Crafting Little Joys

Even the car ride to our homeschool community day, with four of our seven blessings loaded up, is busy. We rehearse each of their presentations, we drill their memory work, and go through all the new material once. Then as we’re almost arriving, there’s a stop light we always find red, and we pray while we wait. I pray for them to be respectful and preferring of their classmates. I pray for them to honor and obey their teachers. To listen and learn. But this week, in the midst of all of this mental and physical hustle, I saw beyond the road; I was struck by the beauty of a swath of fog lingering in the treetops. I recognized it as one of God’s many paintings, and the awe of it filled me with a sense of worship. My heart rejoicing in the wonder that He is not only the oxygen of my every moment, but He is the artistry of each moment too. Why my Tuesday morning story? Because we all need to find His pleasure and rejoice in it!

In the midst of daily rhythms and routines, we need to purpose to find and create small pleasures in our days. I know that you and I long to give our families our everything, but the discipline of reveling in moments will help us be faithful in our mundane. Motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint, and filling our hearts with little joys helps us persevere and thrive, not just cope. Here are some ideas of small things to help us craft little joys in our days:

~Write down an encouraging verse on a card (chalkboard?) and color a border or pretty flowers on it (some ideas at the end of the post)

~Light a seasonal candle

~Fill an essential oil diffuser with a calming blend (chamomile+lavender+sandalwood)

~Sneak a few minutes alone to make a batch of muffins or scones

~Brew a cup of coffee and enjoy it in a special mug

~Use a scented soap or gel in the shower

~Take a bath with salts for 10 minutes

~Flip through the pages of a lovely magazine

~Buy some flowers and split up the bouquet in small vases all over the house

~Sip an aromatic tea while enjoying your favorite view from a window

~Take a 10 minute walk

What about you? What would you add to this list that gives you that respite to savor?

You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John16:33

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

with love. Damaris

Family Currents

The enormous happening at our house this week was the visit of Spanish grandparents whom we call Yayo and Yaya! While my parents are here for a few days, we have a little something special planned for every day of their stay – birthday celebrations with cake and ice cream, multiple rounds of UNO, a Toys R Us visit, Arby’s lunch, hair curling, sewing projects, a petting farm, and sweetest of all, Nathan and I went on a date on his birthday! We will miss them so much when they fly back to Spain in a few days!!

We make a pot of this smooth tea almost everyday! It tastes especially delicious in the afternoons when we are all slowing down and begin to wish it was almost supper time! It is decaffeinated (perfect for the little guys) and a pleasant combination of spices. We always enjoy the tea with a little cream (or milk) and honey. It’s the best chai when served hot, warm, or iced! Is there a favorite family drink at your house?

Our girls love to fill the rooms with sweetness and joy! They delight to cut flowers and make rooms bright and cheery! Sweet Williams are the most picked lately since they have a brother with the same name -ha!

with love. Damaris

Family Currents

Sometimes we let the kids “camp out” on a Friday or not-to-busy week night. They beg to sleep in the living room all the time! The children talk and tell stories far into the night, and the boys’ voices are the last noises we hear before they’ve all fallen to sleep. Of course, in the morning, there is no waking them .

My heart bursts to see all my babies asleep together!

Yesterday was National Donut Day, and we made Old Fashioned Buttermilk Donuts! We doubled the recipe because they are so good! Now you know that donuts are a favorite treat at our house! Over the years, we have made several recipes, but this Williams-Sonoma one is the best-loved. Sometimes we have dipped them in a glaze (powdered sugar and milk) – probably the kids’ preference. It is also delicious to coat them with cinnamon-sugar while they are still very hot. These donuts reheat well the next day, and they can even be frozen to enjoy another time. I think you’ll love making them!

I never realized how much I appreciate color in nature until now that my children are charmed by it. Their fresh eyes are the first to notice a blue birds feather against the green grass or these red poppies “popping” along the fence row. – God’s gift of Spring is so captivating!

with love. Damaris