Another Perk

So I know I just posted about how great our little neighborhood is, but forgot to mention another reason why we live where we do.  We love being 40 minutes from Grandma and Papa's house!  It's so easy to get together for a quick dinner, a little shopping, or a trip to a local pumpkin patch, like we did today.  The kids love seeing them and Justin and I are thankful to have two extra sets of hands to help with everything. And I don't think Grandma and Papa mind either :). 

When I graduated from High School, I don't think I ever thought I would be living this close to my parents.  Like most kids, I was ready to get out on my own and create a little space/distance between me and my parents.  Iowa City was great, and I still enjoy visiting there, but I knew that was not where I wanted to raise a family.  After we got married and I finished graduate school, we both knew we wanted to be close to central Iowa and were lucky enough to find jobs in Des Moines. 

Since having children, my relationship with my parents has changed.  I talk to my mom nearly every day, even if it's just via text messaging.  We spend more with my parents too, not because they want to see me and Justin, but because they want to see the little ones :).  We have counted on them numerous times to stay home with sick children so Justin and I wouldn't have to miss work.  Of course we love the homemade goodies they drop off for us too-chocolate chip cookies, bars, homemade jam, veggies from the garden, soups and meals to freeze...

I'm so glad my children get to make these memories with their grandparents.  We are so appreciative of everything they do for us and I'm not sure what we would do without them!