Thanksgiving Recap (Sorta)

Thanks. Giving. That's two words. That's what I've been focusing on over our extended Thanksgiving break. And I've come to the realization that I have so much to be thankful for in life, it literally terrifies me. My life is far from perfect, but I am so, so blessed that sometimes I wonder if I truly deserve it.

No, I'm not going to launch into a typical list about all the things for which I am thankful (although I could!), and I'll try not to cite all the details of our various Thanksgiving celebrations (although they were great!), so instead I'll simply say this: my week-long blog furlough was well worth it.

I hope I gave thanks fitting all that I didn't mention before. Cause it's a lot.

In the meantime, since I'm slow with photos lately, here's a professional shot from our visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Huntingburg Christmas Stroll awhile back. I share this memory with humor, because you'll notice a certain lady standing in the background (not planned!) with her coat still on and a resigned smile on her face. That's me. That's the first time I've ever had to appear in a Santa photo. Why? Read on....

Santa: I'll take this strapping young lad! Come here, son!

Ava: That's my little brother Hudson. He's pretty wild sometimes.

Santa: Oh, my! He's quite the little wiggler!

Mrs. Claus: Oh, let me have him. I'm better with the little ones, I think.

Ava: See? He's wild!

Julia (the photographer): Um, Mom, why don't you jump in for this one?

And so it went. Hudson didn't scream or cry so much as he simply refused to sit, stand, or be still for the photo. So good 'ole Mom tucked him in tight and swallowed her pride. Click!

I'm thankful for a daughter with her father's personality and her mother's imagination.

I'm thankful for a son with his mother's personality and his father's stubbornness!

See? Thanks. Giving.