A Texan Thanksgiving in Alabama....**

The night before Thanksgiving, LEGS and I were eating dinner.  I could see the wheels turning in LEGS' head, so I asked him what he was thinking about?  He said 'Do you really want to know?' I said Yes of course I want to know what you are thinking about?  In my mind- I guessed he was thinking of some forbidden thing- like another female or something.......No.  He says.  "I am wondering if we are getting enough Iodine....because our salt doesn't have iodine in it."  Where does he come up with this stuff?

LEGS and I have hijacked Stormi's family the last two days.  

Stormi is 5'3" tall she reminds me of Sandra Bullock in the movie 'The Blind Side' she is a teeny tiny firecracker, a cheerleader/dancer extraordinaire she was on the Atlanta Arena Football Dance Team.  She was kind enough to invite LEGS and I to Thanksgiving Dinner.  I was told that her mother, Darla,  and her step father John (who served in Vietnam) would also be attending, but when I arrived the house was full of other adults.  Her Aunt Crystal, her Uncle Ed (who served in the Air Force), and their teenage son Westyn were in attendance as well. 

Stormi's mother has Spina Bifida and is in a wheelchair- which Stormi had told me- but when her Aunt answered the door standing- I said 'You must be Stormi's Mom?' Yeah- IMA WINNER!!! Spina Bifida is a birth defect caused by the incomplete enclosure of the embryonic nueral tube. Some vertebrae overlying the spinal cord are not fully formed and remain unfused and open.  If the opening is large enough, this allows a portion of the spinal cord to protrude thought the opening of the bones. 

Darla (Stormi's mother) is a pistol as well, she will tell you like it is, look you straight in the eye, her face is breathtakingly beautiful and it was inspiring to see such confidence in a woman that was born with this defect.  I was also impressed by the level of commitment John her husband displayed in assisting her with normal everyday activities, to love somebody that much is a rare thing in today's society. I could see he has great empathy in his heart and I suspect it is because of his service in Vietnam. It was a perfect thing to witness on Thanksgiving Day, because it really does make you thankful for what you have in life.........

Crystal Stormi's Aunt is an artistic, sensitive woman, with deep insight and intuition.  Ed is a strong man, who is genuinely interested in the young people of today.  Their teenage son Westyn, is a handsome, charming young man, who is going to make some girl very happy one day.  These people welcomed us into their home, on their holiday, and showed us some genuine Texan hospitality.  They were interested in our stories, spoke of current events, politics, and made us feel like part of the family.

The conversation over Thanksgiving Dinner was lively, full of laughter and funny stories.  Some of the highlights were:


There was a conversation about teeth, the tooth fairy and orthodontics. I of course made fun of myself because I had braces for 5 years and head gear for 4.  It always makes me laugh when people's face head in the direction of shock after I tell them this- I readily admit I had teeth coming out of everywhere in my mouth.....We started asking the parents if they actually kept all of our baby teeth? What a weird tradition.........

What military family Thanksgiving would be complete without the discussion of death? I hate to say it but death is just part of everyday life in the military.  We talk about it openly and are very realistic about the risks involved in our husbands, sons, son-in-laws, and brothers career choices.  

After WOCS (Warrant Officer Candidate School) we have to sign paperwork that selects whether we as wives want our husband's clothing back bloody or clean (if something should happen). I chose bloody because I wanted all of LEGS that I could have.....but the other wives wanted clean.  Am I a freak? 

Some people want to be put in Arlington Cemetary, some want to be made into Diamonds, some cremated or just buried.........It was an engaging conversation to me because everybody has a different idea of what they want done and what they think happens when you die.......


Darla Stormi's mom told us that her Grandmother had a glass eye.  Apparently when they cremated her they asked if Darla wanted the eye.  Darla kept the eye and its now in the family safe.  I found this fascinating- I mean can you imagine scaring your kids with Grandma's eye? Like instead of Santa watching you- its Grandma is watching you- WITH HER EYE!!!! (Laughter around the table)


The food was excellent.  Little Spoon smoked the Turkey, Stormi made the most amazing sweet potatoes, a strawberry bisque that I put on my turkey (salty and sweet) and the Banana Pudding was TO DIE FOR!!!  I ate an entire plate of Thanksgiving feast and an entire plate of Dessert. I was so full, and it has taken me two entire days to recover from my Turkey Catatonia......

Just another day in the life of an unlikely military wife.......**


PS- I forgot my camera so I am apologizing for not posting any pictures! :(