So Thankful….

This is the time of year that everyone talks about how thankful they are.  I am no exception.  I have a wonderful husband who cherishes me (minus the occasional smart ass comment).  My children are healthy and happy (most of the time).  I have an amazing group of friends who I can talk to about ANYTHING.  And I have my family who despite all of the fights, tears and drama I love more than life itself.  I am so very lucky.  Although I wish my mom was still here, I know she is smiling down as we are about to all come together for Thanksgiving.  She smiled while dad and I headed to Total Wine earlier in the week for the wine to serve with the turkey & stuffing.  She is super excited and proud that my baby sister, Madeline, is hosting in her gorgeously renovated kitchen (I am not at all jealous:-)).  She is glad that my Aunt Virginia, Uncle Virgil and cousin Susannah still come up from Georgetown, South Carolina every Thanksgiving.  I know she will be will be watching Thanksgiving morning as Jackson, Nat and Hollins watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in their pjs.  I think Mom is most excited that my cousin Jennie is getting home tonight from her year-long mission trip around the world with the World Race. I am so excited that she returns today that I couldn’t sleep at all last night! I feel like a child on Christmas morning!

Even though Jennie and I are six years apart in age we have always been super close.  As a child, I adored her.  As we grew up, our similarities made us great friends.  We both adore children, love to cook and bake and can’t get enough Lifetime/ Hallmark channel Christmas movies.  When Jennie graduated from college she moved to Charlotte to work and she has lived ever since.  She has lived with me, Allen and the kids periodically over the past few years.  Her messiness drives me crazy but I still always adore having her here!  Not only do Jennie and I have a special bond, she, also, has a special bond with each of my children.  Jennie is Jackson’s godmother.  As an infant she would come stay with me and hold him while she stayed up watching TV so that I could get some much-needed sleep.  She was living with us when I had Nat.  She got home just in time for me go to the hospital while I was in labor.  Then she kept Jackson while Allen and I bonded with Nat the next 2 days in the hospital.  She lived with us for a little bit a couple of months after Hollins was born also.   She is their “Aunt Nennie” and I know that their unique relationships will fall right back into place as soon as she returns.  The boys have asked about her multiple times each week since she hugged us goodbye on January 1st.  We have all been looking forward to this day ALL YEAR!

Jennie & Jackson

Jennie & Nat

Jennie & Hollins

Welcome Home Jennie!!!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Josephine