Meet the Rushtons

You have not met the perfect neighbor until you have met the Rushton's. They are our "across the street" neighbors and we feel so lucky to know them.

When we first arrived and were unloading our truck Jerry Rushton marched right over to introduce himself, welcome us to the neighborhood and offer a hand with moving stuff in. A couple days later when we were trying to figure out how the lawn mower worked and trying to tackle the disaster of a yard we were left when Jerry marched over and offered to see if he could fix the mower for us, then offered to mow our lawn for us. Of course J.R. wouldn't let him mow our lawn while we sat and watched, but we did borrow his mower. While J.R. was mowing the lawn Jerry totally fixed our mower - even when to the store for parts and when J.R. tried to pay him for it he refused saying it wasn't a big deal at all. His wife Debbie also saw me cutting down our bushes by hand and brought over an electric trimmer that cut the work time in half. These people are just awesome! If I continued to tell you everything they have done for us while we've been here, this post would be a mile long. Ie: Dinners for J.R. when I was gone, and for me when he is gone. Babysitting for MD apts. Use of their truck at any time - he even offered to give us a key to it in case we needed to use it and he wasn't around. Borrow their fax machine. Shoot hoops on their court behind their house. Let J.R. drive their convertable for 2 days when we accidently forgot to pick up our car at the shop before the weekend. Seriously, the list could go on and on. Just amazing people!

The kids in the neighborhood are just as great. While we were taking a break from moving stuff into the house, we heard a knock at the door. There were 3 kids standing at the door introducing themselves and welcoming us to the neighborhood. How Polite!
We felt so loved and welcomed that I even dared ask Jerry for a ride to the airport after being their neighbor for just a few days. Of course Jerry took it a step further and offered to mow our lawn while we were gone for two weeks. We made him promise to let us return the favor someday. Crazy nice people. So giving, so kind without any secret agendas. This is exactly the friend and neighbor we want to be. I'm so happy for their example. For now on FHE lessons will be "what would the Rushtons' do?" (in a non sacreligious way of course)

The pictures below are just an average summer day on our street. Playing in the pool that turned into a water fight. Playing in the truck (not sure why that's fun, but I guess being stuck close together and watching Elliot push all the buttons and getting him to say "hamburger" makes kids bust up laughing) Elliot loves the Rushton boys. Josh, Jacob (twins) and Jared. You should see the fit he throws when I tell him it's time to come in for dinner. It's embarrassing, but I think they secretly love the attention. He's other good buddy is Mathew. He comes over every once and a while asking if Elliot can play. Mathew is 8. They can't even communicate, but Mathew likes to make Elliot laugh and Elliot loves having a buddy to play with. Such cute kids.

Mathew & Austin (brothers), Josh and Jacob (twins), Elliot

Debbie & me (i guess I was taking a short nap?? JK)

Debbie just got back from playing a church softball game. What a cool mom.

(Sorry, no picture of Jerry yet)

They keep him happy with treats and juice drinks

Sitting on the Rushton's porch. Elliot right in the middle of all the kids.

Elliot, Josh (or Jacob - I still can't tell them apart), Mathew

Jared, Elliot and the rest of the gang