Fourth of July weekend

Images of a few days that brought joy and peace. I keep looking at the one of Will and I sitting on a swing in the front yard of our apartment complex, waiting for the July Fourth fireworks. Someone said we both look serene and I have to agree. It was a gift after several busy weeks to have that time together and find peace. We sat out there for over an hour, enjoying the breeze and the blessed break in the humidity. The sky was impeccably blue, the sun sank golden in the sky, and day became night. Like children we sat there, barefoot and cozy watching as the fireworks illuminated the sky. I still feel a rush, even as an adult, when the boom of a firework is so deep and big that you feel it in your chest. Moments like this bring a sense of awe—something I feel I need more of.

We are making intentional effort to do things—they haven’t been big or fancy, or cost any money—but we got ourselves into a rut. A routine of us mainly sleeping in late (so late that I often feel sick for the rest of the day), going to Costco, sitting on the couch the rest of the day, then going for a walk, to just come home, eat, and go to sleep. I never really wear any real clothes and it just sort of felt like we were wasting precious time and I was wasting cute clothes. I would get to the end of the weekend feeling anxious and weary before the week even began.

So, here is a a photo dump of life lately, when I remember to take a photo. Moments in our every day, ordinary lives. I have not filtered any of these photos because I value a sense of realness and am trying to honor myself and others when I post. So, the incredible colors of blue, green, yellow, red, purple—all of that is just the vibrancy of summer (if you think I look tan, it is not a filter but self tanner that I love:) ). Whenever I see the colors all around me, I am reminded of what a magical time of year it is, even if it is sweltering!

I am trying to romanticize life, figure out how to make things feel a little more magical just by making simple shifts. Having fresh flowers (speaking of which, the gorgeous red, white, blue, and purple arrangement was a gift from the church that I preached at on Sunday), drinking tea from mugs that make me feel happy inside, getting dressed (even if it is only non workout shorts and tank top), spending time outside, eating foods that are brightly colored (which of course includes lots of sprinkles), spending time with people I love, using cloth napkins and matching them to our plates. All these things might seem like wastes of time and frivolity but they bring me such delight. They are also things that feel somewhat approachable; they don’t take a whole lot of effort but when they get done, they make me feel a sense of joy and delight.

That is what this slight change in content is about. It is encouraging me to get out of my comfort zone, to romanticize my life, to find ways to live into the moment. When I would look at people’s content I would think wow, why don’t I have those moments? I have to curate them utilizing things that I already have, maybe change my rhythms, or add a little something special like drinking a fancy tea that I have in my cabinet out of the teapot my grandmother gifted me. I am inviting myself and others to find magic in your everyday moments.

Let’s find ways to be more present, more open to this time and space, and seek out the magic that is truly all around —we simply need to open ourselves up to experience it.

Peace, Blessings, and magical moment seeking!