We are happy in Connecticut. The winters are way too cold, the cost of living is way too high, and we spend way too much time commuting, but it's home for us now and we're happy here. We actually had no plans to go home to Alabama this summer. We went for Christmas, plus we traveled to California for the Disney trip, so Daddy P and I figured we could bypass a trip south. Ryan and Evan, on the other hand, had other plans in mind. They begged us to take them to Alabama. They are finally at the age where they remember things, people, and places and they love going home. And yes, we still consider Alabama home. So we relented, but we didn't tell Ryan and Evan and we didn't tell our families. We just packed up one morning and left. The trip was longer than we expected (2 weeks instead of one) and it wasn't all fun and games (we lost two love ones and dealt with the sudden illness of another) but we were thankful that we were able to go. Family is so important and we are glad that Ryan and Evan are beginning to understand that now. So, I'm pretty sure that we'll head back "home" each and every summer for years to come. We want Ryan and Evan to stay connected to their southern roots. We all seem to be more relaxed and at ease there. I think it may have something to do with being in the country! R & E ask us every single day, where are we going? What are we going to do today? In Alabama, though, it was the opposite. They were content just being at my grandparents' house and they didn't
want to go anywhere. They gave me the hardest time when I tried to take them someplace. It was a good trip :)
Evan loved having breakfast with Grandaddy every morning. Who wouldn't love eggs, sausage or bacon, and grits?!
When you live in the country a stick can become your favorite toy!
I taught the boys about the danger of ant beds...then I was the one who ended up stepping in one! Ouch!
Dirt roads are the perfect place to write your name
The boys loved working with Granddaddy outside. This is why he looks so good at 95!
Baseball with day in the evenings
I told Ryan and Evan about my first baby, Beau this time around. He's buried in our yard under a huge tree. I loved that little dog so much. I am comforted by knowing I can always go and visit his grave. Ryan listened to me carefully when I explained things to him and then he said, "Poor Beau! I miss him too."
When you live in the country you must have a riding lawnmower. If your husband is a country boy he just has to ride his boys on said lawnmower. He will, however, be sure that the blades are not down.
