Bouncing up and down excited

So I'm a pretty excitable person and I think I always have been. In some phases of life (like in high school), I may have tried to tone it down to seem cooler, but the thing is I'm easily brought to great heights of joy. It really doesn't take that much- here are some things I can think of in the last few months:
-a fun film (Sherlock Holmes)- I'm not really that picky about films just like to have fun
-riding my motorbike anywhere at anytime- such a free feeling and a thrill
-any sort of big shared experience (Superbowl, Olympics, Oscars- particularly those things where someone wins and is filled with joy)
-pretty views- anything in nature
-finding a good idea on a blog or website for a craft or recipe
-getting a good idea of something fun to do with Sam and him being excited too (my enthusiasm has definitely worn off on him and at least once a day he responds to an idea for an activity or outing with "yeah yeah yeah" fists pumping jumping up and down joy. I would be just like that if I was 3ish. Just because I'm 30ish it's toned down just the teensiest to "oh John I'm so excited this is going to be so great...can you even imagine...". It is sometimes very fun to have a mini-me (and believe me, Sam is a mini-me in many many ways, not all as enjoyable at this).

I think that John finds this aspect of me a little strange and perhaps a little lovable. After all, it doesn't take much for him to turn any bday, anniversary, or holiday into something special for me.

Anyway, there's a whole other level to my excitement though when it comes to things that actually do bring joy to normal people- like when someone I know gets married, achieves something they've worked hard for, or has a baby. Today I talked to my friend Melissa, who is due March 3rd with her first baby so I'm riding that highest of highs. Melissa is going to be an awesome mom. Eric is going to be a fantabulous dad. Being parents is going to bring them closer to each other, to God, to their families and friends, and in just a few weeks they are going to hold for the first time a little guy that will automatically rise to the top of their list of most important people in the world. I'm just bubbling up with joy to think of what lies ahead for them and for those of us that know and love them. They were some of the first people to meet Sam when he came into this world almost three years ago- I'm so glad they're going down that path themselves now. Here are three pics of them with Sam... Can't you just see what great parents they'll be?!?!?!