Finding Joy

Do you ever feel bogged down? Like you don't have time to take 2 minutes to just sit down and breathe? There are many things that demand our attention every day and before we know it a week, month, and even a year has passed. And what do we have to show for it? Stress, headaches, bills, etc.

I've been depressed the last couple of months. I've been feeling alone, tired, and like a robot just going through the motions of life. I work 2 jobs and not being home very often is starting to get to me. Now don't get me wrong- I am a person who doesn't like to sit still. I love being on the go and staying busy. But I miss out on a lot of things with my family and I'd rather be staying busy while having fun with them. And when I am home I'm often tired and grumpy. So I'm starting to find joy in the simple things. I'm going to make the most of the time we do get to spend together.

We haven't been having very many home cooked meals lately. At least not by me. I'm either working nights so Sidney cooks for Jack or I whip up something quick. Sometimes I'll even pick something up on the way home. I used to cook good dinners and I want to go back to doing that when I'm home.

Last night I enlisted Jack's help and made him my sous chef. "What am I called again, mommy?" He asked more than once. :)

I made spaghetti for the boys and spaghetti squash for myself with a yummy meat sauce for both.

Jack washed and cut the mushrooms, peeled and cut the carrots, helped dump the ingredients into the pan, and stirred. He also helped with the spaghetti squash, getting all the seeds out. He put them into a container and wants to plant them so I won't have to buy more. I can just pick them from the spaghetti squash tree that will grow. If only it worked that way! :)

I have a picture of myself around the same age peeling carrots at the kitchen sink. I'll have to find it!

It was a great dinner that everyone enjoyed. After we cleaned up and got ready for bed, Jack and I played a couple games and just relaxed a bit. So simple. I'm trying to take the time to enjoy the small, simple joys in life.

Laundry needs to be done, stuff put away, and bags unpacked (from a trip that occurred over a week ago!). But the kitchen is clean and, thanks to Sidney, the floors are vacuumed. The rest can wait until the weekend.

Today, don't worry about the dishes, laundry, floors, etc. Enjoy your family. Do something fun. Find joy. And when you do, hold on to it and never let go.