We’re approaching the middle of May. After a frigid, gray April, the view from my windows is finally shimmering green. I feel like I can breathe again. It’s funny isn’t it, how the slow work of healing makes you more receptive to goodness?
Lately, I’ve happened upon a few good things that have brought me joy. If you know me at all, you know I can’t keep good things to myself. I find songs and I'm texting them to anyone I think will enjoy it. I try a new recipes and I’m sharing the links with anyone who needs a quick, delicious meal.
I don’t do this on The Redemptive often, but here are five things making my life a little brighter right now (and maybe they will for you too).
Disclaimer: none of these are affiliate links, I get absolutely nothing if you purchase from them. I’m just over here sharing happy things, that’s all!
1. These (not skinny) jeans.
Starting off strong with this impulse buy from Old Navy. I’ve been feeling the itch to replace some of the staples in my wardrobe. My body has changed a lot in the last couple years and some of my clothes need ti comfortably accommodate that. This doesn’t mean I’m spending tons of money, but it does mean I need to update some of my basics. i.e., denim.
Denim is the one thing I’m willing to invest in because I take care of it and it lasts for years. My go-to for a long time now has been Madewell jeans. But we walked into Old Navy a few weeks back and this pair caught my eye.
High-waisted. Soft. Gently Tapered.
They were so comfortable (and affordable) that I bought them on the spot and have worn them almost every time I’ve left the house since. Find them here.
2. This harmless, delightful “prank” I’ve been playing on my kids for weeks.
Our house has been infested. One morning my kids woke up to find a tiny white bunny hiding in one of our house plants. We soon found another and another.
They’ve been discovered on picture frames and window sills. They’ve been in shoes by the door and in the flower bed by the driveway. We even found one in the seat in front of us during the worship song at church!
We’re not sure how they hopped their way into our house but we’re dealing it with the problem as best we can.
Beware: clicking here may lead to you dealing with a bunny infestation yourself!
There have been rumors the bunnies are just the beginning of our tiny animal invasion, but you didn’t hear that from me.
(obviously my children are at an age where finding these tiny guys isn’t a choking hazard, please proceed with caution if you have smaller babies/kids in your home).
3. My creative series here on The Redemptive.
Years ago, I had a six week course teaching women how to unapologetically pull art from their life and use their creativity as a place to meet with God. I loved being able to do it but the format of teaching I used at the time wasn’t a good fit for my season.
But now at The Redemptive, I get to offer some of the most impactful methods of the course to you in a simplified way. Through my new creative series, I’m able to help you get right to the heart of your creative hurdles and give you the tools, support and gentle accountability to overcome them.
Once a week, paying subscribers get short lessons on writing and photography tucked in their inboxes with an invite to a private chat to ask questions, get support and be challenged to complete the “homework” together.
Doing this work in a more sustainable way for me (and more accessible away for you!) has been a life-giving answer to prayer. If you want to get access to all the lessons so far and get access to more bite-size teaching on Mondays, consider becoming a paid subscriber to The Redemptive.
4. Paraphernalia for Bird Watchers.
When I recently shared on Instagram that I was a lifelong bird watcher, I was surprised at how people many related. Being around me for any amount of time will result in me eventually blurting out things like, “Oh! A Rose-breasted Grosbeak!” without a hint of irony. Apparently, I’m not the only one.
Bird watching with my dad makes up some of my earliest memories and I’m happily passing the obsession on to my kids. They can already identify most of our state birds and it makes me so proud.
One fun way I’ve involved them with my side hobby is this bird matching game from Sibley’s. For the price, it has amazing quality that has held up nicely over the years. I love how they can play it with me, together, or alone. It’s a beautifully made, versatile game that I can’t help but share with fellow birders.
Pro Tip: try searching “Sibley’s bird watching gifts” on Amazon to find lots of lovely things like puzzles, bird spotting log journals, flashcards and more. It’s all so fun!
5. This perfect purse.
It happened. I don’t know how. I don’t know when. But one day, I woke up and realized we’d left the Diaper Bag years behind. I’m not sad about it, but it was a strange thing to realize nonetheless.
Since becoming a mom, I’d quit carrying a purse because I could tote everything I needed for myself and the babies in the diaper bag. But then my kids didn’t need diapers anymore. Or wipes. Or ziplock bags of goldfish crackers. They could carry their own backpacks for outings. Suddenly, the necessity of a bulky diaper bag had evaporated. But I only have so many pockets, ya know?
I’d been eyeing a small crossbody purse from Madewell for years but it was $128 (in this economy?!) and I couldn’t justify it.
Nothing comparable in style within my desired budget had surfaced until I searched Amazon and this purse came up.
It’s nothing fancy, but I’m not a fancy purse kind of person anyway. This little purse holds everything I need, looks cute and is only $40. The diaper bag has been officially replaced and I’m celebrating.
Whether your diaper bags day are waning or you just want a fun + functional new accessory to treat yourself, this purse just might do the trick.
Finally, I know Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Since becoming a mom myself, I don’t know of many 'special days’ that come with more nuance, baggage and mixed emotions than this holiday.
I hope—no matter what this day bring up for you personally—you can anchor yourself in the truth that God named you Sought Out and Beloved long before mothering became part of your life. However you feel about Mother’s Day, you can rest in that. You can rest in Him.
I think we may be invaded by tiny mushrooms in the next few days 😆 do you let the kids keep them after they find them or do you take them to hide again?
Our shared love of Madewell and being on a budget- check out Poshmark if you haven’t already!