Thanksgiving

Melinda picked me up at Subway around three o'clock and then we left for some sort of grocery store so that Melinda could pick up a few things and so that I could change out of my sandwich scented uniform. (It was snowing outside. It was nice to see the puffs of white blow past the glass windows and then pile up on the cars and ground around them. I was excited. But having a white Thanksgiving was a bit of a change for me.)

We picked up Seth when we were done, then we left for home. The ride there was fun. Seth read a book ("Tennis Shoes among the Nephites) aloud while Melinda drove (and listened) and I sat in the back trying to figure out what-in-the-world was going on in the story. (I haven't read that series yet and they happened to be on the very last part of the very last book. Funny hu?)

We arrived at my house around seven-ish. I thanked the Claybrooks for the ride, scooped up my things and dashed to the door. (Well, actually, it was too cold to dash, it was more like sauntered.)

I had to kick the door for someone to answer.

It was strange. When the door was open and I was inside no one moved. They were (most of them) sitting in the living room just staring at me. It was like I had become a figment of their imagination. It was weird. But funny at the same time.

"Hi Guys!" I said with a smile.

And then it happened...little arms sprang out of nowhere grabbing me around the waist and legs. My name echoed throughout the room and up the stairs. Over the heads of my siblings I saw my dad making his way towards me. It was hard to hug at first, what with all the other million arms around me, but it was nice. I really miss my dad. He held on for a very long time.

After the hugging and all, we went upstairs for dinner. We talked a lot. I go the whole update of "What's going on at the Willis' " from the possum that they scared away to the liter of kittens that is now overthrowing our deck. It was fun.

We stayed up late that night watching a movie called "We Are Marshall". It was good, if you like sports movies that is. Well I guess even if you don't, it was good anyway. I enjoyed it. And I'm not much for sports. I slept on the couch that night. Burr! I had to use the couch cover as a cover, my dinky traveling blanket didn't work at all!

The next day was fun too. Thanksgiving. We spent most of the day preparing the Thanksgiving Meal and passing the time with fun music videos. I liked being home. But it had its down sides too. For one, I knew very little of what anyone had been doing this past month. And second, I didn't have a bed, but that was okay ;). Third, well...the house I'm at now is nicer so it was a little unusual to be back home in our house that looks like a dozen kids lives in it. Oh wait, there are! Haha, no, it wasn't that bad. I love you family!

Unfortunately, (and it is very unfortunate) just before the big meal was complete we got the news that our youngest sister of two years was burning with a fever. My mother, along with one of my younger sisters, rushed her off to a hospital about an hour away. We kept her in our prayers and waited for a phone call. Mom called just before dinner was served and told us what was happening. It was pneumonia. She said that the doctors would hold her overnight and do more tests on her. But now that she was in the right care, she's going to be alright.

Did I mention that the Missionaries were over? I guess not. Well, they were. We had dinner without Mom, Haylee (my ill sister), and Alicia (my other sister who tagged along), so it was a little small. Having the Missionaries over was nice. Great people. Strong testimonies.

The meal was good. I surprised myself by not eating any turkey. Isn't that weird? I just stuck with ham and mashed potatoes. After dinner my brother Jacob dragged me along to return the Missionaries to their house and then my older sister to hers. On the way home we stopped by the Andelins (-great family! Love 'em to death!) because Jacob wanted to spend his Thanksgiving playing with bows and arrows rather than at home with all nine of his sisters. Can you blame him? ...A little, I'd have liked to stay home and visit, but being with my some of my closest friends was great too.

About the bows and arrows I mention, the Andelins were holding a tournament in their backyard for all of Farmville. (That's the place they live. So many of their family members live next door that they just called the whole lot by that name.) I had fun watching the tournament. Jacob was a little bummed that he didn't get to participate as well. After the tournament everyone went next door to Farmville's main attraction: The Leavitts.

There we ate dessert and got to view the awards being handed out to those who got a place in the tournament. It was fun. I liked seeing everyone again. We didn't stay as long as I would have liked. It was getting late and Seth and Melinda were waiting for me. They had gone next door from our house to visit they're family.

The ride home was okay. Very dark and I was actually exhausted. More or less. I liked being in my own bed again. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to my parents. They were not both at the hospital with Haylee. But that's where they needed to be, with her. I do hope she gets better soon.