Thanksgiving 2019

This year our Thanksgiving was a little different than most others.  We ended up staying at home and having my parents over.  We missed having all of the extra family, especially cousins.  But, at the same time, it was so lovely to be at home and have a small group too.

That week was so relaxing.  We were able to do a little shopping, a little cleaning, and a great deal of enjoying a break from our daily responsibilities.  Since it was mostly just our family this year, I wanted to spend some time teaching the kids about why we celebrate in the first place and take some time to realize our blessings.

I checked the movie Monumental from the library out to show to the kids.  It's a documentary about the history of the pilgrims and their trials to get to America and not turn back.  The kids (all of them) sat a watched it.  They really liked it and learned a lot.  I want to take some time every year and watch it.  It really did help all of us all feel more grateful for their sacrifices.

Thanksgiving Day, we had our dinner at about 1.  While the turkey rested, we sat around the table, and I started a new tradition.  I placed five kernels of corn on their plates.  I compared that to the feast we were just about to eat, and I told them about a story from the pilgrims that says at their worst these people only ate 5 kernels of corn a day to stay alive.  Now, we don't know if it's true, but we do know that many of them starved to death the first winter they were in America.  They didn't have much of anything to eat.  Each of us then went around the table and talked about five things we were grateful for.

It was my favorite part of the day. (Sorry Mom and Dad for putting you on the spot.)  It was great to hear what everyone was blessed with, and it brought us all closer together.  We indeed are so blessed.

I feel so blessed for those who came before me.  I'd have to say that this is one of the things I've come to realize most this year.  Those that came before us paved the way, and following God built this free country that we all get to benefit from today.  Those that came before me found the true gospel, lived it, and taught their children.  This made it possible for me to be born into the true gospel and have the peace and joy I wake up to each day.  I have come to realize how rare it is to live in this blessed nation as a member of the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  These two paths have given me a life better than I deserve, and when I take the time to realize my blessings, they are countless.  I just want to put a few.  My Father in Heaven, my Savior, my family, and the many friends I get to share my life with.

Here are a few pictures from our day.  I forgot to take photos until after we ate.  Oops.

The day after Thanksgiving, the boys had a great time outside in the snow.