Clover Lane

I remember riding on my grandpa's lap on the John Deere and pretending to drive...I'm sure I would've gotten a kick out of riding in the back, too!

You must be having a rough week, having to repeatedly remind yourself to be grateful! It's a good way to cope, though...

I really love your blog.

Thank you for adding that last bit in...about those that don't have their parents. I have a friend that complains all the time how she wishes her Mom lived closer to watch her kids because the mother-in-law that lives right down the road just doesn't quite cut it. It's so hard for me to swallow since my own Mom died last summer.....at the very young age of 58. I have a 2 yr. old daughter and I can't begin to explain how much you miss your Mom when you yourself are a young mother. It is heartbreaking. And I would love to have help from my in-laws, but they live 8 hrs. away and are much older, so they don't travel near as much as they used to. I have reluctantly learned to rely on friends and neighbors for help. I have to.

Thank you for your thought provoking and inspiring posts Sarah. I really appreciate your blog!

Contentment is the key to bliss. I'm certain of it. I find myself thinking about it often and I loved reading your take on it. I couldn't agree more! And I get what your saying on the parents thing. Mine are 4 hours away and I wish they were closer! Maybe someday?

ps- Re: Yesterday's post - Definitely number 2. I tried to say that yesterday, but had mucho trouble commenting. So, number 2.

I love your blog... because I completely agree with the way you think. There are so many things we can want, or feel upset about, or anything, but when we can stop and think about others who are having so much more trouble, life gets a little better.

I am both grateful and upset that I don't have kids right now. I want them now... but I live close to 2000 miles away from all my friends and all my family. I can't imagine not having ANYONE if something should happen where I couldn't take the littles.

I may have to steal your quote to put on my own blog. Of course I will not take credit for it. :)

I agree with you though. WE have never had parents to help us. I've NEVER even had a mom come to help me after having any of my 6 babies! (I think I will forever feel a combination of self/pity and pride about that)

My parents are literally across the street. And I try to take every moment I can to thank them for being such a helpful part of lives. They both have such great unique gifts (gardening, sewing, astronomy!) to share with my kids, I know they get more out of them being so close than I do!

And we get such a kick out of having them close by and being a part of their lives all the time, through the good and the not-so-good.
And seeing what good parents you both are striving to be.
Thanks, Sissy!

Anne's Mom

Gratitude is the #1 ticket to contentment. I love that photo. I miss my dad, but thankful that we did so much together. I too am envious of those who have had that kind of support. My folks were always supportive, but they didn't babysit (maybe for a doctor visit or something.) But they raised their six kids and when we started having kids they made it clear they weren't available for weekend babysitting - they were too busy going out having fun! Great for them - a secret to their great marriage - having fun...

I love your thoughts on grandparents and contentment. Your picture of your dad and Patrick is priceless. It looks like a Norman Rockwell pose!

We live on the same farm as my parents, and I am grateful for it every day. Dad always takes the free candies on the counter at the bank and the kids pat him down every time he comes over, which coincidentally usually happens around the time the kids get home from school -- when cookies and tea are most likely to be sitting on the kitchen table...

My mother just gets smarter all the time. The curve abruptly steepened when my first child was born.

This is a simply beautiful picture. Cheerish these moments forever. I am one of those who lost my dad before my 2 boys were born. I too wish they could have met him. He was my hero and I know he would have been theirs too. Thank you for sharing this it just warms my heart.

I am at the other end of this discussion. I am the grandma to Ellie, Addie, and Claire...and very sad to say that I do NOT live by either of my daughters or precious grand daughters. It is hard on me too. Especially when my girls have to rely on friends and neighbors to help out because I am not there. This is not how I pictured my life. Most of my friends do have their kids close by and it can make me sad if I dwell on it.
But, my friends sometimes get a little too involved in their kids lives. That is not good either. Besides, my grand kids meet us in the driveway when we come to visit because they are so dang excited to see us! I have learned to focus on that side of it...and I am so thankful for BLOGS!

My son use to say the same thing. "Your mom is on the phone," or "Your mother is calling." I thought it was so funny.

I have memories of my grandfather raking up the leaves at his house knowing we were coming for a visit. He would let us jump in them until they were all over the yard again. And he never complained.

Great post!

Must be a Ludick thing. I have the same pictures of Dad, me and Gina and of Dad and grandkids. I love Uncle Tom. He reminds me so much of someone. . . . .

My SIL introduced me to your blog and I love it; you are so in tune and have actually been able to say some things I simply couldn't find the words to say; specifically about staying home with the kids! I lost my mother almost 6 years ago. My son was 2. I now have a daughter whom she will never get to meet. It's not easy but I know in my heart she knows them. I cherish the times my children get to spend with my father and my husbands parents, whom we are SO blessed to have right down the street for us.

Love the photo of your dad, Sarah. He looks like he is having a "teaching moment"!!! Your wishes of having parents close by is understood....Always remember too, you have great sister in laws (hee hee) close by that love your kiddos, and will help out when needed too!!! Hee hee....

xoxo Julie