I wrote most of this yesterday but didn’t feel comfortable sending out anything I wrote while being THAT tired. So here we are on a Wednesday, still working to make sure I didn’t say anything completely offensive or (too) weird. Here’s hoping:
I don’t always drink a second cup of coffee in the morning…but when I do, it’s because I’ve been up since 3am to catch the first flight out of Portland after visiting some of my favorite peeps. It was such a good trip that waking up at that insane hour was worth it.
I think.
(No really, it was worth it…but oh my stars, I’m so tired.)
I had no intention of making this Love Note about my trip but I find myself still thinking about it. I don’t know if I have the right words to explain how good it was. It was soul-filling kind of trip. But it was also a trip that made my “mama heart” and “sister heart” really happy. I loved getting to explore the city that my daughter now loves and getting to visit some of her favorite places. I love how happy she is there. I love how she’s settling in. I also loved that a few of us got to visit my sister this weekend as well. It felt so good to bring some of our family dynamic to “break in” the new house. And by “family dynamic” I of course mean: family chaos. (The best kind of chaos.) While my sister has had a few visitors so far…I don’t know, this weekend felt like we were paving the way for future (and bigger) family visits and getting the new place ready for that much joy.
I can’t decide if any of this makes sense but it felt important to share. Maybe because it feels important to remind myself that joy is going to look different in different seasons. And that might mean that we find joy in those new seasons, even when you miss your people so much, because you’re experiencing life with them in a new way. Or maybe it’s because you’re excited for them and their new big adventures.
It’s the both/and I can’t seem to move away from. I really miss them. I’m also really happy for them. Both of those things can be true at the same time.
So this is me, incredibly tired…but also so grateful for a trip that filled my soul and allowed me time with people I love.
Also, if this doesn’t end up making any sense, I will try again next week.
Have an amazing week…love you all!
✨Song of the Week!✨
This is just the mood I’m in…I can’t explain it. Let’s just go with it.
(For the full Ridiculous Joy playlist, click on the button below.)
✨JOY From the Internet!✨
Ok, let’s do this:
☀️I don’t know why this is so funny to me. But it is.
☀️I have seasons in my life where cooking (and knowing what to cook) is the worst. Full on terrible. So I felt this IN MY SOUL:
☀️Having said all that, recipes like this make me so happy. One pot meals, or equally easy recipes, are my love language. I love that you don’t even drain the water to make this (really tasty) macaroni and cheese. Also, I don’t know how I feel about sharing a recipe from the internet that brings me joy? This is new. Thank you for your support.
☀️And so now this tweet is about me:
☀️Also, this reel on water/hydration is not something I normally share but I found it super helpful. I like this “recipe” for morning hydration and you know what always makes me feel better? Hydrating. So joy in hydration. Or something.
☀️And now for something completely different:
☀️Also. Are we talking about Wordle here? Can we? Is this a safe Wordle space?
☀️I saw this post and it caught my attention. I think I have more to say about this with regards to joy…but for now, may we all take some time to address our tolerations:
☀️Also. I love California. And this made me happy.
✨Inexplicable Joy✨
Sometimes it’s just nice to save this space for processing some of the more faith related things…and how that impacts and enhances my joy. It’s always my hope that it enhances yours as well. But I’m starting with something from America’s Got Talent and no one is more surprised by this than me.
☀️Someone I follow shared about this beautiful soul, how she appeared on the AGT show and her outlook/message that kinda reminded me of what we try to do here on Ridiculous Joy. It kinda goes back to the both/and idea. Especially this video. And also her AGT audition. (Note: she passed away last week so sending prayers of comfort to her loved ones.)
☀️I felt like this was an important message of loving others well while still having boundaries. I dunno, maybe I just needed to be reminded:
☀️I liked this reminder:
☀️This is just so good:
☀️And this:
And finally, our daily prayer from the big book of prayers:'
Our Father
Train us to be faithful, Lord, and teach Your ways so our lives may reflect You, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Love you all…I hope you’re having an amazing week! See you on Friday for Tell Me Something Good! (9am, Friday, Instagram.)
❤️ Love, Jill
p.s. here’s a picture of my family on a rooftop in Portland. I know that I already mentioned we had an amazing time but I’m just gonna say it again: we had an amazing time. Thank you for letting me share.