A Thanksgiving Story

Thanksgiving Story

Mom never ever gets to get herself fully ready on holidays because she's usually cooking, cleaning, and organizing everyone else. Today she vowed to change that by getting everyone moving early, planning an easy breakfast, and using pre- chopped ingredients for her contribution to the dinner. They WILL be on time. They have to be there at 1130.

Dad declares at 9 that the 3 children all need baths before they leave. He proceeds to lay in bed and watch tv for an hour. Mom reminds him at 930 that the children have had cinnamon rolls and are covered in frosting so now would be a good time for quick baths. At 10, he starts running bath water. They have to be there at 1130.

At 1030, baths are complete yet the shower continues to run with no one it. Mom reminds Dad (who is playing Mario Kart) to turn off the shower. Dad says, "I'm getting in." At 1045, Mom (who is finished cooking and is cleaning up) yells, "Turn off the damn shower or get in it! You are wasting hot water and I would also like to shower today!" Kid turns shower off. Dad suggests Mom shower and quit complaining. Mom suggests Dad take over cleaning and packing up meals. Dad gets mad at Mom. Mom gets in the shower and uses up the rest of the hot water for spite. Dad gets in shower at 1130 to spite mom. Once again they were not there by 1130.

The end.

(Disclaimer: They are grateful for hot water and plumbing and family to fight with. Food to cook and a house to clean.)

What a week!

What a week! Tuesday I went in to the office for my weekly meeting and we were told that our largest client hasn’t renewed their contract. If they don’t renew by the end of the month, I’ll most likely be laid off. Not. Good. News. I was given the option to take my vacation now and return to work at the end of the month to see if I still have a job, or I could take a severance package and try to find other employment. I chose to stay, but I am scared. I’m on “vacation” until March 28 and then we’ll see what happens… Thursday was of course, St. Patrick’s Day, which is equivalent to Thanksgiving in my family. Every year my mom makes a St. Patrick’s Day feast of corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes. It is my FAVORITE meal of the year, hands down. Kellan got to experience St. Patrick’s Day for the first time this year!

He LOVED it!

Little feet, always crossed.

Liam didn’t get any yummy food, but he rocked his green. Oh, and my boy thinks he can walk. He is sure of it.

He doesn’t crawl and won’t entertain the idea of even trying. He just wants me to stand him next to the couch where he will cruise by himself for a bit until he either loses his balance and falls or else turns and takes off as if he’s been walking his whole life (which also ends in falling.) He then demands to be put back into a standing position and I oblige because he is so proud of himself for taking steps like a big boy.

And I am proud of my big boy.

Side note: I finally tried the back carry in the Boba. Love. It.

My dad and Julie came in to visit for the weekend and see Kellan. They haven't seen him since he was three months old, so it was good to visit with them again. Kellan had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa! Kellan LOVES animals, so we thought a zoo trip would be fun.

He slept through the first half, but woke up in time for the lions.

And the monkeys. He LOVED the monkeys.

We also drove out to Waterloo, Illinois to my great grandparents’ old farm. The new owner was nice enough to let us take a few pictures. I LOVED going to the farm as a kid and I was happy to get some photos of Kellan on the farm. This is the house my great grandfather was born in in 1905. It is still standing on their old farm, though the porch is gone now and it’s in considerably worse shape than I remember. I couldn’t believe it was still there.

I used to love playing with the cistern when I was little.

Here is Kellan’s version of American Gothic.

On the way out, we stopped by St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tipton where my grandmother and my great grandparents are buried. I miss them very much. Especially my grandmother. She was gone too soon. We’re headed for Indiana tomorrow to visit my mom’s side of the family. Better get packing!