Joy Moments (6)

There are several things I could comment on for this post.  How to decide?  Since I mentioned both the Baptism and the shower in my Monday post, I thought I'd just post a picture this time that made me smile.

This was taken during the shower on Saturday.  These are two of my nieces, my sister's daughter on the right and my sister-in-law's daughter on the left.  The older one (5 years old) "adopted" the younger one.  When I saw this picture I couldn't help but smile.  They look so cute sitting under the tree in our front yard on one of the few really nice days we have had recently.

Did you have a Joy Moment (big or small) from this past week that you want to share?  Blog about it on your own blog and post the link to your post here in the comments section (and include a link in your own post back to this one).  Or, for those without blogs, share your Joy Moment in the comments here. Looking forward to hearing every one's Joy Moments!!

Joy Moments (5)

Ever since the surgery I had, almost 10 weeks ago now, my husband and I have not stayed after Mass on Sundays for any of the social events (doughnuts & coffee or the K of C pancake breakfast).  Our routine has consisted of Hubby dropping me off at the front door and going to park the car while I make my way down to the front pew.  After Mass he goes back to get the car and I slowly make my way back to the front door where Hubby picks me up.

But this week we stayed after Mass.  It was a nice change!!  Following Mass we headed over to the main hall where I made a quick stop in the restroom while Hubby went to get some doughnuts for us.  Some friends of ours were busy selling tickets for an upcoming event, so their three kids were sitting at an activity table coloring.  When I came into the hall their youngest, who is also my Goddaughter, came right over to me and gave me a big hug!!  Ah, so sweet!  She's not quite 4 years old and I think it might be the first time she has done that without any kind of prompting from one of her parents.  It warmed my heart!  She's such a cutie!!

Did you have a Joy Moment (big or small) from this past week that you want to share?  Blog about it on your own blog and post the link to your post here in the comments section (and include a link in your own post back to this one).  Or, for those without blogs, share your Joy Moment in the comments here. Looking forward to hearing every one's Joy Moments!!

Joy Moments (4)

Finding a Joy Moment from this past week was a bit difficult since I've also been fighting this cold (which is better, by the way, just not completely gone).  I have mentioned previously how I sometimes find this sort of thing difficult, right?  Yep ... one of those weeks.

But then I had an ultrasound yesterday and saw something that made me smile!!  Ultrasounds are amazing, but when you have them as often as I do they start becoming second nature.  Not that they aren't wonderful to watch and see the babies, but I have one of these almost every week or so (about every two weeks at the moment).  Yesterday, however, while watching the ultrasound we caught one of the babies moving it's mouth and it was obviously swallowing!!  Wow!!  How amazing is that!!  Both my husband and I noticed it.  It was so cool to see.

Did you have a Joy Moment (big or small) from this past week that you want to share?  Blog about it on your own blog and post the link to your post here in the comments section (and include a link in your own post back to this one).  Or, for those without blogs, share your Joy Moment in the comments here. Looking forward to hearing every one's Joy Moments!!

Joy Moments (3)

Spring is coming!!

My favorite tree in our yard starting blooming this week.  It is right outside our bedroom window.  A cherry tree that blooms in pink and a dark red color, kind of like a maroon.  These are the same colors that we had in our wedding!  It makes me smile every year when I see it start to bloom.  The colors change in a couple weeks, but for now, I'll enjoy looking out at my tree!!

Did you have a Joy Moment (big or small) this past week that you want to share?  Blog about it on your own blog and post the link to your post here in the comments section (and include a link in your own post back to this one).  Or, for those without blogs, share your Joy Moment in the comments here. Looking forward to hearing every one's Joy Moments!!

Joy Moments (2)

Time for Joy Moments!!  Want to participate?  Keep reading for more info!

I have two Joy Moments this week and they are related.  Both were this past Sunday.

First, the "big" Joy Moment was a baby shower hosted by my friends in the SHE group.  It was so nice to have a small, intimate shower and to be in such a joyful atmosphere!  It was probably one of the best showers I've ever been to.  Someone mentioned that same sentiment while we were together and everyone agreed.  I think for this group in particular having a shower where we all know each other, know each other's struggles, and have supported each other in those struggles just made everything so much more relaxing for everyone.  Not to mention, it was just so nice to have these girls share the joy of my pregnancy with me.  It brings tears to my eyes!!  Definitely a Joy Moment in my week!

As we were wrapping up the shower there was also a small Joy Moment when someone's husband stopped by with their daughter who is about 4 months old.  It put a smile on my face to see some of the girls making cute faces with the baby and eating her up.  Just so cute!!  I hope so much that there will be many more baby shower celebrations in the future for the girls in this group.

Did you have a Joy Moment (big or small) this past week that you want to share?  Blog about it on your own blog and post the link to your post here in the comments section (and include a link in your own post back to this one).  Or, for those without blogs, share your Joy Moment in the comments here. Looking forward to hearing everyone's Joy Moments!!

Joy Moments

Is it easy for you to find joy admist tough times?  Or are you like me and finding those bright spots in tough times is ... well ... tough?

What about joy in just the everyday?  Do you easily recognize those fleeting moments of joy admist the housecleaning, work, errands, diapers, etc.?  Or does the day go by and leave you feeling joy-less?

I don't always recognize those fleeting "joy moments" in the everyday.  And in terms of difficult circumstances, forget it.  I tend to get too wrapped up in the circumstances themselves and don't see those precious joy moments when they come.  No matter how small.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately.  I do think that no matter what is happening in someone's life it is important to still recognize those small moments of joy that can crop up unexpectantly.  For me, even when dealing with the loss of a pregnancy, there were moments of joy that I'm sure I didn't recognize at the time.

It's good for our health as well.  Just to smile one time can do a world of wonder for our bodies.  Not to mention our souls.  And I believe sharing those joy moments with friends can help lift up the spirits of those who are dealing with difficulties and aren't able to recognize their own joy moments.

I said above that I sometimes find it difficult to recognize what I call "joy moments."  And yet, when I hear other people's joy moments I start recognizing them in my life as well.

Joy moments don't have to be big, most likely they will be small.  A sunset that catches your attention; the mildew on a morning spiderweb on the back porch; your toddler smiling at you; hearing form a friend who you haven't talked to in a while; the cashier at the grocery store smiling and being polite when you've had a rough day.  If it brings a smile to your face, even for just a moment, that's a moment of joy!

Being on bedrest was what got me thinking about this.  One of my doctors talked to me about depression and while thinking about that possibility, this is what came to mind.  The best way to deal with endless days on the couch in the same room, is to recognize the little joys around me when they occur.

Now, I can't say I've been particularly successful at this.  But I am trying to keep it on my mind so that I will recognize the Joy Moments in my life.  So once a week (Tuesdays?), I plan on posting at least one Joy Moment.

But I also want to hear about your Joy Moment!!  You can leave a comment on my post, or post about your Joy Moment on your own blog and leave a link to the post in the comments here.  We'll see how far we can spread this, maybe if enough bloggers are interested we can look into adding a Mr. Linky or something.  But we'll start small for now.

So with that intro, my recent Joy Moment:

After Mass on Sunday a lady who I see every week but have never talked to approached me and asked when I was due.  She also asked for my name and said she would be praying for me.  I've been so touched by all the prayers and support from so many and it was even more touching to have a stranger approach me and offer to pray for us.  It made me smile and thank God for the wonderful people in my parish.

What is your Joy Moment?
Leave a comment or write about it on your own blog and leave a link to the post in the comments here.  Looking forward to sharing our Joy Moments!!