Sunday, April 13, 2008

Sweet Home

On our way out the door yesterday, we realized that the roof was leaking. We soaked up the water from the floor, put out bowls to catch the continuing drips, and escaped for the newer house of our Atlanta friends. It isn't a huge leak, but it is the beginning of revisiting the roof we had thought we'd taken care of years ago.

We are in an old house. There will always be something we need to fix. It will possibly never be warm enough for me in the winter. We will probably always have to drive at least thirty minutes if we want to eat out or meet friends or see a movie. We will have to repaint it again in a year or so.

I have never lived anywhere this long. I had never known what goes into a home.

Each of the past ten years, while the subtly sinking foundation has caused tiny cracks in the walls I'd painted, our kitchen doorway has been further covered with lots of children's indelibly marked new heights. Every Spring, the Daffodils, Irises, Dogwoods and Azaleas have further enveloped us in their (mostly) untempered glory.

This year, roots are more literally taking hold. Gillen and Jesse have started a backyard farm. Gillen's bird garden from last year is being expanded.
There is enough going on in our back yard for Gillen to have been inspired today to create a sign post that leads guests around "the grounds".
Thank God for Netflix, warm sweaters and visitors. I think we may be here a while.

7 comments:

Danielle said...

Oh, I love the sign! I've always wanted something like that, too. There's something magical and promising about those directional signs. In much the same way as maps.

And I love, too, that no matter how tired or busy Nicolas must be, there are always photos here of him doing stuff with and for the boys.

*sigh* You guys are soooo cute!

Madeline Rains said...

Yep, Nicolas is an amazing dad! They were playing baseball with him last night at 8pm in the yard, after a very full day.

Angie said...

I love this post. The pictures of Nicholas and the boys are adorable.

The trees are amazing - I'm so envious of your blooms!! Don't hear that very often, do you??

haha

Angie said...

oops - spelled Nicolas wrong - sorry :)

Donck Family said...

All the Flowers look great, The colors are amazing. we are getting some coming out, but nothing like that. I love the post is there a direction to paradise ? If so in which direction is it. DD

mindy said...

Yes, the older homes are harder to care for, more expensive to keep up with, and more difficult to clean, but they have a charm all their own! And it truly is the family that makes the home, not necessarily the house. Your house, yard, and family make your home a truly wonderful warm place...even when you're freezing!

Madeline Rains said...

Damien, I'm glad that you are getting color at all! May you get much more.
Gillen's answer to your question is "every direction."

Mindy, it is much warmer when you guys visit - not just because there are lots of you. ; )