A Day of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving at our home woulds not be complete without family to share in the joy. We have now graduated from one large table to the large 16 seat table, and two 10 seat tables in the living room. This year we were able to have all of our family over at some point during the night. Every year, Janene works like a slave to get this all ready, but by the time the night is over, and we have had a chance to visit with every grandchild, son and daughter, we both go to bed tired, but filled with joy.

Sometimes big crowds are difficult for Nathan, but we all enjoy having him near us. Angie is such a good mother for him. We never foresaw the difficulties that Angie and David would face, but the two of them are the perfect parents, probably the only parents who could handle the diverse family they have been given. Nathan loves his mom and would rather be with her than anyone else.

 We got an extra blessing this year as my sister Vikki was able to join us. She has been helping my father while my other two sisters are out of town. The two of us are less than a year apart, but we have been separated by distance ever since we each married. Sometimes we have been more than a half a continent away from each other and she is still 250 miles away so it was especially nice to share Thanksgiving with her this year.

 Poor little Tessa took a tumble earlier this week and got to have stitches, but by Thanksgiving she was feeling fine and was a lot of fun. She says the cutest things and has such a sweet smile. I cannot imagine Shon and Melinda's family without this perfect little girl.

 Stephen is a great dad - and Jeffrey James is a darling little boy. Jeffrey is a new addition to our Thanksgiving celebration. He and grandpa got to spend a few quiet moments napping in the rocker. A perfect way to spend Thanksgiving evening.

 So here are the other three Phillips girls. It has been a long time since we got them all on the same couch together. Chelane was able to pass her boards and is now finished with everything she needs for her medical career. We are so proud of her determination to pursue this goal in her life. Heather and Brooke are each great mothers of five children and active with other major responsibilities. Each one has followed their mother in some way, each becoming capable and confident in their own right.

Shon has completed a move this year and now has a home on the same street as Angie. - And the best garage in town. All of our children live close. Some of our grandkids walk over to our house sometimes. The other day day Max rode his bike over to help us with the bees. We are truly blessed beyond our wildest dreams.

This year we noted with sadness that my mother was not with us, but she would be the first to say that we should enjoy this day of thanks whether she was with us or not. My dad was here and he misses her terribly, but we all look forward to that day when we will be reunited again. Our family has had its share of sorrow and troubles, but we all love each other and enjoy being together. What blessing could be better than that? Janene and I used to pray that our children would grow up to be independent and able to make their own choices. When they did just that, we went through a period where we wished we had prayed for something else. They were gone from home too soon for us, but now as we see each of them with their strengths and accomplishments, we really do have something to be thankful for on this special day.