It's 10:30 Saturday night. I'm in the computer room putting together the announcement loop and song slides for tomorrow. And out in the living room, I can hear Connor giggling up a storm. Allen and Carolyn are with him. Pam (that's her in the upper left, with Connor) went to bed already; for CPAs, the tax season is just about over, and she's exhausted. Connor is in his little swing, and Allen and Carolyn are doing something to get him laughing. It doesn't take much.

I love hearing Connor laugh. It's been over five months now since they came to live with us. It gives me pleasure knowing that we're providing an environment where this baby can be so incredibly happy. Sometimes he fills the house with crying, but that's the exception. More often, he's laughing. He is one happy boy with a quick smile.

Before coming to live with us, the three of them slept on a cold hardwood floor (no bed, no mattress, just a blanket) in the upstairs landing of a dark house on a dark street near the downtown. A number of other people lived there, and all of them smoked (except Carolyn and Allen). It's good that they don't live there anymore.

Connor is laughing, giggling, making baby sounds. It gives me joy. Every day it gives me joy.

(Watch this little Quicktime movie of Connor sitting on my legs while Allen pops up behind me and says "Pee boo." Infectious laughter from Connor.)