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Ok, it was only 96 today, but we suddenly realize why every backyard in Arizona has a pool!

I don’t know if it’s the heat, or just Kenny’s sudden grasp of detailed communication, but today he actually asked to take a nap after church, and told us exactly what kind of ritual he would like us to escort him through, in order to get him in the mood. Yes, this is the kid formerly known as “No nap Joe.” The one that didn’t nap for the first fourteen months of his life. And the one that even now only naps in the stroller, for one hour and even then he has to have lunch, run a few laps around the house, then be strapped into his stroller at the precise moment he starts to feel sleepy, or it doesn’t happen. But today in the car, he started talking his way through his nighttime routine, and we suddenly realized that he wanted to do it right now. We obliged, and he napped for two and a half hours. We almost didn’t know what to do with ourselves.

I think, too, that our little household is finally climbing our way back to normal. I can lift Kenny again (finally!), the swelling in my belly is nearly gone (I actually donned a bathing suit and got into the pool myself), Kenny is healthy and once again secure enough to go to sleep by himself, and Casey is at last able to go to work and not worry about impending illness or disaster at home. Even Dudley is back to his old happy-to-lick-his-privates-in-public self, now that we have returned to our regular walking and recreation schedule.

I don’t feel the same, though. I’m taking less for granted, and at the same time more eager to go out on a limb than I was before. I am finding that many of my hangups are disolving and that I’m thinking more about things beyond myself. I feel a little older somehow. And oddly enough, I’m not nearly as entranced by things like fancy houses and handbags as I was before. Some friends of ours who have a five year-old son and three month-old twins invited us over for dinner last night, and after we’d said our hellos, the hostess started laughing and said, “Ok, I didn’t have time to plan anything for dinner, but we wanted to hang out with you guys! Do you mind if we order pizza?” It was the sweetest, most transparent moment I’ve seen in a long while. It was gutsy, too. I am an eager, yet anxious hostess. I want everything to be perfect. But these friends were more concerned with fellowshipping with us than showing off their new house, or their entertaining skills. It was a beautiful lesson. And we had a wonderful time.

I think I’m going to try and work less at being “perfect” and try harder to work at being kind, generous and loving. We have seen nothing but fearless love from all of our friends in the last six weeks, and I think, if nothing else, that is the lovely thing I can take with me.