WE ARE BECOMING OUR PARENTS!!!

The past few weeks at home, I have discovered we are becoming more and more like our parents every day! Little things at first, now its becoming transparent. I'm a little freaked out by this, but at the same time feeling quite at peace with our lives. If becoming my parents means living a happy, productive life then bring it on!

I remember how close my mom and dad were. Everyday they told each other how much they loved each other. I remember my dad coming up to my mom in the kitchen and giving her a hug and kiss as she was cooking dinner. When they sat together in church, his arm would always be around her shoulders or holding her hand. In walmart or other stores, they showed their affection toward each other by holding hands or talking low. I always wanted a relationship just like that. And now I realize I do.

My dad loved everything old fashioned. He liked raising chickens, turkeys, rabbits and guineas. He liked having a garden that he worked with his own hands. As a child, i never really understood those things. In my mind it was just easier to buy everything. It didn't seem to taste any different if it was bought in a store or raised in our yard. I thought it was just too much work, rediculous, and swore I would never torture my children with it. But, a few days ago as I walked through our freshly tilled garden with my daughter, I started remembering how much I enjoyed walking behind my dad as he drove the tractor through the garden and feeling the freshly tilled soil around my bare feet. I started to feel that proud feeling that I think he felt all those years. Its not the taste of the food, but the feeling of accomplishment. To make that extra effort to grow our own vegetables and raise animals for food taught us that hard work really pays off. I am beginning to feel that sense of pride and accomplishment.

Tonight, after dinner, I asked Chris if he wanted a cup of coffee. After eating I had this sudden urge to have a cup of coffee. He looked at me and agreed that it sounded like a good idea. As we were drinking our coffee, we watched tv and browsed through the sale ads. He asked me, "are we turning into your mom and dad?!" well, Chris, I think we are! Ten years ago, that would have bothered me to know I was no longer that teenager that knew so much more than my parents did! However, today, I am proud to be like them!

I am proud to have a home of our own, three beautiful children, a relationship that gets stronger everyday, working in the yard everyday, making things from scratch, and laughing when I see us sitting in front of the tv after the kids have gone to bed with a cup of coffee in our hands just like ......my parents.

I love you Mom and Dad!!!