Bacon, coffee, and a lawn mower.

This morning, I don't know what time it was, I was awakened by the incredible smell of bacon and coffee. It reminded me of waking up in Garden Valley at the cabin, the smell of coffee and breakfast downstairs. The excitement of spending time with my family in the morning. I almost thought if I got out of bed, there everyone would be. But sleep came over me and I drifted back off.

I dreamed about dad. It was supposed to be his shop, but it clearly wasn't. I was helping him run the business. I don't remember much else. When I was awakened, this time by the scream of a lawnmower directly outside my bedroom window, my first thought was to call him and see how he was doing. When I fully woke up and realized where I was, and that he was gone, instead of being sad I just felt peaceful.

Turns out Cindy had made bacon (turkey bacon for those of you who are counting calories). Oddly enough there was no coffee, and she was watching The Bucket List. Wonder if the sounds of the movie influenced my dreaming subliminally.

So I came out in the living room, made some coffee and started to watch the movie. So I'm feeling sentimental this morning. I'm thankful that Nathan has moved down here. I think I see him more now that I ever have since we graduated. I'm thankful for Matt and Camille. When you don't have family nearby, it's really great to have a family unit in friends you've known for over 10 years. I'm thankful for Jeremy and Katy. Although we've known them for just over a year, it's like they've always been there. I'm thankful for Matt DeMille and Jessica. I definitely don't see them as much as I'd like, but I'm so proud of Matt for making the jump and coming down here and take on AFI like a Hulk Hogan comeback.

Go with me on that analogy, it makes sense to me. Matt's like the big brother I never had. I'm really proud of him.

Thanksgiving is coming up, and the Vancil's are hosting. Camille said she wasn't comfortable cooking a whole turkey. She'd never done it, and I wasn't about to let Thanksgiving go without a turkey. So I volunteered to cook the turkey. I'm looking forward to it actually. Cindy's a little upset. I think she was looking forward to someone else taking on the main course. I think she'll come around when she smells the awesome cooking in the oven all night. So Grandma, I'm gonna need your stuffing recipe, and a refresher on the turkey. I recall cooking a turkey before, but I don't remember exactly when it was. But I know I can do it, and I want to make it the way we have it at our house.

I'm also going to make a surprise. Not saying what it is right now, but it will be fun to make.

All this makes me come back to reality and think about what is really important to me in my life. Matt and Camille are going through a similar reflection right now. They're making some decisions, prioritizing what they want in their life, which also boils down to family. They've made it no secret that they want to start having children very soon. Must be the season, just thinking about family priorities. I've been reflecting on the idea of children. There's even a part of me that wants me to beat Matt and Camille to the punch. It'd be the last thing anyone expected. But the reality is, even though Cindy and I are financially pretty stable (for now), this morning's wakeup call with my neighbor mowing the lawn right outside my bedroom window, and hearing him walking around the outside of my house... well it reminds me that this is not the place I want to start a family. The lack of privacy makes me uneasy, and that's not the kind of energy I want my children to be born into. Of course, those are surface reasons and we have deeper reasons for waiting. Like... a home we can call ours.

So Vancils, go for it. You were the first of us to get married, it only stands to reason you'd be the first to shell out some offspring. Your kids are gonna have crap loads of aunts and uncles.

Guess I'm running out of steam. Looking forward to spending Christmas with the Messlers. I miss my family in Idaho and North Carolina, and I hope next year we can get together somehow.

Everyone stay well. I love you all.