This is the (Joy)Cap where I share a weekly reflection or lesson and a roundup of links, recommendations, and everything that’s bringing me joy, inviting you to do the same. Think of this as a weekly coffee date with my close friends. ☕️💕🫶🏾 Join me on a weekly joy hunt and start receiving the (Joy)Cap by subscribing today! ✨
Some weeks arrive with bold lessons, clear and unmistakable. Others, like this one, unfold gently, revealing themselves in quiet, everyday moments. If there was one thread running through my days, it was gratitude—not the kind that comes in grand, sweeping gestures but the kind found in the ordinary, in the simple yet profound ways God weaves grace into our lives.
I felt it in connection — in the way new friendships are forming, not through forced effort but through easy, organic moments. Sitting on a park bench, coffee in hand, watching our kids play while dolphins surfaced behind us—it was one of those moments that felt like a gift, a small but undeniable confirmation that we’re settling into a place where we belong. I saw it again in the way that our community stepped in when we needed it — from a friend offering dry clothes for my son to an unexpected familiar face at a gathering, turning what could have been an isolating moment into one of comfort and recognition.
I noticed it in the ability to let go. Plans shifted, schedules ran late, and tantrums made their appearances, but instead of frustration, I found myself leaning into the rhythm of the moment, trusting that grace would meet me there. It’s a different kind of gratitude — the kind that acknowledges that even in the unexpected, there is goodness — that even in the delays, something meaningful is unfolding.
And then there was the gratitude that comes with trust—the trust that we are being guided, even when decisions feel uncertain. Registering my oldest for pre-K while still unsure if we’ll send him was one of those moments. It’s easy to want clarity now, to crave certainty in the choices we make for our kids. But I feel peace knowing that we don’t have to have every answer today. Sometimes gratitude looks like surrender, like resting in the assurance that God will make the right path clear in time.
This week wasn’t flashy, and it certainly wasn’t perfect, but it was filled with grace. And maybe that’s the lesson—gratitude isn’t about everything going right, but about recognizing the goodness that’s present, no matter how the week unfolds.
Glimpses of Grace 🌤️
It’s easy to spot grace in the big things, but this week, I found it in the small, ordinary moments:
🌤️ A quiet morning by the water, watching dolphins dance in the sunlight. 🌤️ A friend showing up—twice in one week—reminding me that new friendships are taking root. 🌤️ Successfully transferring three sleeping kids from the car to their beds (a parenting miracle if there ever was one). 🌤️ A last-minute save when a gust of wind knocked over my son’s drink, leaving him in wet pants and my friend providing a spare outfit, turning an unexpected wardrobe malfunction into an easy fix. 🌤️ The ability to go with the flow, to embrace what is instead of resisting what isn’t. 🌤️ A simple conversation with a librarian that gave me peace as we navigate school decisions. 🌤️ The reassurance that even in uncertainty, God is guiding the way.
The beauty of grace is that it’s always there, sometimes loud and undeniable, other times tucked into the quiet corners of our days. This week, I saw it in both — woven through my days, steady and sure, reminding me that even in the ordinary, God is at work.
The Joy List ✨
Playdate on St. Simons. Fridays are dubbed “Fun Fridays” in our house where I try to plan fun or excitng activities with the kids. This past Friday, we had a playdate with our new friends at Neptune Park, behind the St. Simons library. We had a little time before they showed up and spent some time walking the pier and watching the water. Once my friend arrived, we sat and chatted while we dranked coffee and watched the dolphins while the kids played. The kids were so spent afterwards that they fell asleep in the car and I was able to successfully transfer them in their beds for an afternoon nap while I caught up on some work. It was a dreamy day.
Taking the kids to their first birthday party. Ya’ll at this rate, we have been making new friends almost every week. On Saturday, we were invited to our first birthday party at a new friend’s house. The kids got to play outside and pet some horses. They were a little nervous, but it was the sweetest thing seeing them step ouf of their comfor zone and try new things.
Spending a rainy Sunday in bed. I usually take Sundays to run errands after church while my husband is off and can watch the kids. However, this Sunday we were under tornado watch on Sunday, so we spent the day at home. I crawled right back into bed after watching church online and spent the remainder of the day finishing my book and planning the week.
Running into a new friend at the library. Storytime at the library is our mainstay on Tuesdays. This past Tuesday I had to run some errands so we weren’t able to make it on time, but we ended up going anyways to give the kids some time to unwind and play and ended up running into our new friend, who also came late. This was the second time we ran into her and her kids in the last few days, and I love how God has been nurturing this friendship so quickly.
Currently Savoring 💞
The journey to rebuilding my wardrobe continues! We’re taking the kids to the Jacksonville Zoo for the twin’s upcoming birthday, so I’ve been looking for a comfy but zoo-appropriate outfit. It will be chilly that day, so I found this cute jean jacket1 on sale at Old Navy. I grabbed it in both the light and medium wash. I think I might throw it over a T-shirt dress and call it a day.
I guess I’m in my crockpot season! It’s just easy to throw something in and let it cook or simmer on long, busy days. This week I tried this Chicken Stew recipe I found on Pinterest, and it was a hit! I paired it with buttermilk biscuits to add some cozy comfort to this meal.
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams. Sarah Adams is quickly becoming another favorite romance author of mine. I ended up reading this after picking up The Rule Book from the library and realizing it was the second book in the series. I’m a stickler for reading books in series order, so I paused it to read The Cheat Sheet first. This is a friend-to-lovers story between Bree Camden and her long-time best friend, NFL player, Nathan Donnelson. If you’re looking for a feel-good, cozy romcom with no spice, this one is perfect for you. This is the perfect book to escape with when you just want to unwind after a long day. I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time.
This was a really interesting episode to listen to. In this episode, Laura and Emily contemplate the motherhood landscape in light of the current digital age and give their predictions of the internet and how motherhood content will be shaped and shared in this space. This episode encourages Christian moms to be mindful of the content and manner of how it is consumed.
A Nourishing Note ☕️
I’ve been so encouraged by the responses to this week’s post on faithfulness in the day-to-day moments. It’s a topic that’s been weighing heavily on my heart, and I know many of us wrestle with trusting God in seasons where progress feels slow. If this resonates with you, read the note below, and if you’re ready to dive deeper, I’d love for you to join me in the full post by upgrading your subscription or redeeming your single-use unlock to access this paid content.
Grace As You Go 🕊️
Gratitude isn’t just a response to the big, extraordinary moments—it’s found in the quiet gifts of everyday life. In the laughter of children at play, in an unhurried conversation over coffee, in the kindness of a friend who shows up at just the right time. It’s in the serendipitous moments when paths align and in the small, ordinary spaces where God’s faithfulness shines through.
This week, may you pause to notice these sacred gifts. May you remember that God is present not just in the milestones but also in the mundane, weaving beauty into your daily rhythms. Even when life feels slow or uncertain, trust that He is at work, aligning moments, relationships, and seasons for your good. And as you go, may your heart remain open to receiving His goodness in unexpected ways.
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." | Psalm 16:11
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