Thanksgiving Week 2017

The holidays are feeling extra special this year, as we introduce Bella to all of our traditions, to what it means to be with family at Thanksgiving, to the meaning of CHRISTmas, to all that comes with it. And we kicked it all off with a bang with Thanksgiving week! 

Each year, we celebrate with both "sides" of our family. Before we headed out of town, though, the kiddos had school feasts and Bella had a follow-up appointment with our neurosurgeon. Both went well  - the kids feasted and Bels continues to recover well from her big surgery. 

Then, it was time to head to Aiken for our first feast of the week. We stayed with our Nana and Pop for two nights and got in lots of good family time during our visit. One of the things I do everything Thanksgiving is take a photo of my kiddos and me in front of the door at Nana and Pop's house. I cannot tell you how full my heart felt this year to have all FOUR of my babies in the photo!! And it's fun to look back at the years preceding this one, watching our family grow and grow. :) 

Anywho, on Wednesday, it was time for the big feast at Nana and Pop's! The kids ran around playing with their cousins all day and we grown-ups had so much fun catching up. One of my favorite memories from this year was after dinner, when we had multiple generations of women sitting around the table together, singing Christmas song after Christmas song. So special. <3

And then, the funniest thing happened on Thursday morning. Before we hit the road, I wanted to get in a little post-feast #1/pre-feast #2 run; so, I jogged over to this park that is adjacent to Nana and Pop's neighborhood...and happened upon the Aiken Turkey Trot. I thought, 'Why not?!' and right then and there, ran my first race! Ha! It was a 5K, and I kept busting out laughing while I was running alongside the other runners (whose family members were cheering them on and videotaping us), having people hand me those small cups of water  - it was so funny! I crossed that finish line and couldn't help but snap a few quick pics. 

And then, we were on our way back home to the Mill! My aunt and uncle have hosted Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember. It is so convenient now that we live in the same neighborhood. We arrived back to our house to see my sister and her three kiddos (who were staying with us and had arrived the night before) and soon all headed over to join the rest of my "side" of the family (well, those who could make it. There were 2 of the 6 of us sibs who were with the other sides of their families on Thanksgiving this year). Again, the kids ran around making memories with their cousins while we adults enjoyed the apps and bevs and waited for the big meal to begin. 

After we were stuffed beyond belief, it was time to catch a little shut-eye so that we could carry on with our big Black Friday tradition the next morning: Every year, my mom, grandma, and whoever else is in town heads out for a little shopping Friday morning (not crazy early - more like 9:00 pm) before heading to lunch that always includes Bloody Marys. My grandma always treats us to this meal, and it is always one of my favorite mornings of the year! Although illness kept a few from being able to participate this year, our small group of four carried on the tradition and had a great time before heading home so the guys could get in their round of golf (also tradition) and we could hang with the littles. By the evening, all remaining family members had hit the road and our house felt so empty!

And then came Saturday, aka the Carolina/Clemson game. We opted to watch the game from home this year, and were all geared-up to cheer on our Tigers! Unfortunately, I caught some sort of nasty cold/sinus infection and was feeling pretty bad all day. :( However, I rested up and was able to watch our Tigers take down the Cocks for the fourth year in a row. Yeehaw! Next up, the ACC Championship game next Saturday (aka Clemson vs. Miami), which is played just 20 minutes up the road in Charlotte. Yeehaw! Go Tigers!! 

Finally, as we have done every year for the last six years, we headed to Penland Tree Farm yesterday to cut down our Christmas tree! This is another favorite tradition of mine: we scour the fields for the perfect tree before cutting it down and then enjoying bonfire-side s'mores. We then head home, put on our Christmas music, and decorate our tree and home for the Christmas season. Although the selection wasn't the best this year, we were still able to bring home a lovely Frazier Fir, and spent the rest of the afternoon yesterday decorating it and decorating (the interior of) our home. 

And THAT is how we spent the last week! We have big plans coming up this weekend; so, we are hoping to get back in our routine and get a little rest (ha!) before Friday arrives. Last week was a busy one but also a great one. Thanks for the fun and the memories, Thanksgiving 2017. <3

Thankfulness

It is Thanksgiving week, and I wanted to take a few minutes to share just a few of the things I am feeling especially thankful for this year:

Bella's birth mom. I think about her all the time - the amazing woman who gave birth to my daughter. I don't know anything about her. I don't know her name nor her age. I don't know if she is married nor if she has other children.  I don't know how excruciating it must have been to have to leave her beautiful newborn that day over 2.5 years ago. What I do know is that she gave birth to the most amazing little girl - one who is resilient and strong, silly and loveable, joyful and affectionate. One who leaves an impactful impression on all she meets. One who is adored by her big brothers and sisters. One who melts her Dada's heart and makes her Momma cry tears of love and gratitude regularly. I know that I will forever be thankful to the woman who gave me one of the greatest gifts of my life, my Bella Elizabeth. There is so much more I want to say about, and to, her. But for now, this Thanksgiving, I will think of her while introducing our Bella to the amazingness that is the holiday season. 

Family and friends. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned over the last 18 months, since our adoption journey officially began, is how invaluable supportive loved ones are. We are incredibly thankful to have so many family members and friends who have walked alongside us each step of our journey to Bella and who have continued to support, nurture, and care for us since she has come home. I am so indescribably grateful for our village. 

This is why, perhaps, what happened on Sunday evening felt that much more meaningful this year. My hub and I, along with two of our closest friends, co-hosted our 2nd Annual Friendsgiving. Not only was it a way for us to gather 25 families from our neighborhood for food, festivities, and fun, but it was a way for us to say "Thank you!!" for being exactly who you are: friends we love and appreciate so very much. 

This year, we had somewhere around 48 grownups and 63 kids who joined in the action, and we had such a great time feasting with our friends! My hub took charge of frying up six turkeys and each of the families who came signed up to bring appetizers, sides, desserts, and wine. This year, we opted to host it at the amenities center right in our own neighborhood, which not only made the location very convenient for our guests but also provided plenty of space, and a playground, for all the kiddos to run around and have a grand ol' time. 

My favorite moment, though, was when my hub expressed our gratitude to our friends before offering the blessing - to say thank you for supporting us in our journey to bring Bella home. To have so many people we love in one place at one time, to be able to say how much we appreciate each and every one of them, was a perfect way to start off this week of Thanksgiving. <3

You. Friends, just so you know, I am incredibly thankful for all of you. Those who take time to stop by my little space here. Those who have reached out in prayer, love, and support. Those who have contacted me about pursuing adoption. Those who regularly lift my spirits when things feel hard and overwhelming. I know this is just a silly lil' blog, but it has been such a blessing in so many ways. So, thank you for continuing to travel alongside us with each passing year. It is a privilege to have you join me here. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I'll be taking the rest of the week off to focus on my family but will be back next week with some recapping and some fun posts on the horizon. May your feasts be filled with thankfulness and love. 

Oh, and GO TIGERS!!! :)

Cheers to the Weekend: Giving Thanks Edition

Another Friday has rolled around - yippee!  No beating around the bush today - here are some things we're saying CHEERS to this week/end:

God's timing. Somethings just aren't coincidence. About a month ago, the sweetest, kindest girl from our church, who is currently spending a semester in South America, sent me a message letting me know that she had sent a gift back to the States for me and that her sister would give it to me at church. Several weeks went by where I didn't cross paths with her sister, but this past Sunday, I did. And she handed me an envelope. I immediately opened it and began to read her beautiful words as I walked back toward the sanctuary. By the time I got to the entrance, where my hub was waiting, my tears were falling. Her letter is something I will treasure forever. And the necklace she included, which has incredibly important meaning behind it, I now wear every day, proudly, until it is my time to pass it on. So where's the coincidence? For weeks, I looked for her sister, and she for me, and we didn't see each other. And then, we finally find each other and she gives me this gift - which has everything to do with our Bella and adoption - and it just so happens to be...Orphan Sunday. Of all the Sundays for this exchange to happen, with those words that I so needed to read, it was Orphan Sunday. Thank you for that little wink, God. And thank you, Brielle, for being exactly who you are. <3

Family visits. We have been so touched by so many of our family members who have traveled to meet our sweet Bella. It has been so special to introduce them to our littlest girl. Last week, my sister and brother "in law," and my niece and nephew made the trip up to get to know their newest niece, and we just had the best time. Football was playing all day long (so many great games that day!), there was a nice Fall chill in the air, and we snacked on tailgate food all day while getting in some good time together. It was perfect. <3

LifeGroups. We have been with our LifeGroup for over four years now, and it has truly been amazing to see our families grow and change over time. It is so special to do life alongside these people who we love so much and are some of our closest friends - we know each others stories, struggles, and triumphs. We encourage and pray for one another, and I honestly don't know what I'd do without them. Last Sunday, we gathered together, with all 11 of our kiddos in tow, and filled 14 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. It was so fun to watch our littles fill the boxes and include the sweetest handwritten notes. We enjoyed pizza, a fire, and even some nighttime swimming for some. It was a great night for an awesome cause and a visible reminder of how blessed we are to have one another. 

Healthy kiddos. Our week included a couple doctor appointments, with one more quick one happening later this morning when I take Rals to get her flu shot. One of the appointments from earlier in the week was for Banks' 8-year well-check. He continues to be long and lean, clocking in at 4'6" and 65 pounds. Before we left the pediatrician's office, he, Harrison, and Bella got their flu shots, and I was so proud of each of them for being so brave. 

The following day, I took Bella for an(other) audiology appointment. The details are too much for me to type out at this point in the week #mommaistired, but long story short, per our (awesome! Love you, Dr. Block aka Kim) audiologist's recommendation, we are seeking a second opinion from another ENT about whether or not there is fluid in Bella's ears. So, we'll be headed to that appointment in about a week and a half. Once we finally solve the mystery of her hearing, I'll share about next steps so we can (again) ask for your prayers. <3

Sports end and begin. Whelp, we closed out Banks' fifth season of flag football last Saturday morning. Although his team lost in the semis, he ended on a great personal game, scoring a touchdown, getting an interception, and catching a ball in the end zone for an extra point. It was freeeeezing that morning, so my hub and I, and our Uncle Tim and Aunt Betsy, bundled up to cheer for our baller while the three other kiddos stayed home with a sitter. {Side note: Bella did great! I honestly think having her big sister around just makes her feel so much more comfortable. In fact, I was able to take her back to the childcare area at Barre3 earlier this week, and she did great this time (again, with Raleigh being), despite struggling the week before (when Raleigh wasn't there)}. ANYWHO. We closed out flag football just in time for basketball to begin. Wheeeeeeew. No rest for the weary, I suppose. 

Etc. Let's see...what else has been happening? We've had the carpets cleaned, I got a little haircut, we've gotten in lots of outside play this week, we hit up Costco, and I have been knocking out some serious Christmas shopping!

And that's about it for now! Harrison has a Thanksgiving party today but sadly, it's a kids-only shindig. Banks and Rals will be enjoying their school feasts next week (again, no-parents-allowed parties) before we take off to spend Thanksgiving with both "sides" of our family. And y'all, I cannot WAIT to see Bella take in all the amazingness that is Thanksgiving. <3

Before that, though, we'll be co-hosting one of my favorite events of the year this weekend: Friendsgiving! Last year was the first annual, and we co-hosted it with two of our nearest and dearest buddies. And this year, we'll be doing exactly the same! We have 111 guests who have RSVP'd "Yes"; so, it's sure to be a very full, fun, and festive afternoon! I'll share more on that next week before Thanksgiving arrives. 

For now, have a great weekend to all! See y'all back here early next week! :) And GO TIGERS!