love/joy // 10

In college, a friend and I committed to "keeping love and joy alive" by paying tribute to the ideals themselves. Whenever we got together we would "love/joy"- share one way we'd experienced love and one way we'd experienced joy that day. Even on the worst of days, we could still dig and find these things to be true: we are loved & we experience joy. Here are mine for this week:

love//

We are face to face with another pile of transitions, including our approach to childcare. In the interim we are grateful to accept the help of friends and family, including my dear mother who drove 2 hours each way just to spend the day with Alice yesterday. In short, because of Linda's generosity, I felt loved, Alice felt loved, Jake felt loved. Lotsa love.

joy//

Early this morning I loaded a sleepy Alice into the car and drove through morning congestion to our friends' home. Soon after we walked in, Alice climbed onto our friend's lap and when I got up to leave, she gave me a contented wave goodbye. The drive stunk, but that happy little wave made it well worth it. Leaving your baby with someone you trust=joyjoyjoy. 

Have a love/joy weekend, folks.

love/joy 1-9

love/joy // 9

In college, a friend and I committed to "keeping love and joy alive" by paying tribute to the ideals themselves. Whenever we got together we would "love/joy"- share one way we'd experienced love and one way we'd experienced joy that day. Even on the worst of days, we could still dig and find these things to be true: we are loved & we experience joy. Here are mine for this week:

love//

Oh man folks, sometimes it is just one thing after the next. And I'm left going seriously? Really?? One more thing!? My skin feels thin and my spine a bit wobbly. I'm worn. Jake is not a profuse man- a "man of few words," as they say- but today, after one more thing tumbled onto our plate, he sent me these words: "You're a great strong wife...I'm so thankful for you and the mother you are to Alice." 

joy//

We laugh about things, for certain, despite challenges that hit our plate. Every other Wednesday, just about, we gather with a small, quirky group from our church in a comfortable living room just a few miles from our own. I most enjoy their enjoyment of Alice and the laughter I hear Jake share with these people we are getting to know slowly and sincerely. We talk tangentially and we laugh quickly. I take joy from it, for certain, and I miss it on the off weeks. It is a quirky group, but more truly it is a warm and joyful one.

love/joy 1-8

love/joy // 8

In college, a friend and I committed to "keeping love and joy alive" by paying tribute to the ideals themselves. Whenever we got together we would "love/joy"- share one way we'd experienced love and one way we'd experienced joy that day. Even on the worst of days, we could still dig and find these things to be true: we are loved & we experience joy. Here are mine for this week:

love//

While he was at work, I sent Jake a photo of me and the babe. He replied, "That's my family." 

joy//

My parents are coming to town this Saturday. An afternoon spent with my parents and my sister's family? I've been counting down the days and looking forward to it all week. 

Family, family, family. There's nothing better in my book. That we've got a chunky, precious, 5 week old in ours now too is all the love and joy I can about handle.

love/joy // 7

In college, a friend and I committed to "keeping love and joy alive" by paying tribute to the ideals themselves. Whenever we got together we would "love/joy"- share one way we'd experienced love and one way we'd experienced joy that day. Even on the worst of days, we could still dig and find these things to be true: we are loved & we experience joy. Here are mine for this week:

love//
Jake is not a worrier. He's confident and spontaneous and worrying doesn't make sense to him. Yet, last night Jake came into the living room around 9:30PM and said, "you should go to bed, I'm worried about you." I thought he was kidding and asked if he was serious. "Yes. I'm worried about you. Please go to bed." Worried? About me? That was all I needed to hear and I wobbled my achy pregnant body upstairs to bed. I come from worrying stock and his concern translated into rainbow-beams of love pouring in my direction. And I'm grateful today, not just for the sleep. A fuller night of rest is already making this day better than the last, but I also slept more soundly too. I think it was those rainbow-beams. 

joy//
Irrational concerns! Arbitrary worry! Jake is not a worrier, but, goodness me, I have a healthy worrying streak. To boot, pregnancy hormones have lead to the occasional absurd sudden concern. One that has popped up several times while commuting: "what if we don't get a car seat!?" For some reason I'd suddenly have this fear that we'd end up with a newborn and without a car seat. The weird thing- I know we would just buy a car seat. O b v i o u s l y. Yet, I'd have this irrational worry bubble to the surface as if we are incapable of purchasing one ourselves. So, imagine my irrational, pregnancy hormone joy at opening our front door last night and seeing, perched on our front step as if dropped by a very large stork, OUR CAR SEAT (a gift from Jake's parents). Needless to say, I immediately read the user manual and installed it in my car. In the dark. Then, oh the joy, I practiced taking it in and out of the car this morning at work. 

love/joy // 6

In college, a friend and I committed to "keeping love and joy alive" by paying tribute to the ideals themselves. Whenever we got together we would "love/joy"- share one way we'd experienced love and one way we'd experienced joy that day. Even on the worst of days, we could still dig and find these things to be true: we are loved & we experience joy. Since Jake and I celebrated our anniversary this week, prepare yourself for an especially gushy post. 

love//
In the midst of an argument a few weeks ago, I dramatically blubbered "we don't know how to love each other!!" Jake, the patient man that he is, told me we do and we're learning. This week he gave me a sweet, sentimental anniversary card without a cartoon character or crass joke in sight. We are learning to love each other- through what cards we give, and other ways too- and Jake is a faster study than I am. He loves me and when I get out of my own way I feel that love every day. 

joy//

On Tuesday Jake surprised me with a visit at work. I work an hour from home. He walked in with a bouquet of gerbera daisies and a carton of keifer, and I melted. I told him I felt like we were dating again and he said "we are, we're just not dating to break up anymore." Needless to say, seeing those daisies in my office every day this week has been a continual joy-ignition. 

love/joy // 1-5

love/joy// 5

In college, a friend and I committed to "keeping love and joy alive" by paying tribute to the ideals themselves. Whenever we got together we would "love/joy"- share one way we'd experienced love and one way we'd experienced joy that day. Even on the worst of days, we could still dig and find these things to be true: we are loved & we experience joy. Here are mine for this week:

love//
Jake misses me. He's been calling more. He encouraged me with an "I don't know how you're functioning" text. This new work schedule is downright loony combined with my current grad schedule. We, basically, don't see each other Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday now (I mean, I see Jake, but he's asleep when I leave at 5:30AM and asleep again when I get home at 11PM). So we're counting down the days to the end of the semester, when I'll be on the home stretch to finishing my M.A. (crazy!). My thesis will dominate the Spring, but I'm not taking any evening classes or directing any shows. I plan to have lots of make-up dates with my husband, and lots of falling asleep at the same time evenings. All that to say- it makes me feel loved when I'm missed, especially by Jake.

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I had lunch with three women, all within five years of my age, yesterday. Almost daily we stop by each other's offices and laugh at each other's stories. I think I'm making friends. Girlfriends. I know- this is unheard of and strange, but I'm already thankful for it.  Joy!

Any exciting plans for the weekend? Tomorrow is Jake's birthday and Sunday is mine. We're hoping for some quality quiet on Saturday and maybe some beer brewing, and we're spending much of Sunday in Maine celebrating an early Thanksgiving with friends (also known as Friendsgiving). I think it'll be a wonderful treat of a birthday. Enjoy your weekend, and, hey, what are your love/joys for this week? Don't forget to share them in the comments- I'd love to read them. 

love/joy // 4

love//
A particularly kind classmate asked me, in the most sincere way, how I was and if I had anything new on my plate right now. It was during the break of our four hour class, which meant it was already nearing 9pm, after full days of work for both of us, and then three hours of class to boot. I was sitting alone outside the classroom.  She sat down beside me on the bench, her eating honey wheat pretzels and me eating pasta fagioli from next door. We were quickly talking about things no one in my grad program knows about me. I felt honestly cared for in a way I hadn't yet experienced in that setting.

joy//
My sister emailed me asking for help on something. My sister is six years my elder, and is the National Honor Society one of our siblings. She has her Masters. She has a loving husband, two kids, and as of lately, a house too. In my mind, my sister does me favors, not the other way around. She cheers me on in my work, picks me up from class in Boston, listens to my stories, and often even feeds me. So, when I opened an email asking for a simple, little task, I was joyfully reminded of the relationship that has really blossomed between us in the last couple years. We're in this whole new place as friends. I may not be able to provide much of the advice, input, etc. that she needs, but I can help her pick out a running outfit for a race. Huzzah! 

How have you experienced love and joy this week? If you feel so inclined, leave your love/joy in the comments- I'd love to read them. Or, better yet, feel free to link up and share the love/joy. Grab the button from the sidebar.

love/joy // 1 // 2 // 3

love/joy // 3

love//
Jake's response to an "I love you" text yesterday afternoon. Though, I'm not sure if it's true- we both fell in love with each other rather quickly (his adorable hott bum, giant grin, and deep toned giggle got me on our first date).

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Jake, again, because he's the best (and only challenged for that position by my sister), picked me up in Boston last night. On cue I got a text 20 minutes before the end of class: "I'm coming." YES. But then class went over by almost 15 minutes (10pm and still in class? yes-sir-ee). When I finally grabbed my bag and bolted for the door, I found the stream of texts in my phone saying my husband was outside, waiting patiently for me, and wanting to make me laugh too. I smiled like an idiot the entire elevator ride down to the first floor.

How have you experienced love and joy this week? Leave your love/joy in the comments- I'd love to read them. Or, better yet, feel free to link up and share the love/joy. Grab the button from the sidebar.

love/joy // 2

love/joy // 1

love/joy // 2

love//
Impromtu phone conversations with my mama- twice in 24 hours! I'm also almost sure she ended the second one with "bye baby," which made me feel oh, so very loved. I'll always be her baby.

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Being encouraged in my ideas, and affirmed in my work. I had a most suprising conversation with a former co-worker yesterday, and it filled me with such joy to know she believed in me. I never expected her to, and I felt so filled up with her warmth.

How have you experienced love and joy this week? Leave it in the comments- I'd love to read it.

See the first love/joy post here.

love/joy

i love who we are together

laughing with him gives me such joy

In college, a friend and I committed to "keeping love and joy alive" by paying tribute to the ideals themselves. Whenever we got together we would "love/joy"- share one way we'd experienced love and one way we'd experienced joy that day. Even on the worst of days, we could still dig and find these things to be true: we are loved & we experience joy.