Thanksgiving 2013

We had a great time at Nate's parents house for Thanksgiving this year. It was beautiful weather, wonderful food and great company. 

(Becca, Sydney, Janet, Mya, Ally and Evelyn)

(LaVere and Nate)

(Sydney and Evelyn)

The kitchen help

(Wendy, Grandma Jackman, Larry, Jen, Ronda, and LaRay)

The Men

(LaVere, Daniel, Matt, Nate and Larry)

Shirley and Darwin Jackman

It took a little bit to get a good photo of these two monkeys

These three always have a great time together. 

(Nate and Janet)

Flashback Friday: Thanksgiving 2011

Since Thanksgiving didn't really exist for our family this year, since I had just had surgery and everyone else had the flu, I figured I would finally get Thanksgiving 2011 on the blog. We had  it in

West Haven at Nate's brother Larry and his wife Mandy's new house.

 You would never guess by looking at this picture that I would be laying on that very couch within two hours in the beginning throws of the flu. Hit me fast and furious.

 Larry

 Dan and Jen

 Evelyn, Sydney, Becca and Mya, for some reason the little girls were very into pirates this particular day.

 Ryland with evidence of his meal still on his face

 Janet

 Mya and Sydney

Mya, Kelsey, Evelyn and Sydney

Bent Out Of Shape

So, this week I had a nose job. 

It has not been fun. 

To clarify, it wasn't a nose job like you are probably thinking. 

Basically anything they could do to my nose besides changing the outer appearance is what they did. 

It has not been fun. 

When I was born my nose was "smooshed" to the left because I laid on my Moms pelvic bone those last few weeks. All of that smooshing wreaked havoc on the inside of my nose. Fast forward 30+ years and I was a mess. 

In August I got a sinus infection. I have had one, at least yearly, for a few years. No big deal, right? Get on some meds, take care of it, move on with life. Except this one didn't want to be taken care of. By the time I had my third round of antibiotics, used for Pneumonia by the way, and it wasn't touching the infection, my Doc told me it was time for a visit to an ENT (ear nose throat).

My ENT took one look at my nose, and ordered me more meds, this time stuff used for Anthrax and the Plague and ordered me a CAT scan. So, Halloween morning I headed in to get my scan done. Two days later I headed in to talk to my ENT. I knew I was in for it when he asked me if I was comfortable and if I could see his computer screen alright. 

I have no medical training and the moment I saw my scan of my nose I knew I was headed for surgery. It looked that jacked. No wonder I have always been a mouth breather, mystery solved! 

So, this last Monday, the 19th of November, I went in and had a Septoplasty and a double Turbinate Reduction. I also had both sinuses roto rootered out. I had a couple of other things done while he was in there but I don't remember what he said thanks to the fog I am in from the great pain meds I am on. 

So, now I am waiting til Monday to go back and get my splints removed from inside my nose. Cannot wait. I hear it isn't pleasant but that the pressure goes down significantly so, I cannot wait. The picture on the right shows you what splints look like. They are huge and sewn into the nose.

Then about the time Christmas rolls around I get to blow my nose. I think I am actually more excited about that than almost anything. 

When I feel frustrated with the whole recovery process I just tell myself that once I am up and running again I will probably knock a whole minute or more off of my mile pace due to finally being able to breath correctly. That helps. Big picture, right?   

What We Are Thankful For - 2010

Today is Thanksgiving. This year is an "off" year for both of our families. What this basically means is that every other year we are running around like turkeys with our heads cut off trying to spend time with both sides of our families, and every other year we are left to fend for ourselves. As Nate and I contemplated what that meant this year and weighed our options we decided that we VERY much liked the option of staying home and having a LOW-KEY Thanksgiving. It was perfect. We didn't end up with just our Little Mills Kingdom, my Dad and Fran joined us as well. We spent the day doing a lot things, cooking (lots and lots of cooking), eating (lots of that too!), playing in the snow, playing games, watching Christmas movies and of course, football. Although my day wasn't as low-key as the kids it still felt great to just hang out, in fact we were so low-key I even ate dinner in my stretchy yoga pants. Now, THAT is the way to do it! I took some notes while we went around the table expressing our gratitude for all that we have been given and I thought I would share some of my notes here, so we will always remember.

Nate: good health, each one of my kids, my wonderful wife, a supportive family and good work that helps me to take care of my family

Ronda: the Gospel, good health, our warm beautiful home and my family

Ethan: family, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and all that, food, a bed, clothes, and this wonderful world

Ally: family, friends, cousins, grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, food, shelter, Heavenly Father, the wonderful things Heavenly Father does, tickles, Girl Scouts, and achievement days

Ryland: Star Wars. Mom and Dad and grandma and grandpa and Cub Scouts

Evelyn: a family

Grandpa Burke: (I promise I didn't make this up!) That he and my mom didn't stop with the twins and Travis. He is grateful that I pulled up the caboose. Grateful that I called him before the blizzard to make sure that he wouldn't be out in it. It really made him feel loved. Thankful that Nate came along and that he and I hooked up. :) Really grateful for the grandkids and how fun it is that he could swing them around in a 5 gal bucket (Ethan, back in the day). That Evie finally likes him. Grateful that Fran came along, couples scripture study, that the Moose didn't kill him, for his work, 45 years at one job is pretty special.

Grandma Frannie: for Heavenly Father sending her Grandpa, for this wonderful family that I've got, scriptures to read and for this meal.

Flashback Friday: Thanksgiving 2005

This Flashback Friday I thought I would take a little look back at Thanksgiving 2005. We went to Kelly and M'Lissa's new house in Syracuse. We had so much fun spending the day with Nate's side of the family.

Larissa, Ally four years old, and Elaina Wesley, Ethan 6 and a half years old, Kevin, and Trevin Nate, 30 years oldRyland, 2 years old

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving this year was a BUSY day! We hit both sides of the family.....which made for a lot of fun, family and running around! We hit Travis and Sarah's house for dinner, then went to Nate's parents home for dessert with his family. Although I had the camera the ENTIRE day I only ended up taking it out at the Burke family dinner.....unfortunately! Anyhow....here are a few highlights from dinner at Travis and Sarah's house.

Why is it so blasted difficult to get a decent family picture? This was the best we could do after several attempts......((((SIGH))))

Still in love after all of these years....THANKFUL for that!

Another difficult shot.....these two are almost impossible to get a decent shot of!

She was obsessed with this awesome horsie!