Livin' the Good Life

There is nothing in life that give me as much such satisfaction as my family, and right now....my children. They are cute and sometimes.....not so cute. They are helpful but most of the time, not so helpful. But mostly they make me proud. It's in the little moments when I don't expect it that they make me proudest.

I am writing this on my Blackberry because my kids are swimming and we're at the pool. What a quintessential summer experience. Not only are we swimming but it's free day so everyone from high and low and everywhere in between is here too. As I sit here doing a puzzle, reading and just relaxing in the insanity and noise I occasionally peek up and find my children. It's the responsible thing to do, right? I find Kees because he is in a life jacket perched atop a float. He's grinning from ear to ear because his brother and sister are pulling him around, spinning him and helping him up when he falls. Keep in mind that there are about 200 people in the pool. It's as if my kids are on their own island. They hardly notice anyone else and they certainly haven't let the 197 other people into their world. They are just happy to be together and play.

So far this summer they have played together a lot. Sophia has hardly asked for a play date. During the school year she asks almost everyday. The kids get up, watch a little TV (an hour or so) and then it goes off and it's time to play. Actually, the TV is on for my benefit, I get to sleep in. Their play is pure and sweet. Lately they've been playing "Airbender". It's a cartoon. Given the rule that they can't hit each other, it's been much better than playing Jedi Knights or Karate Kid. Inevitably someone gets whacked playing those games.

Airbender is about a kid who uses his mystical powers to "bend" air thus blowing his opponents around to defeat them. Or at least that is what I understand. So the kids approach each other, hold out their hands and say, "whoosh! (Air sound) Now you go over there 'cause I blew you into that wall." Then the other one runs over "there" and pretends to crash into the wall. It's hilarious. And on it goes. If anyone gets hurt in this game they usually did it to themselves. Then all I have to contend with is, "It was an accident!" Rather than figuring out who did what to whom when, how and first. It makes my job easier and I am all for that.

Earlier today I took the boys to do Meals on Wheels with me. They were not only really happy to deliver meals but ran to and from the car at every stop. They agreed to trade off hot and cold (who would carry the items) on each stop without a cross word. One delivery was down a few steps on a hill. Coulter asked me if I could hold his "hot." I wasn't sure why but then he laid down on the side of the steps and rolled down the hill. He was so happy with himself and it made me smile. Then again on the way out.....he rolled up the hill. Now that is downright silly. None the less, I found myself strolling slowly, smiling and savoring the moment just because. Because Coulter is funny, because he knows he is funny, because he's smart, he knows he can make me smile and just because he is who he is, a sweet, precious, funny boy.

Sophia is trying out independence. She rode her bike to a friend's the other day. Before she left I told her, "When you get to your friend's house you need to call and let me know you got there safely. And Sophia, and I am not joking here, "I forgot" will not be an excuse. Do you understand me?" She said she did and rode off. After almost 30 minutes I was getting nervous...it's a 4 minute ride at most. I was trying to give her a chance to remember. I called and talked to her and told her that I was very disappointed and that I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I called the friend's mom on her cell phone and discussed it with her. We agreed that Sophia should come home, that it would be a good lesson for them both. I called Sophia back to deliver the news. I then talked to her buddy and explained that she did nothing wrong and I was sorry that this effected her too. Sophia was crushed but understood and she came home. She cried, her friend cried. I talked to Sophia and explained that I wasn't mad, upset or anything, only that she has to communicate to me about where she is and that she's safe. If she can't do that, she can't go anywhere on her own.

Yesterday we tried again....success! She called. And today she was allowed to ride her bike around with her buddy so long as they checked in periodically. I loved watching her and her friend grow. They are becoming independent. Sophia is so becoming a "tween." She is turning into a young lady and I couldn't be prouder. I was proud that she understood why she needed to come home even though that was really hard on her. Today she is a different kid and hopefully more responsible along with it.

These are the fairly ordinary moments that fill my days and as they stay in my memory it fills up my mind like a beautiful tapestry. I feel like the luckiest person alive. It make me happy that I enjoy the ordinary moments so much. I don't think I am over simplifying my life or that I don't realize there are problems I just choose to focus on the joy most of the time. And that joy is my kids and family. I will hold this time in my mind and treasure every moment. I know it won't always be this simple but for now it can't get much better.