Thanksgiving 2013

This is the only picture I took this year for Thanksgiving.  We had a very quiet holiday, with a twist - we went to a local church for Thanksgiving dinner.  We went to the Church of Christ, which offered a free dinner to anyone who showed up and you could take to-go trays, too.  So we all ate the usual homemade fare of turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn fritters and green beans.  We took it all home to James, too.  The only thing missing was the pie.  I do love pie....

We also had the annual Thanksgiving chess tournament, this year Rachel was the winner.  Next year I hope JMichael will participate.  The kids had a week off of school, so I had a week off of substituting.  We did almost nothing; lots of sleeping late, playing with friends and laundry.  One afternoon I literally sat on the couch for HOURS - there was a Hitchcock marathon.  The kids and I watched Rear Window, Psycho and the Birds.  Well, the kids came in and out; I was glued.  It was like a brief summertime in November.  The weather cooperated, too.  Days in the 60s, no rain.  Awesome.

I am thankful for these people in my family.  I love Rachel's imagination and optimism.  I love Samantha's independence and serious nature.  I love Charlotte's confidence and sweetness.  I love Josephine's curiosity and persistence.  I love JMichael's boundless energy and innocence.  And James?  I just love him.  I love his faith in me and his ability to dream in face of what seems like an insurmountable obstacle.  They are each so different and I can't imagine life without them.  I am also thankful for the family that brought me here - Dad and Ma, Eric and David.  You all are also so different, yet crucial to who I am today.  Thank you.