Saturday nap time was spent teaching her to fold these super cute little paper stars - I almost have enough to make a merry little garland to hang in the house! We chatted and folded and drank hot drinks, and it was lovely.  Once the kids were up, we took a walk, ate dinner, and played some good old 'sneaky snacky squirrel'! 

And then!  The kids were put to bed, and we escaped the house, leaving Max with movies and beer.  We headed out to see The Hunger Games, picking up coffee on the way.  We got there a bit early, so were able to walk around the mall, drinking cheery beverages, chatting, and peering into store windows.  The movie was good - it's been a very long time since I've been to a theater to see a movie, so it was fun to be there, to stay out late, to munch on popcorn!

 

 Sunday, we all headed to church, then it was lunch and naps.  Before long, we were taking Alison back to the airport to catch her flight home.  Just under 48 hours, but again, I am so glad she came and spent the weekend with us.  It was busy and fun, relaxing and good for us all.  

I know we get a lot of visitors, as evidenced by the blog, and I am so, so thankful for all the family & friends that trek out here to see us.  I am so glad to catch up with people, to have my kids spend time with those I love, to show them our new home.  But it's sort of a bittersweet thing - having people here so often is lovely, but it also has it's hard parts.  It breaks up our routine and spoils our kids (which can be a good thing!) - I always feel like when our visitors leave, that the kids look at me like I'm super boring and not entertaining anymore!  It's so fun anticipating guests and having them here, but then they leave, and I remember that I feel lonely, and am stuck at home most days, and the days are long by myself with three little ones - and sometimes those feelings get the best of me after saying goodbye to company.  I don't ever want to take for granted the blessing of having people here, loving on us, and us loving on them, but I need to figure out ways to handle their departures better, so that I don't end up with such rough weeks once they leave.

Here we are, this week, Monday.  Coming off a super fun, distracting weekend with my dear cousin-friend, I am trying to find new ways to boost myself up.  We have less than 2 weeks until Max gets a break from school, and we head to AZ to spend Christmas with my parents.  I know these next few days can either be full of adventures and holiday cheer, or full of discouraging, rough moments, depending on what I allow my perspective to be.  And I WANT them to be full of cheer and love and preparing our hearts for Christmas, for Jesus, for peace and joy and hope.  

So, here's what I've come up with so far to help keep my perspective in check: lots of hot coffee/cocoa, playdates with new friends, making Christmas goodies, bundling in cozy, new sweaters (that I found for $5!  woot!), and heaping on the grace and patience to deal with rambunctious little ones.  

Happy Monday, friends!