Thanksgiving Update

Thanks to Tay, I finally decided to write a post on Thanksgiving. Not really, I was just being lazy, and I was going to get around to it eventually. We had another successful Thanksgiving. Lots of food, laughter, and Quick Care. Yup. I said it. ANOTHER stop at the quick care for our family. This time, however, it was Kevin and not Spencer. He was having some chest pains (yikes!), so after freaking ourselves out, with the help of Mom, Aunt Kathy and webMD, we decided it was better to be safe than sorry. Saying the word "angina" is funny, but having one...not so much, if you know what I mean. Three hours and a chest x-ray later we got to leave with a clean bill of heath. They told him it might be gas, but both of us thought that he is always gassy, so we would wait it out. All is well, and as far as I am concerned...it was gas! Ha ha, sorry Kevin!

We had a great time visiting with everyone. Our children were about as well behaved as kids can be when 900 things are going on at a time. My parents, less Susan, took all us kids out for our annual Thanksgiving shoe shopping! Gotta love that. Spencer had a great time too. All you need is Uncle E to come along, and you can have your four year old transformed into a Shoebertron. Sweet. Hey Eric, want to come shopping with me every time?

The actual feast was over in no time, of course. All those that slaved away all day in the kitchen watched their efforts be consumed in 30 minutes. Mmmmmm. No worries, the party continued. The family had a great time hanging out, even though we somehow cannot seem to shut our computers off even for an hour or two!

Oh well, it was worth the laughs!

The day after, none of us braved Black Friday. Instead the girls decided to make candy and have a Guitar Hero jam session. I suck, but it was so fun! I need that game. We also stayed at Cal and Jeanette's that night. It was fun to be able to see that side of the family too. It seemed a little off not having two Thanksgiving dinners this year. All the Nelson's were at their cabins except Cal's family. We were happy they decided to stick around. Spence and Oli had a blast "making science" with Alli and Jessica. We don't get to see the Vegas clan nearly enough these days.

I am truly grateful for our families. They are so wonderful to us. I can't imagine not having that support system. Having parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins that you can share your life with is such a blessing and makes everything so much more colorful. I have the best husband ever and two amazing children. I feel like they help me grow everyday. I am so blessed!

That said, I now will turn into a Debbie Downer. I don't know what my problem is. I am having such a difficult time getting into the Christmas spirit. I have yet to pull out the decorations, which I am sure will help, but I am just not excited to do it. Poor Spencer has been asking for days, but I just haven't gotten around to it. I love listing to Christmas music, but I am not into the jingles and whatnots. I only am moved or filled when it is something beautiful and spiritual. The traditional songs are just songs on the radio and do not even feel festive to me. I find myself actually feeling sad. I am sure part of it is me missing my girlfriends. Life just isn't the same in our new neighborhood, but I know life in our old neighborhood isn't the same either! Everyone has moved, or is thinking about moving, so there is nothing to be done. I know I will get to know people in our new neighborhood, but life is just crazy for everyone this time of year, so I am sure it will take awhile.

I miss not being close to my family. I know they are just an hour away, but it is the everyday buzz that I miss being involved in. I feel like I am missing out on so much, even though they are busy with their day to day stuff too. It isn't realistic to go down there very often especially when there are schedules to keep and when I have a car that requires premium gasoline!

I have even lost the desire to Christmas shop! What you say? Can it be? It is true my friends, it is true. Actually, I don't know that I ever really liked Christmas shopping. I have a hard time with how commercial everything is. It makes me crazy to hear my little guy ask for everything on TV when he doesn't play with his entire toy room full of toys. Now, I know all children do this, but it just makes me sick to think of how much we have and how many more there are that go without. Go without the simple things, at that! Good thing Santa only brings one present to our house, and they only get a few from Mom and Dad! I do, on the other hand, like the idea of spending time with people I love. I love being able to walk the mall with family and friends laughing, people watching, and shoving my face to satisfy a craving of greasy food court offerings. That is what I want. It isn't to spend money and to get more of the unnecessary, but to be around people I love. I feel like I have been removed from all of that, and maybe that is why I am feeling this way.

I recognize the season has just begun, and I am one who does not begin celebrating the Christmas season until Thanksgiving is over. I have time to warm up to all that the season brings. I also recognize that I need to reach beyond myself and think of others. I need to think of our Savior. I must admit that I have been sluggish in my temple attendance. I have been feeling, or more appropriately, yearning to go. Maybe that is where my sadness is coming from. I am disappointed in the lack of service I have been giving to others. I hope that I will take this opportunity to turn it around. I think that is why I am writing this. I think it will make me more accountable for my actions.

After all that venting, I really must say that even though all my friends live away from me now, as well as my parents and siblings, I love nothing more that being able to be with MY family. I love being home. I love when Kevin gets home and the kids are so excited to hear the door. I love the chaos of our nightly routines. I love jammies, stories, crazy night time hair, and most of all quiet time with Kevin. He is my rock. He loves me even when I am not being loving. My family is the best gift ever, and that is all I need.

So if you read this far, thank you! More importantly, Olivia and Nick Nolte wish you a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!!!