Paradise

The first photo is completely unrelated but my kids ARE THE CUTEST KIDS EVER! Seriously, just look at that picture! They happened to look especially cute on a random morning so I had them sit to take a picture. Luckily, first time was a charm because that was all I got. How are my kids looking so big?!?

 Will had a 15 month well-child check-up the other day. He is 30% for everything and 50% for head size. Ruth always stays between 20-40 percent on everything, so it didn't surprise me much. Apparently he can do all of the major milestones…except talk. I'm not worried. They said the only concern was hearing, but since he can hear planes and point up to the sky when they pass, I don't think hearing is a problem. I think he doesn't bother because he doesn't need to--Ruthie talks for him or he grunts his way through conversation. 

We had a stomach bug pass through our house last week, I had it Monday (luckily Sterling didn't work so I got to sleep in since it had kept me up all night and then it was mostly over) and then a couple days later Sterling had it and then one afternoon it seemed like Ruthie had it. I think Will might have had it Saturday and Sunday. He was SOOOO ornery. He squawked at everyone for the slightest little thing, nothing made him happy, he didn't eat anything, basically I was ready to throw him out the nearest window!!!! He had a nice long nap after church yesterday and woke up considerably happier, only to be stung by a bee in grandma's playhouse. Rude. Today he seems even more improved, and I am just hoping and praying that my happy boy comes back to me before our three day drive!

 This was kind of hilarious if it hadn't been so frustrating. He watched all the kids get a stick, roast their hot dogs, and set them beside the shed. So, of course, he HAD to have a stick and stick it in the fire. But, due to his extreme orneriness, if anyone else touched him, the stick, or came anywhere near him, he threw an all-out crazy-fit. But it is a fire, and that is extremely dangerous, so I basically stood right beside him while he stood there just like that photo-with his stick in the fire and a mad face on.

And to the title of this post: Paradise.

 When my parents moved in only half of the lawn was put in and the rest was weeds. While I lived at home they put in a complete lawn, planted dozens of trees, bushes, shrubs…I know because I helped haul water to all those tiny trees. Now they have some beautiful shade trees, lots of plants and flowers, and even MORE lawn put in down below the bank to create this beautiful spot for a fire pit. It is paradise, I tell ya. This 70 degree weather with lots of sunshine could not have made it more perfect. 

I have spent the entire weekend out at my parents because our house is completely packed (gasp! are we really moving?!!) and Sterling worked 10hr shifts four days in a row…so we escaped. I don't know if that was good planning or not though, now I just want to move in for the summer and make Sterling go to Miami by himself. Because really…look at that picture!

 We had a hot dog roast, then s'mores, and then I bathed the kids and put them to bed and came outside for more marshmallows (perfectly brown ones thanks to my mother) and about three snow cones. The only clean-up was sticking the chairs and sticks back into the shed…could there be a more perfect place? Not to mention Ruth and Will have both had their share of "woah-r-sie" rides, pushes on the swings, and Will's new favorite--throwing tiny basketballs into the kid hoop. It's a little slice of heaven.

Even with that face, I think he's happy to be here.

Not to mention, moving means I don't get to see the fruits of THESE labors--look at their amazing garden!!! It makes my mouth water thinking about their corn, strawberries, peas, beans, and everything else. Sigh. I'm trying to lap it all in this weekend. Sit and soak. Enjoy being spoiled rotten (really, mom has made my every request--we even got homemade fudge yesterday, yum!) and try REALLY hard to forget that I am moving 40 hours away. There isn't even any plans on coming back soon to keep me company. Sigh. For sure the summer of 2016. And my mom is coming in August to help with baby #3. Oh beautiful parents house, I think I might be a little bit homesick and I haven't even left yet!