We’re so happy to see you here! As we ramp up for a magical, stressful, rejuvenating, depleting, joy-filled, grief-inducing emotional rollercoaster of a week, I feel so thankful you took time out of your day to be with us for a few minutes 💙. We’re whipping up one of my favorite treats to date (so satisfying!), have a family-friendly show that checks every box for guests of all ages, and are sharing some spectacular finds from all corners of the internet. Come inside and warm up!

Making.

Looking for an immunity boosting smoothie to try this week? This one is loaded with goodness and tastes like vacation!

Watching.

This is IT if you’re in need of a family-friendly show when you have guests in town for the holidays. You know that time after dinner when you’re all in the living room and everyone watches different series’ and you don’t know what to put on? There is nothing more awkward than a steamy sex scene with both Grandma and the grandkids on the couch 😳. Impractical Jokers is celebrating their tenth anniversary and it is such a fun-loving, feel-good show that is appropriate, (and hilarious) for all ages!

My Dad introduced it to us on one of his visits back when it first came out and it became our go-to. Hot tip: We highly recommend the earlier episodes before they became a household name and it eventually jumped the shark.

Reading.

🚦Please don’t scroll by this one because of the title. It is not aptly named, in my opinion & I don’t want it to cause you to overlook this one. It’s more like a diary we are lucky enough to learn from; but the diary doesn’t spill the tea – rather, it uncovers the most brilliant, golden nuggets of wisdom. Instead of meditations in the sense we might be thinking about, each page is a conversation the author had with the wisest people in his life. He wrote down all of their pieces of advice and lessons they shared, so that we may learn from, and live by them as well. It is an outstanding compilation of core values, principles, and how to treat others (and ourselves). 9 ⭐️

Listening.

Are they not listening, or are they not “obeying”? Oooh. Dr. Becky gave a fantastic analogy of “listening” in this podcast and why when we say our kids aren’t good listeners, it’s not really the case. If you said, “Grey, would you like to eat chocolate cake for dinner and stay up late watching movies together?”, you’d better believe he’d be listening 😆. But if he was playing a fun game and we said, “Grey, time to go run errands and do chores”, he might not be quick to comply. She has some aha, actionable tips for parents, and it’s a great listen for anyone caring for tiny humans.

Feeling.

Trying.

A new-to-me shop. It’s the bee buttons for me 😍. Oooh, and this color combo is so unexpected and will get rid of all the winter blahs, don’t you think?

What a spectacular idea to teach gratitude to kids (and the whole family). Going to do this with Grey starting today!

My mom is a Certified Animal Behaviorist and she recommends this for dogs with separation anxiety. Trying it while we crate-train Gemma!

Here are 14 Things Millennials Can’t Believe Boomer Parents Let Them Do.

A massive markdown on these booties – a mainstay closet staple with an on-trend twist!

The unsuspecting fruit blue zones swear by for longevity. Be on the lookout for a fun, kid-friendly breakfast recipe this week!

12 Hidden Gem Holiday Movies You Definitely Haven’t Seen Before.

Warmer than your average “shacket” and not the same one every influencer is pushing on us 😅. Plus, you know how I feel about Levi’s (price-matched)!

Who wouldn’t want to stay in an Irish castle for free?!

This was fascinating: southern manners in a modern world.

This was so poignant, and so beautifully said: My Christmas wish is that nobody comments on my body.

I love a good punch list. I haven’t been on this site in a while and the design inspo is 🤩!

Science confirms: dogs help improve our mental health.

I hope that however this Christmas week feels for you, you're able to make it what you want to. Whether it's time for reflection, or presence with your people - maybe connecting with old friends, or even just connecting with yourself. It doesn't look the same for everyone, and I truly believe it's important for us to remember, it doesn't have to. From our little triangle, we're sending joy, gratitude, and a sprinkle of Christmas magic your way. God Bless you and your people 💙. It is such a gift to have you as part of the Pack!

PS – We took a day trip to one of our favorite cities in Texas a week ago today 👆🏼. This was before Jon knew he would need surgery, and we were blissfully unaware of what was to come. Tomorrow he goes for his post-op appointment to find out if one of his fingers survived, or if he needs another surgery to remove it. We can’t thank you enough for all of the kindness you showered us with this week!