Well it is that time of year again. The time of year where you turn your cars heater on in the morning and blast the a/c in the afternoon. The retail stores brush right past thanksgiving and start filling the shelves with Christmas decorations, both school and work are in full swing! It is easy to get lost in life’s hustle and bustle and forget about making sure to take time for family. April and I are experiencing all this firsthand. So, we decided to talk about some things we do to intentionally to make sure we are getting some quality time with the family. 

Date Nights

Most important of all! Date night! Every other week April and I make plans, get a babysitter, and go out together. The easiest thing to forget this time of year is your relationship with your spouse. Researchers have found that January is the month that most divorces are filed. Partners get fed up with one another and decide to stick it out through the holidays as opposed to making that special effort to be there for one another. That is why date nights are crucial. Even if it is just a dinner at Taco Cabana or a walk in the park. That time to connect makes all the difference. 

Dinner with the family 

In our house it would be better if this happened more often and we are a work in progress. But at least one or two times a week we all sit down to the table as a family and eat a meal. Sometimes its fast food and sometimes something more prestigious (Mexican food :P). But the food is not the point. Connecting with one another once again is the key. It is funny how this time of year is all about family and what we can do for others, but it is also the easiest time of year to forget about your immediate family.

Family outings

Fall festivals, trick or treating, camping, put-put golf, hiking, or whatever you like. Get outdoors with your family, breath in the fresh air and enjoy them. Everyone connects differently. Men feel a stronger bond when doing an activity whereas women can just sit and talk for hours, that is how they feel most connected and understood. Doing activities as a family opens the lines of communication and brings down barriers that would sometimes be there were you not to be doing life together. Sometimes I do not even think that the activity had any impact on our family until later when either April, or one of the kids tells me how much it meant to them. 

Whatever life brings up this holiday season, remember to take some time to do life with the ones you love. The memories and moments you create will have more of an impact on them than you know and I’l bet, you will have some fun along the way as well. 

This week during the hustle and bustle we were able to do a trade with our good photographer friend @OshayVargasPhotography so we could have some of our family pics at The Loft in Mckinney. Yes we were late getting everyone there and yes it was stressful. So instead of 30 min we only had 20 min to get them done. We TOTALLY understand your struggles! But here are a few for you to enjoy.