'tis the season for getting out of dodge

'tis the season for going inward, quieting time, self care, whole foods, crock pot meals, and face-to-face connections.  there is something healing about sitting down with a friend over a steaming cup of tea.  there is something about sending the kids outside and watching them rake up the leaves, only to jump in them and toss them back all over the lawn.  and then start again. 

this weekend, despite the government shutdown and lack of pay, we are going to take some time as a family and go look at the changing leaves.  it will involve a couple of fantastic restaurants, some magazines by the pool while the kids splash around, stomping through streets of crunchy leaves, a few lighthouses, and lots of boogery tissues. 

i am craving this time away...a time to escape from making three meals a day for five (or seven, if you want to count the double rainbows!....or eight, if you want to count my puppy!) people.  i'm starting my mini-vacation off tonight with my monthly faith discussion meeting...one of the things that really fills me up and recharges me.  coupled with some chapters from mandy steward's new book "thrashing about with god: finding faith on the other side of everything", i should be good to go for a nice, relaxing weekend!  hopefully it involves a decaf pumpkin spice americano, too.  xoxo

(*a big thank you to my dad and nan for watching rusty for us!*)