my version of paradise

ahhh, heaven. sitting in my backyard, watching harper go from the pool to the water hose and back. relaxing on my chaise lounge with a book. feeling the warmth from the sun, yet shaded by the children's kiwi umbrella. our vegetable garden flourishing behind us. this afternoon was my idea of paradise.

ok, ok, i'm still begging michael to take me to tahiti for our 10 year anniversary (and i do mean begging. i've been asking since we got back from our honeymoon...) and that is my absolute idea of paradise, but this runs a close second. an impromptu afternoon with my girl when it appeared that nap at home was not happening after her snooze in the car ride home from the zoo. her love of playing with water and being outside is evident, so i'm thankful we have the entire summer to enjoy both.

and don't despair- the inside of my house is a wreck. we have yet to put everything away from our few days away for my uncle's funeral. the laundry is half-done. there are crumbs on the floor that irritate me every time one clings to the sole of my feet. there are a half-dozen shoes strewn by the front door. there are dishes in the sink and toothpaste on the bathroom counter. but, i can leave all that behind to step outside and enjoy the sunshine and time with harper. that is paradise to me.

and her paradise today was filling a bucket with a hose, then dumping it out. over and over and over. to see that something so simple makes her happy, well, that makes me happy, too. and makes me look at the worthwhile things in my life, and reminds me to cherish the beautiful little things every day.

and borrowing an inspirational picture from my friend, kellie, i stole away a few minutes with the next book club book while we chilled outside. i'm nearing page 150, with only 450 more to go in the next 2 weeks. i feel like i'm back in school!

if i closed my eyes briefly, i could picture myself in bora bora, climbing down the stairs from our hut into the crystal blue water to swim to breakfast. ahh, only 4 years away. but for now, i am definitely enjoying our own little piece of paradise in our suburban little world.