Life is Grand

Grandpa and I enjoyed our weekend visit with 8 feet of grandkids.  Here are 6 of them! Prince Baby A wasn't able to join in this fun, and I forgot to take a picture of his two cutie pie baby feet later.

Daddy and Mommy (of the big kids) were here to attend a wedding, but Mommy woke up with a migraine so they opted to just chill with us.  I was sorry that they missed the wedding, but it was nice to have the day with them.

The kids are growing up so fast!  The princess offered to crack the eggs for me while I was making blueberry pancakes for breakfast.  After a little hesitancy on my part, I let her go for it.  Was I surprised at how proficient she is at it!  Then later, the kids took my ipad to play Temple Run.  (They are great at sharing, by the way!)  I didn't offer to play with them because I would have been very embarrassed.  Let's just say that my scores are looking much better now due to the fact that they played under my user ID!  Who cares if I had to clean skid marks off the screen.

We have this new farmer's market that opened up not too far from us, and I had been wanting to check it out so we headed that direction.  Although small, they have some great stuff and the prices aren't too bad either.  It was worth the trip, and I see more visits in my future!

We checked out a couple of other markets, but they were disappointing.  Part of that may be due o the fact that we didn't arrive until late Saturday morning, so I'm not going to be too harsh a judge.

After lunch we trooped off to Home Depot.  Pretty hard not to know who is part of our crew.  Can't miss Grandpa in his #24 gear!  Although all seven of us were stuffed in one vehicle for the trip, we managed to squeeze in two new attachments for the trimmer/edger and a ten gallon water cooler.  Good thing that water cooler was empty - it made a great shopping bag for other sundry supplies.  (Our son has decided to try his hand at making his own brand of beer.  Let's just say that he's pretty preoccupied with his new venture.)

The day ended with all of our kids and grandkids at our house.  It was a great evening to be outside relaxing.  We fired up the new firepit and roasted hot dogs and made s'mores.  Grandpa and I have decided that the firepit was a great investment!  The kids enjoyed roasting their own marshmallows (and the adults did too!)

Today has been filled with mundane chores, and a much needed nap for Nana.  It was great while it lasted though!  

Gratitude for:
- Having the family all together!
- Cuddling with the grandkids.
- S'mores!
- Having a great little farmer's market that's close

Miracles

Yesterday was a day of Miracles. We started the day by welcoming our newest grandchild into the world.  He is a miraculous, perfect baby boy.  He was the only baby in the nursery! (Well, technically he had company, but we only had eyes for one.)  His facial features are those of his mother, and the hair color of his father.  Mommy had wished for Daddy's hair, so she is thrilled. He was taking in his new world with intent yesterday.  He opted to just lie back and absorb everything.  He has bright eyes that seem eager to learn everything around him.  He wasn't wasting much time on sleep, and although we know he can cry, he only expressed himself once that we heard.  Maybe he has his father's temperament - Daddy was a laid back little guy himself.

One of the hardest things about a blog is conveying the emotions and thoughts to the readers.  I find this particularly hard this morning.  How do you to tell people of the love you have for such a family?!  How you can't take your eyes of that precious boy because you want to memorize every minute part of him and keep it close to your heart!  How you want to scoop them all up, love and protect them, and never let go.  How you watch your son, in an instant, become a parent so full of love and concern. (The second miracle.  You know it's going to happen, but it's such a miracle to watch it unfold so quickly!)  How you watch the three of them grow into a family before your eyes and how you can see the love that burns so deeply for that little child.

I have to confess that it is during this birthing process that I miss having a daughter.  Mothers and daughters have such a bond that I will never be able to experience and I'm a tad bit jealous.  They get to share the intimacies and quiet moments that we mothers of sons miss. I find myself missing my own mother(s) so much.  I wish he could be cradled in his grandmother's arms as much as my own.

The third miracle of the day was actually the miracle of technology.  My father lives hundreds of miles away, but by yesterday evening was proudly holding baby pictures in his hands.  He was so overjoyed.  He doesn't own a computer, but I was able to email pictures to family and friends.  My aunt had prints made and took them to him.  What a wonderful blessing!

Welcome to the world, little guy!  We love you!!

Gratitude for:
- Happy, healthy Mommy and Baby!
- Watching miracles unfold, and knowing that this new family are nestled in God's hands.
- Being able to share pictures and the good news to friends and family in an instant!

Happily Exhausted

Such a busy weekend!  Our older son and family arrived Friday evening. It was late, so after a few moments of kisses and hugs - and more kisses and hugs - we all found places to lay our heads and went to sleep.  It had been many months since they had been to Grandpa and Nana's house, so everyone was excited. (Especially Grandpa and Nana!)  Saturday morning started with the grandkids joining us in bed.  It's a tradition that everyone piles in and we just have quiet chat time.  It also gives Mommy and Daddy a little more time to laze around so we're all happy! This is when we get to listen to the kids just chatter about anything they want.  It's also the best time to get the uncensored scoop about what's going on in their lives.  (Watch out Mommy and Daddy!)  As the time passes, the chat becomes more animated.  It takes a little while longer for Grandpa and Nana to get their eyes focused!  Then everyone gets hungry or needs coffee!  Yes....I manage to actually cook breakfast....AFTER the coffee is started!

Our younger son and wife joined the happy mayhem later in the morning. The kids are always super excited to see their Aunt and Uncle.  The kids just can't wait to tell them everything too.  Now that the littlest is talking, it's pretty much a constant stream of words. After lunch and naptime, we all went to a park.  Grandpa and I had noticed the park a few months ago.  It is a new one that they have built in the next small town (even smaller than ours).  What a great park!  The kids loved it!  Nana tried out some the equipment too.  I was so adept at one of the features that the two-year-old came running, "I'll save you, Nana!"  I guess I'm going have to leave the heroics up to Grandpa.  A friend of our daughter-in-law came over and went to the park with us.  After dinner, our "3rd son" came over with his girlfriend.  We had not met her before, but they seem happy to be together. I think we all give her the thumbs up.  A day with family and friends - Priceless!

After breakfast this morning (Yes, I cooked again - 4 meals in a row!) we tried to go to Legoland, but they were having a "special event" so we couldn't get in.  The alternate plan was the aquarium.  The kids really liked it.  We got to "walk on sharks and stingrays."  The littlest was amazed.  They give the kids a scratch card with answers to the questions that are located throughout the aquarium.  The kids really got into to it.  Of course, there is the gift shop at the end of the visit.  The scratch cards were traded in for Sealife tattoos.  It was great - no gift shop melt down included!  We tried out Fuzzy's Tacos for lunch.  There is so much buzz about it around here, and there seems to be a big following.  The place was hopping.  The kids loved their lunches - how can you NOT love chips or tortillas with lots of cheese.  The adults were less enchanted.  I don't think any of us have a future visit planned.  Oh well, it didn't really matter.

All things come to a close, so we reluctantly said our good-byes.  Our son and his wife were a little more reluctant than we were - they had 5 hours of riding in the car with three small children ahead of them.  Nana came home to nap time!

Blessings of:
- Family and friends
- Laughter and chatter of Grandchildren
- Naptime!

He's Home

Watching the passengers disembark yesterday at the airport was a lesson in patience.  They just seemed to trickle out.  When I finally saw him, he waved, and we both definitely made special eye contact.  I know it had only been a little over two weeks, but we hugged like it had been forever.  We chatted with a friend who had also been on strike duty while we waited for the luggage.  She had the same feeling that it had been such a long time since she had been home.  I think it must be the uncertainty of the situation that makes it so difficult.  We grabbed the luggage from the conveyor and headed out the parking garage.  A little more patience was required on Hubby's part, because even though I had made a point to look at the location signs, I couldn't walk directly to the car.  It was hot.  He had just carried his luggage up two flights of stairs.  (I'm sure that's why it's called luggage... you have to lug it around.)  He was soooo patient.  The problem was that during the construction...(every road and alley in Texas is under construction right now!)...I couldn't enter the parking garage where I normally would.  The car was actually where I thought it was.  Unfortunately we now had to go down a level.  It was right there.  Did I mention that he was lugging stuff?  Did I also tell you it was HOT?  Poor guy.  He really did try not to give me that look.  "Try" being that operative word.  

On to rush hour.  Oh, I didn't mention that his flight landed at 5:17pm?  It did.  He's driving, and I'm trying not to freak out.  I have what one friend refers to as HSS.  Hyper-Startle Syndrome.  Since I retired I seem to be more sensitive to the fact that the guy in the car in front of us slams on his brakes at the last possible moment and the gal who is in the car three feet behind us is going 150 mph while texting.  It's worse when someone else is driving.  I have control issues.  Sometimes it's just better to close my eyes or do  pretty much anything else except look out the front window.  

We had planned to have dinner at this little Italian place that is close to home.  It's small, it's dark, it's quiet, the food's good.  It's a great place to relax and just enjoy being together.  There's smoke in the air.  Wait...smoke?  Just a few miles from the restaurant we come to the realization that rush hour seems to have never let up.  It has in fact gotten worse.  We are not moving.  Maybe we should turn on the radio and see what is going on.  We were still not really going very far, but we were at least busy.  There were several news stations to check with, Facebook, texting and couple of phone calls to make. A jet fuel tanker had exploded when it collided with a Jeep.  Amazingly no-one was hurt!! Unfortunately, it looked like dinner was going to have to be plan B.  

Happily we discovered that we could still make it to our original destination and make our way home using an alternate route.  Dinner was shared with family in Illinois via text.  They were at dinner too.  We finally made it home, and after a little unpacking and a call to Hubby's family we collapsed into bed early.  Really early.  We were both asleep before ten.  Normalcy is good.

Gratitude for:

- Hubby's home

- Hubby's home

- Did I mention - Hubby's home!

Sew Excited

To start off, I must apologize for not including my blessings in yesterday's post.  That's how it starts I think.  We forget to give thanks one day, and then another, and another.  It is so easy to slip away.  I am determined to live a life of gratitude though, and will not let one day's mishap slip into a lack of gratitude.  It isn't that I'm not grateful, I am sooooo blessed.  It's more a lack of taking the time to actually think back over my day and write it down.

I have been sewing pretty much since I can remember.  It is something that I have always been grateful for.  My mother taught me how to sew as soon as she thought I was ready.  Yesterday one of my daughter-in-laws asked me if I would teach her to sew.  Her mother sews also, but hasn't in a long while.  Her mother did buy her a machine this past weekend though!  Thus the request!  My other daughter-in-law has my old machine, but I have not started the sewing lessons with her yet either.  She works full time and is very active in their youth program at church.  There just simply has not been time.  I have been thinking for quite some time now that it is almost time to start teaching my grand-daughter too.  I have been secretly looking at child's machines and have considered getting her one for Christmas.  Now I'm thinking that I will definitely be doing just that!  I'm so excited that my girls want to sew!  It will be an adventure that we can all share together.  What fun!!

Gratitude for
- God's grace - He forgives my lack of thankfulness!
- I figured out why my phone wasn't charging.....operator error.....a "duh" moment!
- New sewing generations

Groceries, and Laundry, and e-mail.....Oh My!

Vacations are wonderful - especially when you are catching up with family.  And there's a lot of family!!  I was able to have lunch with my aunt.  She is the sister of my mother who not so long ago was received with open arms by her Saviour.  We have always had a special connection, so it's always wonderful when we get the chance to actually touch each other. I also spent most of an afternoon with a cousin who owns a Christian bookstore. She was trying to get some framing done, so I'm afraid I took up way too much of her time!  I love going in there to browse, and I most often walk out with something in my hands! The reunion was interesting.  Just about the time I think I've made some headway remembering people's names, different family members show up!  My aunt had a surprise birthday party before the reunion, so I think that helped get more family there.  We had to say our tearful goodbyes to my father and our aunts on Saturday. It's always so hard to leave.

It's good to be home though, and being in my own bed was wonderful. If only there wasn't so much to do.  After a morning without coffee creamer or milk or pretty much anything, I decided I'd better shop.  I was trying to get out early before it got too hot so I forgot my cell phone and my list.  *sigh*  Everyone in the county was there early too.  It took longer than I'd hoped.  At least I made it home without some emergency I would have needed my phone for.  I was supposed to have dinner with friends tonight, but it got cancelled.  I was looking forward to not needing to think about dinner.  She had some lame excuse like the air-conditioner isn't working....come on....it's only 108 out right now according to my outside thermometer.

I finished my 5th load of laundry early this morning.  How in the world do two people wear so many clothes? Now I just have to catch up on the ironing.  Yuck!  Actually there is a mountain on our bed that needs to be folded and put away first.  Where is Rosie the Robot when you really need her??

Last night I was able to pretty much get through the mail.  It is mostly junk these days so it doesn't take too long.  On-line news is a great thing too.  No newspapers to fuss with. But, I don't even want to tell you how many e-mails I have waiting for me.  Guess I should be doing that instead of this.  They'll be there waiting for me when I get there.....they can wait a little longer. LOL

I've also managed to embroider the fabric for a baby gift that a friend of mine is making for her grand-daughter who will be arriving shortly.  There is a baby shower this weekend, and she is making a car seat cover with the baby's name on it.  The fabric is beautiful.  I have made the definite decision to start finishing up some projects that I have bits and pieces already done.  We'll see how good my resolve is......I think I'm already starting to make up excuses! Speaking of excuses.....I guess I really need to get busy on that laundry.

Gratitude for
- My own bed!
- Washing machines, electric dryers, and (okay....I guess....gratitude for.....) irons!
- Air conditioned cars and grocery stores
- Yes! Our Walmart now has fabric again!!

Circle of Life

The place I grew up in is a sleepy small town in central Illinois.  Each time I visit, I am reminded of how much changes, and how much just stays the same.  There have been errands to run and things to sort.  Since my mother's passing this past winter, there is always a list of things that my father needs help with during my visit.  Some items on the list are honey-dos, some are just a listening ear, and some are emotionally daunting tasks for each of us in our own way.  I note now that he needs to hold my hand more.  This is partially out of love and connection, but more and more because he needs me to steady him as he walks.  Holding hands offers this guidance, yet it is subtle for this proud, but aging man.  He has fallen a few times recently, so we have set up a lifeline unit for him.  This is a huge concession for him.  He is accepting old age.  The talk we talk is more about death than life.

I am also here in anticipation of a family reunion.  This is the family whose blood runs through my veins, but also whose stories I listen to with intensity.  I am just learning the stories of this family.  They are just learning my stories too.  We have been separated for 50 years, so there is much to tell and much to hear.  My aunt and uncle took me to a baby cemetery this past week.  I didn't even know it existed.  We tried in vain to discover the site where my baby brother was buried almost 55 years ago.  Our parents were so poor there is no stone, and the marker most likely gone for many years. I will probably return another time to see if there is a plot map at the office, and place some sort of remembrance there.  His resting place should have some mark.  He has not been forgotten.

I also have become reacquainted with an old friend.  We went to high school together, but we probably have not connected since.  We've changed.  We each wonder how we ended up looking middle aged.  She probably has aged more gracefully.  I say this because I went into a shop to look around and the owner asked me if I had grown up there.  When I said "yes", she thought we might have been in school together and told me the year she graduated.  Seems I was about ready to enter first grade that year!  Maybe I should reconsider my decision not to color treat my hair!

Blessings of:
-Photographs and Memories
-Being lost, but found
-the precious love of family

Rarities

While travelling the roads of central Illinois this past weekend, we made a couple of startling discoveries! I was able to take some pictures.  Let's see if anyone can identify them.............

 See......They really do exist!  Keep on believing!!

Blessings for:
-Quality time with my father.
-Memories
-People who care and tend to my father when I can't be there.

Sentimental Journey

We have a small basket on our kitchen counter that I put mail in that I want to revisit.  Typically it will collect mail for a week or so, and then I will go through it at decide what I'm going to do with the items that are in it.    After a week or two they kind of lose their attractiveness or the coupons have expired. Most of the time they are either shredded or just tossed in the trash.  I have put off going through it recently though because I knew there were sympathy cards in from Mom's passing.  Even though I haven't looked at them for a long time, my heartstrings were still attached and I knew there really wasn't any point.  Today I looked at the basket, took a deep breath, and dived in.

The couple who lived across the street from us when we moved into house are both deceased now.  They were good people, and we miss them, but they had more stuff than you can possibly imagine.  No, they weren't hoarders.  They were just a fall/winter couple who had both suffered through divorce and then found each other.  Combining households proved to be a daunting, sentimental task so they just opted to keep - well - pretty much everything they both had - including more than one house.  After more than a few years of trying to manage all this stuff and three homes, the kids are trying to clear things out.  They are planning on putting the house on the market as soon as possible.  Over the years I have become somewhat of a caretaker for the property, so I have been privy to the family saga of taking out the trash...LOTS of trash!

My own family has treasures too, and I can surely sympathize with their plight. While we don't have nearly as much stuff,  I tend to be pretty sentimental about things.  Part of that comes from just being a "girl" and part of it comes from my mysterious life story which will never be complete.  That being said, after looking through the window into our neighbors sorting, packing, and trash bag carrying, I'm pretty much motivated to do some of my own.  Today I started with the mail basket.  I not only found sympathy cards (I kept a few), but also Christmas greetings and birthday cards.  My birthday is in September.  It was time.

I am so blessed by
- My families who love me as I am.
- Memories of a strong, fun, caring, talented mother.
- Living the blessed journey of life in the palm of God's hand.

A Day of Gratitude

It has now been three weeks since I started on my new drug regimen.  I have been most grateful that the worst side effect has been the constant tiredness.  Probably the most frustrating has been the fog of my brain. (This is probably most frustrating for the people who live with and around me!)  I am not one to take naps, or even sit down for extended periods of time.  There is always just sooooo much I want to do!!  The past weeks I have rested more than I have in a very long time, and slept in until 8 or 9 o'clock almost every morning.  I haven't slept in that late for probably years!  Still, I have managed reasonably well, and I have been told that my body will adjust and I will get back to being.....well.....me.  I have spent my resting days working on backing up my computer, reading, and yes, starting this blog.  All things that I have been meaning to take the time to do, but hadn't.

Today, I have been most grateful that although I did sleep in until 8:00, I had the energy and the desire to actually be productive!  I did a little sewing, a little painting, and even a little cleaning.  It felt wonderful!!  While I know I still have some adjustment time ahead, I am encouraged and happy to have today.  I am hopeful that tomorrow will bring another productive day, and then I take the meds again.  By then I may be ready to rest......it's a great excuse to goof off!

More Gratitude:
-Run Pee - It's a great phone app that tells you the best time to run to the bathroom during a movie.  It also tells you what you'll miss, and if there are out takes after the movie that you should stay to see.  There's even a timer to help you remember.

-Sonic - It's Hubby's golf night, and I don't even have to worry about what I look like!  I know it's bad, but who cares!

Still Amazed

Yesterday was not only Independence Day, but it was also our grandson's birthday.  Early in the morning we made an appointment to wish him a "Happy Birthday" and visit with the rest of his family via Skype.  I could tell it was getting close to time when I discovered Grandpa sitting at his desk staring at the screen of his laptop.  Not doing anything.  Just sitting.  Waiting.  Counting the moments when the call would come through.  After a few moments, I heard the yell, "They're On!!!"  (I'm not patient enough to still and stare at the screen!)
We spent the next 30 minutes or so watching our three grandkids wiggle and laugh and talk as fast as they could about snakes and magic shows, fireworks plans, and potty training.  It really didn't matter what was going on......it was great entertainment for Nana and Grandpa.

You can tell I'm getting older, because later as I reviewed the conversation in my mind I couldn't help but be amazed at the ability for us to just call each other on our computers and be able to sit and talk and see the wiggles!  Our first computer weighed a ton, cost a ton, and really didn't do that much.  We thought it was wonderful!!  Now our computers fit in our pockets and access the world in an instant at a fraction of the cost.

Later on, we discovered that the International Space Station would be making it's way across our piece of sky a little after 9:00 last night so we remained watchful of the time and made a planned excursion into our backyard for the show.  We were both a little concerned that we wouldn't be able to discern exactly what was Space Station, and what were other aircraft.  At least it was too early for stars in our part of the world.  We didn't need to worry.  It was very apparent when it came across.  I was surprised at how seemingly slow it moved, and how obvious it was - to the point that there was a slight glow around it that I'm assuming was a reflection of it's own light. It hasn't really been soooo long ago that the Wright brothers and others were spending more of their time falling than flying.  Now we were watching something orbit our planet, made and inhabited by people. Every one of us can hop on a multitude of flights and go anywhere we want to go on Earth. (OK....provided there's no weather issues, or mechanical issues, or ...........)

Anyway, I am still amazed!

Today's gifts:
- Grandkids wiggles and laughter
-vast skies, and the wonderment of stars
-Ice cream at Sonic