cannot be two girls, nor a mix) with limited toys and books with blankets, coats, hats mittens and pillows in a small-sized "family" car (which is what my Beloved had in mind when he purchased this abomination of a Saturn... not that all Saturns are abominations, of course) for 16+ hours, it is bound to get interesting.

This is the first year, since having children, that I feel like I actually relaxed and had an enjoyable time... the entire time.  My lack of ease had nothing to do with my in-laws (or, at least, very little), but moreso the lack of scheduling for naps and feeding is far more dire when dealing with children under 3 years old.  Now that my monsters are older, they coped much better... and so did I.

My favorite part (or one of the favorites) is talking with my mother-in-law.  How many women do you know that would actually call their spouse's mother to talk about his imperfections?  Hmmm... that's risky behavior.  And, yet, I am blessed enough to have someone who can divorce herself from the fact that she birthed and reared this man and can give me good, solid advice and counsel when dealing with his imperfections (the very few that there are).  During our week-long vacation, we always get some time to talk about life, raising children, marriage and family issues.  She is such an encouragement to me.

This trip, my boys got to go with Nana and Poppy all by themselves on an adventure to Chocolate World at Hershey Park.  Oh, boy.  They are still reminiscing about the singing cows and how much fun it was eating chocolate and getting matching soccerballs.  Talk about spoiling the boys!

After this wonderful week away, we had to pile back into the cartrap and endure another 16+ hours back home where I listened to my son continue asking (as he had all the way there), "Why does it take so long?"  But, he said he wants to go back to Nana and Poppy's next weekend, so the trip must not have been too terrible.

I am thankful:
-for my husband's family (and they are now my family)
-for my two monsters
-that my husband has promised to love me even when I am unlovely (there was some of that on our trip)
-that my sweet puppy was well-cared for while we were gone
-for the blessings of presents and things that make us happy (I have two hand-crafted, by my m-i-l, hanging flower baskets for my front porch)
-for our safety in traveling
-that we got to have breakfast at Cracker Barrel (normally we stop at a small diner with food that sits heavy in your stomach)

Well, I think I'm finished for today.

Until next time, continue your thankful attitude through Hanukkah and Christmas and any other holidays you have that make you crazy.