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Day 54: The Joy of 3

I had planned to write about my van today. Lame, I know, but if you are a mother, you know that vans. are. awesome. They are. Cool? No. Valuable to parenthood? Most definitely. I am able to take an extra kid or two, and fit grandma and grandpa in when they visit. It's more than enough space for all the crap we need to take when we go on vacation. I'm so glad I wasn't one of those people who swore I'd never drive a van, though I did swear them off until I was at least expecting a second child. I love my 2010 Honda Odyssey sooooo much.

So I meant to expand on the many benefits of my mini, but then tonight we took the boys across the street to the sports arena to burn off some of their energy running around the track. There happened to be hockey practice, and these little boys love hockey. The three-but-almost-four-year-old middle child's face lit up when he realized hockey was being played. It was just a high school practice, but his smile spread from ear to ear and he literally jumped for joy! Not at a game. Or a goal being scored. Just at seeing real hockey players. That's it. That's all he needed to be completely free and joyful.

He is such a sweet kid, with just a tad bit of threenager thrown in to keep us humble. He goes in streaks of naughtiness, backtalk, and defiance, but mostly he just radiates joy and sweetness. A classic middle child, he is quick to give in to his brothers, to use manners, and to share. He hugs and kisses me when the oldest won't even look my way. And the joy! Oh, the joy!

I'm constantly amazed at what little this kid needs to jump for joy! Seeing hockey players, for instance. Getting a sucker from a bank teller. Movie night. Anything sports. And don't get me started on how he acts when he lays eyes on one of his beloved grandpas.

I said to my husband tonight, "I sure wish I had that much joy in my life." I just realized that I do. I just fail to see it. The three little monsters who are might be sleeping upstairs are selfless with their joy. Usually I'm just to busy or distracted to see it. Praise God for leading us to the hockey rink tonight so I could be reminded.



If you need a little second-week-of-Lent pep talk, check this out. Good stuff.

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