Portland

Well, we are here in Portland, waiting for news on Quin's contract in Haiti. This whole process has been painfully slow at times, but overall, I am handling it really well. It is so nice to be here in the house that I spent a lot of my growing up years and have so many memories. I love the time that my kids get to spend with their Nawna and Babba (my mom and dad). And they get to run next door to Gg's house (my grandma) whenever they want to visit or to get a Popsicle! Merett has learned to walk here. Just before her first birthday too!
As soon as we got here, Carter planted peas in my mom's flowerbed that circles the fountain on the patio. Everyday he would water those peas and say his prayers that they would grow. Every day I would be asked the same question "Mom, why aren't my peas growing?', and I answer the same "They will buddy, you have to be patient." That is how it went for three weeks, until Monday morning when I heard a big whoop and a holler coming from the patio. Carter ran inside and yelled "My peas are growing!". We all had march outside to inspect the miracle that had taken place. I love that boy so much!
This afternoon, I took my boys to a little plant stand to see what else we could have in our little garden. We left there with 3 Celebrity tomato plants, 1 Jelly Bean tomato plant, 2 peppers, and a blueberry bush. A random little assortment to add to our little raised beds in the backyard.
Hudson spent his day with Quin and my dad working on our car. I know, I know, I cringe every time we have to put another dime into that thing, but as of now, we have no other choice. It just has to last us a few more months! It is nearing 300,000 miles and it has made a Toyota believer out of me. Quin and dad had to go get a part for the car and I watched as Huds had his little box of tools, worked on the car by himself while they were gone.
Merett is such a little bunch of yumminess that I can hardly help but squeeze her every time I pick her up. All of the men she loves (ie. Quin, Babba, Gabe) are all called Diddy. Whenever she sees them, she says "Hi Diddy". While she points her little finger at them. She has started giving kisses out to her favorite people. Open mouthed and slobbery. Just the way I like em!
We think we will be saying goodbye to Quin sometime in August. That is quite a bit later than we had been thinking, but what can we do? Just have lots and lots of patience and enjoy every day.