Finding Perfection in the Perfectly Simple

Last night, my plane touched down at the Minneapolis/Saint Paul airport. I was, in fact, returning from four of the most WONDERFUL days I have ever spent at home. What made them so great? The fact that they were ordinary, simple, average days with my simple and ordinary friends and family. (You guys are extraordinary to me, don't worry:) )

This is my perfectly average Jack-O-Lantern. Usually I try to get all creative and make different designs, but this time, reverting back to simplicity definitely fit the occasion. The entire time I was with my family carving pumpkins, my face hurt from smiling! I LOVE this pumpkin because it simple and very, very happy. And I was VERY happy with the fact that I got to spend a weekend with my family. I love them so much!

Ahh Johnny. And his super attractive pumpkin. They bear a strange resemblance, yes? :) Just kidding Johnny, ya know I love ya! Thanks for coming and picking me up at the airport even though I walked right past you!

 Something that was SO, SO awesome was people's reactions to seeing me. I felt like I was the number one person in the world for this weekend! I snuck up on my aunt Karrie and gave her a hug and she burst into tears! I surprised my friend Brianna and she screamed and hugged me so tight, I thought I was going to pass out. My sister tackled me, I got a huge (sweaty) hug from the entire BEHS volleyball team, and as soon as I walked through the doors and saw my parents I began to cry. So did my mom. The thing about coming home is that everyone and everything is SO special to you! And, you are so special to everyone!

I went to lunch with my mom and my grandma the first day being home. It was so fun! The restaurant when we first walked in was decorated for Halloween. This is me trying to achieve the same pose and seriousness and the nice fellow in the portrait behind me. Think I succeeded?

Cierra! I missed her SO DANG MUCH! We have a super awesome handshake.. Just sayin.

Aw mommy.. I love her so much!:)

Here are the pumpkins from my family. Cierra carved Santa, mine is the top left, under it is Kaysen's, then Dad's, and Mom's is hanging out over there by its lonesome. Pumpkin carving is one of those family activities that you take for granted until you are far away from your family! I am so thankful that I got to be here for that!:)

The second day I was here, I went to lunch with my other grandma, my aunt Karrie, Mom, Dad, and Johnny. We had such a good time! I was slightly mortified when the family decided to ask our (very attractive, but still!) waiter to go on a date with me to Lagoon! I almost died of embarrassment.. He said he was very flattered and wished he could go, but had to work the following day. (Phew, but that actually could've been a fun adventure..)

I could not have asked for a more perfect weekend. My family will never be perfect, but they will always be here and I will ALWAYS love coming home and spending time with them. It's amazing how 3 days at home left me ready to conquer the world. I am back at Macalester and LOVING LIFE. And hey, the next time I come home, I get 5 whole weeks with my family! Plus Christmas! I am so, so looking forward to it. Because it will be simple. And it will be perfect.