1. A Date With This Guy
I love spending time as a family or with all my kids together, but making time for one-on-one time is really important, too. It requires more intention and sometimes some sacrifice and planning, but it's so worth it.
It doesn't have to be a date to Starbucks. It could be reading a book together. Or cooking together. Or playing a game together. It just asking questions one-on-one and really listening to the answers.
However it looks, make it a priority. Because these years and opportunities are fleeting.
2. A Reminder of How Much I Can Take For Granted
This is what, "I'm hungry and desperate" looks like. I flew to Kansas today and forgot to bring food with me or get anything at the airport in Nashville and they didn't have snacks on the plane.
I was SO hungry by the time I made it to Dallas, but I didn't have that long of a layover, so I decided to just get to my gate and then find some food close by.
Well, they are doing all sorts of construction in Terminal B in Dallas right now, so I had to take all these detours to make it to my gate. And then, when I finally made it there with little time to spare, I discovered that I was at the gate where there was literally nothing but vending machines - unless you have time to walk a long ways somewhere else.
So I ate vending machine food - something I basically never do - and thought about how entitled I am that I was frustrated that this was my only option. When you think of all the people around the globe with no food options, it reminds me just how easily I can take things for granted.
3. Watching Kathrynne Swim
Kathrynne had two swim meets this past week and it was SO fun to get to see her compete. She is so focused, driven, and committed to doing her best. And it inspires me to watch!
4. Being Able to Laugh at Myself
Sometimes, when things don't turn out how you'd hoped they would, you just have to laugh. 
Case in point: my attempt to tweak my waffle recipe this week! (See above. No, those are not scrambled eggs on that plate. That's exactly how each of the waffles came off the waffle maker tonight. Just like that pile right there. I know. I'm just not sure how I do it! ;))
5. My Paris Mug
Drinking coffee out of my Paris mug this week reminded me to pray and feel burdened for those affected by the events in Paris, as well as so many other hard situations going on - locally and globally.
There is so much suffering and heartache around us. Sometimes it feels so heavy that choosing joy is hard.
We can't fix all the problems in the world. But we can do our little part in our little sphere of life to live with outstretched arms.
To love wholeheartedly. To give generously. To say a kind word. To smile. To find the good and praise it. To be a safe place for others to be authentic. To listen well. To care deeply. And to live fully.
You were created to make a difference. Never forget that!
P.S. Did you get your Choose Love & Choose Gratitude Journals yet? If not, the special sale on them ends on Monday. Read more about them & grab the coupon code here.
