Thanksgiving 2007

For those that didn't know, we went to PA to see Darrin's family over the holiday. We drove because Darrin had to bring home the "stuff" that he's stored at his mom's since he was in his teens. He purged well, since we only brought home 5 boxes. The drive was 16 hours. On the way there, the trees were still changing colors. I've never appreciated the beauty of the trees. The views were spectacular. We stopped the first day at Darrin brother's house in Virginia and were able to have a short visit with them (Doug, Renee, Hannah and Abby). The next morning we went to their church, where Doug is the associate pastor. The church was in a barn like structure, with a lake beside it. It was a beautiful service. After lunch, we finished the last leg of the drive to Belleville, PA. As we drove over the mountain that leads into the valley, we were able to see snow on the mountain. It was truly an amazing sight. When we arrived at Darrin's mom, "Stella" we were greeted by his mom, step-dad Brad, sister Dena and her kids Zach, McKenna, Mitch and Zandra. Typical Yoder gathering! Deke immediately charmed Dena and the kids. She tried her best to get him to say Aunt Dena. He did say "ah duh" a few times.

Monday was a day of recovery for me and Darrin spent the day going through his "stuff". Unfortunately, Darrin, Deke and I were sick before we left for PA and I only got worse. Deke was on an antibiotic, but it didn't seem to help him other than to stop his ears from draining. He had gooey eyes and nose, with a barking cough. I started coughing and having a runny nose on Saturday. Between the cold and the drive, I had a very difficult time the first few days of our stay in PA. Once again, it caused us to questions whether the ALS was progressing; was it the meds; is it the cold; etc. I'm happy to say that since we've been home the pediatrician RX'd a new antibiotic for Deke and he was improved within 24 hours. I on the other hand, feel better, but still have a nagging cough.

Tuesday night, we went to Dena (Darrin's sister) for dinner. I couldn't decide which I wanted to try, her lasagna or chicken tettrazzini. So being the smart woman she is, she made both........groan. It's a good thing my pants had an elastic waist. After dinner, we headed over to Darrin's dad Ray and his fiancee Nancy's house. They were hosting a Yoder (Ray's 11 siblings) gathering. The family came together to chat, catch up and to be updated on what was going on with us as a family dealing with ALS. There were TWENTY-TWO people that came! I was amazed at how many of them I had met and remembered, as well as, ashamed for not remembering them all. The quote of the evening came from Leon, when he asked, "Where'd you pick him up at?". Meaning Chase and that he was adopted. We died laughing! He didn't know that Chase was my son. He was thinking we just adopted him from an orphanage or something. Of course, there was food. This night I tried church pickles and moon pies (known to us Southerns as fried pies) with cheese on them...........ohhh it was delicious!

Wednesday, we went to the sale barn. This is a sale that's held every Wed. in Belleville, where you can find everything from socks, to apples. I wasn't able to go far at all without getting very tired. It was very discouraging for me and upsetting to Chase. We were suppose to go met Darrin's high school teacher, who he's kept in contact with since graduating, but I wasn't able to go. Chase didn't wanted me to leave me, so we went into house were we laid down for a little bit and he settled down. I believe I slept for 3 hours or longer, but he was gone in less than 15 minutes. After I woke up. We went to Dena's where I was able to spend quality time with her and get to know her. She's such an exceptional person, mother, wife and sister. Oh yeah, and strong, since she heaved a glider rocker over her head and carried it down stairs for me! I enjoyed every second we had together and I feel as though we were able to establish a bond, which is what I had hoped would happen.

Wednesday (a very busy day) afternoon Doug and his clan arrived. All that girl power in one house, made me grin. I'm always surrounded by boys....boys...boys. Doug fell for the Deker and would wrestle around with him and then kiss all over him. Renee, savored holding Deke, the way moms that don't have babies anymore do and the girls just thought he was the most beautiful baby ever! That night Stella made Stromboli for "Dougle", so say some people, but she also made one for Derwood without salami, even though I personally hand picked the cloves out of the salami. That man is tortured by seeds! For dessert I tried banana cake...yummy! How have I never heard or tasted this before? It was so awesome!

Thanksgiving day, Darrin took his nephew Zach squirrel hunting. This was the first hunting trip for Zach. He shot the first squirrel he saw, with the first shot. He proved to be quite the hunter! Darrin is going to have the squirrel mounted. Stella made turkey, dressing, gravy, jello salad and Dena brought the party potatoes. Then came dessert. Dinner was left overs. It was a day long smorgasbord. That night we opened Christmas presents. Stella had made a scrap book for me of Darrin as a child, teen and then an adult. Of course, I bawled. It was the perfect gift. There was so much more, but this is what meant the most to me.

Thursday night, we headed to Dena's to celebrate Zandra and Deke's birthday. Dena made Deke a cake that looked exactly like Jilda (our bulldog puppy) and Zandra's cake was a bath tub (Zandra's pick). Once again, both cakes were examples of Dena's creativity. Deke hauled in! Zandra too. My favorite of Zandra's gift was a cheerleading outfit. She modeled it for us and looked precious. A total girlie girl. Deke dove into his cake and made a mess of it and himself! Of course, Aunt Dena came to his rescue and cleaned him up.

Friday a.m. Zach and Darrin were up early hunting and again Zach shot the first squirrel he saw, with the first shot fired. Darrin cooked it when they got home and NO I didn't try it. Although, Hannah did, just so she could say she ate squirrel. Yuck! Dena and I took Zandra and McKenna to get their hair braided. This was something I wanted to do for the girls, so they could be pampered and I could do something just for the girls, since I never get a chance to do much with girls. They loved it. After lunch, we went to Ray and Nancy's to opem Christmas presents. And food, glorious food! We spent the day with them and then went for family pictures. We ended the night with Ray and Nancy at Miller's. I had wanted a salad...ok, it was the chocolate, peanut butter pie that I really wanted, but I said it was a salad. We talked and talked. Ultimately, we closed the place down.

Saturday a.m. we went to see Darrin's uncle Sonny at the retirement community and then headed home. It was 2:00 a.m. when we pulled in the driveway.

It was a trip to remember!