Thankful In Utah

This Thanksgiving I have so much to be grateful for. We were able to travel to Utah to spend some time with my family. My dad was retiring from the police department after 35 years of service. 

All my family (parents, brothers & sisters/spouses & our kids  

(missing my brother John who passed away & his daughter Whitley who couldn't make it that day)

He made a special request to have his entire family here for it. He's been battling 4th stage lung cancer and 

now brain cancer, which hasn't crushed his spirit.

 Incredible gift he was presented

 The Mayor congratulating my dad (he also spoke)

 The line went out the door forever...people waiting to talk to my dad

 He received a much deserved standing ovation

 My dad with Present & former Police Chiefs
(he filled in as acting Chief before his retirement)

 He is such an inspiration, finding joy everyday even through the excruciating pain and struggles.

My dad, Dave (Marine Corp.) with his mom, Violet

I'm thankful for the gift of each and every day with loved one's. Life's too short. You never know what tomorrow holds...seize the day. Don't forget to tell loved one's you Love them, don't just assume they'll always be there.

I'm thankful to my mom, for her faithfulness in listening to the Lord and following His will for her life and the example she and my dad always show. I'm thankful for the knowledge that the Lord is watching over us each and everyday. 

 My cup runneth over! Happy Thanksgiving everyone. 

Let the Holidays Begin

Having five days off for Thanksgiving was AMAZING! I haven't had that many days off in a row in a long time.

What is it about staying home for the holidays that makes you so lazy? We didn't do much except eat, watch movies, sleep...A LOT, and do absolutely nothing. I guess you never realize how much you need a break until you get one. I was able to finally catch up on my sleep...insomnia seemed to magically disappear during the holiday too.

We went to my in laws house first, tried to limit our portions to be able to eat at my sisters a few hours later. We didn't do a very good job...I was still stuffed by the time we got there.

With tons of leftovers the last few days I've been getting my daily dose of tryptophan from the turkey...which I think has been contributing to my new love of sleep.

Today was my last day off and I slept in till 12:00 pm again...now this is what a holiday is all about!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The Petrarca Familia

Our kids...missing my two boys-Josh & Jullien (we'll all be together at Christmas YAY!)


My hubby modeling

Mr. & Mrs. Moss- 1st Thanksgiving as a married couple!

My sister in law and kids

Thanksgiving Thanks!

I didn't have to cook! THANKS
I didn't have to bake! THANKS
I didn't have to clean! THANKS
I only had to eat! THANKS (I think)

Food, Family, Friends and Desert...now that's a THANKSGIVING!

NOW THAT'S A DESERT TABLE!

Me, Adam, Elijah, Anthony, Natascha & Dillon~Missing Josh & Jullien

My Boys~Joshy & Elijah...MISSING Jullien

The Kids...Natascha's glowing due to her recent engagement.

THE PETRARCA FAMILY~My Hubby, Seidy, Benny,Vivian, Brigett & Erica

Brigett & Erica's Boys

Me & My Friend Debbie

The Petrarca Crew-EATING STOP # 1

The Balibrea House-EATING STOP #2

Deb & My Brother-In-Law Jay

Anthony Hitting the Desert Table First!

I'm so thankful to have such an amazing family & In-Laws...it's always so much fun to hang out and be together.

Hope you all had a wonderful day!

Thanksgiving Eat-A-Thon

It's that time of year again, the holidays are just around the corner and I'm preparing for the big Thanksgiving Eat-A-Thon. I'm not the best cook, so every year we go to my sister-in-laws AND my sisters house for Thanksgiving. First stop is at 1:00 p.m. We try and eat light...YA RIGHT! By the time we get to my sisters at 5:00 p.m. we are so full but just keep eating.

I've been gearing up for the Eat-A-Thon. I came up with a plan to help me feel better about the inevitable. I've been walking every night and doing my floor excercises. I feel like I'm getting ready for a marathon!LOL! But I do have a strategy this year. I'm excercising BEFORE the big event. Losing the 5-7 lbs before the BIG day...then I'll have some room to grow and not feel as guilty.

Those of you who have to visit lots of homes too...feel free to steal my idea.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EAT-A-THON!

The Real Meaning of Thanksgiving

Have you ever thought about the meaning of Thanksgiving? We usually all have a Thanksgiving day routine, something that has turned into a tradition of sorts. Whether it is splitting up the day between two family households or gathering at your home with everyone sitting around the table sharing stories, eating and laughing.

This Thanksgiving I was reminded of the true meaning of this great American holiday. I placed my annual Happy Thanksgiving phone call to my mom and dad in Utah. I expected the usual chit chat about the great meal, family in attendance and how much they missed us, but instead I received a much needed reminder of what this holiday is all about.

My sister and her husband have a friend staying with them who has had a really hard life. He never had the joy of celebrating holidays with his family. His girlfriend and her two children have been staying in a homeless shelter after being abused by her father. My sister asked my mom if it would be okay for them to come to their house since they had no where else to go. My mom was a little stressed about the amount of food, but for some reason she had actually bought two turkey's this year, and said, "Of course!" With everything that has been going on with my dad's health and his recent return home, my family had thought that this was going to be a "normal" family only holiday. However, often times things do not go as planned...we get the opportunity to step outside the "normal" and be blessed by helping others.

My parents ended up with a packed house, my nephew Johnny and his mom, Tyler's mom, Debbie, Tyler's friend and his girlfriend and kids. There was plenty of food, love and sharing. The gift of thanks and giving was in full effect. My dad held and fed the girl from the shelter's baby while she ate. There was plenty of food and it was a TRUE day of Thanksgiving!

My dad shared a special story that really put everything into perspective:

Several years ago there was a micro burst of extreme winds that ripped through Utah, tearing off roof top shingles and knocking down trees throughout the city. As a policeman, my dad was assigned the task of going to the cemetery and surveying the damage. As he stood looking around the grounds, large old trees uprooted, strewn about the grounds. He noticed that all the trees that were torn from their deep rooted homes were the ones that stood alone. The trees grouped closely together, were still safely standing, branches swaying in the wind, shading the grounds with their majestic beauty, sheltering each other from danger. He quickly realized how much trees are like our family's. With every storm of life...struggles, hurt, heartache, and illness, if we stand alone we will fall. However, together with your family's love, support and comfort we can get through the hardest storms of life.

Sometimes others do not have family in which to turn to and have been standing alone for so long that they continue to fall. Those of us blessed with a strong family unit can band together around those less fortunate and provide love, strength and support...just like a group of strong majestic trees providing safety from a fast moving storm.

HAPPY THANKS GIVING!