[multiplying] joy. This work began with Gary (my husband) and I thinking that it might be nice to go back to the hospital where we spent many months beside our daughter, Mattea, and make the load a little lighter for other families that were there. We brought food...who doesn't love free food?! We thought... One less meal to think about One less decision to make One less burden for families Little did we know that our joy would be multiplied. We learned the meaning of give joy. feel joy. as...
3 months ago • 3 min read
[autumn] joy. Can you feel the cadence of life slowing as we enter fall? I can! Crisp air and early evenings give my body a signal that it's ok to put the pjs on sooner, cut the to-do list shorter, and find something good to pop into the oven (I made banana bread this past week - I think the smell made me as happy as the taste! I couldn't find my favorite recipe online, but here's one that is pretty close that has lots of rave reviews if you need one). Slowing down also gives me space (like...
about 1 year ago • 2 min read
[book] joy. books. My love of books runs deep. There is something special about the smell of a bookstore and the thrill of experiencing a new adventure or idea that will shape who I am becoming within a book. Equally, I love the feeling of creating something new! This book launch party invite that I am sharing with you above is "hot off the press" and it was an item on my to-do list today that made my heart leap a bit with excitement. I bet you have things that you create day to day that make...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
The interior of the dome of the Duomo in Florence, Italy [cathedral] joy. I have been privileged to see more than a few cathedrals. I studied abroad in Spain during college and passed by a stunning cathedral nearly each day at the city center and had the opportunity to visit many on our weekend trips around Spain and sometimes beyond. One of the classes I took was art history and we would wander the streets of Granada each week learning about the styles of architecture and art that emerged at...
over 1 year ago • 3 min read
[Target] joy. Sometimes life gives you the best news in the middle of Target. Life keeps moving despite the challenging times and the best of times. I received some really awesome news this past week while standing in my local Target store - Cooper's tumor pathology (our son undergoing Cancer treatment for Osteosarcoma) came back as responding really well to chemo (95% great to be exact!). I cried. happy tears! I called Gary to celebrate from the car. People kept moving along around me and...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
[tidy] joy. It feels a bit like spring today (at least where I live - it was nearly 60 degrees). That may have contributed to my thoughts about simple ideas that may spur on a bit of early spring cleaning, or at least a little less cluttered angst. There is joy in having great systems and less “extra” - sometimes that means literal things and often it’s simply too much noise or items in your calender or to do list. Either way, it’s clutter that is hindering you from living the life you love...
over 1 year ago • 3 min read
[practice] joy. January is the month that I have to work hardest to feel joy. I think it has always been this way...the typically post-holiday lull, very little daylight hours, and don't forget the cold (I do live in a place that the wind likes to hurt my face in January). However, it has been accentuated since 2010 when Mattea passed away in late January of that year. The abundance of December can often accentuate the dimness of January. Don't worry, this isn't a "Debbie Downer" of a post...
over 1 year ago • 5 min read
[merry] joy. Merry Christmas! Regardless of how you celebrate this Christmas season, I would love to share my heartfelt gratitude to you for all that you do to support Mattea's Joy. So many of you have shown up this year for us by doing everything from liking and sharing social media posts to donating your time, talent, and treasure. It all means so much. There is power when many people show up with what they have to give. I have extra gratitude this Christmas for the birth of Jesus Christ....
almost 2 years ago • 2 min read
[present] joy. I really love words. I think they hold more power and opportunity than we often give them merit for - we can affect others and the world around us with words...for both good and bad. Have you ever pondered the thought that the word present is used to describe both "a gift" and "a time occurring now". I know in our family we definitely talk about presents a bit more than usual around the holiday season and I find it kind of cool that it is the same word we use for being where we...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
[giving] joy. give joy. feel joy. is our motto. When you give joy to others, it's an almost guarantee that you'll feel it come back to you. Sometimes it comes in ways you don't expect, but I have found it's nearly a guarantee. If you're looking for a fun way to share joy in small ways this season, check out the Kindness Randomizer for ideas. I LOVE it! One of the best parts of inviting more community into our headquarters to serve with us this past year is that more individuals have had the...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read