Joy

I love my job.

I love the sweet, sloppy kisses...the sound of her voice...her little arms wrapped around my neck...her smile...her smell...the innocent and joy-filled way she takes in the world.

"Mama"...it takes my breath away everytime...

It's simply amazing how life changes. One minute, you're a starry eyed dreamer with hopes of happily ever after. The next thing you know (well, sometimes it feels like an awfully long wait), you've found "the one" and you count down the days until you trade in your ordinary self to become a wife. Love makes life better. It makes ordinary into extra-ordinary. And just when you think life couldn't get any better, it does. It's all about perspective, isn't it? The process of growing a baby isn't always particularly pleasant or comfortable. But, in the end the joy outweighs the sufferings. In a way, all of life is like that.

And so...sleepless nights, depression, sickness, tears and all the other changes that came along as part of the package deal, they are worth it. In spite of it all...there is joy, much joy.