Home

A week after Mike and I arrived in OK, my parents brought our kids out to us and stayed with us for the weekend. We played and lounged and talked, and the days melted away until they had to leave. It's like they have lives elsewhere or something. Weird. I loved having them here with me in my new home. When they left, we stood on our front porch and waved until we couldn't see them anymore. We went back in and I sat in our front room in sweats and cried like they were leaving me alone in my dorm room on my first day of college (I mean...I didn't cry then...I'm totally mature, independent, and, um...stoic). Jude brought me books and toys to cheer me up, whispering in my ear how much he loves me, smothering me with hugs and kisses (maybe I should be sad more often?). We've lived around family for years and now it feels as if we are alone in the wilderness. But only a few days later, Pete and Meags called to say they had booked flights to come and see us. Friends! In Oklahoma! The weekend was bliss. Mostly, we just played in our yard (we have a yard!), broke in our fire pit (we have a fire pit!), and swung madly on our tree swing (we have a...!). In the evenings, we got wild and watched a BBC series and ate Blue Bell ice cream. Just like old times. With loved ones here, in our space, even though they eventually leave, this place is beginning to feel like home. 

 Ring around the rosy in the mexican food parking lot

 The fire pit!

 The swing!

 Cousin buddies eating S'mores

 Chloe and the S'More

Gabe uses our tornado shelter (we have a tornado shelter!) as a slide and lion pacing ground