Giving Thanks

When you are adopting from China, you have plenty of time to sit around and think, imagine, fantasize, (and obsess) about everything. Each holiday while we were waiting for Molly, I would shed a few, okay--a lot, of tears because she wasn't with us. I would think about her being half way around the word laying in a crib without a celebration, without parents. It broke my heart. This holiday we have Molly and finally, all seems right with the world.

Because we are finally a family, I really wanted to spend the holiday at home; start our own holiday traditions; cook a big turkey dinner for my baby. Not that Molly would eat any of it of course (unless I found some way to make a Ramen noodle turkey). So this year, for the first time in my married life, I cooked a huge Thanksgiving feast. Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies so I was in Pre-indictment Martha Stewart heaven.












The day before Thanksgiving we found out that our next door neighbors were also staying home for Thanksgiving. They would be celebrating with their daughter later in the week. At the very last minute we invited them to share our meal with us. They accepted and we couldn't have been more thrilled. Somehow sharing a meal with friends turns food into a celebration. We thoroughly enjoyed their company. They are very special people and we are so glad that they are our neighbors and friends.













As a holiday surprise Molly even ate turkey! She sucked down piece after piece of dark meat like there was no tomorrow. Of course, she hasn't touched it since, but on Thanksgiving she ate my turkey. She made her mommy's day. She also managed to smile, laugh and play all evening, despite her sinus infection. What a trooper.

























The day after Thanksgiving, we had Tony's family over. We spent the early evening at the Zoolights exhibit. Molly was still sick, but we bundled Molly up, put the weather shield on the stroller and showed her the sights. She loved it, even though she was so bundled she couldn't move!















I had a big of Minestrone soup waiting on the stove for us when we returned from our cold outing. Mmmm...soup! Molly's cousins ran her ragged, and she loved every minute of it. She was laughing and screaming with joy all night long. The adults pretty much sat around the kitchen, talked, stuffed ourselves with soup, leftovers and pumpkin cheesecake and enjoyed each other's company.

Ahhh, the holidays! Ahhh, the memories! And to be able to share this special day with our daughter made it the best Thanksgiving we've ever had. We are truly thankful.