Thanksgiving Early

I had a couple of really good blog ideas, but I didn't write them down, and forgot about them. Dang! So, you're stuck with more little stories of my life.

We've lived here just over 18 months. Some months have been good, and some have not. Getting involved in a small group at our church wasn't really an option when we moved here. Caitlin was still a little young, and we weren't sure if we wanted to stay at our church, anyway. Although we really like the worship leader and the pastor, we just weren't connecting with anyone. Part of that is because we are some of the oldest parents for having kids the ages of ours. There were other reasons, but we just couldn't figure them out. People don't necessarily flock to us the way they flock to some other people, but we're not that scary. Or, maybe we are.

Back in September, we joined a Life Group (the name our church as chosen for a small group that meets outside of church during the week. No one has small groups anymore. They need a cooler name). Our group meets at another house just down the road. We have dinner, and then a sitter takes the kids (all 7 of them) downstairs to the basement for a couple of hours while we talk, discuss, shoot the breeze, etc. It's been nice. And it's been really nice getting to know some other people. We have taken turns watching each other's kids at different times and gotten together for dinner. Caitlin has a made a little friend in Mattie, who is a month older than her. Mattie also likes hanging with Caitlin, which has been evidenced in the fact she hides from her parents when they come to pick her up at my house, and how she runs to Caitlin in her class at church.

Last night we had an early Thanksgiving. Our generous hosts made a turkey meal, complete with stuffing. Others brought a broccoli salad, and mashed potatoes, and we brought mint brownies for dessert. Even though the sitter was sick, we didn't see much of the kids. They were just having so much fun playing with each other that they didn't need us. I shouldn't like that so much, but my kids are still very needy when they're with me. I know it's the age, but a few hours here and there with no clingy kids is always a good thing. It was very relaxing to just hang out and talk - a nice break from the complete busyness and craziness that was last week, and craziness that is coming up in a few days.