- what i'm thankful for -

yesterday morning [wednesday], mom came over about 9am & we began cooking - our menu for thanksgiving was: turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, baked beans, rolls, deviled eggs, olives, macaroni & cheese, pumpkin pies & soda pop to drink - mom's a great cook & we so wanted to have thanksgiving at our house this year for several reasons 1] we just moved in 2] we've plenty of room & 3] we've double ovens so it'd save so much time in the kitchen

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karleigh breaking bread for the dressing

ruby breaking bread for the dressing

kiara breaking bread for the dressing

mom dicing up things for the dressing

mom & i as we're preparing food for the masses

[i'm the enormous one on the left & mom's the short shrimp 'o beside me]

mom, stirrin' her pot!

after school yesterday, dad brought madisyn over & she & mom both stayed all night - it was so fun, we ordered pizza's, stayed up way too late watching movies & munchin' on goodies, etc.

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we got up this morning & began again, working more on the food, getting the house straightened up, etc. - the girls were soooooooo excited as they found out their cousins were coming over [papa kyle, angela & all their kids!] - everything was well on it's way to being done & then people started showing up - dad & dustin were the first to arrive & about 5 minutes later, they were poking fun at us for not having everything done & on the table when they walked in - dad even mentioned something about giving up on us & going to mcd's for lunch!

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dad, getting caught sneaking bites of sweet potatoes before it was time to eat

brit then brought out some pink glasses that made everything look like a rainbow when you put them on & somehow, dad & i are the only ones that got caught with them on

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dad, trying to look cool in pink glasses

me, looking way cool in my pink glasses...not just tryin' to

kyle & angela soon arrived & that's really when the fun began [right guys!] - we ate until we couldn't eat anymore - we then played 'taboo' for like 4 games straight - it was girls [angela, mom & me] against the guys [dustin, spike & kyle] - just for the record, the girls whipped the butts of the guys all 4 games, but tried not to make them feel bad
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dad, right after getting up from the table as the rest of the group's playing games...shhhh

spike, dustin, me, kyle & angela all standing around chatting dustin chatting on the phone

madisyn goofing around

maddie & karleigh [tell me these 2 aren't up to something]

brit following in her mom's footsteps & snapping pictures every chance she gets [you go girl!]

spike & dustin [gotta love this picture!]

dustin & me

katharine, looking so pretty ahniér, after a day full of fun, food, friends, being held, poopin', eating on demand,

burping loud & everyone clapping, napping, etc.

[ahhh, life's good!]

i'm thankful for so many things [too many to name here, i'm sure], but wanted to share just a few of them with all of you

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dad: i'm thankful my dad was alright with mom & madisyn coming to spend the night with us - for him being in a great mood today & for staying a long time [he's usually one that leaves a gathering rather 'early'

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mom: i'm thankful my mom [rachael ray] agreed to let us have thanksgiving at our house this year & for her coming over to help out - for her being willing to come over & spend the night, so we could get a good start on everything way ahead of time & also for her help in teaching me what in the world i needed to do, to prepare a wonderful meal for my family

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madisyn: i'm thankful for madisyn just being here - last year we were soooo hoping she's make it for thanksgiving & she didn't, but this year she's here & seemed to have a great time - i'm thankful that she enjoys spending time with us, being a wonderful friend to brit, putting up with dustin since they're both living in the same house & believe me, i know how much he teases!! - for her loving all 4 of our little ones & showing patience to them, even when they don't always deserve it

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kyle & angela: i'm thankful that you're our absolute best friends in the entire world - we trust you completely & am so thankful that god brought us together many years ago - i love it that getting together with you for the holidays isn't just a 'lets invite them' anymore, but more of a tradition now that we'll forever look forward to [so don't ever stop coming!!] - for loving our kids as if they were your own & for seeing them all for who they are

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katharine: i'm thankful for the young lady that you've turned into - when our families get together, ruby, karleigh & maddie seem to hang out together as does noah & kiara, but you usually are tight with brit & believe me, she really enjoys that time with you even though there's an age difference - she's told me so many times how mature she thinks you act & how she doesn't see you as a little girl - when she heard you all were coming, she let madisyn know you'd be hanging out with them & that was fine by her as well - thank you for being a friend to all my kids & a great role model to the little ones

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noah: thanks for being the 'big brother' to all my little girls - you're always there to help them when they need you & you're very glad to do it too - thank you for being there for kiara when it's time to eat as eating with you is something she soooo enjoys!

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maddie: thank you for being a 'partner in crime' with karleigh - if she's gonna get in trouble, she'd much rather do it with you than anyone! - not that you all get in trouble, but when looking into both your eyes...trouble's not far off! - you're a sweet little girl

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spike: thanks for giving our kids a great father & me a great husband - you're a wonderful person that i'm so glad they can look up to - you've blessed me with the ability to mother 6 great kids & without you, it wouldn't be - i'm thankful for the person you are & how you conduct yourself - i'm thankful you're honest & trustworthy - i'm thankful you love me & asked me to marry you many years ago & for being my best friend...i love you

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dustin: thank you for being who you are & even when times are tough, you're not one that blames others, but instead takes the responsibility on your shoulders & goes with it - than you for being a wonderful son & big brother to all your sisters - thank you for loving me & for making me proud of you

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brit: thank you for all the help you are here at home & for being a good friend - thank you for pitching in when & where you can & for going with the flow [that's a good trait for this home!] - i'm thankful to be your mother & for being able to see you grow into the person you are today

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kiara: thank you for your smiles & carefree attitude - thank you for continuing to try, even when you're having an 'off' day - thank you for loving me 'around the world' & for letting me kiss you in my favorite place [on the bridge of your nose]

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ruby: thank you for teaching me patience & for having a quick wit about you - thank you for teaching me what it means to see the world through eyes & not only ears - thank you for being a great helper when needed & for 'leading' your sisters

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karleigh: thank you for your sense of humor & for having a smile on your family all the time - thank you for always wanting to give hugs & kisses & for being the first one of all our kids to 'make things right' when you've done wrong - thank you for having spunk & knowing when to use it

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ahniér: thank you for being a wonderful baby that handles chaos - thank you for the personality you have & for that infectious smile - thank you for being an easy baby that sleeps well

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birth parents: thank you to all my kids' birth parents that made the decision to allow me to parent your child - for giving me the opportunity to share in their lives, when circumstances didn't allow you to do so

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god: thank you for all you've given me, because without you, i'd not even be here - thank you for family, friends, health, home, wealth, etc.

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note: just for the record, the taboo game that was played 4 times between the girls & the guys was won totally by the guys - we lost all 4 games as they were so good [not that we were bad, just that they were good] - we'll get them next time though!