Please don’t turn me in, but we sorta kinda played hooky yesterday.

We got a sudden influx of snow on Tuesday night, which caught everyone off-guard. They delayed the school day a couple of hours but the back roads by our house were still icy and slick, so we made an executive decision to keep everyone home. And then church was cancelled for the night.

So we sledded and threw snowballs (me and the kids) and took naps (Paxton) and drank coffee (not the kids) and played video games (not me). And for the first time in a long while, not a single one of us had to leave the house at all (not a single one of us).

Except to sled.

It was as glorious as it sounds.

Here’s the thing about me — if finances and time permitted, I’d be jettisoning off to Paris or Europe or Africa on adventures and mission trips all the time. But if you make me leave the house multiple times a day to do school and grocery and church and doctor appointment runs, I’m going to complain pretty much non-stop about how I just don’t want to have to go anywhere for one stinking day, please! and can I just have all my people under one roof for that day, too?? That’d be awesome.

Thankfuls this week:

1. Glee. Do you know what pure, unadulterated glee sounds like? It sounds like a four year-old boy who sleds down the same hill time after time after time laughing his adorable little head off, then jumping up and shouting “again!” and running with a bad case of the giggles up the hill just one…more…time.

2. Dirty Dishes. The dishes need to be emptied from the dishwasher — it’s been hours and hours since they were washed — and the sink is full of a whole new batch and the floors need to be vacuumed. But I haven’t done a lick of it yet, and feel no stress or anxiety about making sure it gets done right this minute! Instead I’m going with the flow of today, and it doesn’t include dirty dishes. Yet. (I’m calling that maturity, not laziness, FYI.)

3. Super Bowls. And I’m not talking soups for bowls. My hometown team — the team I grew up watching, the team that had the greatest duo ever, Zorn and Largent…IS GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! It’s so stinking exciting. I feel like I’m 10 years old cheering them on again and stalking Jim Zorn around my church when he was a guest speaker. Or something like that. #goseahawks #12thman #hashtagsinblogpostsdontmakesense

4. Be Still by Bethel Music. This song here is my mantra right now.

Be still my heart and know
You are God alone
Stop thinking so much
and just let go…

5. A Listening Ear. Do you know what’s absolutely priceless? A doctor who listens — really listens — to what’s going on with you and doesn’t brush you off or make you feel like you’re crazy. A doctor who actually verifies some things you thought were going on. For the first time in years, I felt completely heard. This new doctor took me seriously and offered real solutions. It meant so much to me I cried right there on the paper-covered exam table.

6. No Distractions. Our pastor challenged the church to a week-long distraction-free fast this week…to put down any social media or technology that is a distraction to us and instead focus on praying for those in need in our lives. After assessing the things most distracting to me, I decided to fast Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. And I have to admit — the first day was hard. I’m so used to mindlessly scrolling through each of these apps throughout the day — in carline, when I’m procrastinating, when I’m watching TV even. But after day two, it got a lot easier. And by day three, I haven’t really missed it at all. I know I’ll be back on each of these after the fast, but I’m hoping my involvement is more intentional and active, not just a passive way to pass time. (And it forced me to personally connect with people — specifically, two friends who are literally about to have babies any minute! And personal connection wins every time.) (I just tend to forget that.)

7. One Hour. After sick days and snow days and doctor appointment days, it was heavenly to have just one hour alone at the coffee shop this week. (I adore all my people together under one roof, but all the togetherness has to be balanced with some solo time for Mama. You know?) It was just me, my roasted red pepper soup and drip coffee with two shots. Just what the doctor ordered.

8. From the Mouths of Babes. This month at church is called “Famuary” where we have our kids with us during the worship part of our service and some of our kids even help lead worship. And I am here to tell you — being a part of a service led by kids ranging from 5-12 years old is about the most holy thing you’ll ever experience. If your heart isn’t moved as they proclaim scripture and sing their hearts out to Jesus, you’re just a mean one, Mrs. Grinch.

9. Hilarity. Laughter is the best medicine, and I love, love, love, love, LOVE that it can be found almost daily at my house. “You have filled me with joy, and happiness has risen in my heart, great delight and unrivaled joy, even more than when bread abounds and wine flows freely.” (Psalm 4:7, The Voice)

10. Freezers. This is so ridiculous. But due to our snow day yesterday we didn’t get to church last night. And since there was no church, there was no dinner planned at my house, since we usually eat at church on Wednesdays. Fortunately, I had a hodge-podge of french fries, fried pickles and boneless wings in the freezer, and therefore, we feasted like kings.

I’m so grateful for you — you make this post the most fun one of my week! Please share your thankfuls so we can all celebrate together. Happy almost-weekend, everyone.

What are you thankful for this week?