Thankful all over again...

I have to say that we are blessed beyond belief and I am truely thankful for all we have.  I think about how fortunate we are daily and I try to remind my inner self when I am out shopping and have to put back the hot and sassy Nine West heels that would look great with my party dress that I will wear once, that are $100.  :)   No but really, we have a roof over our heads (a brand new one at that), we have cars to drive, Mike has a job, our kids have toys(too many), we have wonderful friends and most importantly our family is healthy and happy.  Blessed beyond belief. 
This Thanksgiving we went to Belton to spend some good quality time with Noni, Anna and John Paul.  Sullivan was so excited!  When we got there Anna and John Paul were already there and we all stayed up super late catching up.  We were sad to not be able to see Maya and Ella but, they were welcoming home their new baby brother and that is exactly where they needed to be.  On Thursday we ate Turkey dinner and it was buono.  We played cards that night as we enjoyed pie and wine.   JP whipped our butts in our traditional phase 10.  Friday morning Mason woke up at 5 am.  We could not get him back to sleep so we went shopping.  We only bought 2 Christmas gifts but it was good quality time for Mike and I, which we both crave lately.  Plus, we got to see Diane and Brenda.  :)  Thankful, thankful.
That afternoon Noni's friends Rachael and Woody came down to visit over wine and pie. (imagine that)  They are both  around 30 (i think) and professors at Clemson and just super neat people.  But let me tell you their story...  I will shorten it.
     Met at Clemson.  Fell in love.  Married.  Decided to have a baby.  Tried to have a baby.  No baby. Decided to adopt.  Decided to go through DSS and with all these decisions, decided to take 2 children.  Wow.  Amazing couple I tell ya.  Anyway, got the phone call that they were getting 2 brothers that were almost 1 and almost 2 and they would be coming Tuesday after Thanksgiving.  They were super excited!  Shopped.  Celebrated!  Consulted Mom and friends and shopped some more.  They had to get everything.  They were so fortunate that so many people were giving them stuff.  Litte twist - The foster parents wanted to adopt these boys but DSS denied them.  So, Sunday rolls around and they are putting together cribs etc and their social worker calls.  Apparently the foster parents got angry and call and told them to "come get these kids if you are not going to let us have them."  DSS got them and put them in emergency foster care.  Rachael and Woody got the call and the boys came home to them Monday!  They are healthy, beautiful boys and Rachael and Woody are thrilled to be parents.  I am so thankful there are people like them in this world.  And I am so thankful these 2 boys are home....
That eveing after they left we played some more Phase 10.  This time, Mike was the "weiner".  (Dont ask)  We had a wonderful, wonderful time.  I am so thankful that we all have each other and that we really do enjoy our time together.  The kids had a blast and Sullivan got to try a hand at Phase 10.  He felt like such a big boy.  On Saturday we hung out most of the day and then headed to Sumter trying to see an old friend.  Things did not work out but we did make it in time to hug Aunt Nancy's neck and watch the Clemson vs Carolina game.  Not real thankful for that upset...  Oh well.  Sunday morning we were up and at em and heading home by 9 am.  It was nice to get home at a decent hour.  What a wonderful Thanksgiving!!