The Marvelous Business of Gathering Family for the Holidays

I was going to title this post as the “crazy” business of gathering family. Because any of us who have adult kids spread out into the world know that it is just that: a bit crazy to gather. All the airport runs, the house filled right up, trying to feed everyone and plan everything and be entirely present with these people you love with your whole heart. And yes, I’m a bit tired…with a pretty gross broken blood vessel in my eyeball to boot (so weird, from stress??). But as I’m sitting here, the dust settling on all the commotion that has been happening the last week, my heart is swelling with the marvelous-ness of it all. The wide-arm hugs of the comings and goings, the adoration and antics of these two grandbabies of ours, the heavy gratitude I felt laying in bed, exhausted, on Thanksgiving evening, so many to-dos wrapped up and my family gathered in.

There are so many moments I memorized in my heart, watching my adult kids be together in many different ways. Some of those moments of togetherness I felt so washed over with gratitude were with Elle before they came. She and Carson were with his family this year and although we missed them terribly, there was something so special in my heart knowing they were with such loved ones. Together for the first Thanksgiving after losing Carson’s dad. Love them all so much.

There are many parts of this Thanksgiving holiday I want to remember. This post is dedicated for this business of gathering.

Let the Gathering Begin

First, as I mentioned before, it’s tricky to help Lucy maneuver from college. But she’s figuring it out. Well, WE are figuring it all out, as a family as well as some other good people who are willing to help. We’re all in this together and there are lots of angels. She went down to Provo to see Wicked with her cousin the weekend before Thanksgiving while Elle was there for a wedding. A friend’s daughters drove her down to Salt Lake and she took the front runner to Provo. I loved that these girls all joined up after that and Grace and Elle drove her back up to her own campus.

Yes, that was before Thanksgiving, but it was the beginning of the gathering that makes my heart swell up so much.

Gathering in the Desert

Claire arrived in town first, fresh from piles of homework and finals, and we were pretty excited to be together.

…and get down to Thanksgiving prep business.

Next came Abby and the girls. This is one brave mama to fly with these two in tow, getting up “in the 5’s” of the early, dark morning to get down here to the sun.

They made it and we were so excited to be together!

Mainly I was pretty ecstatic.

Loved Murphy’s singing on the way home. She’s growing up so much and can say and explain everything under the sun.

Gathering in Utah

Meanwhile the other four kids gathered in Utah the night before Grace and Lucy’s early flight. Why does this make my heart so incredibly happy! They had a sleepover at my parents’ and called us right as Dave and I were going to sleep, so much happiness spreading through the phone with them explaining life to us. Ha!

More Arrivals in the Desert

Lucy and Grace made it safe and sound.

…and I was stuck in the worst holiday airport traffic to get them.

But we made it!

Murphy, Claire, Abby and I had watched “Dancing with the Stars” together the night before and these girls delighted in how interested Murph was in watching that final dance over and over.

And over.

Then Max finally arrived right during Turkey Trot packet pick-up the night before the big day.

I didn’t get a picture that night with all the chaos going on, but here he is at game-time with Murph.

There is just something so special about the gathering of family.

And I sure felt it this year.

On to all the Thanksgiving/Turkey Trot/Hosting/Cooking jazz.

More soon. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Did everyone survive Black Friday? Hope the girls’ lists may have helped!