My Thanksgiving Was Better Than I Even Hoped For!

[judy]

I am so happy right now, I can't even put it into words!

I drove up with my ex and we had a good time together. Truthfully, it's too bad I'm not in love with him. It would be ideal. We're very much alike, we're actually very good friends, love the kids, etc. We could just move up there together. But - I'm just not, so that's that.

When I got there, I couldn't get over the house. They have a creek on their property, it's a beautiful Victorian in wonderful condition, with a front porch, and all the old wood, etc. I think there are 9 bedrooms. They have lots of land.

Jessie and I got along just like we did before she met Steve. We just fell right back into our old relationship. It was just so wonderful. She has grown up so much and has become very positive about her illness and life in general. I told her that I could see that she was raised properly and that she is definitely my child! She has been feeling well for over a year now - a miracle by itself. Sher looks wonderful and is very active. She loves her life up there and is very happy. She has become the boss in her marriage to a large degree. What a difference that is!
They seem quite happy together too.

The children are just my heart. My big one, Mackenzie is ten and is quite grown up.
She made honor roll, works very hard in school, loves the country, hates her parents, is always bored and grumpy - A typical pre-teen and I wouldn't be at all surprised if she isn't in an extended PMS mode. She hasn't begun yet, but once their hormones and period starts, girls can go into PMS for months! It's not the same between us since she's grown up so, so I'll have to find new ways we can connect, although we still love each other so much. I think she may be angry at me for not coming for so long, but Jessie said she won't talk about it if I ask her. If she wants to open up to me, she will. Jessie thinks she probably is, but she still loves me so much. She is angry at Jessie for being sick - a normal response for her age.

The two little ones are precious Brandon is 6 and a real boy. He's so sweet and loving. Kassidy never left my side, nor did she ever stop talking to me. I am her favorite person and should never have gone home.

I ended up having a good time with my SIL. He was distant at first, which wasn't great, but it was okay. Jessie told me she said something to him on her own, and he warmed up. When I left, I hugged him and told him that I loved him. (I'm not one to hold a grudge). He also seems to have changed - grown up a lot, and is so much happier.

I ended up staying an extra night and slept in their house instead of the motel.
I slept with the two little ones and the dogs. Mackenzie wasn't comfortable after the first night, so I told her to sleep with her Mom. You just can't fit so many people in one bed.

I'm going to get the camera attached to the computer and post some pictures.

[judy]

Here are some pix of my family.

These are all of 5 year old Kassidy. The older girl is Mackenzie, my first grandchild.

[judy]

Some more pictures:

These are of 6 year old Brandon, Jessie with Brandon and one of Mackenzie.

[Janet]

Oh my Judy, Jesse looks just like you!!! WOW!! I am so happy that everything turned out even better than you imagined. I wanted you to have the best time. I know you probably have more pictures, but I just had to get in here and say I'm so happy for you!!! The kids are absolute dolls!

[judy]

....some more

1. Steve's mom, Brandon, Steve's brother and Mackenzie
2. Jessie, Steve's Mom and her bf
3. Jessie
4. Jessie and Mackenzie

[katepoet]

They are just wonderful, Judy! What a great family you have. Congratulations!

[judy]

And.....

1. Mackenzie
2. Grandma Judy, Kassidy and Brandon
3. Kassidy, my ex (Pop-pop), Max and Gracie Leigh
4. Mackenzie (PMS or what?)

[rivermom]

I am so happy your visit went well. I was just wondering over Thanksgiving day how it was going for you....How wonderful that it even went better then you had expected.

The pictures are great. Your family is lovely !!

[DianaB]

Judy, I'm so glad that your Thanksgiving went even better then you expected!!! That's so wonderful!!! Your family is beautiful and your daughter DOES look a lot like you, very beautiful!!! Your grandchildren are very beautiful too and I would guess that their dark hair comes from their father's side. And it looks like Max and Gracie Leigh received a lot of attention!!!!

[Gina]

Oh Judy!

I am soo happy to hear that you had a wonderful time with your daughter and her family. Your grandkids are beautiful and your daughter is very pretty. My God she is a clone of you. Your furbabies are just precious. It is so nice to read your post and that your daughter is back in your life.

[Mandy]

Judy, i'm so happy you had a wonderful time, those pics are great, and you have a very nice family.
So glad everything was better than expected, and wow.... even your SIL warmed up to you, thats very positive!
Your grandbabies are adorable, I bet they crazy about you!

[Marilyn]

Judy, I just had to jump in here and say too, how wonderful that you had such a good time and got to reconnect with your family. Sooooo glad this happened!!!!!!!!! They are a really nice group from the pics. Hope the connection grows. McKenzie will probably come around in a little bit. Just give her some time.

[Forgivenmom5]

I am so glad things went well Judy.

[judy]

Isn't it something how life can change in a moment? Sometimes for bad, but sometimes for good.

I'm so grateful. As most of us here are, I'm very spiritual, and I know that God made all this (the good and the bad) happen for a reason.

I just want to share with you how I feel the hand of God in this so strongly and that I feel so safe knowing that he takes each one of us through our lives, always there
beside us.

So, no matter what happens, let's all remember this particular story, and know that our faith is real.

[judy]

Sorry to sound so preachy in that last post, but I do love you all and wanted to share that with you.

I'm so happy! She's been calling, got herself an email addy, and is emailing. The best is that she feels so good. She has learned to have a positive attitude and that's very important with a chronic disease. I'm very, very proud of her and of her husband. They have grow and learned ao much from this. She says she's not sorry she got MS because if she hadn't, she wouldn't be the person she is today.

I feel like I raised her right.

And then, of course, there are the kids! What can I say? I'm a Grandma, one of the best things to be! I went to Kohl's a couple of days ago and bought Mackenzie 6 tops because she needed long sleeved shirts. I sent pictures and she'll choose the ones she likes, and I get to go back and pick out pretty new ones for her!
IT'S SO MUCH FUN!