A Toast to Simplicity

At least once a day, I daydream about how different life will be in ten years. The kids will be 10, 12 and 14. We will be done with diaper bags, sippy cups and car seats. They'll all be able to brush their own teeth, dress themselves, clean their own faces and make their own lunches. They'll be able to clean up their own messes and do the chores that I dread like folding laundry and cleaning the bathrooms. Everyone will be able to walk and talk and sleep through the night. ahhh . . . . .

I know that I will miss these days, but sometimes in the midst of chaos, ten years down the line seems so much easier!

Every once in a while, I look at the news and realize how wonderfully simple life is. Here is what I am thankful for . . .


I am thankful that "bad words" on television are words like "stupid" or "shut-up" and aren't on any of Luke's favorite shows anyways.

Pineapple slices are still considered a dessert.

A big punishment is losing the 30 minute tv show before naptime.

Topics of the boys' favorite songs are farm animals and trains.

Even though Olivia only wants to cuddle when I want to go to bed, at least she wants to cuddle.

They believe that we know absolutely everything about everything.

The meanest characters Luke can make up for his stories are the "guys that don't listen to their Mommy and Daddy".

Going out to eat with us is considered a big treat and not an embarassment.

My biggest clothing battles with Olivia are trying to keep her socks on her feet.

Trashing the house means spilling the puzzle pieces all over the living room.

Constantly using their phones does not incur any extra charges on our Verizon bill.

Drowning their sorrows can be done with apple juice.

A high-five is plenty of reward for a job well done.

You sniff markers to find out if they smell like strawberries or peaches.

The greatest injustice in their world is not owning a Scooby Doo movie.

The only money requested for a trip to the mall is a penny for the fountain.

"You have stinky feet," is the dirtiest joke they know.

Four and under are still free at lots of places.

We can still spell in front of them and they have no idea what we're talking about.

They still say words like "pasketti", "melmo" (Elmo) and "Go-Gi" (Yogi).

Hide and seek is ridiculously easy because hey always hide in the same spots. Even if they don't, Ben always lets us know where Luke is.

We never have to guess what the boys are thinking because they think out loud.

They have no concept of war, famine, predators, homelessness, terrorism, unemployment, suicide, eating disorders or school shootings.

Here's to the simple things!