Smiles

I feel like smiling. I am reminded this morning of the purest joy my kids bring into my life. What a blessing.

• Our foster daughter is naturally inclined to be loud. The decibel levels in my home have been raised considerably since she moved in. And her voice is what we lovingly refer to as a "Fran Drescher" voice. Just a simple "Good morning", can peel the paint off your walls. In the beginning I did everything I could to get her to stop talking. I have since grown to love the joyful noise coming out of her little mouth. Yesterday, at the store she discovered a toy parrot. I am sure you can imagine this display of events. She is screeching at this stuffed animal as loud as she can . The parrot is screeching right back and transforming this already loud little girl into a parrot screeching Fran Drescher voice. I looked up expecting to see people covering their ears and running for cover. What I saw instead was a store employee quietly snickering. My initial embarrassment of the situation was immediately melted away and replaced with out right laughter. I couldn't contain myself. Which of course, made things worse. My foster daughter and the parrot got even louder. And I couldn't stop laughing. What a joy. What a precious little child. What a gift from God.

• My youngest son turned four a couple of weeks ago. We walked to the ice cream store after his birthday dinner. The street we walk on is very busy and crazy people drive way too fast down this straight stretch of road. As we were walking back home, hand in hand, Nicky informed me that the Bible says, "Never cross the white line and always walk on the grass." Sounds good to me!!

• And Jake. My sweet, sweet Jake. I told you all yesterday about the note I keep on my dresser. What makes me smile most though, is when I remember the day that he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. I was in the kitchen, making his favorite lunch - a circle sandwich with cheese and monaze (mayonnaise has turned into monaze at my house). Jake walked in and said "Um, excuse me?" I replied "Yes?" He looked at me with his nose scrunched up and said, "I wasn't talking to you. I need to tell God something." Oh. Ok. So I just listened, wondering what he just had to say to God. So he continued, "Um. Excuse me, God? I want you to come into my heart. Ok mommy. Are you making me a circle sandwich with cheese and monaze?" That was it. He asked God into his heart and then he wants to eat? I was momentarily stunned. I stood there wondering what had just happened. Then I smiled. From that moment on, my son was a changed boy.

Psalm 126:2-3

Something to think about (and maybe share with the rest of us)

1. What makes you smile?