Sweet Home Alabama

I have been home now for 2 weeks and as hard as it is to admit, as much as I am independent, I am extremely happy to be here. When I moved to Nashville, I was content just coming back to visit every month or two. As hard as it was being away from my family and friends, especially my niece and nephews, I was fairly happy being in Nashville. I am very close to all of my family and stay close by talking to them everyday, even several times a day (sometimes my sister even calls me "Maw-Maw", which most of you know my grandmother and how, shall we say, PERSISTENT, she is!!) There was the occasional home sick day or night when I would get the blues, but I liked being "on my own" and away from all the small town drama and busy-bodies (you all know what I am talking about :) But, ever since Paul and I got married last year, we have talked about moving back here to settle down and raise our children. He has never lived in a small town like this and he absolutely LOVES coming home with me. He loves the closeness of the family when we are here, he loves the values and morals people here have, he loves the "Mayberry" atmosphere of going down the street to a store and literally ALWAYS knowing almost everyone there, as does his daughter. She gets so excited when we visit, she loves going to my dads and riding the horses and going to Aunt Nikki's to stay with her cousins and Mi-Mi's house, etc. She was calling my family Aunt, Uncle, Granddaddy, MiMi, Cousins, etc before the end of the day on the day when we got married! :) She couldn't wait to become a part of our family, as she has seen how close our family is and wanted so bad to have that. Neither of them have ever had family close and unfortunately do not get to see them very often. Well, obviously having Emmie makes it even harder to be away from my family and friends back here. Not only for all the help and support they are, but for Emmie's sake. I want her to have the same closeness and togetherness with family and friends I always had growing up. I can't remember a Sunday or weekend day that growing up we weren't at one of my aunts or uncles house playing with all my cousins or that they weren't at our house. Every holiday, every birthday, any and every occasion to get together, we did. As I've come to realize, this "lifestyle" has a lot to do with being a "Southerner". From people and friends I've met in Nashville, the majority of them are just not like that with their families and friends. They see them occasionally, but it just isn't like we are down here. I think we just value family more and hold it as a higher priority than others. Sure they love their families and visit, but it just isn't the same. I know people who only see their families once a year, if that! I just can't imagine not having my family being a HUGE part of my life as well as my child's life. I say all of that to just say, family and good friends are such a blessing and something I never take for granted. With Emmie coming along, we are definitely more aware of how we want to raise her and the strong bonds and relationships we want her to have with all of our family and friends here. It makes me see that there is nothing more important than raising your children with family and friends you can truly, truly count on to be there.....I'm sure it won't be long before we are back where we belong!! Here are some pictures while we have been here...