So much to be Thankful for

The last post was right before Thanksgiving and though I've written a bunch of blog posts as I've gone through the days, they haven't made it here for you to read.  Better late than never, though.  So many things have gone through my mind to share with you.

I even wanted to share with you my neat little idea for a simple/easy and elegant table display/centerpiece.  This idea can be used again at Christmas.  We were given these beautiful glass votive holders for a bridal shower gift and change them up all the time.  For Thanksgiving we placed some of the red glass stones (from our wedding centerpieces) in the base of each one.  Filled them with water.  Placed a floating candle on top and a handful of fresh cranberries (they float) then scattered a few small pumpkins at the base.  Light and "voila"!  Beautiful. 

You can vary the designs and containers to suit your needs.  Moments like these make me feel a bit like Martha Stewart! "It's a good thing!"

In the Fullen home we celebrated Thanksgiving here as a new family and enjoyed the company of

my Mom

and Shaun's Father. 

We looked forward to the day and since in years past I've had trouble getting everything done in time for one reason or another, I planned everything ahead of time, spent time prepping everything and cleaning (Mom helped and so did Miss Ava who was strapped to me most of the time) and knowing that Shaun's Dad doesn't really enjoy driving at night too much, planned on waking early to get the turkey in the oven before morning Mass.  All was going well and was set to be "on track" this year.

Then the morning of our first Thanksgiving as husband and wife.  The realization hit me.  All those "cooking shows"??? ...they're all a bunch of liars!

Really... they ARE! 

I mean... think about it!  Nobody ever forgets anything at the grocery store (which is closed on holidays)  Nobody ever misplaces important utensils and can't find them.  Nobody ever burns anything.   NO WAY ...Nobody ever sets off the smoke detector ...especially not multiple times ...without cause.  Nobody ever argues with their husband while trying to find out what the heck is setting off the smoke detector again (especially if the oven was used a day or two before without problems).  Nobody ever has to turn the oven off and let it cool down to clean it (TWICE!) to see if that helps the problem.  Nobody ever has an oven liner that is supposed to catch spills but somehow melts to the bottom of the oven and starts smoking.  Nobody ever solves this problem by throwing said oven liner (useless) in the backyard.  Nobody ever has a two month old who is trying to figure out what's happening in the midst of this.  Nobody ever is trying to make it to Mass to thank God for all their blessings while all of this is occuring.  Nobody ever has to deal with the embarrasment of serving a meal that had initially been timed to easily come out an hour early and somehow is being served 2 1/2 hours late!  Cooking shows... liars.

*sigh* Well, as you can imagine, we had our share of adventures that day and Shaun & I worked our way through them and tried to remember to be thankful for our oven.  Thankful this wasn't a real fire.  Thankful for a very very very easygoing baby.  Thankful to have been blessed with food and family.  ...and Thankful for each other!

We have found over our married life together many things to be thankful for, that's for sure!  Over the past few months since Ava's birth we've been incredibly blessed with SO much.  Especially this absolutely beautiful little girl who has changed our lives forever. 

Before we hit the week before Christmas I wanted to remember some of our blessings.  Thank you for being a part of our lives.  Please know that we are thankful for YOU!

P.S.  As Christmas dinner is approaching... lets hope things go a BIT more smoothly.  (we wouldn't mind at all if you'd say a little prayer)