Happy Thanksgiving!

I was not looking forward to Thanksgiving especially much this year, but since we were planning on Jose finally coming home next week, I bought a small turkey and some trimmings to make a good Thanksgiving dinner a week after, so we could celebrate with him.
Its been a long time since he first left, in mid-April I think. I learned that I can read my own sewing machine manual and put thread on the bobbin myself. I learned that it is possible to be a single mom in Japan when you can't read or speak the language, and live across the globe from your family and still be ok.
You can take care of the kids, the house, the car, and the dogs, make friends, volunteer, go out, teach English, have fun and basically have a life.
But having Jose in my life just makes it richer and more fun. He is my best friend and the person who I always want to talk to at the end of the day. He understands me better than anyone. After 15 years of being married, I've discovered that having him around is definitely better than doing this life on my own!
So, when the Turkey came home early and surprised us, the night before Thanksgiving, we were so shocked and excited! All I could do is grab him and hug him. The kids and dogs danced around him and I didn't want to let him go.
Sure, my hair was a mess, the dishes weren't done, I had muddy paw marks on my jeans and the floor could use a sweep, but I couldn't have asked for a better homecoming!