Time Travel Tuesday

Annie made this one easy as we are just traveling back to Thanksgiving! She asks...

What was your favorite part of the day?

What was the best thing you ate for dinner?

What are you most thankful for this year?

Before I get to Thanksgiving Day, I wanted to start on Monday, when I went to Joe's squadron's luncheon (which I briefly mentioned in my Grains of Gratitude post) It was obvious Kayla was missing her daddy.

We met our friends Kevin and Jackie there and as soon as Kayla saw Kevin she ran up to him and wrapped her arms around his legs to give him a big hug. He picked her up and she clung to him by wrapping her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck, and her head on his shoulder.

Kayla sat in between Kevin and me and I don't think she talked to me much at all! It was all, "Kevin, hey Kevin (as she tapped on his arm) look! A fork, spoon, napkin, knife" as she showed him all of her plastic utensils. She climbed in his lap, in Jackie's lap, my lap maybe once, but mostly she wanted Kevin's attention.

There are a handful of guys deployed from Joe's squadron and someone put together a collage of their pictures (I sent the one in my profile of Kayla and Joe from the night he deployed). The frame was on the wall at the front of the room and we were at the very back of the room. I hadn't taken Kayla up there yet to show her the picture. One of the ladies Joe works with, Connie, was walking by our table and saw Kayla. She stopped to say hi and then asked Kayla, "Did you see your daddy?" She might have said "did you see the picture of your daddy?" but I don't really remember. Either way, all Kayla heard was "see your daddy." Let me tell you the look of excitement that appeared on Kayla's face as she whipped her head around to scan the room and find her daddy. She thought Connie was telling her Joe was there. I could see her eyes looking around the room trying to pick her daddy out of all those guys in uniform. We tried to explain "no daddy isn't here, but his picture is up there, there is a picture of YOU and daddy" as we pointed to the front. She kept looking (I knew she couldn't see the frame up there on the wall as I could hardly see it!) - she looked towards the front door thinking he was going to come through there. You could just see the look of confusion cross her face.

Connie held her arms out and asked Kayla if she wanted to go with her to see the picture. Usually Kayla has no problems going with people. She had her head down and said no. She looked so crestfallen. My poor little girl.

A few minutes later she did say yes when I asked if she wanted to go with me. When we got up to the frame she immediately picked Joe out, "Daddy! Kayla!" and was in much better spirits after that.

This leads up to our Thanksgiving Day and it was obvious she was still wanting some attention from someone other than mommy!

We went to Jim and Jennifer's house for dinner. Jennifer's parents were also in town visiting. Kayla was calling them "grandma and grandpa" - it was so cute. I guess she figured that's what everyone else was calling them! One time Jennifer's mom left the living room and was going down the hallway when Kayla went running after her "grandma wait!"

After dinner the grownups were still sitting around the table while Kayla and Katelyn were playing in the living room. Kayla bumped her head on the entertainment stand. It sounded pretty bad; I was surprised she didn't start crying. She came over to me and just as I started to lean in to give her head a kiss she pulled away and said "Jim!" and went around the table to get comfort from Jim. She proceeded to make her way around the table for everyone to give her a kiss on the head - Jennifer's mom, dad, and then Jennifer. Then she was off towards the living room again. When did I become chopped liver!? I said to Kayla, "Hey wait! Don't you want a kiss from mommy too?" Luckily she saved my rapidly falling ego by running back to me so I could give her a kiss :)

When Katelyn would call for her daddy, Kayla even said "daddy" to Jim a couple of times. She really misses having him around.

Now to answer Annie's questions: My favorite part of the day (well the Packers won, so there's that!) but it would have to be that we were able to talk to Joe. Best thing I ate for dinner (besides everything?) candied yams - yummy! Most thankful for - my family and friends, and this new life I'm carrying. Even though Joe is gone I'm thankful he's safe and coming home soon.