Welcome to my life..my family..my world..unedited.

If you follow me on twitter, you’ve certainly read about my troubles this week. It started with Preston and a stomach virus on Sunday night and then, once he was all better, turned into whining about MY flu. Our original Thanksgiving dinner guests immediately decreased by 4, then 3 more, then 1.  Some not able to expose themselves, some not willing (I don’t blame them at all – it’s nasty!) My mom was the last holdout – she got sick last night.
I’ve been quarantined to my room since Tuesday night. I haven’t been out, I haven’t touched any food or anything. Mike has been awesome (as usual) taking over the prep and cleaning and cooking of everything. I finally had some toast and have been surviving dehydration with my favorite Canada Dry and hand-crushed ice.
So, since I’m finally able to sit upright and not sprinting to the bathroom, I have an opportunity to do some thankful stuff.
We did a thankful ‘tree’ in the kitchen this year using fake leaves and twigs – I think my favorite was Matt being thankful for the Army & the USA.
Without further ado, and in no particular order:

my amazing and wonderful and wise husband, Mike, …

I was going to say it goes without saying, but I guess being grateful shouldn’t ever go without saying.
Today was a quiet Thanksgiving at our house. Normally we have nearly 20 people here – lots of noise, laughter, good-natured teasing – the whole family thing.  We do it casual around here; food, football, comfort.  This year, it was just me, Mike and the kids plus my mom, dad and step-parents. 8 of us, total.  We actually ate at the table for the first time in years.  My brother was at his in-laws, my cousins gathered in Virginia, my other cousins and their parents at their house, Mike’s parents and sister at their house. We all kind of split up this year and I’m afraid it was more of a change, not a one time deal.  That said, I’m grateful that we didn’t have to travel, that we still had a great meal and a nice day  (but I sure missed having more of our family around).
I am absurdly thankful for my amazing husband and best friend who is also a fabulous father.  There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude for my boys – in the midst of craziness, issues …

I’m not sure where I found the idea, but we made a garland of paper leaves with some things we are thankful for written on them. Unfortunately, I should have turned the leaves upside down to write on them, but the more important part is that we did it. We sat around the table sharing what we are thankful for. Mostly, I am thankful that I was able to sit at the table and be thankful today. (I will post pics later).
Not everyone is so lucky to be with their family or people they love today, please remember them today and always. It’s been a pretty rough year for a lot of people. Please keep praying for Anissa.
Matt is thankful for:

family
friends
mommy & daddy
love
elly
food
kitties & doggy
doctors
Preston
video games

Preston is thankful for:

turkey
daddy
bear
medicine
mommy
love
cake
Matt

Mike and I are thankful for each other, for our boys, for having jobs and a roof over our heads, but mostly, we are thankful for the smart and talented doctors who saved my life.
I am extraordinarily grateful and thankful for the people who have supported me when I needed it the most; friends and family near and far.
Happy Thanksgiving.