I love birthday celebrations. I am prayerfully thankful each day for all the people in my life. But I just love it that we set aside a special time to acknowledge our birth. And today is my husband's birthday. I am so thankful for his mom and dad, bringing him into the world and caring for him until he could find me. I am thankful that we found each other and created the beautiful family we have. I am thankful. I am happy. I am joy because of him.
My boys have done a few summer camps. And this week is the last one. The last week before school starts for me to have any peace and quiet in the middle of my day. Now, before you working-outside-the-home moms start throwing things at me - I want you to know I absolutely treasure, appreciate, and adore the moments when I am afforded time alone. It's where I find joy. And I know I experience it more than others. Please know that I am so grateful and appreciative. It truly is a time for joy.
I've had a rough night. I got accosted at my son's baseball game by a neighbor who wants to work around a rule at our neighborhood pool. I'm on the pool committee and she was relentlessly trying to convince me to let her bend the rules for her. She had lots of reasons why I should. And in the process, I missed one son's play at home plate and my other son's triple. It was a double header and by the second game I was so sick of listening to her I hid behind the dugout and watched the remainder of the game through two chain link fences. I came home. Took a long shower and sat down to the wonderful comfort snack of Oreos and a tall glass of milk. A little joy at the end of a long night!
I already had a daughter when my husband and I met. Our anniversary is more than just the day we married. It is the day we became a family. So we call today our "Famiversary." We celebrate with a fun family activity. We enjoy each other's gifts that make us the family we are. And today was a wonderful day filled with walks at the botanical gardens, sushi, giggles and conversation. Happy Famiversary to my dear, sweet family. You bring me such joy!
The classics are classics for a reason. And Hello, Dolly! is no exception. So clever. So quick. So beautifully directed. The music is fantastic. The dancing. The dialogue. The story. Even my boys were mesmerized. We watched it today, on a lazy Saturday afternoon. And it was pure joy!
My oldest son came to me while I was on the computer tonight, about a half an hour before his bedtime and asked, "Mom? If I get ready for bed now, can we read together?" My heart melted. He knew what my answer would be. I can never turn down an opportunity to read. He hurried through his nightly routine, we grabbed a bunch of old books (books I thought he'd feel too old for - but he chose them, wanting to reminisce, I guess) and we snuggled and cuddled and read until he was too sleepy. Pure and simple read aloud joy!
Why did I need comfort food yesterday? Because I had a crown prep for my tooth today. I hate the dentist. Scratch that. Our dentist is great. I hate having dental work done. And my amazing, helpful daughter anticipated that and said, "Do you need me to pick up the boys from camp? Do you want me to take them to dinner?" So she did. She kept them out of my hair while I moped around in minor pain and discomfort. She is the best daughter ever. She brings so much joy to my life!
