Category Archives: Joy in the Journey

The Things We Leave Behind

Have you ever felt stuck? I have. Last winter was one of those times when I found myself searching for a catalyst. I knew I wanted to make some changes in my life, but I needed a push. The idea of Newton’s first law of motion kept coming to my mind: An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. I felt like I was “at rest” but not in a peaceful way: I felt like I was stuck in a rut and needed a “force” to get me moving again in the right direction.

“I should be eating better, but it is so much more simple to stick with my routines and the meals that I know…”

“I want to get more sleep, but then I get the boys to bed each night and fall right back into the temptations of watching tv or trying to get more done than I can possibly accomplish in one night…”

“I think I’d like to downsize our ‘stuff’ but I don’t know where to begin…”

Sound familiar to you? I hope I’m not alone.

Well, last winter, as I was once again contemplating the appeal and mystery of minimalism; I was reminded of an old song by Michael Card (and yes, I’m sufficiently embarrassed by the confession that I was ‘just thinking’ about a Michael Card song from 1994…) that my sisters and I once sang at a Good Friday service. The song, titled “Things We Leave Behind,” told the story of the original disciples walking away from the lives they had always known to follow Jesus in a radically new life. And it challenged us, as Christians today, to give up the things in our lives that weigh us down us with a simple, repeated chorus challenging us to find freedom in Christ–in the things we leave behind.

“It’s hard to imagine the freedom we find from the things we leave behind.”

The chorus of the song,” It’s hard to imagine the freedom we find from the things we leave behind.” ran through my head over and over. It was the calling card of minimalism: but more. As I reflected on the lyrics to this song, I realized that there is freedom from downsizing and change. But even more importantly, there is freedom in the catalyst behind those changes: in the direction that you are moving and the one you are following.

And as I remembered that Good Friday service from years ago, I found the impetus I had been looking for. Although I grew up in the church, I had never before “given up” anything for lent. But this year would be different: I would embrace lent as a time to “give up” my stagnant holding pattern. I desired a lenten journey that would prepare my heart for Easter and prepare me to experience change and motion in the right direction.

And because the idea was more about “giving up” habits and holding patterns than one specific thing, I decided to hold myself accountable in a simple lenten journal. My journey was simple and, in fact, freeing.

My daily lenten goals were uncomplicated and three-fold: first, I needed to make God a priority in this journey through prayer, Bible reading, reflection. Second, I would strive to do one thing to de-clutter my house each day (clean a kitchen drawer, fill a box of clothes to donate, etc.)–my task did not need to be large, but it did need to be something that went beyond the “normal” daily tasks of housekeeping such as doing the dishes or folding the laundry. And third, I needed to do something to, in essence, de-clutter myself each day. The first week, I drank 8 or more cups of water each day. The second week, I kept that up and managed to get 7 hours of sleep each night (and, yes: sleeping more than 6 hours a night was a MAJOR accomplishment).

As a form of accountability, I made a simple journal to keep track of those things I was changing in our home and in my overall lifestyle each day. And that’s the real reason for this post.

This week, we enter the season of lent again. And, once again, I find myself longing for a time to refocus my direction and to be moved to…move. I desire to find freedom from things left behind. And I’m inviting you to join me. I’m attaching the simple Lenten Journal I created to guide my journey, and I am encouraging you to use it if this idea speaks to you and your heart as well. Make it your own and I pray that you might also find freedom and joy in your journey and in the things you leave behind.

 

EDIT March 17, 2019 to Include:

Lent Calendar 2019

cropped-img_3259.jpg

All the life in between…

The beginning of the school year always feels like a whirlwind. For at least six weeks; beginning in mid-August, there is no way to catch your breath until the first week of October. And then that breath is usually more of a gasp for air than a steady intake of the life-giving stuff. And I LOVE my students and I love what I do and this is not about all the time I don’t have—rather, it is about all the time I don’t want to miss.

As summer comes to an end, I am always filled with a sense that all the fun is coming to an end. And, in a sense, many of the things I love about summer simply can’t continue year-long. Leisurely breakfasts with my boys, spontaneous mid-day trips to the zoo, luxuriously quiet mid-morning trips to the grocery store, and spur of the moment trips to visit a friend need to make way for structures and schedules and school. In our house, two teachers and two little scholars (preschool and first grade) mean school nights are serious and school mornings are no joke! Our summers are luxurious and afford us endless times together as a family—the school year cuts that down to about two hours a day in which we need to eat, do homework, and accomplish  all the other chores and joys of life. I am grateful for our summers and aware of how blessed we are to have them—but I still mourn the loss of my family time each fall.

And every year, I try to remind myself that school starting doesn’t mean our family time needs to end: that following my life’s calling by day doesn’t mean I need to abandon my life’s calling by night.

I am always looking to document the joy in my journey: I am constantly photographing this adventure called life. And last Monday I took a pic of my boys mid a hectic post-school grocery run and thought: “There it is! These are the moments that make our life together ours. We might only have a few hours together as a family today, but these are the hours we’ll remember.” So this past week, I decided to intentionally document proof of my life outside of the school day.  I kept taking a picture a day for perspective—and I found that I had a lot of living and loving to do outside of my work days.


I recognize that I have the luxury of spending my summers and weekends with my family, but I also get to live the exhausted realities of every day life with them as well.

Tuesday’s image, enjoying a popsicle while wrapped in a blanket, made me smile and is not unlike the daily work-life balancing act. It can be a balancing act and a challenge to find enjoyment in the little things (like a popsicle on the porch); especially if the moment comes with logistical challenges (such as wrapping a blanket around you to make the night a bit less autumnal and a bit more reminiscent of summer). But it is worth the work to find that balance. And, often, the challenge isn’t in the work of manipulating logistics but rather it is in the art of perception: in simply acknowledging the joys that are already there and in the moments waiting to be found good.

Small Moments and Big Rocks

Tonight, my boys were wound up and bouncing a bit more than usual. And after I made the, “We need to start getting ready for bed,” announcement, my 4.5 year old wound up even tighter. But then he looked at me with sincere eyes and said, “Mom, I know what will calm me down: The BIG Rock.”

The BIG Rock, as it is formally known at our house; is a sizable rock that sits in the last yard, at the end of our block. It is the agreed upon turn-around-point for boys who are adventuring down the sidewalk on their Big Wheels and scooters, and it has been a favorite stop on family walks since the boys were old enough to ride along in a stroller.

“I think we need to walk to The Big Rock, Mom. That will help me calm down for bed.”

I started to say, “Maybe tomorrow;” but then I caught myself before the words came out. I chose, instead, to embrace this small moment with my little man: to find joy in the not-always-joyous struggle of bedtime.

Me and My Kai Walking

As we began to walk, Kai held my hand and snuggled up to my side. He rambled off a play-by-play of each crack in the sidewalk, each bump he likes to ride over, and nearly infinite knowledge of each spot along the way. As we neared the end of the block, Kai announced proudly: “It’s coming, Mom!”

And when we arrived at The BIG Rock, he jumped up onto the rock with fanfare. He gave me a grin, declaring: “And now I will sit on The BIG Rock. And YOU will take my picture!”

I laughed as I fumbled to pull out my phone and snap a few pics: happy for this moment together. And then, as quickly as he jumped up on the rock, he jumped back down and we walked home hand-in-hand.  And though the moment was brief, it was special.

Kai on Rock Color

The walk home was a little quieter as Kai tried to catch his shadow among the numerous looooooong shadows of the late, summer evening.

And even though he wanted to race me up the sidewalk to our door, he remained amazingly calm once we walked through it. He greeted Patrick with a smile and a snuggle, and he gave us NO arguments as I escorted him up to bed. After a hug and a kiss, he snuggled into his bed, and he was asleep within moments of laying down.

I found myself still grinning about our trip to The BIG Rock for sometime after Kai went to bed, and it made me ponder our small moment with that BIG Rock…

Maybe The BIG Rock has calming powers after all! Or maybe we’d all sleep better if we could stop and find joy in those tiny moments of connection that are often so easy to pass up because we are busy, or because they don’t follow our set schedule for the day.

And so, once again, I find myself challenged to find joy in my journey. I find myself thanking God for these sweet boys who challenge me and inspire me. And as the sweet, quiet moments of tonight give way to the frustrations and challenges that will inevitably find their way back into my day, I challenge myself to find joy in a BIG Rock or a short walk tomorrow. And, just as Kai leaned into me, may I lean into my Heavenly Father’s embrace as I try to find my way there.

Kai on Rock B&W

May we all find joy in a BIG Rock or a short walk; in a chosen moment of joy today!

 

A Fair Amount of Joy

Going to the fair!

Off to the fair!

Yesterday, we went to the Minnesota State Fair. It is an important tradition for my husband, our friends, and now for our boys as well. It comes the 10 days before Labor Day each year; signaling the end of summer. But even as summer comes to an end, it is a day of putting aside school year anxieties and living in the moment: the excitement and fun that is the fair. Rather than mourning the loss of summer, it is a day of being thankful for all the fun we’ve had over the summer and a day for looking forward to trips to the apple orchards, decorating Christmas trees, new challenges, potential changes, and to all the other adventure that will come between this time and the time the fair will roll again next year. It is a time and a place of joy for me and for my family.

HLDG6313

Can you see our joy?!?! 🙂

The fair is also a place of reflection; of remembering those who have gone with us in the past who are absent from us now. A time and place to acknowledge how things have changed since last year, five years ago, or the first year that Patrick and I explored the fair together. That first year, 18 years ago, we joined his parents for a long and fun day at the fair: just beginning our college careers, new in our relationship, and dreaming ahead to what the future of fair-going might bring for us: days like today with our family of four a distant dream that we could have never even begun to imagine.

IMG_3543

Our double-decker stroller full of awesome!

Sometimes when I see a group of college age “kids”milling around the fairgrounds, I marvel that I have left that pack and have joined the ranks of the stroller-wielding set. Life changes. Life is not always easy. But as I reflect on where we are in this moment, life feels good.

 

The fair is full of fun and friends and FOOD. And this year, we had the added challenge of going dairy-free. This has been an on-going quest for our family, and while we have embraced the benefits, it is still a dietary lifestyle that we are learning to embrace as our own. So as we adventured through our fair day, I felt like this might be a good opportunity to try out my blog as a spot to share a glimpse into our dairy-free journey; as well as provide a peak into a day that we love so well. I’ve toyed with the idea of keeping a more journal-like blog…so I’m claiming this opportunity to give it a go.

Here is our day. Here is our fair and our food and our friends and our family. Enjoy.

Our day started nice and early, and we started the day as we so often do…with PBS Kids 😉

Keilan also had the opportunity to “meet” a favorite celebrity at the fair…

IMG_3539

Yep, my kid is a Bob Ross fan 😉

IMG_3550

 

Before we could get too far, we needed to stop for
breakfast. And for my guys, the day does not officially begin without a corn dog. And not just any corn dog will do…oh no. They need the 15 inch monsters from Big Dog Corndogs. They were not disappointed with this delicious (and to the best of my knowledge, dairy free) start to their day. And I was pleased that they really never asked for food again 😉

IMG_3563

My dairy-free breakfast of choice: walleye-cakes. Awesome.

After our first foods and a little wandering to gain our state fair bearings, we began exploring all the fair has to offer…

We made plans for post-training-wheel antics on our bikes,IMG_3557

IMG_3570

and bought Icees…for the kids 😉

The boys were adorable little farm hands and sweet, little firefighters too…

IMG_3578

IMG_3582When asked, “Who wants to look at cars?” Kai enthusiastically raised his hand and waited patiently until someone took him to the cars ♥

IMG_3589

A large part of what makes fair day so sweet are the friends who join us in our adventures. Paul joined us for the entire day. He even tolerated our non-dairy approach to the fair this year; even though he has been a faithful sharer of all things dairy in the past: cheese curds, Sweet Martha’s cookies, Cinna-Minnies… But he joined us anyway and we shared garlic fries instead. And I LOVE this picture I took of Uncle Paul and Keilan: aka Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox 🙂

IMG_3598

Part of what makes this picture great is that they TERRIFIED a poor man who happened to be walking by this unassuming poster when it looked at him and smiled…I laughed. SO. HARD.

11891131_10153123691916033_427196477564743646_nLaura and Yardley, somehow I missed a good picture of you this year! Though this one from last year will always be priceless 😉 We loved having you join us for the day! The boys especially appreciate Yardley’s willingness to be silly with them 🙂

Around the time that Laura and Yardley joined us, it was time for a trip to the fine arts building. If there is anything to know about Keilan the 5.5 year old, it is that he loves animals, and he was loving the fine arts building this year: “Mom, will you take a picture with this one?!?!”

Another highlight of the fair, is the parade. It is a great excuse to sit for a while in the middle of the day, and the boys LOVED it.

IMG_3611

Waiting for the parade to start.

Kai was especially excited by the parade this year. He took his job as parade-goer very seriously. Here is a picture of him simultaneously waving and blowing kisses to each float, band, and giant cow that passed by…IMG_3612

The parade route landed us right next to some sports-tastic entertainment, and it seems that the Minnesota sports teams were on a mission to make us feel small this year…

IMG_3608

Keilan the Viking in a GINORMOUS helmet

IMG_3615

Kai trying out Karl-Anthony Towns’ size 20 footprints

The taxidermied animals made our little animal-lover’s day, and he was VERY willing to pose with each and every one of them. For most of the day, “The hyena butt,” was his favorite part of the fair.

While we lost Keilan to his wild side; Kai fell asleep.

IMG_3616

This was also when Katie joined our group. Again, I am so grateful for these friends in my life…and in our family’s life. The boys were thrilled to share the adventures of the fair with Auntie K, and she made it just in time for the tour of the barns!

IMG_3632

This was a sweet moment between Keilan and his Auntie K…until someone came to empty the garbage can and doused Keilan and Katie with the liquid contents of the bag :/ At least they’ll have a story to tell for future years at the fair?!?!

IMG_3637

I LOVE them!!!

IMG_3780.JPG

After a few more snow cones and Icees, we adventured past the DNR pond and through the reptile building…

IMG_3650

The fish pond has always been a favorite of mine…and it has always been a favorite of our little men as well. The reptile building was a new adventure this year, and it was also VERY well received by our animal-loving guys ❤

IMG_3657

I call this one: Godparents and Reptiles…So glad to have such amazing friends with!

 

IMG_3667.JPG

Coconut latte and vegan scone? YES! Thank you, French Meadow Bakery. That was EXACTLY what I needed to power through the last couple hours of the fair 😉

After a few more state fair favorites (the godparents sneaking cheesecurds while the boys and I shared a vegan scone…), it was time to visit the giant vegetables. I’m not sure why, but this is quite possibly my favorite part of any fair day…IMG_3668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It took us a while to make it through the horticulture building because Kai likes to stop and smell ALL the flowers…and Keilan has a knack for finding ALL the animals 🙂

Kai does NOT forget to stop and smell the roses (or any flowering plant…)
Animals? Keilan will find them!
Keilan stared at these “bird pictures” for a loooong time 🙂

After plants, it was time for rides. And we started out BIG: monster truck big.IMG_3691IMG_3689I think it is safe to say that Kai LOVED the monster truck ride… 

IMG_3699.JPG

Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! That. Was. TASTIC!!!

After we left the fair, Auntie K asked each of the boys what their favorite part of their day had been. Both replied without hesitation: Kai’s favorite part of the fair was, “The rides, ” and Keilan’s was right here: “The jungle train.” ❤

IMG_3708.JPG

And since we don’t do the fair without the coupon book…and Winky the Whale always tends to feature in the coupon book…And Winky the Whale has palm trees, orcas, AND bubbles; the boys were excited for this fair day tradition 🙂

Winky the Whale 2016
11889612_10153126775256033_7025922270610419936_n

Just for fun: Winky the Whale 2015

10614312_10152340499856033_8404289872117392342_n

And Winky the Whale 2014

After rides, we were all dragging, and it was clearly almost time to roll on home, but we couldn’t resist a few more moments of fun…

IMG_3737

Katie and I finally got our annual state fair pic together…at Cambria of all places 😉

We typically end our day with Sweet Martha’s chocolate chip cookies…and I wasn’t sure how I was going to dairy-free my way out of that one. But the boys decided that mini-donuts sounded good and the day was saved! And then we got distracted by cotton candy before we found the mini-donuts and that was just as sweet 😉

And just like that, our day came to an end. So with our bellies full of sugar, our bodies exhausted from the day, and our hearts full; we loaded our bus and headed home.

So long for now, Minnesota State Fair! See you again in 2017!!!

 

 

 

 

Pancakes and Snuggles

Last night Patrick and I made a list of things we needed to do today. It was a list full of talking to insurance, maintaining bank accounts, making appointments, and running other duty-filled errands. While we started writing out our list, Kai got his own piece of paper and carefully began “listing” all of the things he wanted to do this summer: his “summer plan.”

Kai’s Summer Plan 😍

He carefully listed items out loud before meticulously adding each “idea” to his “plan.” Unlike our list of “have-to’s,” his list was thoughtfully simple and spoke of a three-year-old’s desire for the sweetness of life. He started with seeing dinosaurs at the MN Zoo (an activity he enjoyed a few weeks ago and is anxious to repeat again). Then after some quiet consideration, he excitedly added, “Pancakes at the pancake restaurant!”He carefully set to work adding pancakes to his list while chattering away; describing just how good they would be. I smiled while I listened; smiled at his wildest dreams being fulfilled with a trip to Perkins. If only we could all find so much joy in such simple things!

His list continued for a while, and then he stood up; as though hit with his best inspiration yet, and declared the single word: “Snuggling!”  He even ran over for a quick snuggle before adding it to his list. It was a quality list. And when he got ready for bed, both of our lists were set aside for the adventuring of the following day.

Today we were very productive. Patrick and I managed to cross many items off of our necessary/house-keeping list. And then this evening, Kai reminded us of his list. So we decided to leave the house mid-chores, grabbed a couple of friends, and went out to “the pancake restaurant for pancakes.” The delight was visible on Kai’s face when they brought him his plate, and he ate two or three times what he normally eats at mealtime. We all enjoyed our meals; seasoned with the joy on the small one’s face. 💕

Excited for pancakes! 😋


Today we were productive. Today we took time to enjoy the simple things; like pancakes with sprinkles.

Tomorrow we’ll continue through life’s lists: through the “have-to’s” and the fun stuff too. And I encourage you to do the same. Be productive. Cross things off your list. And remember to enjoy the pancakes and snuggles along the way 💕

April Showers

This morning, I was thoroughly dismayed to see snowflakes floating down from a winter-grey sky. Spring in Minnesota can be trying at best: warm and hopeful one day, cold and unrelenting the next. This week has felt like winter.

This week was my Gramie’s funeral.

This week has been long.

This week has been hard.

This week has felt bleak.

Today, as they do so many times, my boys helped me see past my dismay: to remember the joy that is in the journey. The joy that is in transition; even this looooong transition from winter to summer.

As I scrambled to get our things ready for school/daycare/work, my boys ran out into the yard. My impatience with their disregard for coats or reminders to “wait for me,” vanished as I heard them giggle and squeal in delight.

“Momma! I did it! I did it!” Kai screamed as I caught up to them; “We caught snow on our tongues!!!” 

His grin was both gleeful and lopsided, as his tongue was still sticking out; and he waved frantically at his brother who was also spinning around the front yard with his face to the sky. Their delight made me stop.

And laugh.

And pull out my camera.

Because these are the moments I want to embrace and to remember. 

This morning I thought it was the snow that was to blame for my feelings of dismay, but that isn’t true. The dismay was my own. The snow was easily asking for laughter and delight; it didn’t taunt me, it was not willing me towards angst. On Christmas morning I would have found it beautiful, even magical; so why not today?

Why not every day? There are times in life that aren’t easy. There are weeks like this one when there is time to mourn. Ecclesiastes chapter three tells that there is a time for mourning and a time for laughing. Both have a place. But today the laughter of my boys challenged me to resist getting stuck. To remember that even though I might be anxious to move past winter, I shouldn’t miss the joy that it could still hold for me while it remains here.

To embrace the heart of a child.

And to find the ability, when April brings snow showers, to catch them gleefully on my tongue.

  

Each Day is an Adventure

14 years ago, on the weekend after Thanksgiving,  Patrick took me on a romantic stroll through downtown St. Paul, “To see the Christmas lights.” We had a wonderful time walking through the wintery wonderland that is Rice Park in November, we sat and admired the towering Christmas tree and marveled at the gorgeous Landmark Center, and we ended our evening under the twinkling lights of the Riverfront Park.

And then he proposed.

And I said, “Yes.”

Last night, after a particularly hectic outing to Target with two toddlers in tow, the boys warmed our frazzled hearts with their very audible admiration of each set of Christmas lights that we passed along the way. The lights that adorned homes, yards, and businesses brought cheers and applause from the backseat as we journeyed home.

And then, rather than head home, we drove downtown as a family.  We admired those same lights that Patrick and I had admired 14 years ago this weekend, and the boys marveled at the, “Biggest Christmas tree in the entire world.”

Photo Nov 27, 8 24 44 PM

The “Biggest Christmas Tree in the Entire World.” ❤

We all enjoyed the beauty of the drive, and a “tricky” family outing turned into a sweet memory.

And, just as I am every day, I was so grateful and glad that 14 years ago, Patrick proposed; and I said, “Yes.”

Not everyday feels like a romantic stroll through a wintery wonderland, but each day is an adventure.

And I’m grateful to have someone by my side who helps me look for joy in this journey of ours; even in “ordinary” times. Someone who reminds me, when I become overwhelmed by the anxieties of life, to trust God with all my heart and to not rely on my own understandings (Proverbs 3:5,6). Someone who has learned alongside me that our best-laid plans are often usurped by God’s plans–and that His plans are better than our own. Someone who views our home as a place that we have been blessed with; a place that we should in turn use to bless others whenever we can. And someone who extends grace to me time and time again; inspiring me to extend grace to others as well.

Thanksgiving is a time to remember all you have to be thankful for. Today I’m grateful for a husband who journeys with me, looking for joy, “In good times and the bad.”

May this season also inspire you to be thankful, to extend grace, and to find joy in your journey. ❤