1. A Vacation from the Usual Responsibilities
This past week, we were in Kansas to spend the week with family and friends. It was SO good to have a break from the normal responsibilities of life and just enjoy a week most "unplugged".
Kathrynne took this picture of the moon and clouds one night and I thought it was such a fitting close to a really refreshing day.
2. Fun Times of Memory-Making With Family & Friends
We had many fun times with family and friends this past week - including a rousing round of Limbo and Yard Stick High Jump. Even I got in on the fun (see video proof here).
The kids also got to decorate the Christmas tree at Grandma & Grandpa's house.
It never ceases to amaze me that I have three kids who are 10, 8, and 6!! I still feel like I'm 22, and then I look at my kids and realize that I may be a bit delusional when it comes to my age.
I'm so happy that even though my babies are growing up, they are still young enough to revel in the wonder of Christmas.
3. A Good Book: The Art of Losing Yourself
I finished The Art of Losing Yourself this week. If you like Christian fiction that tackles real-life brokenness and doesn't have Hallmark endings, I'd highly recommend this book.
I loved the character development and it reminded me that everyone has hard burdens they are carrying, and that hurting people need our love not our judgment, ostracizing, or criticism. (Thanks to Lisa-Jo for recommending this book!)
4. Playing Games as a Family
While waiting at the airport to try to fly back to Nashville, I taught the kids how to play one of my favorite games: Dutch Blitz.
They caught on quickly and, after lots of rounds played over the last two days, they can now almost beat me!! It's always fun to find games that our whole family can really get into and enjoy together!
5. Opportunities to Choose Joy in the Midst of Unexpected Hiccups
We were supposed to fly back to TN on Saturday afternoon, but after a few hours of delay, our flight was cancelled. After making multiple phone calls to American, waiting in multiple lines, and trying to get on other flights tonight to no avail, we just gave up on getting back to Nashville on Saturday.
After exploring a bunch of alternatives, we finally just decided to get tickets on the next flight they could get us on - which left at 8 pm on Sunday night! The joys of winter traveling and ice storms! It's always an adventure, eh?!
While waiting, we practiced our frowny face selfies, because my kids said I need to work on getting a better frowny face selfie (is that a good thing that I'm not skilled at frowny faces??) Every time we took a picture, they'd be like, "Nope, Mom. Not good. That looks like you're getting ready to throw up!" 
Saturday morning hadn't started so well (lots of grumpy and cranky people in this here family - including me!), but I wanted to finish out this trip well. Choosing love. Choosing joy. Choosing gratitude. And choosing to see unexpected travel hiccups and delays as adventures.
While we really would have loved to make it back to TN on Saturday night like we were scheduled to, Sunday was an unexpected quiet family day and it ended up being the perfect way to finish out such a good Thanksgiving week. The kids all got 13+ hours of sleep (!!) and Jesse and I got to sleep in, too!! All that sleep meant everyone had much better attitudes today - including Mom.
And we finally made it back to Nashville at 1:45 a.m. this morning (Monday morning). And we just got home, put the kids to bed, and now I'm headed to bed myself! What a week!
What are YOU loving right now? Tell us in the comments!
