Choose Happy

I spent the day with my high school gang today, celebrating a double birthday. It's been years since Debs and Kez have been in the same state, let alone the same place on their birthdays, so we were all really looking forward to getting together. How ironic that poor old Debs had to miss her own shin-dig thanks to a bout of gastro. We missed you, honey! Get better soon - I need a coffee with you! xxx

So, despite the absence of a dearly-loved birthday girl, the rest of us had a rather nice day at the Abbotsford Convent, eating delish food and enjoying a chat in between showers of rain. The Mouse didn't care that it was raining - she was perfecting her cheeky grin whenever any of the other little girls came near. The kids behaved beautifully, the grown-ups (and I use that term VERY loosely!!) caught up on the goss, and all-in-all I had a really relaxing afternoon. (Christian, Jack and Phoebs had gone to their swimming lessons and then spent the afternoon preparing the back yard for a special event...so I managed not only to have my lunch made for me, but I missed out on the work at home. Score!) I also ran into the beautiful Brooke, which was a lovely surprise - I was so glad she came over to say hello.

It's not often I get the chance to see my friends all at once, let alone have nothing to do but chat, drink tea and dodge passing showers. And it occurred to me today, sitting amongst these wonderful people whom I have known for over 20 years, how lucky we were. We have all endured ups and downs. There have been weddings, funerals, births, deaths, divorces, illnesses, travel, new houses, old houses, poverty and riches. And yet, here we were, all of us happy just to sit in each other's company (and occasionally run after a stray child or two) for an afternoon.

What I am trying to say, exceptionally badly, is that today my friends inspired me to look at all that is good in my life. I suppose I had already begun to do this, after feeling not quite myself for a while. We have all gone through fantastic times, and times we would rather forget. And I realised that lately, I have begun to do certain things a little differently. Such as playing all afternoon instead of doing housework. Or refusing to worry about things that cannot be influenced not matter how much I stress about them. Or choosing to do things, simply because it is something I wish to enjoy, or do, or watch my children doing.

I have decided to grab me some happy.

I'm taking every chance I can to turn a negative into a positive. On a daily basis, strangers feel compelled to tell me that I have my hands full with so many young children. Yes, I reply. Isn't it wonderful? I have friends who can't have children at all. Aren't I so very lucky to have them?

Well-meaning people ask how I feel when I drive past our block of mud, and see that another day has passed without any work to begin construction on our house. It's a bit frustrating, it's true. But we have a perfectly lovely rented roof over our heads in the meantime, and we aren't paying an astronomical mortgage. Which means that my status as a stay-at-home mum can continue for the foreseeable future. Which is my idea of paradise!!

I used to have a house that stayed tidy unless I messed it up; a pantry that did not empty as though via osmosis; and a body that enjoyed plenty of sleep and exercise. My clothes were not adorned by trails of snot, and I did not have a graduate diploma in cleaning up vomit. And I am so, so grateful not to have that life anymore!! Now I have small people who create havoc wherever they go and eat more food than is humanly decent; a baby who specialises in climbing, destruction, and the persecution of pets; and my body is used only to cuddle, comfort, and prepare sandwiches. Oh, and drive.

I live in a constant cycle of mess, noise, strange smells and conundrums. And I wouldn't change it for the world. So adamant am I that I prefer a colourful life, that I have decided to add to the chaos. Tomorrow, I will be bringing home another new baby. He is absolutely perfect. His name is Archie, he is a black and white border collie pup, and already I loves him to bits. You would be stunned to hear the number of people who have expressed a negative opinion about my decision to adopt another pet. Does it worry me? Not a jot.

I choose happy.

When we bring Archie home tomorrow, our family will include three kids, two dogs and two cats. Most likely he will cry in the night (as will the Mouse), wee on the floor (as will the Mouse), eat everything in sight (as will the kids), and jump on my lap for cuddles (as will everyone, including Christian). And I can't wait. When you decide to grab some happy, it is inevitable that you will also grab some messy, and some noisy too. But wouldn't you rather grab the happy and all the other bits that go with it than stick with a side order of boring? Wouldn't you rather bring a puppy home who will be a part of the family, who will run around the park with the kids, teach them patience and responsibility, and feel love, than be so afraid of the noise and the mess that you miss out on it all? I would.

I choose happy.

Looking at my friends today, I think they've chosen happy too. We've been to all corners of the world, seen many different things, and come back to each other. And the calm, content afternoon we spent together was just lovely. So thanks, peeps. You're all part of my happy. I'll just try and keep the messy / noisy bits at home.