Joy the World (Vol. 1)

My kids are sick. Again. I thought we quit sickness, but apparently it didn’t quit us, despite the essential oils I’ve been slathering on my kids right after they take vitamins. Just another reminder that I’m not actually in control. Of course … 

Greg and I stayed up late last night watching an episode of “Blue Bloods” after we’d been out at a Murray State basketball game while my kids were sleeping in their beds and our college friend Amber watched Netflix and read a textbook on our course. I told her it would be the easiest babysitting job, ever.

I should have known when I stayed up later than usual that I’d also be up more than usual throughout the night. My kids are sleepers. Really, they always have been. Perhaps I’m spoiled, but we all like our sleep around here.

About 12 minutes after I’d fallen asleep, Ben was suddenly standing beside my bed. “My head hurts. It hurts to swallow my germs.” Even in my grogginess, I could interpret his 5-year-old boy speak: His fever was back up and his throat hurt.

So I gave him another dose of ibuprofen and wrote down the time, temperature, and medicine. I have to do that when I have one sick because I can’t always remember what time I did what. But this time I have two pieces of paper on the kitchen counter. Alternating Tylenol and ibuprofen with two sick kids is a momma’s version of math.

Anyway, all of this to say, I was laying in bed last night after I got up the first time (Yes, there were other times …) and I had an idea. I know, sometimes middle-of-the-night ideas aren’t good ones. But it still seemed like a good idea this morning, so I’m going with it. We shall see how it goes.

As I’m choosing joy in everyday life, I thought it would be fun to share (perhaps weekly? monthly? randomly?) things I’ve read or heard or watched that bring me joy. Now, I realize joy comes from the Maker of all things in this earth when we decide to let go and realize moments matter. But I also know choosing joy can be helped along by a blog post, song, movie, or conversation with a friend.

So I want to share. And I hope you will too.

1. The Packers of Catan :: You may know we’re obsessed with the Settlers of Catan board game. We have an ongoing scoreboard with our best friends that’s we’ve been tallying wins on since May 2007. We have other friends who play too, so we’re glad there’s an expansion version. Apparently the Green Bay Packers agree with us. This article just made my husband and I smile.

2. “Sugar” by Maroon 5 :: This video has been circulating on social media. And I’ve watched it more than once. I like it that much. If you haven’t seen it, go watch now. And you can thank me later.

3. Kristin Strong’s words about blogging trends :: I realize some of you don’t care about blogging trends. Actually, I don’t either. In the new year, there have been many articles and posts and tweets about the best practices of blogging. Honestly? They annoy me. Sure, I want people to read my blog, but I also like what’s happening here at my little corner of the big ‘ole internet. So Kristen’s words were refreshing for me. She has a way of doing that.

4. I’m keeping a list of #choosingJOY moments on my phone, like people count gifts, so I thought I could share a few of those too …

#22 French toast for dinner // #23 Ben building with LEGOs // #24 Reading fiction because it’s like a vacation right in the middle of everyday life (It was “Shoot the Moon” by Billie Letts this week.) // #25 Greg coming home for lunch and cooking me a fried egg for a sandwich because I wanted something warm

Your turn. Anything to share from your own #choosingJOY this week?

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I’m linking this post with Jen Ferguson for the Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood Gathering. 

Want more stories? “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”