“Mama, Mommy, Good Morning Mom, Moommm, and a text that starts off with “Hey Mahmm, do you think you could…!” These are the beautiful sounds of words that I wake up to on a typical morning when everyone is home! Yes, I say beautiful in a snarky kind of way, but I enjoy the melody of it all! I know that one day everyone will be all grown up and living their own respective and “respectful lives” and I will miss it. I even imagine that I will cry because of the loneliness one may feel as a future empty nester. Hubby on the other hand thinks of the wonderful perks of traveling, more dates nights, spoiling future grandbabies and sending them back home to their parents. I get it, but it makes me want to really be present and enjoying these little moments.  For example, this morning we had a three-year-old meltdown of wearing a dress vs. wearing a skirt. I truly didn’t have time to debate or coddle because I had to get her to a doctor’s appointment. And let’s not talk about all the paperwork that we had to fill out once we got there. In addition, I was not being able to get complimentary copies of the signed documents, smh! The morning just seemed like one long event (it was a teacher workday, so no school), flowing into lunch, naptime, dinner, practice, bath time, bedtime (Good Night) and repeat! How are your mornings?

When you’re off to a great start to your goals, there may come a moment when you just can’t. I mean really just can’t. Can’t get out of bed, can’t brush your teeth, can’t breathe, just can’t do anything; even the simplest of things. You wonder what your purpose is, if what you think it is, is accurate? You wonder if you’re actually doing a great job at anything because you can see so much of your imperfections. But have faith, that there are ways to find your joy! I found that if ever I am feeling like the above, it’s usually because I am tired and the same goes for the LTLF crew. We’re so much better, when we get much needed rest, eat good foods, exercise (even if it’s just a walk around the block) and have some self-care! Then as a crew we’re so much better together (can you say Family Night!), because we’ve gotten the essentials to help us be our best selves. One of the best (small) joys I have had lately which is what some may call a guilty pleasure; is saving my special sweet treats for Saturday night (which is date night)! My favorite lately has been Lidl’s bakery made peanut butter cookies. The joy of walking into a well-lit store, picking out my fresh baked peanut butter cookies, standing on my social distance spot and thinking about how I am going to go home warm them up and watch a really good movie, sofa-side with the hubby, just brings so much joy to my heart…. Ahhhh it’s the little things! What’s your joy? Maybe I could add it to my regimen!