After my parents flew home to Israel, I tried to get back into the swing of things, but that proved difficult since Thanksgiving came only two days after their departure. Instead of staying at with the Smith’s house for Thanksgiving, I thought it would be a good idea to go to old family friends so I could see them and spend the holiday with them, just like my parents and I used to do when I was younger.
I was really excited about going to our friends, the Davis’, house. It had been four years since I’d seen them, so I was eager to catch up and hang out with Richard and Emily’s grandchildren. I love kids but after a time I always need a break from their screeches or demands; however, Richard and Emily’s grandchildren have always held a small piece of my heart. Since they were babies, I loved spending time with them and never wanted to leave.
Andrew, Alanna, and Aster are so great to spend time with because they are all different yet very enthusiastic about the things they love. Andrew is a typical boy and loves video games, so I made sure to try my best to beat him at Halo (I didn’t). However, I knew that before I left I needed to have a rematch with him at JustDance4 since he completely smoked me the last time I went over to their house.
Alanna is the second older. She loves makeup, girly things and playing games. I can talk to her for ages about all different kinds of things, since she's a talker, like me.
Aster, the youngest, has a massive personality. She can be very demanding but also turn into a kitten with the snap of your fingers. Though Aster was really young when she first met me, she always seems to remember me after a couple hours of my visits. Before this visit with them ended, Aster was back in my arms like she usually is!
I enjoyed my time at the Davis’ house, it was like going home at some points, though there were some hardships. Richard and Emily have their twin daughters living with them; Kate who has three kids (Andrew, Alanna, and Aster) and Ashley who is single. So, there were definitely some conflicts going on.
It was also hard to really be myself since I felt quite babied while I was staying with the Davis'. I completely understand that they care for me and wanted to make sure I was feeling okay, but I feel like people over-dramatize my condition when they hear about it from my parents. A couple times a day Richard or Emily would ask me if I was feeling okay. When I told Alanna I would jump on the trampoline with her, Kate told me that I didn’t have to since I have back and neck problems. I look forward to the day when nobody knows about my headaches or curved spine!
Preparing for Thanksgiving was also difficult since poor Kate was left to prepare most of the meal. I helped her to the best of my ability and hopefully, took some of the stress off her back. We had about twelve to fifteen people over so we had to create quite a feast!
Now, enough complaining from me, time to tell you about one of the best parts of my visit, the FOOD! If you couldn’t tell by now, I love my food! There're so many different flavors I have yet to taste, so every mouthful of new food is quite exciting!
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it contains almost all my favorite things: family, friends, games, and most importantly, FOOD! I’m constantly amazed at the large quantities of food American families prepare for one special day. It always excites me to see what wonders will appear on my plate each time I celebrate Thanksgiving in the States!
This year, Emily also imported a historic cake from Maryland. The cake was called the Smith Island Ten-Layer Cake and it did not disappoint! Each layer was stuck together with a chocolate icing that was rich in flavor and addictive after the very first bite! Most of the guests couldn’t finish a whole piece, because of the richness, but I devoured that slice like I was Oliver Twist. I almost said the line, “Please sir, may I have some more?” but I was too full, after the slice, to utter another word.
Another food favorite that always makes an appearance at a Thanksgiving spread is mashed potatoes! I’ve never missed mashed potatoes so much! Growing up, my mom put potatoes with almost every meal but the Smith’s barely ever make mashed potatoes, so I definitely took advantage its presence. In the evening, after our big lunch, I may have made myself a large bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy to eat while watching Cinderella! hehe
I’d been putting off seeing the 2015 rendition of Cinderella since I didn’t think it would be anything different. However, I was very surprised at just how good it was. Of course, I couldn’t fully enjoy it until Chris, an old friend, finally stopped yelling at the movie. For some reason, Chris, a thirty-something-year-old man, got really into the movie and couldn’t help but make erratic comments.
Along with spending Thanksgiving with the Davis’ and playing with the kids, I also had the opportunity to go see Hacksaw Ridge with Richard and catch up with a childhood friend! The first night of my visit, Emily asked if I wanted to see the new Disney Princess movie, Moana, but I wasn’t interesting. However, when she told me that Richard was interested in seeing the new film, Hacksaw Ridge, my ears perked up.
When Richard found out I was also interested in seeing Hacksaw Ridge, he was shocked I would even consider seeing a war movie since it was a ‘man’s’ movie. After he’d said that, I was determined to go with him and prove to him that war movies weren’t just for ‘men’. Not that I'm a feminist, because I'm not!
Once we'd arrived at the theaters, I got really nervous about watching Hacksaw Ridge since I knew that it was going to be really graphic. However, I was left in utter amazement at the magnificence of the film! If you haven’t seen Hacksaw Ridge and want to watch something inspiring and life-changing, this is definitely the movie for you! By far the BEST movie of the year!
Black Friday is one of the best days of the year. Of course, it’s quite ironic that the day before Black Friday is the day of being thankful for what you have; but it’s also the day that has MANY awesome discounts which you shouldn't waste! I was dumb and didn’t take my purse to the Davis’ house so, after spending a couple hours catching up with my childhood friend, Faith, I went home early so I could get some shopping in before going to a party.
Jacque had been staying at the Smiths' house for a couple days since she was spending Thanksgiving with them, so when she got home from the warehouse I asked if she wanted to go shopping with me. I was in desperate need of a thick parka jacket for the winter and wanted to get a good deal on one. Thankfully, she was happy to tag along so we took Ryan’s car and drove to the mall for a girls time. We were only supposed to spend an hour or so at the mall, but we ended up being there for over four!
At the end of our shopping spree, I was broke but had an armful of bags. I got the parka jacket I needed, some Pj pants, and a really cute red lace dress that will be perfect for the winter! Altogether, I think the shopping trip was a success.
Later Friday night, Jacque, Ryan, Justin and I piled into Ryan’s car to go to Sofia’s Turkey-in-a-hole party. I was excited to eat some turkey and see how it was going to be cooked in a hole; however, the turkey never came into existence since no one wanted to cook it. :( It was still a good time, though.
By ten o’clock, the boys were ready to make their way to Michael’s house. When we arrived, most of Ryan and Justin’s other friends were there. The friends who were at Michael’s place were; Paul, Hunter, Kevin, Douglas and Tyler.
Once Jacque and Ryan left, I became the only girl but still managed to have fun. At one point, Justin, Kevin and I went on a mission to get food at midnight. We ended up settling for Taco Bell, not a healthy choice but it filled the gap since I didn’t have turkey!
I didn’t leave Michael’s house until three in the morning! If we were going to stay longer, I definitely would’ve fallen asleep! I’m glad I went though because I like feeling a part of the gang and made myself join in as much as I could.
The next day, Saturday, almost everyone from the night before came over to our house to hang out. For over an hour, Ryan, Michael, Jacque and I played tennis in forty degrees weather! It was Jacque’s first time playing tennis and she did really well. Before leaving, we played a fun game of doubles.
The rest of the day was very chill since we were all tired from the night before. Jacque and I spent most of the afternoon sleeping on the couch, while the boys played cards and video games.
Before the end of this week, there was one more event I had to go attend. Earlier this week Ryan found out that I wasn't invited to his grandma's house for their Thanksgiving meal, so he made sure I was invited. At first, I didn't want to intrude and tried to tell Ryan and Leona that I was okay about not going, but they wouldn't have it. So, on Sunday afternoon, I found myself surrounded by Leona's awesome family.
I am so happy I was able to go! Everyone was extremely friendly and I seemed to fit right in! The food was also extremely delicious, so that was another bonus!
This week, I’m going to start working at the Smiths' warehouse, so that’s exciting. However, I am a little nervous because I’ll have to get up at 6:30 am (yes, you read that right) in order to leave the house by 7:30! It’s going to be a stretch but I’m happy that I'll be able to get out the house and put my organizing skills to good use!
My prayer for this week is that no matter how busy I get, I’ll still have time to read the Word and write! After seeing the movie Arrival on Sunday evening, I feel really inspired to write as much as I can. There are so many ideas going on in my mind that I just need to find the time to write them all out.
Also, Israel has really been suffering from arson fires, so please be in prayer for the country! My parents are thankfully safe at the Sea of Galilee, so that’s a blessing. YHVH’s hand is really on Israel because, after a week of intense fires and lots of evacuations, I don't think there’s been a single death!!
Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, nor be discouraged, for YHVH your Elohim is with you wherever you go.”