I'm Thankful For...

...my in-laws.

Four years ago we made the decision to move back to where my hubby grew up. We discussed many options as to where we would live until we could figure out something permanent. It came down to buying a used trailer to set up on the property & staying with my in-laws while we renovated it. We thought it would take about three weeks to make it livable. It took three months.

Most people I'm sure would cringe a little at the thought of living with their in-laws for any amount of time. You've all heard horror stories I'm sure about "the mother-in-law," but I have to tell you. I have fantastic in-laws. Truly.

While it was difficult to manage the three months of blending our household, we survived relatively unscathed. All of us. We now live in a multi-generational setting. We have a quarter-mile long driveway. As you come up the drive you see our trailer (just behind the tree in the foreground) to the left. Then there is the farmhouse. This is the house my hubby's grandfather was born in & still lives in. He's done some amazing renovations there over the years. Just behind the trees on the right you can see the roof of my in-laws log house.

I am very thankful we all get along so well given the proximity of our homes. In fact, I can sometimes go weeks without talking to or seeing my in-laws due to our lives & the busy-ness of it all.

But I'm very thankful we made the decision to move here while our children were still young rather than retire here (which was our original plan). My boys are getting to grow up very close to not only their grandparents but also their great-grandfather. They all have a great relationship with them. I know that we are truly blessed in our living situation.

While it may be unique it really is a blessing for all of us. I'm very thankful I have great in-laws who have made it easy for this all to work. I'm thankful with the time & energy they put in to their grandchildren. I'm thankful for their great-grandfather who just thoroughly enjoys having them around.