Tonight was the night a ton of people were supposed to show up at my house to help tie fleece blankets to donate to the local children's hospital. At 7 PM.
At about 7:15 PM, I was sitting in my living room tying blankets. All. By. My. Self.
And I was sad.
But then the doorbell rang! And it rang a few more times! Enough, in fact, that we filled up the floor of my living room. Tying fleece blankets is done best on the floor, in case you're wondering. When all was said and done, we tied 15 blankets. Plus the two our family made on Monday night, and we have 17 blankets to donate--so far! A few of my friends who couldn't make it are still working on some on their own.
The whole evening--after 7:15, of course--was a Joyful Moment! I'm so grateful for the support this service project has received from my friends. And I'm grateful to my sister-in-law for being the inspiration for the project. She's naturally creative and giving, so I just ride in on her coattails.
Wishing you all Joyful Moments that fill up the floor of your living room with beautiful goodness!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Day 310: Set Back
Today was frustrating. I don't think it was my best as far as avoiding anger and staying positive. But I'm trying to remedy that now and I know that tomorrow will most likely be better. So, that's still progress, right?
Fortunately, there were still Joyful Moments to be had amid the frustrations. For instance, Little M has been doing sweet things all day and then saying, "That could be a service." So cute! And I love that he's getting the Service concept down as well.
And then we starting tying blankets to donate to the children's hospital tonight. I looked over and saw Sweet P sitting in her daddy's lap, tying a knot together. That was a very touching, sweet Joyful Moment.
Wishing you all Joyful Moments to outnumber the frustrating ones!
Fortunately, there were still Joyful Moments to be had amid the frustrations. For instance, Little M has been doing sweet things all day and then saying, "That could be a service." So cute! And I love that he's getting the Service concept down as well.
And then we starting tying blankets to donate to the children's hospital tonight. I looked over and saw Sweet P sitting in her daddy's lap, tying a knot together. That was a very touching, sweet Joyful Moment.
Wishing you all Joyful Moments to outnumber the frustrating ones!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Day 309: Un-Grinching
Tonight we had the privilege of listening to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, one of the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ as he, our prophet, and his other counselor gave their annual Christmas devotional.
As always, President Uchtdorf's words spoke straight to my heart and brought me a Joyful Moment. He spoke of truly enjoying this Christmas season. Which means, of course, remembering Who we are really celebrating. Did I already mention how stressful last year's Christmas season was? I've sort of felt cheated ever since. So, I'm trying really hard to simplify this year, so that I can just enjoy the fun and joy of it.
Another Joyful Moment was when Sweet P came to me this morning and told me that she put Little M's dishes in the dishwasher for him after breakfast. We've been practicing finding opportunities for service ever since Monday, so this was a double Joyful Moment for me. Besides just being grateful that she was helping out, it touched my heart that the concept of "service" is really sinking in for her. And on that same token, Little M provided me with a Joyful Moment when I came down to the basement this afternoon to find it almost completely clean (the basement is their toy room and usually has toys completely covering the floor). He had cleaned it by himself while Sweet P played.
I love my babies.
Wishing you all Joyful Moments found in serving others and enjoying this holiday season!
As always, President Uchtdorf's words spoke straight to my heart and brought me a Joyful Moment. He spoke of truly enjoying this Christmas season. Which means, of course, remembering Who we are really celebrating. Did I already mention how stressful last year's Christmas season was? I've sort of felt cheated ever since. So, I'm trying really hard to simplify this year, so that I can just enjoy the fun and joy of it.
Another Joyful Moment was when Sweet P came to me this morning and told me that she put Little M's dishes in the dishwasher for him after breakfast. We've been practicing finding opportunities for service ever since Monday, so this was a double Joyful Moment for me. Besides just being grateful that she was helping out, it touched my heart that the concept of "service" is really sinking in for her. And on that same token, Little M provided me with a Joyful Moment when I came down to the basement this afternoon to find it almost completely clean (the basement is their toy room and usually has toys completely covering the floor). He had cleaned it by himself while Sweet P played.
I love my babies.
Wishing you all Joyful Moments found in serving others and enjoying this holiday season!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Day 308: The Best Saturday In A Long Time
I'm usually annoyed with our Saturdays. I look forward to using them to relax and get caught up from the week's busyness, but then they wind up being overrun by their own busyness and we just end the day even more tired and behind than we were when it started.
Annoying.
But today was different and it was full of Joyful Moments.
We started it off by dropping the kiddos off at two different locations (This was our first time leaving Baby B during the day, so I wanted to make sure my friend wasn't overburdened by having to watch the other two as well--they went to a different friend's). Then we drove an hour and a half (including getting a bit lost) to our nearest temple belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And there we got to be a part of another friend's wedding.
All of the coordinating to make this happen to quite a bit of effort--not to mention, courage for me to leave my baby behind. And I almost backed out multiple times, but I kept feeling like I really needed to be there. And then the morning was somewhat stressful (we accidentally slept in 15 minutes, in addition to everything else). But besides just the blessing of being able to take in the peacefulness of being in the temple, we were able to show our support and congratulations for our friend in his new marriage. For a variety of reasons, not a lot of people were able to attend, so I felt grateful that I had been pushed to make sure we could.
And it was a Joyful Moment for SO MANY reasons: Witnessing our friend's joy, sitting next to my HH and remembering our own wedding day, and listening to some good marriage advice, to name a few.
And then their camera wasn't working after the ceremony, so I got to play photographer! Taking pictures of a newlywed couple is a Joyful Moment that I never expected to have and probably won't ever again! It was really fun!
And then tonight we decorated the tree. And I'm pretty sure it goes without saying, but that was a sweet, memorable Joyful Moment. And we managed to do it without breaking any of my old and fragile ornaments, so that was an added bonus. Cha-ching!
And now I need to go change Baby B's brand new diaper that I'm pretty sure isn't so new any more.
Wishing you all Joyful days that aren't tainted by stinky diapers!
Annoying.
But today was different and it was full of Joyful Moments.
We started it off by dropping the kiddos off at two different locations (This was our first time leaving Baby B during the day, so I wanted to make sure my friend wasn't overburdened by having to watch the other two as well--they went to a different friend's). Then we drove an hour and a half (including getting a bit lost) to our nearest temple belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And there we got to be a part of another friend's wedding.
All of the coordinating to make this happen to quite a bit of effort--not to mention, courage for me to leave my baby behind. And I almost backed out multiple times, but I kept feeling like I really needed to be there. And then the morning was somewhat stressful (we accidentally slept in 15 minutes, in addition to everything else). But besides just the blessing of being able to take in the peacefulness of being in the temple, we were able to show our support and congratulations for our friend in his new marriage. For a variety of reasons, not a lot of people were able to attend, so I felt grateful that I had been pushed to make sure we could.
And it was a Joyful Moment for SO MANY reasons: Witnessing our friend's joy, sitting next to my HH and remembering our own wedding day, and listening to some good marriage advice, to name a few.
And then their camera wasn't working after the ceremony, so I got to play photographer! Taking pictures of a newlywed couple is a Joyful Moment that I never expected to have and probably won't ever again! It was really fun!
And then tonight we decorated the tree. And I'm pretty sure it goes without saying, but that was a sweet, memorable Joyful Moment. And we managed to do it without breaking any of my old and fragile ornaments, so that was an added bonus. Cha-ching!
And now I need to go change Baby B's brand new diaper that I'm pretty sure isn't so new any more.
Wishing you all Joyful days that aren't tainted by stinky diapers!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Day 307: TJ's
A Trader Joe's just opened not too far away. This morning. So, the boys and I headed over to celebrate the Grand Opening. We even got a festive lei in honor of the fun. If that's not a Joyful Moment, I don't know what is.
We had a Trader Joe's back in New England and I love loved it. How fitting that one turns up here now when I'm trying to go more organic and healthy with our diet. The first exciting item I place in my shopping cart? A bag of cute little sweet potatoes. They're Baby B's favorite.
And then we bumped into a couple of our friends, who I will call "H-Squared". And that was another Joyful Moment. Because, let's face it, I love my friends.
And then we had the kids in bed by 7 PM tonight. THAT is one satisfying Joyful Moment. And I have my HH to thank for his efforts.
Wishing you all healthy and satisfying Joyful Moments!
We had a Trader Joe's back in New England and I love loved it. How fitting that one turns up here now when I'm trying to go more organic and healthy with our diet. The first exciting item I place in my shopping cart? A bag of cute little sweet potatoes. They're Baby B's favorite.
And then we bumped into a couple of our friends, who I will call "H-Squared". And that was another Joyful Moment. Because, let's face it, I love my friends.
And then we had the kids in bed by 7 PM tonight. THAT is one satisfying Joyful Moment. And I have my HH to thank for his efforts.
Wishing you all healthy and satisfying Joyful Moments!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Day 306: O Tannenbaum
Yes. Tonight we got our tree and set it up. We have yet to string the lights, or hang ornaments, but it was definitely a Joyful Moment.
Two years ago, I might have fallen on our Christmas tree while instructing my mom and little sister in some yoga and it might have been irreparably broken. I can neither confirm nor deny this statement. But, whatever the case, we didn't have a tree last year. We were only home for three weeks in between trips to see family for Thanksgiving and then Christmas, so it just didn't seem worth it. (Remember, I was preggems--a.k.a. Tired & A Little Bit Lazy). And I had this great idea to buy a new tree on clearance after Christmas.
Except that we were still visiting family after Christmas and we couldn't even fit all of our Christmas stuff back in the car to take it home again. Leaving us tree-less yet again this year.
We debated back and forth for a while, but finally opted for a real tree and then we'll buy a super nice artificial tree as per last year's plan. Except this year I'll actually do it because we're staying home and I'm not preggems.
And I feel pretty guilty about having a poor, real tree in my home. It feels totally wasteful! I have such great memories of going out into the woods and chopping down our tree of choice each year with our family and some friends. But I don't think people thought about it as much back then. At least I didn't. And I kind of wanted my kids to have a similar experience. Except our "woods" consisted of rows and rows of pre-cut trees at a local Home Depot-ish store. Not as magical. But the kids were still pretty excited. And my home smells delightfully piney. Which provides me with another Joyful Moment because it's just such a splendid scent.
Those are my consolations for my guilt. And now I feel like I need to go apologize to our tree.
Wishing you all Joyful Moments that don't require apologies!
Two years ago, I might have fallen on our Christmas tree while instructing my mom and little sister in some yoga and it might have been irreparably broken. I can neither confirm nor deny this statement. But, whatever the case, we didn't have a tree last year. We were only home for three weeks in between trips to see family for Thanksgiving and then Christmas, so it just didn't seem worth it. (Remember, I was preggems--a.k.a. Tired & A Little Bit Lazy). And I had this great idea to buy a new tree on clearance after Christmas.
Except that we were still visiting family after Christmas and we couldn't even fit all of our Christmas stuff back in the car to take it home again. Leaving us tree-less yet again this year.
We debated back and forth for a while, but finally opted for a real tree and then we'll buy a super nice artificial tree as per last year's plan. Except this year I'll actually do it because we're staying home and I'm not preggems.
And I feel pretty guilty about having a poor, real tree in my home. It feels totally wasteful! I have such great memories of going out into the woods and chopping down our tree of choice each year with our family and some friends. But I don't think people thought about it as much back then. At least I didn't. And I kind of wanted my kids to have a similar experience. Except our "woods" consisted of rows and rows of pre-cut trees at a local Home Depot-ish store. Not as magical. But the kids were still pretty excited. And my home smells delightfully piney. Which provides me with another Joyful Moment because it's just such a splendid scent.
Those are my consolations for my guilt. And now I feel like I need to go apologize to our tree.
Wishing you all Joyful Moments that don't require apologies!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Day 305: It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like
Christmas!
HH is off in the big city watching a basketball game, so the kids and I had to go it alone tonight. We had Sweet P's violin lesson first, but then came home and pulled out the Christmas decorations. We haven't had a moment to think about them until now.
It made for a very fun evening, setting them up with the kids. We still have to get the tree, but I love having Christmas all around me. Last year was all stress pretty much, so I'm determined to truly enjoy the season this year.
And it's off to a great start. Tonight was a Joyful Moment and I'm sure our efforts will bring more Joyful Moments to come.
Wishing you all Joyful Moments in surrounding yourself with memories of wonderful Christmases gone by (or just other fabulous memories, if you celebrate something else)!
HH is off in the big city watching a basketball game, so the kids and I had to go it alone tonight. We had Sweet P's violin lesson first, but then came home and pulled out the Christmas decorations. We haven't had a moment to think about them until now.
It made for a very fun evening, setting them up with the kids. We still have to get the tree, but I love having Christmas all around me. Last year was all stress pretty much, so I'm determined to truly enjoy the season this year.
And it's off to a great start. Tonight was a Joyful Moment and I'm sure our efforts will bring more Joyful Moments to come.
Wishing you all Joyful Moments in surrounding yourself with memories of wonderful Christmases gone by (or just other fabulous memories, if you celebrate something else)!
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