What is hope?

Waking up at 3 am to find boys all snuggled with you.

Asking Joey what he did today... and having him tell you.

Listening to the boys playing in the next room- and realizing they are not only having a conversation, but bouncing a little story back and forth between them, making up the play narrative together.

Joey practicing for the school spelling bee.

Reports of another good day at school.

Watching the cat voluntarily jump up on a boy bed and settle- with the boy still awake.

Asking for a boy to bring you a glass of water from the kitchen- and having two handed to you.

Two boys strapped in their seats ready to go, and you never touched a seat belt or buckle.

Two boys dressed and playing on their computers downstairs, and you discovered this after rolling out of bed and realizing it was really quiet upstairs.

An SOL nine weeks test with only one question missed.

"Knock knock." "Who's there?" "Orange." "Orange who?" "Orange is not yellow!"