It's Thanksgiving time, and nobody even vaguely resembling Martha Stewart lives here. Thanksgiving celebrations in a blending family are different. Yes, we will eat turkey, and potatoes and stuffing and something green. But it will be served on mismatched china which came from three different households (his, mine and my grandmother's), the wine glasses won't match, and we will use stainless steel utensils (who has time to polish silver?) My husband's ex-wife, her mother, grandmother and uncle will arrive with a store-bought pie and my in-laws will bring a salad, and we'll dish the food out in the kitchen - since we can't fit everything on the tables. That's right: tables, plural. We will have two - one in the kitchen, and one in the front hall - in order to have room for everyone to sit. Between us, the four kids, the extended family and assorted strays, we will expect about 17 people. We will sit on kitchen chairs, folding chairs pulled in from the garage, and patio chairs from outside. There will be no hand-made wreath on the front door, or carved gourds on the tables. If we're lucky enough to find some matching candles, we'll use them - or we might feature the papier mâché pilgrims that our youngest made in art class (which are sort of lopsided, but cute). The children will be anything but quiet, as they argue over playing video games vs. watching football before dinner. And dinner will be served...well, when everything is finished cooking. Maybe sometime around 3 or 4. 

    Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks. I have decided that Thanks-giving is not about showing off my crafting skills (which are minimal), nor my prowess in the kitchen (which is pathetic). It is not about impress-sing anyone with festive table-settings, or lavish decorations, or a juicy turkey. It is not about me!

     Thanksgiving is a holiday about being grateful for the myriad of blessings God has given to me. I am so very blessed! I have a wonderful husband (who cooks!), four fabulous kids (who get along most of the time), and a loving (though eccentric) extended family. My health is good, my home is comfortable (but not sparkling clean), I live in Arizona (so I will never have to shovel snow!) and God is in control.

    So on this Thanksgiving day, say a prayer of thanks for your family, your spouse, and your home. Be grateful for your relatives, your extended family, your friends, and the food on your table. Thank God for your health, your salvation and your freedom; and the fact that Martha Stewart doesn't live with you. No one should have to deal with that kind of pressure!
 
    "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice!...Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4: 4, 6-7. 

For more information on this and other blending family topics, read Advice From The Blender: What to know before you blend so nobody gets creamed (2007 Xulon Press) by Susan J. Hetrick. Help is also available online at www.advicefromtheblender.com.