Ohmystinkinheck

Thanksgiving 2004, when Jeff was getting out of the Army, he asked me the most amazing question of my married life - “Where do you want to go now?” Considering I had followed him from college in College Station, TX, to Abilene, TX for his Masters degree, then to Comfort, TX for his first job, Kerrville, TX for his second job, and then on to San Antonio, TX when he went into the Army and onwards to Augusta, GA from there, THIS was a question I had waited a long while to hear.

And I knew exactly where I wanted to go. I wanted to go home.

“Home” I told him.

He gave me a queer look and said, “Where’s home?” - he knew I had no desire to move back to Houston, TX where I had grown up, and he and I hadn’t established a geographical “home” to speak of.

I smiled and said, “Huntsville, TX - where else?!”

I didn’t have to ponder - it took a second to respond. I’ve always wanted to live here from as far back as I can remember.

Huntsville is the place of amazing childhood memories. My dad’s parents owned a ranch here and I spent summers, vacations, and weekends traversing their endless acres, building forts and forging creeks, swimming in the lake, fishing, riding go-carts, horses, feeding cows, riding atop trailers full of hay bales, slaughtering calves for family meat, and BEING with my Grandma and my Grandpa.

Huntsville was my answer - without a question…without a doubt.

And so, this is where he brought me.

By the grace of God and Jeff’s absolutely amazing ability to get a job wherever we live, he landed a strong position here that he truly enjoys.

By a fabulous gift from God my parents joined us here in August of 2007.

They too had moved about a bit - from Fort Worth, TX to Friendswood, TX, to a pastoral ministry in England for 6 months, back to Friendswood, TX and then to Poinblank, TX (17 miles from here where my mother’s parents live), off again to Chicago, IL, where they lived for 3 years while working at Moody Bible Institute.

My dad never thought he’d move back to Huntsville, TX; not this po-dunk town where he went to middle school and graduated high school in; he even attended the local university while working at the prison as a guard. And yet, he has - my parents moved less than 10 minutes away.

My kids, after not being anywhere near my parents for their entire lives, are growing up just minutes from their Izzy and Poppa Ken.

It warms my heart and I see and hear the joy it gives my parents to finally be able to “be” in the lives of my children on a weekly basis.

When Jeff and I started having babies my parents’ family grew pretty quickly. There was just the three of us when I growing up - me, Mother and Dad, but now they’ve got a son and 3 grandchildren.

Four became 7 and 7, of course, is the perfect number.

21 Responses to “The perfect number”

1. Kate

   I think it’s such a gift when families truly enjoy each other’s company. How great for you all to have each other close by.

2. Annie

   What a wonderful gift! We are also a military family and it is a dream of mine to be able to live in one place for the rest of our lives, and to have my parents nearby would be an added bonus.

   I am glad you are enjoying home and family :)

3. karen

   I envy you knowing exactly where you want to be! Chris and I are lucky, now, to be in a town that suits us well…but we’re much farther from family and close friends than we’d like.

4. Hay

   Wow. Awesome. I haven’t found home yet, but I’m looking. Families are a treasure, for sure.

5. Liz C.

   Argh! My homes are always right up in the mountains, and I’m feeling stuck in a flat place right now, and more than a little jealous of one brother who has moved “home”–back within a 5 minute bike ride of our parents. (I think I got spoiled having that same brother 15 minutes or less from *my* house for seven years…)

   I’m 34. I’ve moved 23 times–far more than my Air Force Brat husband. Truly, home is wherever my husband and kids are. But, mountains sure don’t hurt. I’ve yet to find a good mountain I couldn’t call home.

6. Starwoodgal

   You are blessed, indeed! :)

7. mary

   What a great thing, to have your parents close by. For you and Jeff, but mostly for your kids. I hope that one day I’ll have the same blessing.

8. Kelli

   Thanks for writing this post! As a girl who grew up having my grandparents very close as well, I can predict that your kids will be incredibly blessed by the relationships they will have with their grandparents, especially as they go through those weird teen years. Growing up, my grandparents were always close, which helped us to be emotionally close, and gave me an awesome example of Christian living, which has shaped me into the person I am today. Grandparents are some of the most precious gifts we can be given, and I think it is really smart of you and your parents to work to make that happen. Have a great week!

9. Tracy

   Oh, this post makes me sad. My own parents live eight hours away, my fabulous MIL lives 10 hours away, my brother is six hours away, and my sister (who has the least amount of time to visit) is five hours away. We are praying that someone will decide to move from northern Minnesota to live in this paradise we call Wisconsin, but I just can’t see it happening.

   I grew up with my grandparents about 10 minutes away. It was heavenly. We went fishing, shopping, boating, on picnics, out for breakfast, etc. I want my children to have that, but short of spending weeks in the summer in Minnesota, they just won’t. (And it’s not possible for us to move back to MN, since my job keeps us firmly rooted here, and I adore my job.)

   Enjoy having your parents so close! It is indeed a real blessing for you and your children.

10. Shannon

    Your family shots are some of the greatest shots for me. Reminds me to stop and take time to love my family! Thanks!

11. Kristi

    Home is where the heart is, they say. It’s true for me. Mine’s 1500 miles away and I’ve been gone for 9 years. That’s more than long enough. It’s too long.

    But, the hubby and I have agreed on a 12-24 month time frame to take care of things here and make the move.

    I’m so excited I can’t see straight!

    Again, home is where the heart is…and that’s usually where the family is, too.

12. Elizabeth

    Family is oh so important. I’m so glad that you are getting to fully enjoy yours.

13. DaisyCake

    Did you grow up in Houston proper? I love Houston!

    I’m so glad your parents decided to move back to your area. How fun!

14. AnnieG

    Funny, that was my answer too. We were in Del Rio, TX at the time. Now we’re moving again. But I’m considering that a vacation. A two-year vacation to the Middle East.

    And, my college roommate was from Friendswood. Haven’t thought of her in awhile. I’m glad you mentioned it.

15. nursebettylboop

    Your right…7 is the perfect number! I envy your closeness.

16. Nancy

    No way. When/where was your dad at the Institute (as it’s affectionately known around here still)? I was a student there from ‘97 to ‘01. His face is vaguely familiar, but I’m not quite placing him. My husband works for Moody Church now (I did too before our son) and we attend there as well.

    (and yes, that is what stuck out to me about your post. No offense. Although, in that theme, we’re still working on that “home” thing - Chicago is sometimes comfy but sometimes too big and anonymous. We’ve got time.)

17. Stefani

    It’s the bestest thing every, isn’t it - watching your folks be grandparents?

18. Mrs. Wilson

    Oh wow. That’s so cool! It must be really neat not to have to share your parents with any siblings. My family is GINORMOUS and, well, one-on-one time is hardly heard of.

    I think you’re right. I think 7 IS the perfect number!

19. Dad

    Mrs. OMSH, your Mom and I were “homeless” until you made the decision for all of us. Once decided, you gave us clarity. Now we can’t imagine a life any better. Being close to you, Jeff, Emelie, Meredith and Kenny is a blessing beyond description. Thank you for leading us back.

20. The True Vine

    Memories of my grandparents are the reasons I call our place home. And my parents are working their way back here, too. And, as I’ve mentioned, we started our journey in College Station…. (Should I start the “Twilight Zone” music?:-))

21. marigold

    This warms my heart! I love having my own mother close by and if/when we have children, I know the feeling will multiply exponentially.