{Wednesday Hodgepodge // Polar Express, Family Reunions, and Things That Make My Heart Sing}

Happy Wednesday, friends!! Just when I thought I was finally going to get caught up in this space... life got busy again! Isn’t that always how it goes? Between work, hockey, crafting, decorating for Christmas, and just the beautiful busyness of life, my days have been full. And honestly, any free time I do get lately has been spent in my Bible, crafting something fun, or tweaking Christmas decorations around the house. There just aren’t enough hours in the day! Still, I couldn’t miss out on one of my favorite link-ups...the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So, let’s jump right in!

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something on your November calendar you’re looking forward to?

There are actually a couple of things that have me counting down the days!

The first is our annual Polar Express weekend. If you’ve been around my blog for a while, you probably know this has become one of our favorite family traditions. Every November, we head about an hour and a half southeast for a weekend of camping, shopping, Christmas fun, and, of course, riding The Polar Express. We always say we’re going to wait until December, but honestly, that month gets so jam-packed with hockey games and holiday events that we love kicking off the season early. There’s just something so magical about sipping hot cocoa under twinkle lights, watching the kids faces light up when they see the train, and soaking in those festive small-town vibes. It’s one of my very favorite weekends of the year...full of laughter, Christmas spirit, and that sweet, unhurried family time I cherish so much.

The other thing I’m really looking forward to is traveling to Tennessee for Thanksgiving, but this trip is about more than the holiday itself. It’s a long-overdue family reunion with people I haven’t seen in years! We’ll get to visit with my PawPaw, Mimi, aunts, uncles, cousins, and so many others traveling in from all over the country. I’m so ready for long conversations, familiar hugs, and catching up with everyone. Family time is always precious, but this trip feels extra special. I know my heart will be full after this one.

2. Dictionary.com’s word of the year is “6-7.” Huh? 

Is it even a word??? I had to consult the internet to find out it's meaning because apparently I'm old and this particular slang is not part of my vocabulary. Is it part of yours? According to the article I read, it's a viral term, more of an inside joke with an unclear meaning driven by social media. What do you think? Dictionary. com says it's selection each year is a 'linguistic time capsule reflecting social trends and events, but they also admitted to being confused by '6-7'. Some say it means so-so and is sometimes accompanied by the up and down hand motion we associate with the phrase so-so. What word do you think would have made a better choice? 

When I first saw that, my reaction was basically… what?! Is that even a word? I’ll admit, I had to consult the internet to figure out what it meant...apparently I’ve officially reached the age where viral slang needs translation. From what I’ve gathered, “6-7” started as some sort of inside joke or meme that blew up on social media. Some say it came from a song about a basketball player who was 6’7”, then a kid made a TikTok using the phrase (complete with hand gestures), and it somehow took off. Wild, right?

I hear it quite a bit since I’m surrounded by teenage boys and hockey players, but it still makes me laugh because half the time they don’t even know what it means! Isn’t it funny how the internet can turn the most random things into trends?

As for what should have been the word of the year... I’d probably say “AI.” It’s everywhere. It’s in our work, our photos, our social media feeds...sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s real anymore! It’s definitely the word that’s shaped a lot of conversations this year, for better or worse.

3. What’s a food, trend, activity, or thing people love but you think is just so-so?

Oh, this one’s easy...boba tea. I wanted to love it. It’s cute, it’s trendy, and it photographs beautifully. But those little tapioca pearls? Texture-wise, I’m fighting for my life with every sip! I just can’t do it. I don’t want to chew my drink, thank you very much. Mason, on the other hand, loves it, so we still go to the boba shops around town from time to time. We have a few that are absolutely adorable...all pastel colors, cozy corners, and fun vibes...but I’ll stick with my sparkling water or Fizz instead!

4. Are you a tea drinker? Hot or cold? How do you like yours and at what time of day? Do you like flavored teas or teas billed as calming, energizing, healing, etc?

This question actually makes me a little sad because I love sweet tea. Like true, Southern-style sweet tea...the kind that’s practically syrup and tastes like home. But I recently learned that sweet tea is a major migraine trigger for me. Even with my medication, I was getting headaches every single day. When I finally cut out sweet tea, the headaches completely disappeared. As much as it breaks my Southern heart, I’ll gladly choose feeling good over that tall glass of sugary goodness.

5. The November Hodgepodge always includes a gratitude question. What are three things that make your heart sing?

Three things that make my heart sing: time with Jesus, time with my people, and time soaking in the beauty around me.

There’s nothing that fills my soul quite like quiet mornings spent in the Word, coffee (or Fizz!) in hand, worship music playing softly, and the peace that comes from just being still with Him. My heart also overflows when I’m with my people...my little family, laughter echoing through the house, road trips with no real plan except to make memories, and those sweet, ordinary moments that feel anything but ordinary.

And finally, I find so much joy in God’s creation...those golden Texas sunsets, the way the air feels right before it rains, the glow of twinkle lights on a small-town square. Those simple, sacred moments always remind me how good God is. Joy doesn’t have to be loud to be real...sometimes it’s found in the quiet, steady rhythm of everyday grace.

I recently made a Tik Tok that basically sums up this question. You can find it here. 

6. Insert your own random thought here...

I’m just so excited that it’s finally November...my favorite time of year! The weather is cooler, the leaves are falling (slowly but surely here in Texas), and everything feels just a little more magical. My Christmas bins are already out, and I’ve been slowly decorating between hockey games and projects. There’s something about twinkle lights, pine garland, and the smell of cinnamon that makes home feel extra cozy. I love this season of gratitude and joy...and I’m trying to savor every bit of it before life speeds up again for the holidays.

And that’s a wrap on this week’s Wednesday Hodgepodge! Linking up with Joyce

I always love pausing in the middle of the week to reflect, laugh, and share a little slice of life here. I hope your November is off to a beautiful start and that you’re finding small moments of gratitude tucked into your days. Thanks for stopping by, friends... wishing you a cozy, blessed week ahead.