HOME

The Barrington house is still my HOME, and this was the first time that I had not been HOME in 3.5 months! I wonder if your childhood home always feels like your HOME? Maybe it is because we know we are eventually moving out of this house so I don't feel totally settled and can't consider this my HOME. Maybe it's because the Barrington house is still programmed in my phone as "home". Funny story actually, one of my Mom's friends stopped by to see Jack and she was telling us that her son who lives out on the West Coast must have listed their Barrington house number as his "home phone" still when booking airline tickets, so she gets updates on his flight changes. She said that made her feel good that he still thought of their house as home:) So I'm not the only one that can't shake that their childhood house is their HOME, full with so many wonderful memories! 

We got to spend 6 weeks with the family at the Naples house, but since we didn't make the journey up North for Christmas there were so many people that we didn't get to see! It was the longest time that I had ever gone not seeing my Oma & Opa or Samson the family dog. All were very excited to see us upon our arrival. And Jack was in heaven with all the attention and getting to show off all of his new "tricks". Jack was one happy boy and was completely at HOME. All of the new space and multiple staircases made for hours of exploring. It is so sweet to see him with all of the family members, and an answer to my prayers, that even though we moved Jack is still developing a strong bond with everyone. It takes us 5 hours door-to-door, to get from RB to Barrington, and the little bit of stress we have endure is well worth it when we walk in the front door, HOME.

Some Yard TLC

Mike was leaving bright and early Sunday morning so we had a 1 day family weekend, but we made the most out of it!

Our yard needed some TLC. After looking at all of the pictures I take in the yard I realized some spring cleaning was needed ASAP. Mike was out there all morning, and Jack was there to help. The other weekend Mike and Nick laid new pine straw, so now the beds and the grass were looking nice and fresh!

After a little Costco and Home Depot trip we headed back home and out into the yard. Pulling weeds is a new favorite game of both Jack and Dutch. We love our yard and spend most of the dry days out there (hours and hours), so the hard work was much appreciated! Since we moved into the house from a condo we are still stumbling across "home items" that we need. This weekend we discovered we needed a hose. Jack thinks it's his new toy, that is until I show him the water bill:)

It was a simple day. Family and the outdoors. Perfect. Some of my fondest memories include those two key ingredients and I pray that Jack will have the same!

The Grass Always Look Greener...

The grass always looks greener on the other side of the street to Jack! It is a daily battle anytime the door is opened. He bolts, then runs, like he is free. Trying to teach a 15 month olds to look both ways before he crosses is not really working. Plus, I am always asking where does he want to go? Isn't life good here:) I think it's the park. Stinker pants.

Still Celebrating the Victory...

In case you forgot who won the Superbowl:) Dad we knew you would love these!

Is it Summer?

I know there are many more posts to do from this past weekend, but I have major ADD right now between unpacking/cleaning/decorating, so I figured I would do a quick update on our first day back in the RB.

We landed late last night and the first thing I said is, "It feels and smells like summer"! I am a smell person. It totally triggers my memory. Mike left early this am for work and then a business trip. My sleepy butt got out of bed but Jacky Bear slept until 9:30am. INSANE. He didn't go to bed until 10:30am, but still!

Once the sleepy Bear awoken off to Costco we went (we had no produce and no diapers). Preppy and I have been pretty good about not buying "off the list" when we go to Costco. But Jack and I need something to do in this 80 degree weather before the pool opens! So I threw a water table into the cart.

Jack had a great afternoon playing with his new toy, in the sun, in his diaper. After an early dinner we went to the park where I got to catch up with my friends. Oh how I love them. Great "summer" day in March...no complaining here:)

"Rub Dub Dub, There's a Long Haired Blonde Boy in the Tub"

Jack loves bath time and the nightly routine doesn't change because we are the road. We had some fun with his long blonde locks!

Bye Bye Chicago...

We will be back VERY SOON! Our little family is packing up now to make our journey back to Alabama. I snapped a few pictures of our hostess here as we were trying to exhaust our little Jacky Bear outside. Never easy to say good bye but we are going to be back in just a few short weeks which makes everyone very happy! Thank you to each one of you that we got to spend time with, and those we didn't see on this trip there are plenty more to come! Love every moment we get here...

Not happy to be leaving...very attached to the family! 

The Wedding Festivities Begin!

When Mike surprised me with the weekend trip to Chicago I was ecstatic that I would get to make Leah's first Bridal Shower in Grand Rapids. I mean I only have one brother and I have been waiting for what feels like forever for Leah to be my sister!

Early Saturday morning Mom, Oma, Jack, Mike, and I loaded up the car for the 3.5 hour car ride to GR. It worked out great that Mike & Jack could visit with Mike's family while we were at the shower (another post with pictures of the visit to come).

The shower was wonderful and it was so good to see Ben and Leah. We haven't seen them since January and I have NEVER gone that long before. We talk or text all the time, but nothing makes up for face time. The bride-to-be looks as beautiful as ever and their kitchen is now stocked:)

Sausage Man

Just like all the men in the family Jack loves his german sausage from Milwaukee. Oma & Opa brought him a treat that he was pretty excited about, but not willing to share!

"Hey guys look what I got."

"Pretty excited!"

"Yorkies this is not for you."

Our little Dutch/German Boy.

"Don't you dare try and take this!"

Love the Southern Spring Time

As a Midwest girl you don't get to really enjoy a "spring". Sure you get a few hopeful days in March that make you think your boots can be stored for another season, but then you get back from Spring Break and it snows. Always so depressing when your sun kissed has to be covered with Merino wool. The weather down here is honestly unbelievable! I mean 55/sunny, and that is a cool day.

I was a little bummed to pack up my sweaters last night and realize I got to wear like 1/5 of them, and this girl loves sweaters, but if that is the worst of my "bummers" in life right now I think I'm good:)

So the weather is great but the "southern socialness"of spring is even better! I remember having this image of kids playing with the neighbor kids running up and down the street, Moms chatting on front porches waiting for the Dads to get home from work,  and dogs chilling in the shade. That's what actually happens here! Everyday since the sun has been shining and the temps are up. Very Norman Rockwell. And the pool hasn't even opened.

Just this week there has been a play date every afternoon, Bachelor finale parties, and walks in the morning. Absolutely love the jam packed weekly calendar. I was just thinking about all of this on my walk home from the play date at Stefanie's today, I need to remember these fabulous Springs if one day we end up back in the chilly Midwest:)

With all of that said though, I need to quit babbling because I am so excited to finish packing for my Chicago trip this weekend! So many people I love that I get to hug in just 24 hours:)

Group effort this afternoon! 

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

~Psalm 37:4 

Playground Pictures

A 15 month old is work to keep up with at the park, I have had to up my workout routine so I can keep up with him! With that said I don't usually get to bring my camera, but with Preppy's extra set of hands this weekend I got to snap a few cute photos. The weather is so beautiful here that I make it a point to get  to the park at least once a day, with all of Jacky Bears energy though I need to organize my day so that we can get there more!