Thanksgiving

This year we spent a very special Thanksgiving in Nebraska. We had been looking forward to our trip for months. Chris bought the tickets well in advance and we reserved a hotel long before November. The entire week before Thanksgiving we were giddy and excited. Monday and Tuesday seemed like they would never end, and yet they flew by. I spent hours packing my bag for the 4 day trip, and still managed to pack less than Chris. Wednesday night I laid in bed, too excited and nervous to sleep. It was like the night before the first day of school, but a million times more exciting.

When we woke up at 4am the next morning I had no trouble getting out of bed. We were showered, packed and out the door in record time. I don't even remember the drive to the airport. After our bags were checked we sat down and had a little breakfast and I took a Dramamine. I didn't want a repeat of my last flight. (The first and last time I will ever use one of those doggie bags.) It was great because I slept the entire way into Denver.

After we landed I had to rush into the ladies room and change shirts (true story) because I had literally sweat through the one I was wearing. I had anticipated this, and packed a cute back-up in my carry on. Once the switch had been made, and my face was washed off, we headed to the baggage claim. Chris made a quick call to let the girls know that we had landed, and they were already waiting for us. I was so excited to see them that my eyes played tricks on me. I thought that I saw them three or four different times before we ever got to baggage claim. But then I spotted them..... Stacy and Ivy were sitting next to the baggage carousel and looking just as nervous as I was. I squeaked out "There they are!" and I walked as quickly as I could without looking like a complete spaz, and gave my sisters a huge awkward hug for the first time.

This Thanksgiving was special because ... I was not raised by my father and this was the first time we were going to see each other in over 22 years. I also got to meet my three younger sisters, my baby brother and their wonderful mother. It was surreal and amazing.

We laughed and joked the entire 4 hours to their house. This also gave me plenty of time to sweat through my second shirt. I could hardly hear myself think above my pounding heart as we pulled up to the house. I barely paused as I followed my sisters inside to see my dad and the rest of my family waiting.

I hugged them.

Amazing.

So many emotions raced through me the rest of the week. It was the best Thanksgiving that Chris and I have had in a long time. I'm not sure that I can explain in words what this whole experience was for me. I have such an overwhelming feeling of joy and completeness. I am so happy to have this big complete family now.