Traveling is a big part of our lives.  We live 400 miles away from ‘home’, and seeing the cousins and grandparents regularly is a must.  My husband’s job requires frequent travel.   We also love to vacation and take weekend jaunts.

My husband’s and my worlds tend to collide when we travel as a family.   My husband is the polished, suited executive who can pack in less than five minutes, make it through security with Ziploc of perfectly sized toiletries, board a plane with laptop and Starbucks in each hand, and deplane wrinkle free.   I, however, am the frazzled mom of three who has a purse, camera bag, three backpacks, and twelve electronic devices for entertainment.  I will have one child running shoeless after airport security, one that needs to use the bathroom NOW, and one on alert to look for ‘Mountain Dew’ signs because I had to give security my just-opened and much needed daily dose of caffeine.

We drive much more often than we fly, and I am somewhat more accomplished in traveling by car.  I can identify every clean bathroom in Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma.   My departure times perfectly avoid rush hour in the cities.  I pack plenty of  goodies and games for travel.  Packing for myself is often a toss up though:  I tend to forget shoes or socks, and usually  have to go shopping  to make it through the trip.   Again, my husband is packed in less than five minutes.  A less stressed traveler, he does not find it necessary to pack matchy hair bows for Miss J’s outfits, or care if E-Man’s suitcase if full of Mario Brothers t-shirts and sweat pants.  He can load the car without an avalanche upon opening, a feat I have yet to master.

Our children’s favorite part of traveling is the hotel room.  There is so much joy to be found in unwrapping glassware and jumping on a strange bed.

Somehow,  all five of have returned from every travel adventure, which is total success in my book.  Right?

Our Elf on a Shelf, Lil’ Red, has been with the family for four years now.    If you don’t have an elf, I highly suggest adopting one to keep behaviors in check during the month of December (he sees and hears everything).  Lil’ Red has been a bit naughty this year, playing poker, going on a date, starting a snowball fight, and stealing our favorite Christmas book!

Thanksgiving is a happy holiday for me!  I love Thanksgiving and the entire fall season.  Here are some thankful thoughts for the season, from yours truly.  Enjoy your turkey, everyone!

I am thankful ….

* to be a stay-at-home-mom.  I LOVE being able to drive for field trips, attend Thanksgiving pow-wows, and help with school projects.

* for my iPad.  How did I live without it?

* for Super Target.  It’s my happy place.

* for long, hot bubble baths.

* for this photography hobby of mine.

* for the stick picture drawings that my girlie makes me daily.  I treasure them and all her five year-old artwork.  As a bonus, I’m always skinny and always wearing a dress.

*family that comes to Tulsa to eat turkey with me