So here I am, still navigating the maze of this challenging season; still dealing with dead ends, struggling to be patient with the process, and trying to choose to feel it all.
Tag: joy
Finding the “and” in the New Year
Life is full of both: it is hard and it is full of joy. There are painful accidents and there are also New Year’s Eve cookies and conversations. There are feelings of helplessness and fear and also feelings of gratitude and connection. Life is full of complexity. Life often has an and.
Surprised by the Unexpected
Several weeks ago, while visiting my parents in rural Minnesota, I braved the morning’s subzero temperatures with the goal of capturing a photo of the beautiful sun dogs that surrounded the sunrise. Despite the face-numbing cold, I enjoyed the peaceful outdoors and listening to the birds and squirrels moving audibly over the crisp, frozen leaves. …
June Reflections
I enjoyed soaking up the start of summer with some extra time to spend with my family as well as additional time to relax. I found myself reading more, laughing more, and even sleeping more soundly. In the blink of an eye, the month was over. As I transitioned into July, I thought about a reflection practice that I learned from a favorite author of mine, Emily P. Freeman.
The Unexpected Joy of Collective Excitement
Several weeks ago, I had the unique opportunity of experiencing the eclipse that crossed over the United States. In order to be within the path of totality, we traveled from Minnesota to Missouri. Although I was excited for the trip, I wasn’t completely convinced totality would be much of a memorable experience. Additionally, I was …
Continue reading The Unexpected Joy of Collective Excitement
Snow Day
Then one evening in February, after a record-setting 60 degree day, I was getting ready for bed when my phone rang... Right in the middle of our mild winter was a good old-fashioned North Dakota blizzard!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas from the Unexpected Ever Afters! As we celebrate with our families, we wanted to share two Christmas posts from past holidays. Enjoy! We will see you back here in the new year. -Wendi and Jessica Jessica: I wrote The Comfort of Christmas in 2020, a Christmas which was full of celebrations that looked …
Our Blogging Journey: A Celebration of Four Years (Part 1)
We are excited to celebrate our fourth blogiversary of the Unexpected Ever Afters! As a way to mark this blog milestone, we decided to venture outside of our comfort zone and record our first video post!
The Little Things: Fall Edition
I have found some peace when I am intentional about changing my mindset to focus on gratitude. As Thanksgiving nears and I continue with this busy fall season, a shift to gratitude seems especially important. I will share some of the things on my current list and encourage you to consider your own list. What is saving your life right now?
Throwback: Candid Moments of Inspiration
This post is such a beautiful reminder that sometimes the best lessons in life are found right in front of us. I loved re-reading about joy, kindness, laughter, and praise through the eyes of a child.
the unexpected ever afters 