patio

Prior to moving to Salem we lived in a house on a good sized lot, fenced, manicured lawn . . . nice little place. Tobias loved playing outside in the yard and the dog enjoyed being off leash; both able to move about freely. We decided Justin had hit the dead-end part of a dead end job; mill work was not his favorite either. The school here in Salem has one of the best fire suppression and EMT programs in the area, so here we are. To get through this time of financial lack we are renting an apartment. This has been a change for all involved, obviously and God’s grace is sufficient . . . just so thats clear.

Our apartment has a patio. It is good sized, I suppose; I haven’t really lived in too many apartments, and none with patios. But its outside and its paved and it has wall of lattice so the monsters can’t escape. And to their great enjoyment, we house our 3 ice chests out there, which make great climbing obstacles and tables to play.

As the weather warms I’m more and more grateful for our little patio. I leave the sliding glass door open for fresh air to enter and the boys run in and out . . . leaving trails of dirt (not sure where the dirt comes from since I sweep the patio daily) for mom to vacuum.

But the patio experience also makes me miss my yard, my great big yard with my flower beds and green grass. MY yard, not sharing the grassy slopes with anyone else. Selfish thought for the day . . . or for the minute, whatever. But I also remind myself that because of what the fam endures today, tomorrow we will actually OWN our own yard and house (God willing) and to just lay low, that it will pay off in the end.

Sam in front of the sliding glass door . . . T is heading outside . . . again.

Samuel, on top of his mountain . . . it was quite the feat, that climbing bit. He’s not on the tall side for his age. Oh, and ignore the bare patio . . . many plants to come . . . and slowly more toys are finding a home out there as well.