I must start this post off with a little comedy, picture this…three adults and one five year old goes on a trip! Everything works out perfectly, all the bags are packed, put in the vehicle with room to spare and we are right on time! Eeeeeerk! Wait a minute! What?

Well, that’s how it played out in my head at least….and actually it went pretty good, but this may be a one and done trip. Not that I don’t love to take a trip, I do, and I love these people in our vehicle and the ones we are going to meet, but my big mistake was feeling sorry for them all to have to go out to eat for Thanksgiving!

I had Mom guilt, ugh! See years ago when our kids were young and we lived in East Tn we changed it up and went to thanksgiving weekend at a TN State Park. NOT CAMPING! Of course, I’m not a outdoors person for any length of time I mean a camp fire is fun but that’s as far as I go and there has to be nice cabins etc. and the difference is back then we would have our Thanksgiving lunch at home then travel. See this year I cooked it all and we are hauling it there! Yep groan, can I get a witness? Plus all the other treats, sausage balls, pig n blankets, cheese ball etc etc.

This truck is loaded down with enough food to feed a army, but ya know we are piling in and hanging out, playing games and I will be smack in the middle of it with a huge grin because this is my heaven on earth! I have a gorgeous, kind husband, he puts up with a lot, I ain’t easy! I am smarter than everyone else and I tend to show I am daily, my opinion is number one, don’t-cha know! I come from a long line of “smart” women, pray for him, he deserves better. Then I have a identical twin, not sister but daughter, she’s as smart as me, and yet another, my granddaughter is “smarter” than all of us! It becomes ridiculously frustrating I know for all the rest of the world. But through it all the preacherman just watches the action. Like I said, he needs prayer.

As hard as it is for a day, I must admit now that all the cooking is done (please Lord let my turkey be moist) I am satisfied that we don’ t have to wait in a long line at Cracker Barrel to eat food that is not as good as mine(my opinion) there are seven of us, big table needed and that makes us have to wait, and wait. So when I see these faces comfortable eating our food and laughing its all worth it. I’m not saying that I will haul all this food the next time, Jesus will have to talk me into it, ha..but to be sure any chance I get to be with these sour patch kids I will.

The car ride has been content, the little one finally took a nap so far so good and all’s right with the world… until we have to unload it all!! Yikes! I am thankful, so very thankful to my God, for whom I live for and when I allow Him to make me a better person, I want to be kind and less bossy. (Skinnier too Lord?…oh that’s up to me? ok thanks, ouch!) thankful he gave me my family, they are my reason for being here, thankful for our first President George Washington who started thanksgiving holiday way back when, for a time of reflection to honor the God who created us, thanks for giving us a holiday before Christmas that gets nearly rushed through, thankful for all the freedoms we enjoy living in the best nation in the world, thankful I was raised to be a good Person and friend and thankful for car rides that give you a minute to breathe and reflect on life and what’s important. I am so In love with my family and my prayer for them is we all eat around the table in heaven together, that is my only goal. So today, is a good day …of course I miss my Mom and my sister in law and Charles beloved Dad and Mom, but they live in our hearts. Thanksgiving is a family thing, whatever shape or form it is, take a car ride with them, connect, agree to disagree even… just take the time to take the time, and might I say I’m also thankful I don’t have to fly a plane anywhere. Every year I feel so sorry for all those people stranded in snow storms and what not!……..Kinda makes a car ride fun!