EnJOYing the Good Life

Like most women, I take on many roles in my life and on any given day and in any given role I experience joy.  Sometimes it is a flash, sometimes an overwhelming sense of contentment.  I’ve always said in a blended family like ours, one must savor small victories.  If you add up the flash, small victory and contentment, you get the “good life.”

It looks something like this….

Mommy Joy

• All five kids are up, clean, dressed, fed, homework complete and the last one steps on the yellow school bus.  Only to return hopping off the yellow school bus, bolting toward me arms wide open, bursting with the day’s details.
• Halloween costumes secured sooner rather than later.
• The sweet smell of baby shampoo, knowing I am never going back to “those days.”
• Ok, I admit it, finding the "sun" silly band.
• When all five kids choose hot lunch at school.

Step Mo Joy

• Having our children reference one another as brother and sister and not using the word“Step.”
• Having my (step) daughter text me (first) when a boy stated his interest.
• Affectionately being known as “Step Mo”

I am Woman Hear me Roar Joy

• Already having shoes that match.
• A bargain where the receipt is worthy of being posted on the frig.
• An uninterrupted shower.
• Catching “Jessie’s Girl” on the radio and belting it out like a 13 year old.
• The perfect cup of coffee – medium hazelnut, cream and one sweet and low.

Wife Joy

• Over hearing my husband talk about how wonderful I am to his mother.
• The sound sleep after a night of unforgettable love.
• A man and a plan, I love when my husband makes a plan and executes it!  It doesn’t matter what the plan - a financial plan, a household chores plan, a carpool plan, although my favorite plan is a vacation plan!

Professional Joy

• I was right.
• A new spiffy suit that makes me feel like the CEO.
• Making goal.

Friend, Sister, Daughter Joy

• Getting personal mail with silly stickers plastered all over the envelope.
• Being able to convey the story without having to explain the players, personalities or history.
• Club meetings at the mall (a.k.a. retail therapy)
• Unconditional love despite a bad hair day.

Life is good.  The hard part is being brave enough to embrace it and live in the moment with an open heart.  I know it can be a challenge, but let this post be a reminder.  What brings you joy? Tell me, the amazing SOY JOY company and my girl Scary Mommy, we would love to hear it.

This post is part of SOYJOY’s what brings you joy contest.  Learn more here.