As is our usual, it was an eclectic week. We have spent so much of our lives not being "normal", it has just become...normal. :)
What a gift to have a specific day to pause and focus on the many reasons we have to be thankful. We are so blessed!
November 21
New York had already begun decorating for Christmas. They go all out for the season.
November 22
Amanda has such a gift for making spaces beautiful and cozy and she does it with the closest attention to detail. I love that about her! And she used her skills to get the dining room ready for Thanksgiving festivities.
November 23
Several hours in the car not feeling well just to get an injection, but with great company. Its a brave thing to step into the cancer center, whether you are a patient or a loved one and she did it without hesitation.
Sarah was home from college (!!). She brought sunshine, stories and willing hands. The girls put together several dishes for the next day.
Some of "The friends group" got together at Trevor's house. They had a sweet surprise for Amanda.
.heic)
November 24
Happy Thanksgiving!! One of my top five "must haves" when we were looking for a house was that it would have a dining space big enough to have a whole lot of people. I love the quote,
“When You Have More Than You Need, Build A Longer Table Not A Higher Fence”
Anyway, it gives me great joy to see lots of places around the table. I was just four days out from treatment, so I wasn't super functional, but many pitched in and made the day happen. We ate, watched football, soccer, basketball on TV, played games, did puzzles, had an epic gun battle and dance party. It was lovely.
November 25
Tree day! Avery took the lead and made sure it got done.
November 26
I was disappointed (and kind of mad) to not be feeling better than I was at this point, but Sarah and Amy came over for a nice distraction.
November 27
God painted a beautiful sunrise to begin Amanda's 16th birthday. We went to church and then Amanda and Shaun went for coffee and shopping.
Nana and Grandpa John were still in town so Nathan invited everyone to his place for the afternoon.
Aliyah has been taking piano lessons for several months. Her piano teacher was so generous to come to our gathering so we could get our own personal recital. Her teacher stayed a bit and played for us and we had an impromptu Christmas sing-along. It was very festive!
Amanda was so sweet to want to spend her day with extended family. We had lots of cake!
