Two Little Bettino Bambinos: Thanksgiving 2011

We had a very sweet and thank-filled Thanksgiving. Pa and Jamma came down to spend a few days with us, which we were very excited about! On Thanksgiving morning, as many people slept in, made coffee and watched football, the Bettino family headed out with Pa to run the Turkey Trot in Dana Point. We loaded the car at 7:30am and waited to run in a race that should've started at 8:30am, but waited in a massive line of people to start our wave at 9:15am. Crazy? Slightly, but it is a family tradition that I look forward to every year. We used to run it with hopes of making good time. We quickly ran around people with double bobs and always said they should have another race for these slow people to walk in so that we could actually run. Well, five years later and we are the ones with the double bob. But in our defense, we did try to run. We formed a double bob brigade with a few other families and nicely yelled, "Beep, Beep!" to let people know we were coming. It was actually really funny and we were able to eventually find some free space to run at our own pace : ) After finishing the race, we headed over to our favorite shopping center with Starbucks and pumpkin bagels and went home for the kids to take naps. It felt good to finish the trot knowing what good food was ahead... but wait, yes, I am on a dairy free diet and wouldn't be able to indulge in mashed potatoes or pumpkin pie : ( Oh, man. I will make myself a Thanksgiving feast this summer on a random cold day. Hopefully.

After naps, we loaded up the car with Pa & Jamma and headed to Palos Verdes to be with Matt's family. His mom did an amazing job of cooking the perfect Thanksgiving feast, along with creating a gorgeous table to sit at. It was good to see everyone. I almost fell over because it has been awhile since I've seen my nephews and they are HUGE! One of them is in junior high and I had to pinch myself. These little boys I used to trick or treat with and swim in the pool with are not little boys anymore... they are little men! It makes me aware of how fast time will go by as Jack and McKenna grow, and I want to live in the moment each day, loving them for where they are at. But back to the food- I filled my plate with turkey and cranberries. Mmmm, even though my plate was lacking other yummy foods, these two food groups worked together to satisfy my Thanksgiving cravings. Oh yes, and I made Barefoot's Deep Dish Apple Pie. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I used earth balance as the butter in the crust and it still turned out better than I thought it would. So much depth of flavor. Will be making this for years to come. Kenna socialized for the first part of the evening and then went down at 6:30. Jack really enjoyed his meal and LOVED playing with his cousins. He was a happy boy and loved all the excitement.

When we drove home, we were happy that the day went so well. A very fun-filled family day. Personally, I am thankful for so much. Some of the things I am most thankful for:

1. My husband. We have created a life together that eagerly love living. He loves me for me and I feel so safe with him. We have been through so much together and it has allowed us to build a strong foundation for our marriage. He is a natural servant who wants nothing more than to love and nurture his family. I am a blessed wife.

2. Jack. My baby boy has grown into a talkative toddler who is always ready to dance, laugh and explore. I love his smile, laugh and chubby cheeks I constantly kiss throughout each day. My favorite part of each day is when I put him to bed and he says, "Night night, mama. Love you."

3. Baby Kenna. Each morning when I get her from her bassinet, she greets me with a huge smile. Her sweet face and little coo's make the challenging times seem so far away. She has recently started laughing and I could sit and laugh with her all day long. My lovely daughter.

4. Our loving family. Grandparents who want nothing more than to spend time with their grandkids, regardless of what we are doing. Aunts and uncles and cousins. Face timing on the phone. Emailing pictures back and forth. Cards in the mail. People who love me unconditionally.

5. Dear friends. old friends, new friends. Friends I talk with on a daily basis and those I talk with once a year. My time is filled with changing diapers, getting snacks, making dinner, laundry, playing catch outside... so when moments come for a phone conversation or get together, I cherish them greatly! I value relationships immensely. Little that compares to a close friend : )

6. Monka. Monka is my Grandma who passed eight years ago to the day on Thanksgiving. She was the best grandma in the world. She was always present- helping me study for tests, cooking my family meals, taking us to music lessons, watching our sporting events... I don't believe that I have lived eight years without her. It makes me sad that I have experienced so much without her. But because of her contribution to my life, I am able to carry on pieces of her to the next generation. I miss you so much, Monka, and wish you could know the new people in our family.

7. Christmas. I am having a hard time believing it is the Christmas season with the weather we have been having. But regardless, I have made gingerbread that Matt and I eat together each night over a cup of cider. Christmas lights. I love only have the lights of the tree and garlands fill our living room each evening. So cozy. All of our decorations- our nativity scene from Bethlehem, ornaments from our first year of marriage, old and new stockings. Such a fun time of reflection and looking ahead. And last, but not least- Christmas music. I am getting gypped with Jack because I don't get to listen to Christmas music in my car! Jack wants to listen to Lion King, Mickey or watch Bolt. WHAT?!? So I make sure it's on in the house when I'm cooking or hanging out. Oh, it is the best.

8. Food. I have really come to love to cook. It is an outlet for me, and honestly, one of my love languages. I love cooking for the people I love. And it is a stress reliever for me... getting into the kitchen and getting lost in an old or new recipe is so much fun. And Matt continues to love it and makes requests, so it motivates me to cook some more. As always, Barefoot proves to be who I cook from most. I am rarely, if ever, disappointed. I look forward to perfecting recipes that my kids will come to love that will become traditions in our home. I remember staple meals in my house growing up. I love the nostalgia food can bring to a moment.

9. Things to come. I recently was discussing with a close friend what it has been like for me to have a baby. She had asked, "What happens to who you are? Are you able to serve in your church? Work? How do you contribute to society? And if you aren't, how do you handle that? And if you do, do you feel like you're neglecting your family?" My answer- having kids is the most sacrificial thing I have ever done in my life. But is is the best thing I have done in my life. I have sacrificed sleep, my body, time, freedom... but I have gained so much more. Spending each day with my two sweet children is such a blessing. Yes, there are hard days where Jack will not listen and when McKenna will not stop crying, but it is a season. I do look forward to the days when I will be able to sleep through the night, leave the house for a run and go as long as I'd like, join a bible study and have time during the week to actually dive into the study. I love the present time and do not want to live waiting for the future, but I will say that it will be nice to exercise and sleep hopefully sooner than later : )

10. Hope. As we set up the nativity scene this year, I showed Jack little baby Jesus. This baby Jesus has saved the world. Jack smiled and was trying to put together that we pray to Jesus... the same Jesus that was a baby in a manger 2,000 years ago. I am thankful for how Christ fills my life. The hope we are able to receive and hold onto in the midst of a world with pain, hurt and anger. Sometimes this hope is hard to grasp, but I do my best to let go and rest in the hope that comes from Christ alone.

My big boy