Thanksgiving '08 - Chapman Style

Yes, Christmas is next week and I'm just now posting about Thanskgiving. It's worth the wait ;)
Most of you know how I fret about the holidays ... where will we go? Who will we see? My decision making was made simple when PD and Bill invited my family to join us in Georgetown with the Chapman Clan. Mom, Buddy, Crystal and Kalie packed up their goodies to contribute to the Thanksgiving potluck. We all arrived together and had such a yummy dinner. I was so proud when I didn't go back for seconds ... but then I found the desserts! Oh well, better luck next year!

Paige & Heath

Nicole & Mom

Paige & Kalie with me and Bentley

Kelli, PD & Kristi

Crystal and me

Nicole won't admit she likes these puppies, too

To take a quick step back, our Thanksgiving day started off with a little sneaky surprise. I called the parents into the kitchen where PD was putting the last touches on dinner. After I had their attention, I grabbed the gift bag I had brought in with us and said, "We all know who is going to win the game today, so Heath and I are already thinking about next year's game. We were hoping you would all help us decide which one of these we should use." and I pulled out two onesies - one UT, one A&M. When no one seemed to know what I meant, I finished with, "for our baby."

And this was how we told our parents that we are now expecting! Squeels and hugs followed along with a few tears (mostly from me). Bill hung up the onesies in the kitchen so everyone could see them as they came in. Word spread so quickly we didn't have to tell anyone else. They all came up to congratulate us before we even knew they knew. It was such a blessing to be surrounded by so many loving family members on such a big day. It certainly gave us another reason to give thanks!

Heath is soo excited, he came home and updated his facebook profile pic (the onsie I gave him the night I told him and the girls) and his status that night: It has been such a sweet thing to watch my husband embrace this new direction our life is taking in such a huge way. While I was going to wait a bit before going so public, I'm inspired by his enthusiasm. If life is truly about the journey and not the destination, I can learn from this man to celebrate our blessings as they come. Just another reason I'm so glad I met him and that he asked me to be his wife.