My Thanksgiving Roadtrip Gumbo

I know you guys have missed me, and I've missed you....We went to Florida last week to spend Thanksgiving with my mom. It was our first vacation with both kids, and it was great. Traveling with two kids is a huge logistical undertaking. But I still think it's well worth it.

BK, Jeremy and I would often make the 17-hour trip in one day. But with an infant and a toddler, we just can't. Hmmm...how do you find a decent motel room for just a little cash? When I was ten, my family stayed in a total dive in Virginia. I mean, it was reminiscent of the Michael Kang movie, "The Motel." But I have learned to trust the humble Super 8. Not the camera, filmmakers....the chain of roadside inns.

If you think this new logo is ugly, you should see the old one! Not the most glamorous place I've stayed. But for a decent place to sleep and shower, you can't beat it. We stayed at the same one in North Georgia on the way there and the way back.

While driving through Georgia, I thought about my favorite native son of that state, Sung Kang. We didn't pass through his hometown of Gainesville, but I still thought about his blog on BBQ sandwiches when I saw a BBQ billboard. Speaking of billboards...

You see these EVERYWHERE on Georgia's I-75 corridor. Yeah, real classy. I go there for the food, don't you?

We arrived Sunday evening and enjoyed Disney World on Monday. It's very easy to hop parks...we started the day at Hollywood Studios (I still call it MGM) and ended up at Magic Kingdom.

What a face. John with Dad while I nursed the baby at the Baby Care Center.

The Sci-Fi Theater, my favorite restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The booths are made up like cars, and you watch corny old sci-fi movies while you eat. My mom used to be a manager here.

Giant kitschy Christmas tree. The Christmas season lasts for a very long time at Disney.

John's fave attraction at Magic Kingdom was a simple, old-fashioned train ride. Roland's out.

John liked wearing his 3D glasses, but some of the loud sound effects were a little much. Roland didn't do well with the glasses, but really enjoyed the 3D movies anyway. The loud soundtrack didn't faze him.

Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom. This is the twilight look--it was periwinkle at night. Pretty cool, even to this jaded Disneygoer.

We also had plenty of low-key family time. Truth be told, John was most enamored with this caboose, parked outside the Heritage Museum in my mom's small Florida town. Jeremy and John are at the wheel.

John peeking out of the caboose. Don't you just want to eat him up? We are blessed with the cutest kids.

And don't forget about me! Nine-month-old Roland ate everything at Thanksgiving dinner--turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans, and cranberry sauce. We were amazed.

Me in Mom's kitchen. Mom did most of the cooking for my stepdad, Jeremy, the boys, and I. My contribution was the sweet potato casserole and the gravy. Your arm gets a little tired, whisking for that long....

Mmmm....John's ready to go.

I leave you with a Thanksgiving thought from my mom's boss that she forwarded to me. One of the reasons I love AnD is the way people on this site live out this concept of kind words. 

Team,

Each one of us deals with difficult times at different points of our lives- health issues, loss of beloved family or friends, and financial hardship just to name a few. However, despite the troubles we each may face, I am grateful for so many things in my life, one being the privilege of working with all of you and working for a company that brings happiness to so many people around the country and around the world.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and may this season bring you many blessings. And if you really want to receive the best blessing of all, challenge yourself  to give something to another person- a hand, a meal, some money, or the simplest of things…a kind word because

                "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." -Proverbs 16:24

Thanks for making the "magic" !

Perry

No matter where you live, or whether your country has a Thanksgiving, you can choose to find the joy in every day. Thanks for sharing my Thanksgiving memories.