Perspective

Perspective has been the topic of quite a few conversations around our home lately.  It usually has to do with the weather.  Before starting our adventure 27 degrees was extremely cold.  Now it's normal and the chill in the air doesn't bother us as much any more.  For me, a clean shower now means one without the company of spiders and other bugs.  And, the most enjoyable time with the kids is around a campfire playing Catchphrase instead of going and doing (fill in the blank with any activity that costs money).

We finished up our visit with the Texas kids with a trip to Minnesota to spend Thanksgiving with Nana and Nana B.  The kids were super excited to be headed north to the possibility of snow.  There was a bit on the ground when we arrived.  It stayed around the next day long enough for the little girls to get all dressed and play in it for about 30 minutes.  So, it doesn't matter if you live where there is snow all winter or if you only get to experience it for a short time - kids only play outside in the snow for the amount of time it takes to get them dressed for it!

Chloe & Buggy

Spending time with The Nanas is exciting but getting to spend time with The Cousins is even more fun!!!  Mason and Chloe arrived the day after we did and it was nonstop noise and play until we all left on Saturday.

Aunt Courtney getting squished by Mason, Beck, Chloe, Bug & Jac
(James was playing on his computer)

It was a quick trip but the food, fun and family time were FABULOUS!  After unloading all the kids and their stuff our trip back to Virginia was extremely quiet.  You spend all that time telling one kid or another to please stop bothering their sibling and keep their hands to themselves and when you don't have to do it anymore, you miss it.  The up side to traveling without the kids was that we were able to stop in Shreveport, LA for dinner, watch a little football and get some Christmas shopping started.  Any time I can get that started before Dec 24 is a bonus!!

The trip between Texas and Virginia is always made easier when we stop in Atlanta and visit Les and Judy (aka: PopO & G2).  Extra hot, extra crispy, extra wet wings at $3 Cafe is a MUST and getting to visit with the in-laws is always a pleasure.  Darren's brother, Kyle, and his wife, Laura, also live in the area.  When we are too tired to drive another mile they always have a bed to spare for the night.  Ok, we really like staying there because their girls, Taylor and MacKenzie, make us smile!

Christmas is right around the corner.  I thought I would miss having a house to decorate but the past few months have all been about simplifying and finding out what really matters.  A wreath on the door.  A red and green towel on the kitchen counter.  Pine scented candles.  That cute red cup at Starbucks.  They are all nice but not what it's about.  We all hear about keeping Christ in Christmas but what does it mean?  I think the simplicity of His birth is what we need to remember.  He is a King and could have been born in any mansion or palace but God chose a smelly barn to present His Son to us.  Celebrating His birth and the love that He wants you to show every (and He means EVERY) person throughout the year is more important than what's being wrapped in the pretty paper.  Spend the day greeting everyone with a smile, putting change in the red bucket, take the long way home so you can keep listening to your favorite carol, let your kid read to you instead of you to them.  Slow down your pace and your perspective will change too.