Thanksgiving Re-Cap

The rolls are a VERY important part of our Thanksgiving meal ... I have made them (from scratch) since I was a teenager. I'm not really sure how it started or why ... my family only cares that it did! I wish I could figure out a way to ship them to Florida and New Hampshire overnight ... maybe next year!Torrey got in the act this year. She actually usually helps. Suffice it to say, there is a lot of butter involved. A LOT.
And, at this point in the morning, everything else was finished. We were waiting for Linda and Paul to come so we could start the feast. The Macy's parade was on (and, yes at some point I did remind everyone that Jennifer was once in the parade ... to which Dean mumbled "Again with the story" or something like that. What? Do I tell it every year?!)
And, because I have so much free time and because these were so necessary, I made little turkey nametags. They were actually in a kit from the scrapbook aisle at Target. Which, just goes to show you never know what you'll find at Target. Man! I love that store!
Don't come between a girl and her dog. Zack has turned into a GREAT dog ... so great that we are getting a new one tomorrow. What were we thinking?!
Nothing greater ... family together! We hope your Thanksgiving found you surrounded by family.
Gram came out to watch the parade and Dean was able to snap this family moment. He just asked what I was doing and when I told him I was updating the blog with pictures he wanted to know if he was in any of them. Um, no. You took all of them. Next year.
Getting ready to eat ... this one makes me giggle because Gussi was in the picture too! We had to eat buffet style because there wasn't enough room on the table for all the food!
And, would your Thanksgiving really have been complete without the "we're eating the rolls and you are not" mocking picture?! I think not!

Lighting a Candle

Several years ago, the song "Light a Christmas Candle" (by Truth) came into our music library. Basically, it says to light a candle for those you love who aren't with you during the holiday season. This year, our family is spread out across our country (and beyond!) and we will not all be together ... so, today, as we sit down to eat with Linda and Paul, the candles will be lit for our sweet family ...

One for my Mom & Dad ... who are spending Thanksgiving in Israel. We wish they were at least on our same continent, but we know that they are living a dream. For so many years, Thanksgiving meant more than turkey and mashed potatoes (and black olives!) ... it meant eating a huge meal with strangers. Seriously. Perhaps I should say "strangers to us" ... there was the year of the homeless man and the year Jen couldn't remember the people's names and said "Hey you at the end of the table, what are you thankful for?" (Only funnier because it is on video tape!) You have taught us how to love others and how to share what we have. We miss you terribly!

One for Laurie and Tim ... we are thankful for each of you. So proud of who your kiddos are becoming ... and, a bit sad that they are getting so grown up (it means we are getting older!) Laurie, you have always been the "other mother" ... willing to do whatever and at the same time to be the voice of reason. It was also nice to have you growing up because nobody messed with me!

One for Jennifer and Ryan ... and, Ben and Carly. Jen, you are without a doubt one of the most caring people EVER. Because of that you have gotten stuck with some "leachers" in your day ... but, you always made them feel like they were so special to you. If only I could be as compassionate as you!

One for Stephen ... who should have 3 or 4 lit for him for just surviving 3 sisters! We were not kind ... and, since we are adults, I feel you should know it was the other two. I tried to stop them ... really. We will miss you this Thanksgiving ... I thought about not making the rolls because you wouldn't be here, but, Torrey wouldn't have any of it. Blame her.

One for Glenn and Robin ... and the girls and the men in their lives and the children who are scrumptious! You have had a year ... and, made it to the other side. We are so proud of your strength and courage. We see each of your beautiful girls every day when we look at Torrey ... she could be one of them, seriously! She still curses Hurricane Ike for ruining our week with you ... counting down until March!

One for Ronnie and Debby ... and the rest of the gang that are beginning to number the stars! You have much to be thankful for ... especially with the sweet addition of Leah Grace. You have been role models for Dean ... but, he still dreams of the day when he will be able to beat you (or Glenn!) in tennis or basketball. Someday.

One for Mike and Debbie ... thoughtful comes to mind immediately. You are willing to do whatever and we are so thankful for that. We pray that your time with Amy and Eric and the kiddos will be sweet and filled with memories!

And, since Linda and Paul are with us, one for Paul Andrew and one for Mike and Jess ... our hearts (and, conversations!) will be filled with you. Remembering trips to the beach house ... turtles and horse flies .. oh my! Mike and Jess, we are especially excited for what the next few days/weeks are going to bring you ... oh how we are praying ... we can't wait for that sweet girl to be placed in your arms!

As we look around us, there is much to cause concern, but, in spite of it all, there is much to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving, we pray that you would be surrounded by those you love, that your day would be filled with great memories and that above all else, God would hold you in His hands. We love you and so wish we could be together!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Dean, Tracy and Torrey

My Security Blanket

I am aware that I am 40 and that I just told you I have a security blanket. It isn't a security blanket, but something that makes me fell secure just the same. Ohhhh. You have one too, don't you? For forever, mine has been my bangs. Seriously. I could hide behind them, which is why they became my security blanket. Sometime in the Spring I came up with the brilliant idea to do away with the bangs. And, so began the oddysey of growing them out. I cursed my decision many a day, but I stood behind it. (For the record, when we were still pregnant with Torrey, I told Dean we HAD to decide "bangs" or "no bangs" ... and, yes, it was a decision that had to be made immediately. He looked at little girls in church with and without and said "no bangs" ... which is why Torrey has NEVER had a bang in her hair. Which means she has never had to grow out bangs. Lucky Girl.)

At first, the growing out was easy ... because it was just long bangs. Then, long bangs became annoying bangs that had to have something done to them. So, hello headbands ... or the fashionally chic barrette. And, in an instant I had a new security blanket ... my headband. Once or twice I thought, "Maybe today is the day when I go without" and literally got to the bathroom door and turned around for the headband.

Well, on Friday, the worst thing that could happen did. My headband broke. In the middle of the day. I would love to say I didn't panic, but that would be a lie. It was terrible. Although, my teaching assistant was in the room for my meltdown and she would probably say it was terribly hilarious because she laughed until she cried. In my panic, I knew I had to get my hair up some way. I tried the gorgeous bun on the top of my head. Bella said I looked like a "karate chopper girl". Bun came down. Tried a ponytail. Was told I looked like a 12 year old. Ponytail came down (after I did a 12 year old dance). And, my hair stayed down for the rest of the day. And, guess what happened? I got compliment after compliment after compliment. What?! So, guess what happened today? I wore my hair down. I am now in search of a new security blanket!

This Post Could Make You Cry ... Seriously!

You were warned ... and, still you read on. She looks like a bonafide teenager ... and she's only 12 (can you hear her screaming "AND A HALF!!!"?) This was after I had mastered the makeup and hair (which, had been giving me fits ... they wanted the hair to be in ringlet curls. Fine if your hair is shorter ... hers goes 1/2 way down her back and sincerely has a mind of its own. It so made me appreciate Grammy Stella's hair ability all the more!)
A rare family picture ... one of us is always behind the camera. What can I say. This was right before the play started. She was a bundle of energy ... and nerves!
Gram was able to come too. Dean stood in line to get tickets and was able to get seats on the second row ... for him, Gram, Linda and Paul. We could only get 4 reserved tickets that day ... so, I sat in the back with my teacher friends.
Linda and Paul were able to come too. We are so thankful that they live closer and can share these moments with us. We met them for dinner and then went to the show.
This was at the end of the night. Dean's age is showing on him. Torrey, not so much! I think she could have done another performance and been just fine!

We leave in 2 hours to do it all again ... I'm sure she will be sad, sad, sad come Monday morning that the fun is over! For the record, she was the cutest Birdie Girl ever seen!

We love you Torrey, oh yes we doooooooo. We love you Torrey, it is truuuuuuuuueeeee!

AH-MA-ZING!!!

Opening night was last night. One word. Amazing. We laughed until we cried. We were thunderstruck at what these kids were able to do. They are 12, 13 and 14 for crying out loud! And we clapped and clapped and clapped for 69 amazing kids! She loved, loved, loved every minute of it. I had to put up hair for the first time without Melinda ... criminitly I missed her! I had to do her makeup without the help of Sheri ... missed her too! But, I did it! And, she looked adorable .. and about 30 (boo! hiss!) She goes again tonight and then on Sunday ... I know we have complained and complained and complained about the late hours, but it was worth it. So worth it. (That was written with bleary eyes from lack of sleep!) I will post pictures late tonight when we get home.

Ironer Needed

This has been a crazy week for us. The play is this weekend and we are in a week of 10pm rehearsals. Um, we live 45 minutes from school ... do we really need to say that we have had late nights?

Dean worked from home today. He kindly asked if there was anything he could do for me ... and I was quick to ask him to iron for me. He came back a bit later with my dress perfectly pressed. He also handed me a wadded up tissue (it was in a little ball) and asked me if I could iron it for him. I guess my dress was a little wrinkled!

Mail Call

For the longest time Ryan has called Torrey "Snorrey". We don't know why . We don't remember when it started. It just has always been. Every now and then she will get a letter or package addressed to "Snorrey Townsend". All was well until the Amazon package was shipped using the "Snorrey Townsend" account. Dean opened the package. His Birthday package. It will still be wrapped and delivered on January 20th! Today I needed Dean to mail a box to Jen and Ryan for Christmas/Birthdays. He got gleefully joyful and was quick to agree. He came out of his office a few minutes later with a revised address label.
That's right ... to SNRYAN and SNJENNIFER McGregor. Oh Brother! Enjoy the package ... it was sent with love!