June 20

Sometimes our house is very loud. And oftentimes, the high volume is a byproduct of intense video gaming action. That was the case early this afternoon when Isaac and Brady settled into the living room for a showdown.

They started with a few rounds of Mario Kart, which is what they were doing when I snapped this pic. (Incidentally, I too play a few rounds of Mario Kart with just Isaac before Brady came downstairs. I finished a very respective sixth out of twenty-something.)

The true yelling began when they pulled out the Mario baseball game. There was much shouting and ranting and raving and laughing and shrieking. 

And although excess noise is one of my great nemeses, I laughed because I love hearing them having fun together. (And because I realize how few days they have left to create chaos together, since Isaac heads off to college in less than two months.) I am grateful for the sounds of happiness, and for how cacophony rooted in brotherly love sounds miraculously harmonious to my ears.