Day 3: sneaking off on a Sunday

I'm sliding into home plate with nary a moment to spare but I'm here. Reporting live for today's dose of joy!

Please excuse any misspellings and other grammatical errors, as this is the first post I've done on an iPad. It's different typing a post and not hearing the click of the keyboard. Instead I feel like I'm texting an old friend.

My joy began today celebrating Independence eve in the place where freedom means the most to me, at our church.  Thinking about what it means to be free takes a whole different perspective when you're pondering on eternity. It left me weepy, grateful, and reflective on how fortunate we are to be Americans, but most of all thankful for the freedoms that come with being a follower of Jesus.

We are blessed to have multiple services so we opted for an early one to make the most of the day. Tim is traveling again for work this week but the extended holiday break allowed for Noah and I to sneak off with him. We've crashed in a big comfy bed, swam, ate popcorn and too many meatballs, and took In a movie.  Keeping with the festive occasion, we saw Independence Day.

One of the best joys came from pool time with my teen. We lounged in the hot tub and floated in the pool, enjoying it almost all to ourselves. Aside from relaxing in the water, what I loved most was our conversation. A bulk of it was about food and his passion to travel the world.

I love seeing the spark in his eyes as he talks of what he loves. His whole face lights up and you can see his excite to spill over. How I hope his dreams are fulfilled.

I'll keep it short and sweet since the hour draws late, the hotel wifi isn't playing nice and because I could really use a nap before midnight waffles. More to share tomorrow I'm sure!

Day 2: Simple Saturdays

Announce you're on the search for joy and the world will sure try and suck it out of ya!

I've been hit with a sprinkling of unsettling news today and, though it caused some heartache, I'm determined to push ahead.  In situations like these the most you can do is pray, hope for the best, and leave it at God's feet.  Whatever will be, will be...

Today's joys have come from a simple Saturday.  Nothing special, except that I've spent it with my two favorite guys.

I woke rested, grateful to have hubby back in bed beside me.  And he greeted me with a steaming cup of creamy coffee to say good morning.

We ventured out for the Farmer's Market and breakfast, but I think most of the farmers must've taken a holiday!  Noah was desperate for more local honey, a treat he's become accustomed to after stealing mom's stash.  (It's healthy so I'll share, I guess!)  But she was one of many vendors not present so we drove on to breakfast.  Our plans were to try out a new catfish place only to find they weren't open.

I know, you're thinking catfish for breakfast?!  

But they'd announced on Facebook a 2.99 special starting in July.  And catfish isn't included!  I saw the date wrong though, as they don't begin until Tuesday.  Plan B was heading to another familiar favorite.  Odd as the 'catch of the day' might be with eggs and biscuits, our boy did polish off a piece of peanut butter pie at the end of our meal.

Next on our agenda, between errands, was the annual visit to the firework tent.

I'm only a fan of fireworks from a distance, and prefer to watch them in the eyes of a child more than the sky, but my guys love them.  They loaded up on bottle rockets, firecrackers, sparklers and those ear-shattering boom ones that sound more like a war zone than a holiday celebration.  But they're excited to have kiddos over tonight to watch them.  Or rather, they're probably most excited about setting them off.  Boys...

The rest of our afternoon has been a mix of productivity and laziness.  We've reclined and rested, laughed and wrestled, and just enjoyed being together.

Hubby is napping now, feet high in a recliner.  I'm about to sneak off and dunk mine in a pedi-spa.  And my boy is getting ready for work.  It seemed like the perfect opportunity to jump online and post about today's joy.

Sometimes it doesn't have to be big or anything special to be joy-filled.  Sometimes the simplest of moments and togetherness can be filled with joy just because of who you share it with.

Hope you're enjoying your Saturday too!