Joy in the Mundane

I recently read the book "The Hardest Peace" by Kara Tippets. Kara, the author, has since passed away from cancer, but the book is more than a cancer story. It is about finding grace amidst life's hard moments, finding joy in the mundane, finding your faith in the suffering. I loved the book, and it has changed the way I have parented lately. It has sparked new conversations with the boys, it has allowed me to see my kids in new lights, and allowed me to share more with Joe at the end of long days with the kids. The biggest thing that had an impact on me was when Kara was saying that since the cancer diagnosis, she did go on vacations and do some "bucket list" items, however, what she most wanted was the "ordinary days" back. She wanted to sit in line in the parking lot at school, make breakfast for her kids, check homework, listen to music, etc. She said she'd give anything for just one more "ordinary." That moved me....we all probably take our "ordinary days" for granted- that's natural, I think. But, maybe with some serious intention, I could change the way I looked at ordinary. I could find more joy in my mundane moments. So, here are a few of my favorite from the last couple of weeks!

This was a photo from May Crowning Day at school- Maddox brought in the gifts at church!

 There's definitely joy in a Bud Light Rita after a long day!

 Saylor has been wearing this Michigan hat on random occasions. I love that she fell asleep in the car on this day. It doesn't happen very often anymore- I soaked it up.

 Saylor asked me to take a selfie with her baby....normally, I would say no or delete the photo. This time, I saved it.

 I LOVE these orange flowers in May and June. They are beautiful.

 We have watched the eggs become baby birds in our water hose. I love watching baby birds....Mama Bird does not love that I love that.

 Sometimes I buy Soft Batch cookies when I am homesick. We would have these on the bean bar with lemonade and my cousins. Every bite tastes like home to me.

 This was a photo of a grocery trip gone wrong. Joe nailed the beer choices, but every child came out with a giant bag of Sour Patch something or other, and he stumbled his way through my list of other things. : ) He walked out and looked like he had been hit with a truck. Yup. This is why I hate the grocery store with 3 kids. It sucks the life out of me. But, since we were finding joy in the mundane- I actually loved watching them all walk out together, and Saylor in the shopping cart...with the beer.

After school snacks with the boys...

 Saylor's favorite thing to do - ask me for the "snack basket" and then spend 15 minutes picking something out. Then, she eats half of it, announces she doesn't want it anymore, and wants a new treat.

 I caught this photo of Saylor hugging Joe when he got home from work. He gets the biggest hugs when he walks in the door which make me a tiny bit jealous, but mostly, it makes me big time happy.

 I took this picture of Maddox - walking out the door on the way to school. I always, always tell them I love them and to "be kind." Kids need a daily reminder...and so do I.

This is a picture of Saylor waving goodbye to Joe and the boys on their way to school. One thing I loved about choosing to really see the little moments through new eyes is that I saw how maybe these everyday moments were passing me by without truly noticing them.

 Breakfast with the boys...

 Saylor "hugging" (or tackling) the dog!

 This is a daily routine for us...reading the lunch menu and the daily "specials" to all 3 kids. Music is always followed by loud groans and PE is always followed by cheers (except on square dancing days).

 I love watching Saylor "mother" her babies. It truly is amazing how girls can fall into that caring, nurturing role so easily.

This moment brought me lots of frustration, followed by lots of laughter. Copa had stolen my bag of mozzerella cheese right off the table and sprinted into the backyard. I videotaped all 3 kids chasing her trying to get the cheese back. In the end, we were victorious- the mozzerella cheese was all ours! 

There are little moments that pass us by, mundane things that happen every day....Kara said in the book that she very quickly learned that the little things soon became the big things. The big joyous occasions like graduations, weddings, birthdays- they are certainly nice. But, there are also tiny things- the goodbye waves, the morning conversation over a bowl of cereal, the after school snacks, the grocery shopping adventures- that are way too good to let them just go by. Life is indeed good.