Thanksgiving Lessons

Thanksgiving has been a great break from the business of life. We began our celebrations on Wednesday. Bill and I decided that the only problem with going somewhere else for Turkey dinner was missing out on the leftovers. So as you can tell we went all out and made green beans, sweet potatoes, and Bill fried a turkey. YUM YUM! As we sat down to eat we all thanked God for the ability to have such a nice meal with our family. The boys told us all of the "things" they were thankful for, we have not gotten to the deep abstract meaning of the holidays quite yet. It does bring joy to my heart to hear their little prayers thanking God for their webkins and dogs. To think of how innocent we begin! Lesson #1... We can survive a Thanksgiving away from family if needed! Good to know!

Thursday brought us a wave of cold winter weather, finally. We woke up and got bundled up for a family bike ride, opting out of the Trot with 35,000 other North Texans trying to justify the 5000 calories they are about to consume. It was a very nice ride, luckily the snow held off until later in the afternoon. Yes, you read correctly SNOW on Thanksgiving. Only 5-6 flakes, but snow nonetheless. (As I write this El Paso has 4 inches on the ground!) We watched plenty of football and headed over to Bill's Aunt and Uncle's house for dinner. We were scheduled to eat at half time of the Cowboy game. (I wonder how many other people base their meal time around the GAME. I was in one and then married into one so I know it is not just me.) Anyway, Bill left early for his family's house so that he would not have to miss any of the game and Travis decided to go with him. When Tyler and I got there at halftime Travis walked up to me and said "Mom, my eye itches!" Keep in mind that I have not even set my purse down. I look down at Travis to see a swollen version of what seems to be my child. His entire left side of his face is red and puffy! My first thought is "How long have you been like this?" and my second thought is "Where is your father?" Don't forget the game!! Nancy and I quickly jump into MomMode and run to 7-11 to pay twice as much for benadryll and eye drops. As we return to the festivities we learn that Bill's Aunt has 9 cats! 8 of which I assume Travis is allergic to! We quickly eat and watch Travis carefully, he is getting better, very tired but better. Only to look at Tyler and see his eye swelling up! Great! Dessert is gobbled up and we say our goodbyes! Lesson #2 learned...boys are allergic to cats! Good to know! Positive...boys fell asleep (thanks to benadryll) at 7:00 and Bill and I had the evening to ourselves.