Thanksgiving

Monday, December 10, 2012

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a multi-day event for us.

The day before is when we cook.

Ammon makes pumpkin pie, and Peter makes a peanut butter cheese-ball.

I make sweet potato casserole and Andrew makes sausage stuffing.

I love that each of us contributes and enjoys cooking.

This year was supposed to be Thanksgiving with my family.

But somehow, Andrew's family has gotten onto the same schedule as us.

So this year we went to both.

It was a fun day, but I doubt we'll do that again.

I don't know how to resolve the fact that Andrew's family is now on the same schedule as my family.

I'm frustrated and stressed about it already.

We spent the morning at my parents house.

We got there first and David and Nikki were close behind.

We played California Speed and Zilch, and of course, Hearts.

Andrew enjoyed football and mom's infamous "spread".

In our house, our Thanksgiving is much less about the big meal, and more about the food we snack on all day.

Dan was there, Rebecca showed up, and so did Joe and his family.

When it was time for Andrew's family to gather, we went to his parents house.

Tables were set with china.

Peggy had gone all out and even made a bacon covered turkey.

After the meal we played Zilch, Uno and RummiKube.

It was lots of fun!

When everything wrapped up, we headed home and stopped by my parents house again.

This time we were able to see Katy and her family.

We were too late to have the kids all do the craft together, but Peter still worked on his.

We had a fun group game of Apples to Apples.

Jeremiah made me a fresh batch of his stuffed mushrooms.

The night ended way too quickly.

I had a great day, but I was sad to have missed out on so much of the time I should have had with my family.

It was a real bummer to have to see them in shifts.

Still, we are lucky to be surrounded by so many family members.
It really was a wonderful way to spend the holiday!

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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.