Okay, so maybe growing happiness isn't easy, but some days, it's next to impossible. 

First, let me just say that while these are supposed to be the "lazy days of summer", I think most moms out there will tell you there is nothing lazy about it.  Entertaining our kids for 3 months is a daunting task.  There are camps, pool trips, summer school, summer reading assignments, back to back sleepovers, lemonade stands and did I mention the friends?  Yes, it's a more relaxed atmosphere, there are vacations, occasional days where you can sleep in, trips to amusement parks and my favorite, reading a book by the pool!  There is also the fact that your beautiful children are with you 24/7!

We are about a month into our summer vacation and while my flowers are blooming, happiness has hit a bump in the road! 

Let me start by saying that we are coming off of Ski camp, vacation bible school, a family visit, several sleepovers and summer school.  WE ARE TIRED.  So, when I finally got into bed at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, I was ready for some solid hours of sleep.  Thirty minutes into my slumber I was awakened by my 9 year old.  Reese had a belly ache, but thought she needed a snack and something to drink.  I would have agreed to anything as I desperately wanted to go back to sleep.  After about twenty minutes, we went back to bed. 

Suddenly, I was thrust into a sci-fi movie where the alien is throwing up and you are being slimed!  Yes, Reese was back in my room throwing up all over my carpet, my bedding and the bathroom.  It's the kind of destruction that only a bottle of carpet cleaner, bleach, a washing machine and some manpower can handle. 

Did I mention that it was 2 a.m.?

I reallly just wanted to sit down and cry, but Andy and I scrubbed everything down, changed all of the bedding, gave Reese a bath and tucked her in between us.  Then Andy asked the question that had not even occurred to me, "Reese, you didn't get sick in your room, did you?" 

You know where this is going. 

Yes, she had vomited all over her bedding, too!  I started the laundry at 3am and went back to bed.  Now, 20 hours later I am still doing laundry and I am looking for the happiness. 

I am grateful and very happy the carpet in Reese's bedroom and the hallway were spared!  Perhaps, after I finish this last mound of laundry and get some sleep, I will be able to find some happiness again.