Today...

Today....was one of those days....

No, not the kind you're thinking about. It wasn't full of screaming, sticky kids who are always underfoot.

Well, it was, but it just didn't seem so bad.

Today was one of those days that I wish I could just freeze and capture every detail in memory forever. To recreate just the breeze or the warmth of the sun.

To see again the smiles of a toddler covered in grilled cheese, tator tots and apple juice.

To hear the giggling coo of a baby smiling at his mommy.

It was one of those days that just don't come along often enough when you have kids. The kind that makes you step back and wonder why every day can't be like this moment, right now. That makes you think about having another baby soon.

A family moment.

One this is SO easy to miss as we often do.

For example, I was unloading the car after a harried and stressful trip to every parent's hell: the Grocery Store. I was tired, grumpy, grouchy, and sullen. I snapped unlovingly at my wife as we got out of the car and-being the wonderful woman she is- she just let it roll right off of her.

Well, I was stomping around in the kitchen, slamming doors, trying to make sure that she knew I was upset without it looking like I was trying to make sure she knew I was upset. (I know, I'm the ONLY one who has ever done something like that, right?)

She took the kids outside and turned on the sprinklers for the toddler to play in.

--WARNING! I'M ABOUT TO GET OFF TRACK FOR A MOMENT!--
Why is it that kids will do something they enjoy, even when it makes them miserable? The sprinkler water was almost freezing and yet my toddler son just stood in the water, shivering and laughing hysterically!

--RETURN TO NORMAL PROGRAMMING--

I was about to toss a dog toy out to the two Australian Shepherd pups, grumbling about how much they cost and how worthless they are, when I stopped.

Outside stood this beautiful redhead laughing and smiling at a bald-headed baby. An energetic toddler ran with the puppies, taking turns chasing each other through the sprinkler. The smell of the water on the grass wafted through the open window, and I suddenly realized:

I HAVE EVERYTHING!!

That beautiful woman was mine and she loved me! Those two kids were mine and they loved me, depended on me.

Trusted me.

And here I was grumbling about being tired.

I'm going to be a little shamefully honest here: Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't believe what God had entrusted me with. This beautiful family was mine, and I was theirs.

(Personally, I think I got the better end of the deal, just ask my sisters. Their first words when they saw my wife were, and I quote, "I can't believe he got such a beautiful woman!" No joke. I don't deny it. I married up!)

So, just remember, the next time you're getting a little...shall we say, "crabby"?...just take a look at what God has given you. You don't have to look any further than your own backyard.

 But instead of looking out your window....

Turn around....

And look inside...