Joy

Paul had a good day yesterday and believe me, he was due. 

We have struggled quite a bit lately with reflux and irritability so I was a little hesitant to take him out even though it was a beautiful Labor Day afternoon.  However, I got brave and packed up the troops and headed to Micah’s sister’s house about and hour away in Kentucky. 

They just moved to an awesome place which Micah will be completely jealous of when he sees it (of course he is working).  It has lots of space and a pool!!  Paul certainly enjoys a dip in the pool and I figured I would have lots of help so off we went.  Paul was tired on the trip down and screamed just about the whole way there.  I feared I had made a terrible mistake.  After a quick catnap when we first arrived, things started to turn around. 

The highlight of my day was just watching the kids having fun.  I haven’t seen Paul enjoy himself this much in quite a while.  Getting thrown around in the pool by his Papa Gates was pure joy for him.  Actually, come to think of it, they both had looks of pure joy on faces.  He bounced him around just the way a grandpa is supposed to throw a grandson around.  The rougher the better!  We all watched and laughed and laughed. 

Does it get any better than this!?!

 

On the most basic of levels, my hopes and dreams for Paul are simply for him to be happy.  I would say that is a pretty standard hope that most of us parents have for their children … see, how we are really not that different! 

When he is happy, I feel like I am succeeding.  When he is happy, I feel like he is a step closer to reaching his potential … another goal we probably have in common for our kids. 

One day at a time is how we take it … and on this day, nobody could steal our joy!