Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Since visitations are over and we're soon moving to NC, our season of traveling to and from Harrisburg has come to an end (HOOOORAAAAAAYYY).  We may be up to visit now and then but not often and likely not for a while.  Quite frankly, the kids and I are plumb tired of traveling.  Since they've come to live with us the kids and I have put over 5,000 miles traveling to visits between State College and Allentown and between Virginia and Allentown.  In fact, the only time we've ever been to Harrisburg without going on a visit was for Christmas.  They have been such little champs but we're all weary of leaving our home so often.  However, I want to thank some real champs:  my Mom and Dad.



They have graciously allowed us to invade their home time and time again so that the children didn't have to make the journey all in one day.  They have prepared their home for us by keeping a large stock of toys, arts and crafts, books, and outside toys.  They have suffered through barbies, babies, trucks, and blocks all over the house, under the couches, on the front porch, etc.

They have fed all of us each time.  Both Amanda and Brea have special dietary needs which they willingly accommodated...not to mention it isn't cheap to feed all five of us (six the times Jordan came) on the strict Sarah Ames diet.  Often times I'd wake up and my Dad and Mom would already have the kids breakfast on the table ready and waiting for me to wake them.  My mom would also have all our meals hot and ready when we returned from visits or visiting.

Aside from having four little children run around, Brooke also always came as well.  They played with her and took care of her while we went on our visits, they fed her, and even bathed her a few times too.

They prepared five extra beds, five extra set of towels, and bought all of our toiletries, and then did all of the laundry each time.  My mom even always did our laundry before we left so I wouldn't have to bother with it when we returned home.

They also respected my rules for the children and expected the children to behave in their home as well.  They understood the special needs and requirements for each of them and did their best to follow through to keep the children calm.  Though it was terribly inconvenient for them at times, they didn't complain.

In addition to allowing us to invade their home, they always (very graciously I might add) welcomed the onslaught of other family and friends who wanted to see us or whom I wanted to see.  At any given time there was almost always extra friends and family in the house whom they also entertained and fed.  They allowed us to make our schedule however we wanted and always worked around it for us.

So thanks Mom and Dad (and Kayla, too!) for so willingly and lovingly opening your entire home - top to bottom for my babies.  We love you!