Thanksgiving

So... this is a little late. Like usual. Jack turned 7 months on Thanksgiving Day. So I am making a double post.

We had 2 Thanksgiving's this year. One at Chuck and Ruthann's, and then my parents. Boy, were we STUFFED by the time we had 2 big meals. It was a good thing we had them spread out with a 4 day time span.

Jared and I were in charge of the meal at my parents. I couldn't be happier with the turnout of our meal! It was DELICIOUS!! Yes, I just tooted my own horn. We made mashed potatoes, rolls, gravy, turkey, candied yams, stuffing with bacon, green beans, green bean casserole and cranberry sauce. Oh and I made 10 pies. 5 pumpkin, 2 pumpkin cheesecake, 1 regular cheesecake, 1 apple, and 1 cherry. We were in pie overload! It was a good thing we had quite a few people come over. We had my dad's family Ted and Jana with their 5 kids, Tina, Jared and I, Annie, Quinn, Jack, my mom and Dad, and Josh and his girlfriend/fiancé.

Yes, that's right, FIANCE!!! Can you believe it?? This return missionary is actually found the girl he wants to buy a ring for! We couldn't be more excited!! I get to go help him ring shop in a week or so, that way he can give it to her around Christmas. Yippee!!! Her name is Kailey. They met at school in their band class. They couldn't be more perfect for each other!

Both Thanksgiving's were great! I couldn't be more thankful for my family, and Jared's family. We are so blessed to have what we have. Even in our rough time. This time of year, I love spending time in the kitchen. I have found one of my true passions, and that is to cook till my heart is content. I find myself making something like caramels, candies, cupcakes, etc when I am upset or stressed out. So needless to say, I have made WAY too many goodies. I guess it is good because now when I make something I can just go give it to the neighbors and call it "Christmas treats for the neighborhood"! Anyways, things are looking up in a different way than I expected. I am going to continue with school and get my coding license, and Jared is still going to search for full time work somewhere. Whereas before we were going to quit school and focus on keeping ourselves financially secure. I think our plan will work out. Hopefully. The last 10 plans were a complete FAIL.

Anyways, we visited our favorite place, Jeremiah's, for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving with my family. It was great! It is tradition to go there every year for breakfast and then we go shopping. We didn't get to go shopping this year, nor did I want to venture out on Black Friday. Yikes. I guess I am just not that fun loving!

Jack is getting SO big. He currently weighs 19 lbs 6 ½ oz. He is 28 inches long.

He is crawling like a maniac and has been since the beginning of November. He is pulling himself up to everything. Scary little kid. It makes me nervous every time he pulls himself up, cause he will wobble sometimes.

We did have a moment of freaking out on my part. Poor little guy fell down the stairs. I think I had a heart attack! It all happened so fast. He went down the basement stairs, which is about 16 steps. Jack is perfectly fine, and didn't even have a mark on him. He only cried for a minute, and when he was done crying, I was still bawling. He was ready to go play again after about 2.5 seconds of crying. It definitely scared me! Doors are now being closed, and baby gates are up!

He loves to say "ba, ba, ba, ba, ba" constantly! He does say "ma, ma, ma" every once in a while. It melts my heart! I love it. He will say "da, da, da" as well. He HATES the baby food purees. He would much rather have what we are eating. He throws a little tantrum if we don't give him a taste. Little stinker. He does love the little Graduate Puffs. He gets so excited when he sees the container of them all the time. He is wearing size 9-12 months right now. He wears a couple 18 month old outfits. When did he get so big so fast??? I feel like just yesterday he was in the newborn size, and just laid still in my arms and slept. Now I can't seem to keep him in one place, well, EVER!! This kid is a mover.

He sure is cute, and we love him so much! I am so grateful to have him in my life. I am also so grateful for a wonderful husband. He has done so much for our little family! I am truly blessed.

One quote that I just love lately is "Be extra nice to everyone around you, you don't know what battles they may be going through". I LOVE it. And I am sure it is because it helps me realize that everyone else is going through trials as well. I am not the only one. Though, at times I feel like I am the only one.

I can't wait for Christmas. I am excited to cook a big meal again, and make tons more goodies! Merry Christmas Everyone!!