Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

Thanksgiving Week is finally here and my heart is bursting. This has been a year full of twists and turns, heartache and heart-soaring, and everything in between. I tried to give up Simple Joys for a bit, but I couldn’t stand it.

Simple Joys offers me an outlet to focus on the positives in my life. It allows me the incredible gift of perspective. Simple Joys gives me balance and forces me to recognize that not only do I have much to be thankful, but that I am truly blessed.

And now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – It’s been a long time since I’ve indulged and truly enjoyed a network television series. My family discovered the Marvel blockbuster movies this past spring and has been watching every one we can. When we heard about the television show connected to the movie franchise, we tuned in to watch. The greatness of the program keeps us coming back.

We always sit down together as a family – once my four-year-old daughter is sleeping – to watch the action. And I can tell you, being hooked on the show is an intense and rollicking great Simple Joy.

Christmas Music – I am one of those people who loves the Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I refuse to decorate my home in Christmas decorations until the day after Turkey Day, but hearing the music sometime after Halloween makes me smile from the inside out.

It must do that for other people. I remember not too many years ago I’d be lucky to hear a Christmas song occasionally on the air in the days leading up to Christmas and then only on Christmas Eve and Day would the station go to 24 hours of seasonal songs.

But in recent years the Christmas music starts the weekend before Thanksgiving. This year I heard one station turn their format over to all Christmas music two weeks before Turkey Day! It seems that people are looking for feel-good music nowadays.

Whatever the reason, I am relishing every moment of 24/7 Christmas music on my radio stations. It’s a Simple Joy I look forward to every year and makes me giddy!

Bowling – My boys have been doing a Rec bowling deal after school one day a week. They are having a lot of fun although they’re not great bowlers. Friends of ours love to bowl so they suggested we hit the lanes over the weekend. We had the best time. My husband, daughter, and I got to bowl along with the boys and our friends for an afternoon of fun, exercise, and friendship.

We’ve decided to add bowling to our weekend adventures and that is a Simple Joy to look forward to often!

Falling Asleep on the Couch – The first Friday night I have had off in a long time was spent at home taking care of my children, wrapping some gifts for the holidays, and sitting on my couch to watch a program that did not involve racing, social media, or, well, thinking of any kind. I was fully vested in the program when what seemed like all of a sudden my husband came out of nowhere to wake me up.

Apparently someone had struck me with a sleep stick, my couch tried to swallow me, and I was defenseless to it all!

It’s a rare treat, but falling asleep on my couch on a Friday night after accomplishing much was a most decadent Simple Joy.

Off season – I love NASCAR and racing passionately, but, like any job, I enjoy a vacation. The off-season is here just in time for me to throw myself into the holiday season. I can make Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons enjoyable and full for my family and friends – we host EVERYTHING – and recharge my batteries.

On the flip side, I still want to connect to all of my friends who hang with me on the Drafting the Circuits Facebook page, read my articles, and listen to the show. The off-season allows me myriad ways to do that that do not revolve around a specific race venue.

Having an off-season to reconnect with loved ones, enjoy the holiday season, and get psyched for the 2014 season is a long-awaited, much-appreciated, and highly anticipated Simple Joy.

This time of year always makes me nostalgic. Looking back on the year that was I see my friends’ list has grown tenfold, some friendships repaired, some irreparable and discarded for mental health, and other relationships tended.

Simple Joys is a gift I give myself – and one I share with you.
I hope that my ramblings of my personal Simple Joys inspire you to find your own.

And I hope that on this Thanksgiving Week you take a moment to remember to take the time to experience all of the Simple Joys available to you.

For me, you all are all my Simple Joys.

Thank you.

Wishing you a week full of Simple Joys and a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

It can be very frustrating and irritating when life doesn’t go the way we planned or the way we want it to. Expectations that are high can plummet to the Earth leaving us put out, angry, and hurt.

These are the times connecting with one’s Simple Joys are so necessary. Of course we want to get our way all of the time, but accepting what we are given allows for peace. Lowering our expectations provides sanity.

I’m not at all stating we should give up on trying hard, reaching our goals and dreams, or anything of the sort. My point is, let life happen some, too. Give yourself time to live, roll with the punches, and get up when you’re knocked down.

In the meantime, try to find your Simple Joys. It isn’t hard as they are available for anyone with an open mind and an open heart.

Simple Joys can be as small as a silly joke that makes you laugh out loud, a phone call from a friend, or the hug from a child. Delicious foods, bike rides, favorite television shows, sports events, and romantic evenings rank as Simple Joys. I needn’t define them, you do that for you.

And now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.

School holiday. My children had three days off of school at the end of last week. We had a long, glorious weekend spread before us. It was like having a mini-taste of summer vacation in the cold autumn weather. The boys didn’t sleep in, not once, as they were allowed to play the Wii on weekends and school holidays only. But we also hung out, had leisurely meals, sang to the iPod, and giggled a lot.

Breaking out of the rigorous schedule to indulge in complete and total relaxation was a sublime Simple Joy I shared with my children whom I adore.

Date Night. The only thing that is better than spending quality time with my children? It is spending alone time with my husband. We spent five awesome hours together alone on a date on Friday and it was blissful. We got the car inspected, had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory (first time), and got me a new bicycle! It was so cool because we talked uninterruptedly, held hands, kissed a lot, and simply reveled in one another’s company.

Periodically spending alone time with my handsome, sexy husband who is also my best friend is a Simple Joy that lights up my world.

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Mmmmmm. Inexplicably bright green, filled with flat pieces of rich dark chocolate, and minty and refreshing, I luxuriate in eating mint chocolate chip ice cream and savoring each spoonful and lick.

I do not eat mint chocolate chip ice cream often, but when I do I delight in every mouthful that is its own Simple Joy!

Denim jacket. I’ve owned the same denim jacket with sweatshirt sleeves since I was a freshman in college, nearly 25 years ago. Although I’m sure my body has changed through the years – marriage and three babies can do that to you – the jacket still fits, looks great, is timeless, and is like an old friend.

Having a versatile, stylish, and comfortable jacket that has been with me for so long is a Simple Joy I have enjoyed for a quarter century! Think of the cost per wear!

Prepping for Thanksgiving. I know the holiday is a few weeks away, but I am already excited for and planning my Thanksgiving holiday. My husband and I are hosting family and friends – 16 in all – so I’ve already started gathering some essential non-perishable items. Last year our family was alone on this holiday weekend – we even took the children out for sushi and a movie Thanksgiving Day!

Having – and wanting – hosting duties for Thanksgiving and loved ones surrounding us, including dear friends, is a most gratifying Simple Joy to anticipate.

These Simple Joys tell my story. It gives me great pleasure to share them with you. My hope has always been that through reading my Simple Joys you will be inspired to seek and realize your own. I think we all experience Simple Joys we just don’t always recognize them.

Whether you write them down like I do, talk about them, or at least think about them, I hope you identify the Simple Joys in your life.

Wishing you a week filled with Simple Joys!

Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

If it’s one thing I’m learning it is to enjoy life daily. All too often I get caught up in the minutia of life. Of course, it’s important to remember to pay the bills, sign up for classes, clean the sink traps, and shower, but worrying about things - death, illness, missing an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - doesn’t fix them.

When I worry I rob myself of limitless opportunities to find and enjoy my Simple Joys. By relaxing the “worry muscle” I can concentrate on simply living. Life will happen.

Man plans. God laughs.

Well, I’ll always be a planner, but I’m learning to be more flexible and just let things be.

When I make room for spontaneity, allow for variables, and smile instead of fret, my life becomes abundant with Simple Joys.

And now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.

Pumpkin Seeds. Carving pumpkins is an annual tradition in our family like many who celebrate Halloween. But, in addition to creating faces and scooping out pumpkin guts, we do an extra step in our family. We sort out the wet, gooey seeds to be rinsed, dried and roasted in the oven with olive oil and salt. They come out toasty, crunchy, and salty and are completely addictive!

Yielding a ton of luscious pumpkin seeds from our three awesome Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns is a tantalizing Simple Joy.

Halloween. In my part of the world we’ve been robbed of a Halloween for two consecutive years. This was the first time in a long time we’d been able to dress up without snow boots on actual Halloween (October 31st) and hit the streets of our community to Trick-Or-Treat.

We all dressed up, set out to collect mounds of delectable candy, and enjoy the completeness of the holiday. We did and it was a Simple Joy we all savored!

Bike Riding. Every member of Team 187 finally has bicycles and can ride them. Most of them are relatively new – less than 2 years old – and then there’s mine which is about 50 years old but still works beautifully.

We took to the trail at a local park and took in nature’s glory at this time of year. As a family we spent time outdoors, exercising, and appreciating natural beauty. Spending quality time together – again – in such a quality way is a Simple Joy we are making a regular part of our routine.

Grandpa. I’ve had occasion to write about this dear man in the past and am so blessed to have the opportunity again. At 93 years old, my husband’s grandfather is still making visits to see us. He is still mobile, with help, and able to carry conversations with us and our children knowing who we all are.

It is never easy to go through life on terms that aren’t your own. I’m sure if Grandpa had his druthers he’d be physically spry and still have Grandma by his ever-loving side, but he does the best he can with what life has dealt him. I learn a lot from that man.

Having a wonderful man and a priceless resource to learn life lessons in the family is a Simple Joy to the Nth degree.

Time alone. With the grandparents in town to celebrate my husband’s Halloween birthday we were relieved of our parenting duties while the children spent the night at the hotel with them. We couldn’t believe our luck, but as veteran parents we didn’t look the gift horse in the mouth. We set out immediately to enjoying our time alone and enjoy it we did – immensely. It was the shot in the arm needed to jumpstart our marriage and remind us that we are more than Mom and Dad. We have tried throughout our marriage to do that, but sometimes time and resources work against best laid plans.

Having a rare night all alone in our home was a wondrous, restorative, romantic, and mind-blowing Simple Joy.

What I’m trying to do is learn from those around me. I mentioned the life lessons I’m gleaning from observing and talking to Grandpa. But I’m also taking note of my daughter. At four no matter how dismal things seem for her one moment (and she is a dramatic child) she is ready to laugh heartily at the drop of a hat.

Her mood is elevated, her cares behind her, and her grudges gone. Carefree, uninhibited laughter that belies only the joy it brings. Her world is populated with Simple Joys.

So, as I go about my week I try to incorporate these important elements to my overly taxing, stupidly stressful life. By being more accepting, relaxed, and flexible the Simple Joys will just naturally occur more frequently for me to enjoy.

These are my personal Simple Joys. I hope you take a few moments each week to write down, speak, or at least think of the Simple Joys you’ve been blessed to experience in the past week. The action brings me a balanced and positive perspective and I hope it does the same for you.

Wishing you a week filled with Simple Joys.

Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

Sometimes life just flows easily. Routines are set, no surprises rock the boat, and life just is. Some people call that “boring” or “mundane”. I think it is often the closest to Heaven we can get.

But even with “normalcy”, whatever that is really, there is always room for Simple Joys. A message from a friend on Facebook, a belly laugh from a child, a delicious new food, or spending time doing exactly what you want to do can all be examples of Simple Joys.

And now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.

Pink Gum – Nothing satisfies my daughter’s addiction to sugar like pink Tic Tacs. She calls them “pink gum” because I keep them in the same place I keep my sugar-free mint gum I love to chew. I dole out a certain amount – anywhere from 2-4 – for my daughter to enjoy. She absolutely loves them and it keeps her from asking for lollipops or other forms of candy.

Seeing my daughter relish each Tic Tac and hearing her ask for the confection by the wrong cute name are Simple Joys I am treated to daily!

Eleven-year-old – At a time when most children are already showing extreme independence, my son is straddling the line between childhood and teendom. He is more than capable of being on his own, handling young adult situations, and rising to the occasion. But he still loves his place in the family, seeks out his dad and me for advice, and fears the unknown – drugs, alcohol, even falling in love – that his teen years will most likely expose him.

I make sure we talk often and keep the lines of open communication open. He feels much more secure knowing he has boundaries and perimeters than if I just left him to his own devices. But I’m not sheltering the boy. He is going to have to find his own path in this world and I can only hope he continues to use his dad and me for a moral compass, a reference, and a source of safety.

I wouldn’t want to go back to being 11, but I’m so fiercely proud of the young man my son is becoming and the endless source of Simple Joys he is.

Seven-year-old – I can’t think of anything better than being seven. My seven-year-old son loves school, completes his homework in no time at all, aces his tests, and gets great reports. He also is over-the-moon excited for Halloween, especially since his dad and I found and purchased the Iron Man costume he’s coveted all season. And, he’s super focused on making his list for Santa Claus, spelling words correctly and using his best penmanship.

He is a very happy child who spoils me with Simple Joys every single day.

Pretty Hair – Last week my daughter had a head cold that resulted in her waking up in the middle of the night. As I soothed her and settled her back into her bed I began to lower my head to kiss her. As I came closer she looked at me with big loving eyes and said, “Mommy, you have pretty hair.”

I thanked my little girl, told her in earnest that she has pretty hair, too, kissed her, and put her to bed.

As any woman can attest, I never feel my hair is pretty enough. It’s curly when I want it straight, too straight when I want it curly, in need of a haircut, dye job, combing, etc. But because of the pure love and honesty that unpromptedly flowed from my four-year-old daughter’s mouth, I finally feel that my hair is pretty.

Having my daughter erase a lifetime of self-doubt with one sweet sentence is a Simple Joy I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Brownie Brittle – For me, the best part of the brownie is the end piece with its crispy edges. At the grocery store last week I found my latest addiction – Brownie Brittle. As the name suggests it’s pieces of wafer thin brownies that are crispy, sweet, and… perfect! The store I shop carries four flavors: chocolate chip, salted caramel, toffee crunch, and mint chip. I bought all of them and have only tried the chocolate chip which is phenomenal!

Finding the perfect sweet treat after years of searching is a delightful Simple Joy!

Just getting through a day can be a Simple Joy. So can being happy with a “normal” day, week, or life. Extraordinary is not what Simple Joys are all about, it’s about letting in the good and appreciating it – no matter how large or small – in the moment and knowing that is enough.

These are my personal Simple Joys. My wish is for you to find and recognize your own whether you write them down, talk about them, or merely think about them.

Wishing you all a week filled with Simple Joys.

Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

It seems at every turn there are forces trying to rob us of our sanity and our serenity. If we are always reactionary we will never find a moment’s peace.

People bait us, situations tempt us to be quick to anger, and myriad occasions can leave us feeling off keel. These times are the perfect storm to keep Simple Joys at bay.

We cannot change others – no matter how much we’d like to try. The only thing we have the power to change is how we react to others, disappointing situations, and the like.

I’ve lived my life angry, frustrated, holding resentments, and allowing others to take up space in my head without paying me rent. It was exhausting, wholly fulfilling, and kept me from enjoying daily doses of Simple Joys.

Unacceptable!

Now I actively try to keep my balance, refuse to allow others to affect me adversely no matter how stupidly they act, and keep the window of opportunity open to Simple Joys to find me.

Now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.

The Wizard of Oz. For a couple of weeks before my daughter’s fourth birthday she became curious about and enamored with The Wizard of Oz.

As a child I watched the annual television showing with my father and was dazzled each and every time it was aired.

I gifted the movie to my daughter for her birthday. Owning the movie and sharing it with my daughter and my sons has brought back wonderful memories as I see the delight in their eyes discovering this classic and timeless film.

Experiencing The Wizard of Oz with my children is a powerful Simple Joy.

Trunk or Treat. The Cub Scouts has provided endless Simple Joys for our family. Last year we experienced our first Trunk or Treat – trick or treating in a controlled environment with decorated car trunks. Eh, either you understand or you have to see it for yourself.

This year we anticipated greatly getting able to don our Halloween costumes collectively as a family to score candy two weeks before the actual holiday.

Our unusually warm weather ceased the day of the Trunk or Treat so my scheduled Greek Goddess costume I deemed too revealing for the temperatures. Within an hour I had fashioned my own costume that would work beautifully in tandem with my husband’s.

Getting another chance at childhood fun at the Trunk or Treat is now an annual and much anticipated Simple Joy.

Dale Jr. Watching NASCAR races while “covering” the race online is part of my job but is truly a joy. A lot of the friends at Drafting the Circuits Facebook page are Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans. I try to keep them updated with every race I cover and feel terribly for them when Dale Jr. doesn’t have a good run or experiences bad luck.

Even though I had personal plans with my family and dear friends on Sunday I was given permission by the hostess to work the race during the party we attended.

I couldn’t watch the race but followed it online via several different sources. It was a banner day to see Dale Jr. in the lead and vying for the win for much of the contest. Unfortunately Dale Jr. was not the victor, he was the runner-up. Regardless, feeling the energy through my computer of his fans’ excitement and will to spur him to victory was an electric Simple Joy.

Milky Way Bars. I’ve always been a Snickers girl. I have always enjoyed the confection with peanuts that “really satisfies”. Milky Way Bars seemed like a Snickers that forgot something.

But this year, after purchasing a variety pack of Mars fun-size candy bars for our early Halloween celebration – Snickers, Milky Way, and Three Musketeer Bars – I tried the Milky Way Bar in earnest.

It is absolutely delicious! Scrumptious! Decadent! Wholly freakin’ great!

I still love Snickers and Snickers PB, but the Milky War Bar is now a Simple Joy I will entertain more when it is around.

My husband. Yes, he’s on the list a lot. I won’t apologize as these are my personal Simple Joys. Each week – each day – my husband finds a way to make me feel sexy and special. He equally hangs on my words and likes to just sit quietly with me. We run in myriad directions with the children and sometimes don’t have a moment alone until bedtime, but I know he is always thinking of me.

Marriage can be the casualty when having a family. It takes a far backseat to deadlines, homework, Karate, and bake sales. But by making our marriage a priority despite the busy lives we lead, we are defying the odds and staying together… happily.

Having my husband by my side is not only my supreme Simple Joy, it is my life.

Amid all of the fun, family time, and festivities, there were major stresses brought on by an individual this past week.
In my past I would have allowed that individual to have a long-lasting adverse effect on me.

I got angry but let it go quickly.

The person was not worth it. At all. By taking away his “power” over my emotions I won.

My Simple Joys were intact and my faith in myself to continue walking on the path to strength, serenity, hope, and peace was unobstructed for the rest of the time.

I hope reading my Simple Joys inspires you to think of all of the Simple Joys you experience in any given week. Whether you write them down like I do, say them aloud, or merely think about them, recognizing Simple Joys is the recipe for inviting more to find you.

Wishing you all a week filled with a multitude of Simple Joys.

Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

In any given week there is so much that can wreck sanity, serenity, and peace. That’s just life.

But with a positive attitude, a fighting spirit, and the tools to know how, Simple Joys can permeate your life and make it not only tolerable but full of joy.

For those suffering it may seem unattainable and impossible for Simple Joys to be a part of one’s life. Pain, fear, anger and frustration are powerful and all-encompassing.

But it truly is a choice to change one’s attitude, to strive for a happier life, and to open oneself up to the Simple Joys that exist for all.

It’s not always easy and many are the times we need to ask for help – from doctors, from God/Higher Power, from friends and family. But in admitting weakness we are stronger than ever before if we reach out for help and accept it.

Simple Joys are never truly out of reach, we just forget how to access them sometimes. Open your heart and your mind to the possibility that Simple Joys will enter your life and they will! It really is that simple!

And now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.

Music. I can’t explain it, words fail. The feeling I get when a song comes on I love defies logic. The organic, chemical feeling that courses through my body when the song resonates deeply with me is so powerful.

It’s not one type of music, one artist or band; the songs vary. I could be listening to music from my past, something new and wonderful, or even a Christmas song that I adore and my mood is elevated, I am newly inspired and enriched, and I carry the feeling for a long time.

Surrounding me with my favorite music is a Simple Joy that keeps me going with a smile on my face and in my heart.

NASCAR tradition. I watch NASCAR races as a fan but also to educate myself for writing articles and doing radio about NASCAR’s Cup series as well as the Nationwide and Camping World Truck series. I enjoy watching the races with my online friends and fellow fans.

I do my best to tune into the races before the green flag falls so I can soak in the traditions that make our sport great.
From the pre-race prayer to the singing of the National Anthem that makes my heart swell with pride, especially when every driver, crew member, and audience member stands quietly and reverently while it is sung with hands over their hearts or saluting, I am awed by the continuity these traditions provide for race fans.

These actions pull at my heartstrings, keep me connected to my sport, and provide me with Simple Joys week in and week out during the racing season.

Leaves. My husband is a very good man. He stayed home on Saturday to mow the lawn and rake the leaves on our property while I took the three children to swim lessons at the Y.

When we returned to the house a few hours later my husband was showered and excited. He had made the biggest leaf pile we had ever seen in the back yard. The children (and I ) had the absolute best time – with reckless abandon – jumping into the leaves, throwing the leaves, and burying each other in the leaves!

Enjoying autumn in all of its glory with my children in reckless abandon is a Simple Joy I cherish and hope to remember for a lifetime.

Pumpkin picking. Like jumping in leaf piles, picking pumpkins annually is another tradition our family holds dear. We have been going to the same farm for over a decade with our family and watch as the children grow, the memories collect, and the fall festivities mount.
Their childhood is so fleeting; we feel so lucky to have the children all still look forward to this yearly trek to pick the pumpkins, play on the playground, and spend quality time together.

Pumpkin picking is an annual Simple Joy that makes our autumn spectacular!

My husband. In this cold, bleak, callous, pessimistic world in which we live I have a man who loves me unconditionally, finds me outrageously attractive after age, three children and a ton of extra pounds have quite literally weighed me down, and is still my very best friend.

Divorce is common in the world today. But I cannot imagine my life without my husband; my best friend, my lover, the father of my children, my rock, and, quite frankly, my everything. I will happily stick with the marriage.

The formula for my Simple Joys begins, contains, and ends with my husband.

Having him in my life is an ongoing, continuous, and awe-inspiring Simple Joy.

I have been blessed with much in my life, but I have also suffered greatly. Pain of all kinds have been inflicted, suffering on many levels has been experienced, and there were times that giving up seemed the best idea. Simple Joys were nowhere to be found.

But deep down I dug to hold on to hope, trust in my Higher Power, and put a smile on my face. There are choices in life daily. I choose each day to look for the good in people, embrace the positive, and find my Simple Joys.

These are my personal lists of Simple Joys I post weekly.

I stumble, fall, get hurt, make mistakes, get angry, resentful, and pissy like the rest of the world. But I try each and every day to start over, put the smile back on my face, look for the good, give others kind words, and forgive others and myself.

Writing Simple Joys gives me a positive perspective on life. It forces me to count my blessings and stay focused on what is good.

I hope reading my Simple Joys inspires you to open your heart to yours. Whether you write yours down, say them out loud, or merely think of them, acknowledging your Simple Joys opens the door wider for ever more to find you.

Wishing you all a week filled with Simple Joys.

Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

Every week brings new challenges, different feelings, and the mundaneness of the same.

Life just is.

If we plan, God laughs.

If we give up we’re forced to keep going, and if we relax we are able to see the Simple Joys that exist all around.

There are Simple Joys for all – they are not for only one kind of person. We are all eligible for experiencing the Simple Joys that exist for us. It takes an open mind, a willing heart, and the smallest window of opportunity to allow Simple Joys to enter our lives.

And now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.

Maturity. My oldest child is a sixth grader experiencing his first year of middle school. He was assigned a project due a week after it was announced but my son was going to be camping with the Boy Scouts over the weekend severely limiting his time to work.

Although I was the one who suggested the schedule, my son dove into the assignment working on Friday after school and Sunday after the camping trip to finish the project – three days ahead of schedule.

This may seem like an inconsequential story, but it shows me the leaps and bounds my son has grown maturity-wise. I continue to see the flicker of manhood still being suppressed by the sweet young boy.

Watching my son blossom into a responsible student is a breath-taking Simple Joy.

Date Night. Opportunity presented itself for me to spend time alone with my middle child. He and I rarely find ourselves alone with one another as he has an older and younger sibling who are ever-present. But Friday night was our night.

From walking hand-in-hand to dining on dinner out and he ordering two desserts, my seven-year-old son and I bonded greatly over frozen yogurt and churros. We spent a great deal of time playing Legos and just talking. We’ve decided to do this much more often.

Discovering ever more about my middle son by actually spending quality time with him is a Simple Joy I plan to take advantage much more frequently.

The Girl. She is my appendage. She is my love. She is… so very spirited. And, a lot of the times, she is difficult. That’s probably more about me and the schedule I keep than her, but we struggle and I always feel guilty about it.

Over the weekend we were able to attend a function at her nursery school. As any parent knows, children act far differently away from home than they do at home. Watching my daughter in her element, reacting to adults differently than she does her father and me, was a complete treat.

My daughter followed directions the first time, was able to stand still, and was a delightful young lady the entire time we were there.

Realizing that my daughter is growing into an independent, thoughtful, and sweet child in public was a relief of a Simple Joy.

Working the Chase Race. Spending time online while NASCAR races are on is part of my job – a job I adore. Currently we are in the middle of our “play-offs” in Cup so each race is vastly important to who will be crowned champion in November.

Regardless of how many hang with me, I do my job if I’m home and able to do so. This past Sunday was so much fun the hours melted away and I felt I had made a whole new slew of friends! And what I love best of all is they are all so kind, sweet, and lovely to me.

Spending time at work with people who make me smile, blush, laugh, and think is a very rewarding Simple Joy.

My husband. I’m thinking of making this a permanent category on Simple Joys. Marriage works best when you think of yourself as a team – no one person more important, smarter, or stronger, just two parts of a whole.

Like any fallible human being I had forgotten how to work as a team for a while recently. Frustration, miscommunication, and stupidity ensued. I finally found my way back. I am so much better, stronger, smarter, and fierce as a part of our team than isolating on my own.

We were separated over the weekend for one night and a day and a half. It felt like an eternity to me. When we were finally able to decompress after the children were put to bed on Sunday night we just were together. Alone. And that is the single greatest Simple Joy of my week.

These are my obviously personal – and, perhaps to a readership, boring – Simple Joys. I write them to keep my perspective. I write them to keep gratitude in my life and keep negativity at bay.

As I mentioned earlier in the post, I am human and thus fallible. Writing Simple Joys keeps me on the path of thoughtfulness, thankfulness, as well as keeping me in the moment.

I hope that you take some time each week to think of, jot down, or at least visualize your Simple Joys. Once you do – no matter what life is throwing at you at the moment – you, too, will start experiencing Simple Joys regularly, unexpectedly, and happily.

Wishing you a week filled with Simple Joys.