SO much Gratitude

 

I tried hard not to think about not having the kids with me on Thanksgiving.

It's hard to deal with the repercussions of someone else's choices and how they affect me too in such a major way.  But, eh, we just make the best of it and try not to focus on the pain but on the new ways we can find JOY. 

There are a cornucopia of ways!

 

 I had Thanksgiving on Monday with my children. 

It was delicious!

It was special.

I found the cornucopia placemats that Maryn bought for me when she was 6 and went to Disneyworld with her friend, Courtney.  First time we used them and such appropriate timing too.

We had a cornucopia of blessings to count being all together.

We even brought out our HAPPY cups and did a "cheers" all around.

I need to take a minute and express some feelings about my children.  Divorce is a funny thing... not really hilarious funny but interesting funny if you know what I mean.

  As much resentment goes on in my heart for circumstances I don't have control over and the  people who have caused it

 at the same time my heart has become enlarged in a huge way for the love I have for my children. 

I love them SO much more.  Like SO SO much more.  It could fill a gigantic cornucopia!

 I just want to be with them and make memories with them and be happy with them and hug them and hold them.   I don't get exhausted from them like I would have done in the past. 

I think they are FUN and amazing people because they are going through hard things too and do a great job at it.. 

I look at our family now as a true team, in this together, fighting for good and right and happiness.

I love them SO much!

The actual Thanksgiving day was very relaxing for me in the morning even though I still hustled around making my food assignments.

The party began with all the Mathesons and the Johnsons joining together at Mom and Dads. 

It was fun to all be together.

Good food!

Good times!

The cousins had to play our traditional game of Pounce after the eats.

Emmy and Kaden made their way to Provo to join in the cousin fest which made me so happy.  Emmy stole the camera and took a plethora of pictures that will never make it to this blog.

Most all of the 2nd cousins.

The Johnson and Matheson cousins with Monty in there too.

Good people right there!

Emmy was exhausted by the time the end of the night came but I was happy to be with her.

This is our Thankful poster we made together over the month of November.

SO much to be grateful for!