Ok so maybe my title is a bit harsh. Thanksgiving
actually turned out to be a really fun day, but the days leading up to
Thanksgiving I was feeling a lot of stress and anxiety for my future “day off.”
Being married and/or mom on thanksgiving or the holidays is a totally different
experience than being single. Before married life and kids I just had to show up to my 2 thanksgivings.
I could enjoy Thanksgiving the way it should be as a non-responsible
participant… eat, sleep, eat some more, sleep some more, wish you wouldn’t have
eaten so much, have dessert! But now… as a mature married old hag and with TWO
kids this thanksgiving there was a lot more to think about then just showing
up!! Ok fine.. I still didn’t have to be responsible for any of the food,
though I offered! (I also conveniently shared a recent story of cookie making
where I accidentally put a table spoon of salt instead of a teaspoon,
instilling a lack of trust from my family about my abilities in the kitchen and
ultimately getting me off of being asked to bring side dishes or desserts… This
story might be just good enough to get me out of Christmas cooking too!! –Rule #2
Classic Gentry run on! Rule #3 I’m just joking…I think?) ANYWHO… I am quite thankful to have such amazing cooks in
my family that at least I didn’t have to think about that.
However, it still is stressful, 1)-being married and
BOTH of our families being so close makes for a tug-a-war on where to go, when
to go, and how long to stay! Trying to get this all planned out in advance so
the day goes somewhat smoothly is exhausting all by itself. I felt so much
guilt about not wanting to have to be running around all day because I know
people just want to see my boys and I don’t want to disappoint anyone or hurt their
feelings but I want to get to enjoy my thanksgiving too, but in the end it
actually wasn’t as stressful as I thought it would be. My step momma invited us
for dinner the next night so we got to make one less stop on Thanksgiving Day, which
really helped us out a lot, giving Beckham the opportunity to rest up for the
big Friday dinner and not being too tired for any family (He was maybe too
rested up and energized… At one point hiding under a blanket, under the coffee
table, stripping to his naked buns, then jumping out and yelling “TA DA!” My poor
really old Nana… I think she told him to put his clothes back on about 100
times in 1 minute! I predict possible jail time for that
little streakier if he continues to expose himself to his elders.) ANYWHO!! We made a
pretty good plan and we got to spend time about both families without feeling
rushed, so I’m thankful for my
family for being so understanding of our other obligations.
There still was some stress though!!! Getting both kids in and
out the door, planning around nap schedules, feeding schedules, the meltdowns
that are sure to happen when Andy doesn't get what he wants. Not to mention picking
out outfits!! You know...? trying to get the whole family to match for your Thanksgiving
picture without making it look like we meant to all match so strategically
wearing the same color but maybe in slightly different patterns but not
clashing patterns so that it isn’t obvious and we could just pose and be like “Oh
wow we just look like the perfect little family that just seems to go together
really well but are obliviously that we did this because we are totally NOT matchy
matchy!! (I saw some of your Thanksgiving family pictures I know I’m not the
only one who spends too much time planning this!) I could have also probably
avoid some extra time crunch stress if I wouldn’t have decided to do a 32 slide
PowerPoint game show where I asked my family to answer 7 different questions
and then made up funny multiple choice answers in hopes of bringing laughter to
my dear family on this glorious Thanksgiving day! In this game show, HOLTSON
DRONES, each person was given an elf name which added another level of
entertainment to the day!!... So I could have avoided that 3-4 hours of stress
getting that ready BUT it was fun SOOOO I’m thankful my family members were all good sports and answered the
questions and pretended to have fun playing the game!
Ok so I guess I’m not thankful Thanksgiving is over…
Though I was really stressed about it at first, I still got to relax because I
have amazing family that all helped with the kids all day so I got a little
break, I didn’t feel as rushed as I thought I was going to feel, I still ate
WAY TO MUCH and vowed I would never eat that much again (which I see as a
definitely success!), I’m thankful for my family being so accommodating for our
little family, and was a little sad when the whole day was over!! BUT now I can
get ready for our first Christmas as a family of four!! Ughhh I’ll be happy
when all that stress is OVER!!! :-)
Turn in next week for something I'm REALLY thankful for “I'm glad my kids don’t
read my blog about not lying… because I lie to them a lot!!” Or maybe “Are we
there yet?” Because my traveling has sure changed with two little, crying,
hungry, snotty, naughty kids in the car!!
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