Success!

This was my first year actually making some part of Thanksgiving dinner. One year my mom let me make the gravy. When that failed utterly, she sent me out of her kitchen. My duties since then have not gone past preperation per her specific instructions. This year, since I made my goodies in my own kitchen then plopped them on her table, there wasn't much she could say to stop me. Sweet potatoes are not a huge thing in my family. My 2 cousins and brother had never had sweet potato casserole. I watched their faces turn from apprehensive to delightfully surprised as the yummy goodness reached their tastebuds. My aunts took all of the casserole leftovers home and my cousin asked me to make extra for Christmas dinner! I think my mom might let me back in her kitchen now; she might even let me do more than just chop the vegetables or tell her when the pot is boiling.

After dinner, I perused the 5 pound stack of Black Friday ads and planned "The Route". My alarm went off at 4:15 am (I went to bed at a reasonable 1:00am) and we were on the road by 4:35am. My cousin Jay joined us. He recently joined the Air Force and by the end of the morning he was comparing his level of exhaustion to a week in boot camp. We went eco-friendly and brought our own bags to fill rather using the store bags. It worked really well to not have 15+ plastic bag handles digging into your palms.

Around 12:45pm my sister and cousin were falling asleep during the drives between stores, so I offered to drop them off at home before going on by myself. I spent another hour or so out and about getting last minute things. After helping my brother and sister-in-law move some things to their new apartment, my mom and I went back out shopping. I was tickled by the fantastic deals I got on some really great things. I only have to get one more present and I can check everyone off of my list. My sister and I split the loot in half to save time on wrapping.

By the end of the day, I was utterly exhausted. It was completely worth it. I really enjoyed being with my family, eating with them, laughing with them and shopping with them. I am so thankful for all that I am surrounded by. We are all in good health, good homes and have good relationships. We know just how lucky we are to be where we are today and this weekend we sat back and enjoyed taking it all in together. Could Thanksgiving weekend have been any more perfect? I think not.