Moving Back Home

Living with the in-laws can be difficult, especially if you are used to living on your own.  It's a different dynamic; you aren't a child, to be told what to do and you also aren't a guest, to be catered to.  Not that I want to be catered to, but I'm not.  I am also no longer in charge of my own home, don't even technically have my own space anymore.  It is hard.  I grew up in a big family, and all I ever wanted was to be able to have my own area that no one could infiltrate.  I'm sure most everyone feels this way.  I love my family, but I need somewhere that is just for me, you know?  It is hard to have that in big families.

BUT, griping aside; I love being surrounded by family again.  With Nathan gone, it is a blessing to have so many people just as worried about him as me, just as ready to have a conversation about him, to pray for him, and to love him with me.  And I know it eases Nathan's mind to know that I am surrounded by others who can look after me while he is gone.  I become a pretty sorry state when I'm on my own.

Constant companionship is not the only benefit to moving back 'home'.  Along with love comes a laundry machine that doesn't run on quarters, free meals, and dogs to play with.  This doesn't mean freeloading, we still have to work for our keep. ;)  Work here means helping fix meals, joining in on the weekly house-cleaning, and exercising my dogs.  So pretty much: being part of the family.  Which is, you know, what I am... ^.^  As much as we all love each other though, I don't think anyone on either side expects Nathan and I to stay very long.  I will be glad to either move to Iraq or back to Bend.  I love all of my family dearly, but this was not meant to be.  It is pretty difficult for the husband to "leave his mother and father and hold fast to his wife" if he doesn't leave his mother and father's house.  And I would so much like to be in charge of my own home again...

Oh and P.S.

But I think one of the best things about moving home is having good food again.  My in-laws have pretty much the best home garden ever!  We had quite the haul this summer.  Everything from green beans to egg plant.  Here are a few photos of the harvest.

Crookneck squash and green beans.

I love vegetables!

Corn is probably my favorite, minus to earwigs. Ew...

Jalapenos, not my favorite but still beautiful.