What brings you joy?

I have to say... right before leaving for a trip there is one thing that seems to always bring me great joy...... times when we've had to leave Joshua with a grandparent...right before we leave Joshua is amazing.  You'd think most kids would act out, but not Joshua -- it's as if he wants to soak up EVERY bit of his parents to save it up for the days ahead when he's missing them :)

First you have to know something about Joshua -- he's an extrovert in the body and mind of an introvert -- he LOVES his daddy, he just doesn't always want his DADDY to know it. .... see, there is a bit of "who is the alpha male" in this house going on at times.  Of course Brad is amazing, ever patient -- he's more of a gentle leader, but certainly does take a stand at times....for example recently he blocked Cartoon Network from our cable TV - he just felt like Joshua was watching shows that advanced violence -- so many Bey Blade battles, Ninjago, etc.... always fighting good against evil type shows... Brad didn't like what it seemed to be doing to Joshua - so .... he blocked it... no warning, no discussion...just took action.   Joshua is really a sensitive kid ... so parenting and discipline can be a bit tricky, but we're finding he's smart too...so he does understand we want the best for him.

Well, for the last two days..... he has been NUTs about Brad.  Last night, actually went to bed early, just so his daddy could read a few chapters out of Ralph and the Motorcycle. Right now they are working on some sort of "surprise" for me for the trip...not sure what that is about, all I know is... "it's a boys secret".... and later today, they are going to play disc golf together... Joshua decided to go with daddy instead of running errands and shopping a bit with me!  He LOVES to shop with me.  ..... he's soaking up daddy, every ounce... and Brad is loving it. 

They rough-house, have pillow fights, and all kinds of boy things.... sometimes Joshua gets carried away and doesn't want to go to bed, doesn't know when to stop, won't do his bed time routine, brush teeth, etc and ends up getting in trouble... these are times when Brad has worked soooo hard at getting to Joshua, to teach him how to respect authority, and to learn when enough is enough..... Joshua doesn't always respond well to this redirection -- but lately, he has been great!  He and Brad have a newer deeper bond .... and I think it will only grow deeper once little miss gets home (you know.... the whole "boys rule, girl drool thing" :)  Of course, we won't really allow that attitude in all seriousness.... # 1 priority, boys respect girls in the house, girls respect boys in the house :)    Bottom line is:  right now, my joy is bursting because Joshua and Brad are really bonding and have a great time before we leave....two quiet guys talking, talking, laughing, laughing ...working together on a project, disc golf or perhaps putt-putt golf (one or the other).... warms my heart!!