48th Birthday Joy

Yesterday I turned 48.

Forty-eight.

I'm not sure how that happened because I still feel like I should be somewhere around 32. 😂

But this birthday has had me thinking about the idea that started this blog years ago: finding your everyday joy.

I started writing here when my life looked very different. My boys were younger. Our house was different. I was a different version of myself.

And somewhere along the way, I stopped writing.

Not because I stopped finding joy.

Actually, quite the opposite.

Life just got busy.

...

Here is a little bit about what life looks like now at 48:

Our house is still under construction, but we are getting closer to being done at the 20 year mark (2028)

I know have 2 middle schoolers, and Jacob is officially taller than me,
& Lucas and Zachary can't wait for their day to come!

Fall 2026 was the 1st year in 5 (F-I-V-E) years that I haven't had to move my classroom! I cannot tell you  how wonderful this was 😍! I am still teaching Marketing but did change schools in 2023. 

I had a bit of a pottery hiatus, but have slowly been getting back into it, and created my 1st commissioned piece recently. I did still do art, but did more line drawings of flowers, as well as some watercolors.

I still love to decompress by riding my motorcycle on nice days, reading a good book, and playing the piano, but 2 of my most favorite relaxing techniques have been creating and working in my flower garden and night time swimming in our new-ish pool.

...

Maybe that's what I want this blog to be again. Not a place where I pretend to have life figured out, but a place where I stop every once in a while and say, "Hey. Look at this. This is good. This is Joy"

48 feels like a pretty good time to start doing that again; sharing and finding my Everyday Joy.

end of the week Joy

 After a very exhausting 1st day at my new job, I am so thankful I was able to drop the kids off at Gametime, go home & watch a favorite show with a glass of my favorite Honey Whiskey. Just having this little bit of downtime brought me Joy!

Texas Adventure Joy!

 We had the opportunity to visit a lot of family ALL over Texas for 2 weeks! What an amazing time that we were able to experience, and I'm so glad that my 3 boys were able to see all of the new places and some new people! 

We started out in San Antonio with my step-daughters family, & were there for 7 days, and got to see and do the following: Japanese Tea Garden, Alamo & San Jose Missions, Natural Bridge Caverns, Buc-cees, New Braunfel Bier Garten, Pearl Market and District, Hemisfair Park, and lots of pool and tv relaxing time!

Next we went to Houston to visit my cousin and her family, and was able to get down to Galveston for a day at the beach! It was so fun playing in the Gulf of Mexico and an absolute highlight of our trip!

From Houston, we traveled to Midlothian, a little south of Dallas, to stay with my very dear aunt. From here we also traveled to Canton to visit my great aunt and some of her family for a few hours.

While in Midlothian, we had lots of pool time, tv time, great food and wonderful conversation.

Each time we had to leave a place, the kids just wanted to stay, and then when we got to the next place, they didn't want to leave that either! Needless to say that they really had the best time all over Texas. It brought me so much joy to see my children interact with cousins and family that are so dear to me. 

Take 5 Joy

I am usually in a constant state of movement. With 3 kids, husband, 2 dogs, full time job, part-time side gigs, 80 year old house still in renovation mode, & all that goes with all of that, I am always doing something. But sometimes, it's good to just be still, and yesterday, I did just that. I was tired, and enjoyed some snuggles with my youngest, Zachary. It was relaxing & restful, greatly needed, and brought me JOY. 

If you are like me at all, I highly encourage you to take 15 minutes and just REST! Everything will still be there when you get back. 

Dinner Time Joy

After calling all 3 boys in the kitchen for dinner, I heard the pitter patter of Zachary coming in and started to try climbing into his highchair. I guess he was hungry and ready for dinner! "What a good listener you are!" I exclaimed as he beamed one of his dimpled smiles at me. As for the other 2, a few more prompts and everyone was at the table eating, but I just had to share this simple sweet joy.

Sunglasses Joy

You know that feeling you get when you find that perfect pair of sunglasses? Well today was that day for Lucas! These green beauties were his "treasure box pick for the day at school & he scored a winner! Remember to celebrate the little things, & much joy will come.

Friendship Joy

Today's EverydayJoy is the simple nature of a positive friendship. We love going to "Mollie's Beach", a friend of ours that has a pond with a sandy beach, as well as a 2 year old friend to play with. The great thing about going to this "beach", is that it is completely relaxing. The kids all play well together, and we adults get to talk all things mommy. Something that I realized as we were driving home that afternoon, was what a positive friend I had. A lot of the time I am the "positive" one in conversations, and that is OK, it's just the kind of person that I am (and I don't mean that everyone around me is negative, either). However, it is nice to be on the receiving end as well, and on this particular day, I really could appreciate it. It brought me joy to converse with my friend about ideas and everyday life, and get that positive encouragement that is so lovely.

Our positive friends are important! Are you an encouraging friend? I'd love to hear about your positive experience!