Joy is best when it's simple and genuine.

It really doesn't even matter that my camera batteries died halfway through 4th of July Festivities. What I'll remember most is an image I could never forget--an image I'll hold close to my heart forever: The look of complete, genuine joy and wonder in the eyes of my children.

By the time our community had set off it's first firework, we were covered in free glowsticks, glow bracelets, glow necklaces and glow swords. (Duquesne Light loves it some chemoluminescence!) And my family had been fully "regaled" with my stories about twirling glow batons. Hey, at the very least, it helped tune out the band in the background which destroyed the musical stylings of Amy Winehouse and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

We were sitting beneath the show, so the first blast was loud enough to inspire a pouty lip from Ty. Once I held him, though, he was fine and even began pointing and clapping at all the pretty lights. Cienna, a child clearly after my heart which she already has, said, "It's like a bunch of your Christmas trees, Mommy." She doesn't know it yet, but that bought her a car when she's 16. Maybe not, but you get the idea of how happy I was.

I pretty much used Larry as back support while I held Ty and Cienna sat on the opposite side of me. At one point, it felt like time had stopped and I was in some movie moment. Everything seemed to get quiet, despite the noises above, and all I could see was everyone else looking up.

My children had the most magical looks on their faces. Their eyes were reflecting the lights of the fireworks and were as big as planets. Only, instead of being covered in continents and waterways, they were covered in wonder and joy. They were so incredibly happy and perfect--the way the simplicity of youth delivers such happiness and perfection.

And just as quickly as it brought tears to my eyes, I couldn't help but feel as excited as they were. Because the beauty of childhood--which is simplicity--can be enjoyed at any age.

I carried that mantra throughout the rest of my weekend, taking pause to enjoy my garden a little more and all the wildflowers that so-appropriately surround our house. I returned correspondence to some friends. I daydreamed about tiny baby hands and tiny baby feet. And first smiles. I listened to the "Garden State" soundtrack on the way to work. I grilled. I went to a picnic. I planned this weekend's Batman Bacchanal. I appreciated having the best brothers-in-law a girl could ever ask for. We visited grandmas. I fingerpainted with Ty, who giggled the whole time, assuming he was making a big mess for Mommy that wasn't going to be easily washed away. I colored three Scooby-Doo pictures with Cienna, which have now been added to the fridge. I read the Sunday paper.

And it was joyful.

Even though my camera batteries died during 4th of July Festivities, I did manage to get this photo of Cienna and her best friend, Tayla. They are 2 months and 2 days apart, with Cienna being the older one.

Also included are some photos of flowers from our gardens. I'll be adding a few to each blog. The one that includes a row of pansies, bottom right, is actually Cienna's garden. She planted it and waters it daily--even if it rains.