I am all about family. Chris and I spend more time with each other than most couples we know and together we spend more time with our families than most families we know. We talk with our family members several times a week. We email, Facebook and read our family member's blogs. We have planned weekly gatherings with each of our families and we often get together at other times during the week for various reasons (bible study, football games, church, meals, etc). This is all with what I consider our "immediate" family - our parents, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews.
In addition, we get together frequently with our "extended" family - grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Most of these gatherings center around the youngest generation's birthdays but we also get together for tea, holidays, the occasional "cousin's day out" and a family picnic here and there. Did I mention that my sister and my aunt are my very best friends? They are. I'd rather be with them than just about anyone (nieces and nephews excluded). I really can't think of a better way to spend my time than with my family - sometimes we even vacation together. Have I made my point clear? I'm a family girl who is soooooo blessed to be part of a family family!
I paint this picture, not for you to judge or compare to your own situation, but to help you understand the significance of what I'm about to tell you. This is not coming from someone who loathes her family or wishes to escape from them. Get ready for this...
Chris and I are celebrating Thanksgiving by ourselves this year!
Can you believe it?! We've talked about this before but it always ends up falling through for one reason or another. Not this year - this year the reservations are made, the dog has an appointment at the pet resort and we've already broken the news to our dear family that WE won't be coming to Thanksgiving dinner! In fact, we will be staying downtown for the entire extended weekend. I can't tell you how exciting this is for us. We plan to set the tone for the this holiday season in a relaxing, peaceful, atmosphere - celebrating with gratitude all we've been given and all that we have to give. And we have some fun up our sleeves as well - more on that in a future post.
I am mostly excited about this adventure but a part of me feels like this is a terribly selfish act and I suppose in a way it is. But we're OK with that. Because while we will miss spending time with our families, while I will miss making homemade cranberries, while we will miss watching our baby niece and nephew experience this holiday - we also know that the following week we will be back to talking, emailing, gathering and celebrating with them all.
3 days ago
1 comment:
Was/Am seriously considering this for our family this year. Except the part where we actually leave the house, just the home alone part. But somehow I know we will end up with family. Like you our lives are pretty full of family and we love every minute of it. See you shopping in a couple weeks!
OH and I gave you a little award on my blog today. Come check it out.
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