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! ✨
Happy Sunday, friends!
And Happy December! I can’t believe that we are at the beginning of another month. As of yesterday, we’ve completed the Get After Grateful Gratitude Challenge, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I shared this in the chat, but thank you to everyone who has participated in any way. This was my second year of hosting the challenge, and I’m so grateful for the grace and capacity that God gave me to do it in what was such a busy season for me and my family. There were many times when I was posting and editing on the fly — the morning of election day right before I dropped off my absentee ballot and drove five hours for this move, going in and out of the rooms trying to convince my littles to lay down and sleep, doing last minute shopping runs to host Thanksgiving dinner. This challenge stretched me, reminding me of how God’s strength shines and is made perfect in weakness.
As the Gratitude Challenge wraps up, I’ve been reflecting on how to carry this practice into the days ahead. Gratitude has been a lifeline for me—not just a fleeting moment of thanks, but a rhythm that keeps me grounded and joy-filled, especially in this season. This week, I’m sharing a special post exclusively for paid subscribers on Deepening Your Gratitude Practice.
In it, I dive into practical ways to weave gratitude into your everyday life, long after the holidays. It’s packed with tips, personal insights, and encouragement to help you cultivate a lasting practice. I pray that we can take what we gained in this challenge and keep building on it in the season and year to come.
My husband being off for the holiday. I am grateful that my husband had Wednesday and Thursday off for Thanksgiving. We originally thought he was going to have to work, so it ended up being a great surprise and a real treat for us because he is barely home with us during the week. We all needed that time with him home, and I'm thankful it fell on the holiday so we could all be together. 🥰
Attending Historic Downtown Brunswick’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting with the kids. I shared in the last few (Joy)Caps that I’ve been doing my best to get out of the house and get plugged into our community with the kids. On Friday evening, I took the kids to their first Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and it was a joy to experience the community and the Christmas lights with the kids.
3. It finally feels like fall (although fall is basically over). The temp has finally dropped in coastal Georgia 😩🙌🏾👏🏾. Yesterday morning, it was 40 degrees, and in true Saturday fashion, I hopped right back in the bed after making the kids breakfast and stayed in it for most of the morning to drink more coffee and cozy up with a holiday read.
4. Cheesy Christmas movies. In the evenings when I put the kids down, sometimes I will put a Christmas movie on in the background as I clean or lightly read. I will admit that the Hallmark movies get cornier and cornier every year, but I always love to go back to my favorite, A Christmas Melody with Lacey Chabert and Mariah Carey. Last night, I snuggled up with my blanket and book while I watched until my husband came home.
I’m slowly working through One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery, but I had put it on pause to read some of my library holds that will be due in the upcoming week.
I’m always sharing my thoughts in real time on Fable and Instagram. For ratings and reviews, check out my Goodreads.
Currently Listening 🎧
I listened to a couple of good podcast episodes while prepping Thanksgiving dinner. I enjoyed this conversation with Hunter Beless and Megan Hill on establishing rhythms of prayers, some as simple as breath prayers to gird our hearts and quell our anxiety and fears in the moment.
I know there is a lot of pressure to make the holidays special and maintain a healthy budget. The key to enjoying the holidays without blowing the bank is to know your values and goals. Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni share how you can leverage values-based spending to have an enjoyable and memorable holiday season.
I would love to hear from you! What brought you joy this week? Leave a comment, or send me a direct message!
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