HOME.

Our little family just got home last night from a week long staff retreat in New Jersey with our U.S. Center for World Mission. It was so good. Restful, rejeuvenating, stimulating, challenging -- all of that. Much to think through and process. It was really a blessing to be able to go and experience this as an entire family, too - the perfect blending of work and play, really.

But, now we are home.
Our favorite place to be.

And after being away from home for an entire week, the perfect recipe for an early Saturday morning is this:

: While one large Daddy goes out at the crack 'o dawn in search of the tirty pointer,
: Take one Mama and leave her snuggled under a mountain of blankets.
: Add in two large hoolies and a cat or two with arms and legs tangled everywhere.
: Allow for several minutes of giggles & wrestling from the boys; grunts & sighs from the Mama...
: Then add just a wee little light and a cozy story to settle down the willies.
: Stay in position until a somewhat normal hour.
: Move the parade downstairs in front of a cozy fire, coffee, and cartoons.
: Wait for the littlest hoolie to awaken, and then make room for him on the couch.
: Allow for a super cozy day of baking, reading, and a general settling back into HOME.



Ah. Bliss.
It is good to be back.