Filled With Joy

I DID IT! I completed an entire year of blogging daily (minus a few days in June when I totally forgot with wedding plans and cruise plans but added four days I to one post so technically I only missed three days of an entire year). This blog has helped me realize that joy comes when we are actively seeking it. Without that action, I wouldn’t have recognized all these little things that make me happy. Hopefully this is a lesson I will remember my entire life. I think this quote by Robert Louis Stevenson says it exactly right and is the perfect spot to end this year of joy seeking.

To have the eternal optimism of a dog, our dog, would be great. Buddy is always hopeful that someone will pet him between the eyes; let him outside; will give him a treat when he comes inside; feed him; sit by him when he eats; and say hello as they walk in the door. And we do, because he is always there to greet us happily as we walk in the door; let us know when the timer goes off on the oven; if a visitor is coming to the door; and if a stay cat or dog has walked within two blocks of the house. Buddy is getting kind of old. He is a good Buddy. I tried to find a new home for him shortly after we took him in. Today I realized how grateful I am no one else could take him. He is a source of joy today.

The smell of fresh bread it one of the sources of my joy today. It is delicious! Four beautiful loaves of cinnamon burst bread. Yummy! I’m grateful I have the skills to make bread.

I am loving this book. I got it for Christmas. I’ve been a fan if Mo Rocca for a long time. His writing is informational and entertaining at the same time. I highly recommend it. I love learning new things. Poor Trent has to hear the recap of every page. I’m having a lot of fun reading it. Today my joy came as I learned about Thomas Paine and why only six people attended his funeral. (Bonus tidbit: there used to be long s and short s in the English language and one looked like an f. One of them died. Thank goodness!)

Today Collin and I took on a project that has been waiting since 2007. I don’t know why it was never completed. Today we put trim in the basement hallway and it looks like a new place. I talked to the girls about it and they hadn’t ever noticed the black glue sticking out like a sore thumb. Isn’t it weird how some things can bother one person and not even be noticed by another? Today I was filled with joy as Collin has the knowledge and skills to help me. I’m so happy with the outcome.

Un-decorating day. When you are feeling it, you have to go with it. I just needed to clear some if the clutter and by 2:00 it was back to normal. Except, I could look at the new furniture settled into its new home. I like it. Buying online can be a bit scary because you don’t know what you are getting. I got exactly what I was hoping for and increased sitting space without taking up more floor space. We don’t have a lot in there. Joy for it working out.

We had such a lovely and relaxed Christmas. Everyone was home. We gathered in the living room and slowly opened Christmas gifts that had been carefully selected for each other. (This is a picture of one of my gifts - a Mr. Rogers talking figurine and favorite quote book. Perfect for me.) This Christmas season has been very difficult for me, for whatever reason. I’ve experienced a lot of anxiety and negative thoughts. That is unusual for me. But, this morning, I rejoiced in the peace of having my family around me and knowing the great love they have for each other. That was a moment of joy.

An early visitor got me volunteered into playing the piano at the Community Presbyterian Christmas celebration. The song was extremely difficult and required all day practice. Joy was not in the practice. But, joy was found in an answer to prayer as I asked to remember the notes that I practiced and that the piano wouldn’t be a distraction from the beautiful singing. Blessed with both. Then, the best joy came as we watched Santa, payback for playing the piano, deliver gifts to a sweet family and hear the stories from the inside. It all worked out. And, I think we may have found a new tradition for Christmas.

Today is the birthday or Dad - here on the left. I love this guy with all my heart. He has always been so loving and warm and kind to me. I have learned so much from him in my 30 years of being with them. Today we celebrated his birthday by playing games and having a lovely dinner. Tracie puts on a great party. I find great joy when I am with these lovely people.

My friend Lori sent this to me. We were decorating for the JCC party. It is a fun time. Many of the kiddos have never received a gift or celebrated in any way. The JCC puts on a party for all to enjoy and feel of the Christmas spirit. We talk about the reason for the season. They get gifts, candy, cookies, soda, and decorate a tree. It is a wonderful opportunity to be part of. I can’t even put into words the joy of being there. How I love that place and those kids.

Katy made these adorable cookies today while we were at the JCC Christmas party. They are so cute. I wasn’t expecting this much work when I asked her to make them for our party tomorrow. I loved them. Aren’t they cute? They brought joy for two reasons - one: I didn’t have to bake them, and two: she is very creative and a great baker. 

I failed to complete my book order two weeks ago. I realized this on Tuesday morning about 2:30. The order including student orders and Christmas gifts to my students from me. I quickly submitted the order, and paid a large sum for two day shipping. Anxiously I waited with crossed fingers, hoping that the package would be shipped by Wednesday morning. It did! Then I saw it went through Lenexa, KS where my nephew lives. That was fun. But even more fun came when the box arrived in time for delivery in the classroom. We played a nice book exchange game. Everyone got two new books. It was great! Joy in gifts arriving in time for giving.

Today was a reading rotation day with the 3rd grade. I read this book eight times. It is cute. We talked about Christmas is special because it only happens once a year. The kids loved it. We had great conversations. I really enjoy reading to children. I really enjoy reading. I hated it when I was kid. I feel great joy when I read. I’m very thankful that I know how.

Oh surviving the week before Christmas is a real chore. I use surviving because there is no other word. Each day the students leave alive is a victory (running joke amongst teachers this week). I don’t know how, but all previously established rules have been forgotten. No one knows what they are to do. It is somewhat controlled chaos. So, where’s the joy? The joy is in the fact that all teachers are experiencing the same thing and we laugh and cry and support one another in our “trials” this week. I love teacher comrades.

Tonight we hung the wall decor in Trent’s office. It looks good and makes the room a little more cozy. It is ginormous so cozy is difficult. I failed to bring appropriate tools for measuring and hanging. We improvised by using yellow legal pads and hanging file folders. Imagine my joy when we stood back and it was straight and perfectly placed. Oh the simple joys.

Ion the chaos of the year, which is my classroom, I forgot about patent gifts for my students. That is where the handy dandy internet comes in. Just put in the names of the supplies you have in your room and Ta Da out comes a craft that can be done VERY VERY quickly and easily. So today we made these snowflake ornaments and put their school picture on them. The students were happy. I was happy. That is a win win. A win win means joy!

Today at the JCC, Trent and I were in charge of the lesson. We opted for the Christmas story. We read the story in Luke 2 and Matthew 2 with the kiddos. Then we shared this movie with them. I think it is the most beautiful reenactment of the story. I am touched at the humbling circumstances in with this King and our Savior entered the world. The joy of this story is for all the people of the world.

I got to go shopping for wall decor for Trent’s office. It is a large space and needs something on the walls. It was great fun, especially since everything was on a great sale. I haven’t ever looked at stores for this purpose. I had a blast. In fact, I don’t think I’ve had so much fun shopping in a long time. I really did find joy in the home decor section of Hobby Lobby. I highly recommend it.

My sweet sister in law dropped a pizza off for us this week. It was totally unexpected. Susan is the best! She is a great example of Christ-like service. She has always brought joy into my life. Today is was a joy to talk with her and get a hug from her. I hope they I can be a blessing in someone else’s life like Susan has been in mine.

A clean bill of health brought great joy today and a lot of relief. There isn’t really a picture for that. There certainly is a feeling. Also, I bought material for Justin’s stocking. That was a sense of relief, too. I should have planned for future family growth when I made stockings at the beginning of our life together, because this material doesn’t match exactly. Now I need to decide if I can stand the mismatch or need to redo them all with future growth in mind.

We needed to put some furniture in Trent’s office. It didn’t make sense to buy for it. So, we took our old furniture over and ordered new for us. We ordered online not knowing what we were getting for sure. Imagine my joy when the furniture was delivered and is perfect - well minus the one piece that wasn’t sent. The room is so much lighter and we will be increasing the sitting capacity of the room. I’m so excited to get it all together.

Answers to prayers and tender mercies. I’m grateful that I didn’t miss it. Sometimes I get so caught up in all of the life happening around me that I don’t notice these beautiful moments. This week I needed to notice. I needed to know that God does care.

 I love saving time while cooking. Although I love potato salad, I hate the amount of time it takes to boil potatoes. I usually end up over cooking which results in mashed potato salad. Or, I undercook them, and then we have crunchy salad. I tried it in the insta pot. It took mere minutes for perfect potatoes and eggs. New discovery for me. Be prepared for lots of salad in the future. Joy today comes from new cooking methods.

McKenna surprised us by visiting today. I may have gotten a little testy-eyed when I saw her car in the driveway when we came home from church. She would help me get the Christmas decorating finished. I’ve really struggled with that this year. She helped us all laugh and we loved visiting with her. I love my children. They are a great source of joy. Now I eagerly await her text saying she has made it home.

Made some progress on Christmas gift giving today. Having accomplished zero prior to this day, I am finding joy in that accomplishment. There is much to do, but at least I’ve begun.

I haven’t slept well in a couple weeks. I don’t know why. It is making me crazy. It is also making it difficult for me to be positive. That, coupled with hard things makes it even worse. Today I couldn’t find much joy. I really had to think. But, I did remember that I don’t have to do another Friday recess until some time in January. That is a joyful thought.

Live Nativity day went off without a hitch. It was way better than any rehearsal. In fact it was beautiful. The stands were full. People were happy to come and left happier to have been there. I’m so grateful to have been there. It was a wonderful way to start the season. Definitely a season of joy.

I’ve never been involved in any type of production. The live nativity is my first. I’ve been amazed at the behind the scenes work that is required. Tonight I went to our dress rehearsal and was amazed at the work that has been going on with sets. It is amazing what a few people from our little down can accomplish. It filled me with joy to know that I am here in this community. I love it.

I saw this on Facebook today. It made me smile. The whole meaning of The Grinch story is kindness. I love that book. We all need kindness - even the gruffest and meanest.

I love this story and am so excited to share it with my students. It is so funny. One of my favorite parts is that it talks about typewriters. They don’t know what that is. I usually have to explain and they are amazed by the archaic nature of such a machine. They are pretty amazed that I survived my pre-computer years. The look on their faces is priceless - joy!

This is my December bulletin board. Each school day there is an act of kindness for us to do in our classroom or on the playground. I think the students will love it. Doing kind acts for someone else makes me feel joy. Hopefully my students will feel the that same thing.