On a Swing

My Pap loved his swings.  Under trees, on porches, on patios, he would sit and swing and relax and tell stories.  He and Nan actually bought us the swing in our backyard.  That makes me happy - not only because we have a swing, but because whenever we sit out there, I think of him.  Swinging slowly out there, in the dwindling light, baby monitor on, is comfortable and safe, and I wish we (Ryan & I) had the time to do it more often.

The other day, before leaving my parents', I changed the kids into their jammies, hoping bedtime would proceed seamlessly from the car to the house to the beds.  Ryan works late on Wednesdays, and bedtime alone can be a little crazy, not always bad crazy but usually hectic, so an easy transition is key.

I loaded up my car with the eighty-one bags of stuff kids need for a day at Grandma and Grandpa's (one of which always contains dinner leftovers - thanks Mom!) and Abbey and Dylan spent a few minutes on the porch, in my mom's swing.  Seeing my kids there with my parents made me so thankful for all of the times we spent with Nan and Pap on their swing and for the times that Abbey and Dylan will have with my mom and dad on theirs.  (And it made me excited for Nan to visit again!)

Mom, I know you hate pictures of yourself (me too), but it was such a great moment.