July 26

Isaac had some of the guys over late this afternoon.

They rumbled up the front steps and through the front door and deposited their shoes in a pile before hanging a left into the living room. (They've been here frequently enough now that they know and respect the no-shoes-in-the-house rule, and I appreciate their collective conscientiousness.)

And then the usual chaos began as they gassed up the gaming system and got down to the business of playing Mario Party, I think it was. 

Although I'm definitely sensitive to noise, their cacophony is always kind of beautiful because it symbolizes that good, safe fun is happening. And I'm grateful to God for providing us with a home that can accommodate that kind of fun for my kiddos and their friends.