When I was a kid I spent many a night laying awake. It was no one’s fault, by purely my own silliness. It was always when there was something really exciting happening. I don’t think I slept more than 10 minutes at a time on Christmas night, and I even got myself worked up about summer day trips to Carowinds.

There have been many a restless night over the past couple of months. I keep getting more and more excited about the Grand Opening. Last night was one of those. I let my Lab take up most of my side of the bed. For a long time we laid cheek to cheek. I whispered, “I love you Bayden,” and he gave me a big kiss.

At that moment I felt pure and simple joy. It was something so small, but was totally raw and beautiful. I started thinking about those moments I have witnessed in the passed year. You know, the ones that are so wonderful you think, “I hope I remember this moment always.” I don’t mean the obvious ones like births and marriages. I mean the ones you’re not expecting. It could be as simple as playing dress up with your little girl. Or maybe sitting in church listening to a message that feels as if it is spoken directly to you at a time you needed it most.

The moments that stood out for me in 2009 included the Sunday evenings Mike and I spent on the swing watching the sunset. It was so nice to have those moments without any sort of distraction, because it seems they are few and far between.

So I am adding this to my list of stuff to take in to 2010: Enjoy a multitude of pure and simple joys.

Happy. New. Year.
And I hope to see you Saturday!