Just another day in paradise....

So my cousin posted in her blog a couple of weeks ago about a country song that plays over in her head that depicts her life so well.  I was thinking that there is one that I think about often too.  The words are so true in my life.....

The kids screaming, phone ringing
Dog barking at the mailman bringing
That stack of bills - overdue
Good morning baby, how are you?
Got a half hour, quick shower
Take a drink of milk but the milk's gone sour
My funny face makes you laugh
Twist the top on and I put it back
There goes the washing machine
Baby, don't kick it.
I promise I'll fix it
Long about a million other things

Well, it's ok. It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

Friday, you're late
Guess we'll never make our dinner date
At the restaurant you start to cry
Baby, we'll just improvise
Well, plan B looks like
Dominoes' pizza in the candle light
Then we'll tippy toe to our room
Make a little love that's overdue
But somebody had a bad dream
Mama and daddy
Can me and my teddy
Come in to sleep in between?

Yeah it's ok. It's so nice.
It's just another day in paradise.
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

My husband and I live in a house that has more than its share of problems.  There have been a number of occasions that I know he has wanted to take a baseball to more than one appliance.  When we have run out of water for the 8th time that day, when the well pump won't stop running, when the washer is exuding a smell akin to a dead animal.  I could go on.  When Irene and Lee hit, it was inches before the 5 feet of water in our crawlspace was about to spill into our first floor.  I'm not even kidding when I tell you that stuff breaks ALL THE TIME and my poor husband diligently fixes all of it to the best of his abilities.  I love being married to a handy man.  Date night is a joke.  Money is really tight right now, and even if we did have the money, and if I had a free night without the baby, all I would want would be to snuggle with my husband in bed, not say anything, and sleep for hours.  Tonight my child screamed in exhaustion on and off for about 2 hours.  Being in daycare, its noisy and she doesn't sleep as well.  I couldn't get her to settle down.  Nothing I was doing was helping. 

Through all of this, my life couldn't be more perfect.  Our house might be a hot mess, but its our home, and we love it because we've made memories and worked hard to make it the happy and cozy place that it is.  We have plans some day to move to our forever dream home, but for now, we are content to make do with the house we've been blessed with.  Marriage is hard work, even when you are married to someone as wonderful as I am.  At times I have been jealous of some of our friends who take exotic and romantic vacations, but when Jeff and I sit with our Five Guys and Ritas water ice on our TV trays on our couch, I realize that we are just as fortunate, simply to have each other.  My baby girl is a dream, everything I ever wanted.  Even when she is having a hard time sleeping and I hear her calling for me for the third time in an hour.  Her smile and the way she kicks her legs when she sees me makes even the most sleepless of nights bearable. 

I love this song because it depicts how happiness and being content are not based on circumstances.  It's in your attitudes, how you see your life, and how you spend it with the people you care about.  A thankful heart and a cheerful spirit when times are tough, when you're flying high, and even when life is just blessedly boring, is incredibly valuable.  Other than loving her Lord, if I manage to teach Shayna nothing more than to be thankful and cheerful, I will be happy.  It goes such a long way.  Speaking of which, I have to go check on her.  She was running in her crib a few minutes ago and it is time for her to go to sleep. :)