Family Unplugged

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON YODELINGMAMAS.COM
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I’ll be the first to admit it. I’m totally addicted to my iPhone. I can’t help but sneak a peek into my various email inboxes or get those riveting Facebook updates on a regular basis. It’s gotten to the point that my 3-year old will tell me to put my phone down and pay attention to him. (My husband isn’t quite as direct, but he definitely agrees with the sentiment.) Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I’d rather be on my phone than play with my kids or chat with my husband. It’s just that this phone makes it too easy for me to do both at the same time.

Well, this past weekend was different. We headed into the mountains with some friends to introduce our kids to the snow. And for 48 hours those fun little bars that have become my lifeline disappeared and were replaced with these oh-so-dreaded words: No Service. But instead of being concerned about what I was missing, I found myself totally absorbed in what I was doing.

We took full advantage of our mountain setting and went sledding and tubing, made snow angels, “painted” the snow with food coloring in spray bottles (my uber-creative friend’s idea), threw snowballs and caught snowflakes on our faces. When we needed a break from the cold, we went back to the cabin and played air hockey and foosball, danced to our favorite music, slid down the stairs and enjoyed meals made with love by everyone there.

It’s been three days since we got home and I still get a huge smile on my face every time I think of the memories we created and uninterrupted moments we shared. I certainly can’t say that about anything I saw on my phone today. I’m sure I’ll slip now and then, but my hope is that I can start living in the moment and truly experience my time with the people I love the most. My email, voicemails—and even my Facebook friends—can wait.