Gingerbread Houses and Turkeys that are late for DinnerDecember 01, 2008My Aunt M D introduced our family to a new Christmas tradition this year. She had the great idea to bring two Gingerbread Houses for the kiddos to work on during the Thanksgiving preparations at my Mom's house in Mississippi last week.
Even though the Princess had never seen one, she (with the help of her Daddy) dove right in. She was joined by her almost five year old cousin, Maddie. My Aunt and Uncle initiated the gingerbread house as a Holiday tradition for Maddie several years ago and she has become quite the little pro.
(Maddie working on her big house.)
I loved to watch the girls as they decorated the houses. Much of the candy never made it on the houses as the girls loved eating it. My dear Hubby was patiently trying to put the house together as Princess enjoyed eating the gumdrops, candy gum balls and icing.
(The Princess helping her Daddy decorate her gingerbread house.)
The weather in Mississippi was dreary and damp, so the icing was not quick to set. The houses started sliding and the peppermints were dripping but we all had so much fun watching the girls that we hardly noticed.
This Thanksgiving was a blessed one. My Aunt has survived and beaten breast cancer, earlier this year, we did not know if she would still be here. My Cousin held the most beautiful baby girl ever born in her arms as she went to be with Jesus. Mary Clarie was the answer to years of prayers for a little girl, even if her life was far to short. My parents have mostly settled into their new home, a strange kind of post Katrina gift. My brother and his wife welcomed 12 Great Dane Puppies into the world just a few weeks ago. (If you know anyone who might want one drop me an email!) My Hubby and I continue to be amazed at the beauty and light our little girl has brought to our lives. She never ceases to surprise us!
I felt so blessed to be surrounded by those who I love and that love me most. It has been a challenge for me to adjust to being a Texan. So much of who I am is wrapped up in being a South Mississippi girl! So, as I looked around at the smiling faces and the love that surrounded me I felt completely humbled by God's rich grace and abundant love.
Not that our Thanksgiving was with out flaw, our turkey took two hours longer to cook than it should have and became more of a dessert than the main dish. Still, what a great family memory, I know we will be laughing years from now and saying, "Do you remember when the turkey was late for Thanksgiving dinner?" We can add it to the other memories we have like, "What about the Christmas Aunt M D gave us Cousin It as a Christmas gift?" "Do you remember the year we read all the Little House on the Prairie series. Santa somehow knew and left us tin cups, oranges and peppermint sticks just like in the books?" The best memories are rarely about what or where we ate, but about the things we did together and the love that surrounds us.
So thanks Mom for laughing off the late turkey, and thanks Aunt MD for thinking to bring the gingerbread houses. These are moments that will warm our hearts and bring tears to our eyes in years to come. Just like the peppermint, on the gingerbread houses, slowly melting in the Mississippi humidity, nothing lasts forever except the love we have for one another and the memories we share.
4:23 PM