Day 18: Smiles

I realize that today being Valentine's Day, I should make this post about HH. And he has definitely brought me Joyful Moments today (and most other days).

But then again, I posted about him yesterday and I'm sure I will have many more posts about him in the future.

So, today's Joyful Moment is one I shared with Sweet P. I was blowing her hair dry this morning (something she detests, but endures) and she was being a little bit silly. It made me laugh and any time she makes me laugh, she gets the biggest, brightest smile that just totally lights up her face.

She seriously has one of the best smiles I've ever seen. I told her that she has a beautiful smile and that when other people see it, it makes them want to smile too. Well, her already huge smile, got even bigger at that thought.

And it was another moment of pure joy. For the both of us, I'm pretty sure. I try to tell her this often because I believe it very strongly and it would do the world wonders of good to have more smiles like hers floating about.

Unfortunately for you, she has been going through a difficult phase for a while now when it comes to actually capturing that smile on camera. She has a hard time focusing long enough for me to shoot the photo and when I do catch her, she has a cute, but very posed smile on her face.

Since I'm in a hurry tonight (still very tired and I need to get some more beauty rest), you get this oldy but goody. Still an adorable smile, just not the same as the beautiful one I get to see every day.

Wishing you all Joyful Moments exchanging your beautiful smiles with those around you!

Day 17: Groceries?

Yeah, I never would have expected my Joyful Moment to have anything to do with grocery shopping. I think I've already mentioned how much I detest this activity.

But a local store was having a great 1-day sale on all sorts of items to fill up our new chest freezer. So, I knew I should go out and take advantage of it rather than buy the same items at full price when we need them.

HH had to go to a meeting this afternoon, but promised to stay home with the kids after so I could do the shopping by myself (so much quicker!). His meeting went a little long. But then he came home (with flowers--another Joyful Moment!) and offered to just go shopping with me.

While I was waiting for him to get home, I kept thinking how nice it would be if we could just all go together. It was getting late and I really didn't feel like being out all by myself. And I just love spending time with him. But I know he really doesn't enjoy shopping either. So, his offer was so greatly appreciated and totally changed my mood.

HH is pretty good at doing that.

So, that was my Joyful Moment today--getting to do something I loathe with someone I adore. It was just so much more enjoyable.

Wishing you all a yucky moment turned into a Joyful Moment by a sweet gesture from someone who loves you!

Day 16: TGIF

Thank goodness, indeed!

Today's Joyful Moment was when I realized it was Friday. No matter what the day threw at me, I just had to endure it for 9 hours and then HH would be home and around to help and support for the majority of the next two days.

And we have hardly anything scheduled in to do. Usually our Saturdays are so jam-packed with busyness, I almost don't like them any more. But tomorrow promises to be somewhat relaxing and laid back.

Hurrah!

Wishing you all a relaxing, laid back Joyful Moment (hopefully, a long Moment)!

Day 15: Tough Day

Yeah. That's the quickest way to describe today.

But it was not without Joyful Moments, thank goodness.

The one that first came to mind was when HH walked in the door from work. I was busy at the oven and he up behind me and just gave me a hug. He knew that today had been rough, so the love and support he offered through that hug allowed me to release for just a moment and to remember that it was just one day. Things will get better.

So, now I'm off to bed at the same time as my kiddos in the hopes that rest will bring me more Joyful Moments tomorrow.

Wishing you all good days full of Joyful Moments!

Day 14: Sharing Someone Else's Joy

Every two weeks I write up a menu for the following two weeks and then go on one massive shopping trip to obtain all the necessary foods and ingredients to make all those meals. Then I only have to do one or two quick, minor trips in between to pick up perishables like milk and bananas.

This routine does not bring me joy, but it does reduce stress.

Except for the actual shopping trip. I do it at WalMart (I loathe going to WalMart) because that is the cheapest place around here. It takes between 1 and 2 hours depending on how much I need and how many children are with me and how many potty trips we have to make (I'm always informed of the need to "go" when we are at the farthest corner of the store. When I try to get them to go when we are passing by the restroom, they never have to go. Interesting fact).

Anyway, it's not really pleasant, but it's worth the benefits I reap for the following two weeks.

So, today was the big day. And it wasn't any different from the usual and I was trying desperately to get though it quickly. And then, quite unexpectedly, a Joyful Moment popped up. We were in the produce section and I was picking out avocados when suddenly Little M took note.

"Are we getting avocados?"

"Yes."

"Yay! Yay! Avocados! Avocados!" At the top of his nearly 3-year old lungs. It was great. He was so unbelievably ecstatic at the prospect of purchasing avocados.

And for a moment, shopping--even nightmare marathon shopping at WalMart--was fun. Because I got to steal a moment of his sweet, unabashed joy over avocados.

To those of you who know me personally: I'm sorry if you're getting tired of these photos. I just cannot get enough of them. I think he is hysterical.

Anyway, here's wishing all of you a stolen Joyful Moment from someone adorable.

Day 13: A Phone Call

I wish I could say that today's Joyful Moment was when Little M fell asleep because I SO desperately need that. Sadly, it ain't happened yet.

Fortunately, I did experience other Joyful Moments today. One of which was a phone call.

My phone almost never rings. As in, we go days without hearing a peep out of it. This afternoon it was ringing quite a bit. Odd. But only two of those calls really brought me joy. One was HH saying he was standing outside about a half an hour before I expected him to be home. The other was my sister-in-law.

My dear sweet sister-in-law that I really should be neighbors with but in reality hardly ever see. The one who sent me a super sweet card last week that totally made my week. And then another note trying to apologize for confiscating a few photos of me and keeping them for the last 6 or so years. I haven't spent a single second of the last 6 years missing them, but I got a good laugh out of her funny apology.

And then today she called. And she is just one of those people who always makes you feel great when you talk to her. It doesn't matter if I've done anything even remotely great, she still makes me feel that way. And then I get off the phone and realize that we spent the whole time talking about me, even though SHE is the amazing and interesting and talented one. She inspires me in pretty much every category of my life. Those of you who read her Crazy Chorister Blog know what I'm talking about.

Today was kind of stressful because Little M was just really out of sorts. That phone call was definitely a bright spot in my day. I'm so thankful for it. I'm thankful for my wonderful s-i-l and for the example she continually sets for me. I'm thankful for my brother and his excellent taste in choosing such a wonderful life.

So, here's wishing you all a Joyful Moment interacting with someone genuinely amazing in your own life!

Day 12: Undecided

So, some days I struggle to decide what to post about because, while I've been experiencing multiple Joyful Moments every day, sometimes they just don't seem very noteworthy, or interesting enough to be shared.

And other days, I have several that (to me at least) are wonderful and profound.

Today was one of those days.

Of course, joy is in the eye of the beholder, or the heart of the holder, or something like that. So, having said that, maybe what I'm about to share won't seem like a very big deal at all.

But I've decided which one I'm going to share, so here it is:

On Monday nights we have Family Home Evening, where we share time together with songs, a lesson, treats, and a game (when there's time). We just started using a manual produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for our lessons. You can view it here. It's written and geared for teaching children between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, so it's very simple and basic. Perfect for our small children, especially since they both take turns teaching the lesson.

Tonight was Little M's first turn teaching a lesson from this manual. I, of course, helped him quite a bit, but he did a fantastic job. And it was really sweet to listen to him talk to us about Heavenly Father's plan for our happiness. And then to hear him sing the song, "I am a Child of God". And then to really make my Joyful Moment full of joy, he bore a sweet little testimony at the end of Heavenly Father's plan and eternal families.

And it was just a wonderful Moment.