<p>S has used miles and / or bonuses from credit cards to fly to be with us when he decides to come for a visit. He has come in Oct, Nov and has plans for a Dec/Jan trip as well. It’s been fun and we are glad he’s able to come as his whims and schedule permit. :)</p>
<p>This is the fourth year that we’ve had Thanksgiving without one or more of our kids for all the reasons stated above- too little time, too much money, concerns about weather delays, papers and projects to finish, final exams to prepare for and finally, they will be home in just two weeks for the Christmas break. Even though the reasons are good, it’s hard to be apart on Thanksgiving. </p>
<p>I just want to say how grateful I am to all the families who have opened their hearts and homes to my children on Thanksgiving. Every year they have had a place to go thanks to the generosity of their friend’s parents. So, to all of you who have set an extra place at your table for a student who couldn’t make it home, thank you. Not only do you make the day special for your guest, but you make the day for their parents, too.</p>
<p>We have seven kids with twenty years separating the oldest and youngest. So Thanksgiving and Christmas have long been the eagerly awaited occasions for the “little ones” to welcome the “big ones” home from college. Next year will be quite different, with kid #6 all the way across the country. Now the “little ones” are nieces and nephews–they’ll miss that Thanksgiving homecoming. But families evolve. I’ve been lucky to have had so many years with all my kids together. I’m thankful kid #6 will be at dream school–establishing new Thanksgiving traditions like the many posted here (which my kid enjoyed reading!) Happy Thanksgiving everyone!</p>
<p>Gosh cooking without her hurt my heart but I made it. I was glad to hear that she had fun with her bf making Friendsgiving dinner at his dorm. They apparently bought a pre-roasted chicken the day before but ate all the sides and forgot all about the chicken in the fridge haha kids! At least my son made it home from school! Even if he did spend all week reuniting with his friends at Disneyland and concerts and today working on Accounting. Ahh family dynamics, how much they’ve changed. Looking forward to winter break!</p>