You have helped us to make this space such a safe, warm, judgment-free place. So I know I’m in wonderful company when I share that this has been one of the hardest months I’ve had in years. We are all safe, healthy, well-fed, and together – so in truth (and I remind myself often) I have absolutely nothing to complain about. But sometimes you find yourself in a mental low spot, and dig yourself out by smiling with your people, feeling the heat of the sun on your face, and savoring as many 12-second hugs as you can fit in a day. The best part about low tide is that high tide is coming in the next wave. Sharing our November Joy Jolts in the hopes that it brings a smile your way:

And in full vulnerability, I’ll share that I wrote and deleted the intro several times. I love that The Well of Joy is just that – a source of all things well and wonderful. But though we pride ourselves in being joy seekers, we also recognize that the not-so-joyful days allow us to appreciate and wholly feel the scrumptious ones that much deeper. I’m also incredibly cognizant of the fact that most social media posts showcase someone’s highlight reel. And that’s exactly what you’ll see below; a few snapshots from my favorites folder in the last month. So it didn’t feel right to put out the highlights without sharing with you that there were some low moments, too. With that said, I found (and utilized) some magnificent tools to help re-train my focus to see the good, and I cannot wait to share those practices + protocols with you later this week. But first, the sweet people, places and purpose that felt like a warm slice of Grandma’s apple pie.

homeschool hero

I never thought we’d be a homeschool family but it has turned out to be the most wonderful gift! This kid is excelling in ways that continue to blow our minds, make us exceedingly proud, and oh so grateful for the extra time with him. It’s not without its challenges 😅, but man is it worth it.

This month we took a field trip for a personal tour of the Amazon distribution HQ (and a sneak peek of the robotics they use), had countless trips to the library, a cool weekly science program at the museum, and lots of picnics and park clean-ups.

celebrating milestones

Grey is working through his curriculum so fast he’s no longer technically a second-grader. We celebrated moving up in math and moving up again in reading with a trip to his favorite race car track. He and Jon both took first place in their respective races, and I dominated in laser tag 😆. Suffice it to say, no one wants to play with me again. I won for best overall shooter (by 4,000 shots), and most trigger happy. We had a blast!

scheduling spontaneity

We had the fixings for s’mores in the cupboard for so long and kept putting it off because the timing just didn’t work for every which reason. This weekend we had a Yes Day of sorts where we took Grey to a Christmas village, rode the rides, played the games and ended the night with campfire treats. His smile is pure Heaven.

If you’re feeling like all you’re seeing are happy moments across your feed and you’re the only person on the planet feeling lonely or sad or worried this holiday season, know that you aren’t alone, and it is absolutely normal to feel the ebb and the flow of emotions, especially this time of year. I’m saying a prayer and sending lots of love your way. There is *always* a reason we can find to be grateful, and the best part is, we usually don’t have to look very far to find it. Wishing you a well + joyful week ahead 💙