Here is the summary photo from the season: A little bubble of fun and happiness.
We drove down to Grandma and Grandpa’s house Wednesday night with our Chelsea and the Lucasfilm Turkey in the backseat. All the way down, Brendan kept saying, “I wanna see Gramma and Graaaaaanpa! I think that is the 2 year old version of “are we there yet?” When we got there, we had a big surprise – they re-landscaped their front yard! It looks amazing, but even a pile of weeds would have felt welcoming because it was the people we were there to see. We especially enjoyed playing with the new bubble machine (Brendan called it a ‘rocket’) in the front yard.
Oh my gosh, babies and bubbles… I took way too many pictures.
Earlier this year, Grandma and Grandpa surprised us by having their back yard done when we arrived. Their back yard has always been one of the crowning jewel of the house, but it was sort of a diamond in the rough – now it feels like a park where you would want to go picnic. Or just hang out with the guys:
Especially if you are a little boy – which makes sense, because when my parents were having the plans designed, they said they wanted it to revolve around their Grandson. That’s why there is an area right outside my Dad’s workshop that was built just to be a construction site:
And trails that are just right for obstacle courses, and doing laps on the new bike:
And an area down by the creek left more wild feeling, with rocks still scattering the ground – just right for throwing into the creek:
We had lots of fun out there. In fact, it was a real drag for Brendan to come in and eat Thanksgiving dinner. Hiding in the turkey box was a nice try, but somehow we spotted him in there.
And while the rest of the family ate way more than their share, (Grandma sure can cook!!!), Brendan was less excited. Begrudgingly he finally tried a few things when we reminded him that if he wasn’t hungry for dinner, it must mean he wasn’t hungry for dessert. Thank goodness we convinced Grandma to leave her good china in the china cabinet this year – it was just the five of us – and it was a day of good food and good company. Not fancy dishes or clothes (I carefully stayed out of the dinner picture or you would have seen that I was still in my pj’s.)
Aside from the amazing food, my highlight of the meal came when we offered thanks. We do this with Brendan at every family meal, and he always takes it seriously – but you never know what he is going to be thankful for. This time, he carefully listened to everyone else and then very purposefully said, “I’m thank you for Mommy and Daddy and Puppy and Grandma and Grandpa. Hooray!!!”. And we all said Amen. Then later he reached out and said, “everyone hold hands” – he wanted to do another round of giving thanks. When Brendan really likes something, or is really happy – he calls it a ‘happy birthday’. Parties are always ‘happy birthday parties’. Presents are ‘happy birthday presents’. So it really shouldn’t have come as a shock to me when Brendan referred to Thanksgiving as ‘Happy Birthdaygivng’. I love that boy. After dinner there was some family time, including a stargazing cuddle session with Grandma.
I am lucky enough to take for granted so many of the important things in life. But there is one thing I find that I never take for granted –
He’s my celebration and my meditation
my hindsight and perspective
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my energy and my peace.
He is the joy joy joy joy down in my heart –
I’m certain it was always there, but he was the one who held my joy colored glasses
and now the joy is down in my heart to stay.
He is my miracle
Three years ago on Christmas Eve, I sat in a dark church watching the candles burn on the advent wreath –
Hope – Preparation – Joy – Love
I prayed for the woman who would carry my child
and even though I didn’t know it yet, my son had already started his journey to me
he was busy growing a whole new branch of love to root our family tree.
And now as Thanksgiving ends, and my pumpkins are replaced with reds and greens –
I soak in the joy as Brendan sits as the little shining star on top of a whole tree of gratitude.
He is my Thanksgiving.
We made our way back home and have continued working on the important things:
Tomorrow, we may even meet Santa…
(Mom – a few more photos here…)