Faith, Family and Friends

Kids ~

Kids, you just gotta love 'em!

Have a beautiful and laughter filled weekend, everyone~

{Nope, this is NOT an advertisement, it's an IloVeKidSment.}

Parents, be careful and be watchful.
Check outside playhouses and treehouses.
Watch for areas in your garages and carports
where snakes can come in. Yes, they do.
And note the dates on these snapshots~
I.Hate.Snakes.Period.

Thank you, Deeanna, for sending me these~my heart stopped, thank you very much.

Graphics & Giggles ~

I found this crab while searching for another graphic

and thought it would go perfectly in Deborah's new home.

Don't you just love the colors?!

While with Ian & Noah recently, I read Alice in Wonderland to them. Each time I read the words of the White Rabbit, Noah would repeat them and laugh. Afterwards, while he was playing with his cars I heard him muttering, "I'm wait, I'm wait, I'm vewy vewy wait." I remembered this as I found yet another little car in the seat cushions of my love seat ~ and I thought about you, Noah, and sent you a smile and a prayer~

Why Boys Need Mothers ~

The Love of a Grandparent ~

DISCLAIMER: In no way is this derogatory against Jenny and Brandon. They are doing a beautiful job raising two of our grandbabies. I see them taking more time with their children than I felt I did with her; I see them spending more family time, more one on one time, and more trips to the Zoo and playgrounds than we did with ours. This was simply what I have observed watching other interactions, as well as my memories of being a young parent. The times mentioned were those that were sticky points when I was raising Jenny and now, as a grandparent, I realize how Jenny's grandparents felt~

I read a blog tonight on stories of grandparents with their grandchildren. We have spent much time the last three days with Jenny, Brandon and their sons so I was interested in reading some of the comments left on this particular post. Ouch. I left wondering what Jenny and Brandon would say about me. I do know that the only time I seem to disagree with something they have done is when it mirrored my own action raising Jenny. Actions that may have been a bit restrictive or tough. Such as,

*cleaning your plate should not be important when there are toys to play with and places to explore, after all, being at the grandparents is like being on a mini-vacation~
*it's okay to have every booboo kissed, backs scratched, and each tear dried, it's God's gift for all the times we failed to do it for you~
*not getting upset with the child if they cry as they leave us. They aren't the only ones with wet eyes as you drive away. Besides, it makes us feel truly and supremely loved, especially when we remember feeling not so loved when our kids always wanted to go to their grandparents. You'll get to feel supremely loved when you have your grandbabies~
*don't read so much into our words, actions, and looks. You really are doing a great job, just ask my friends. They hear all the time what awesome grandchildren we have. And to be that, they have to have great parents~
*oh, and those times you look at each other and roll your eyes? Yeah, we see them. And we recall passing those same looks when we were your age. Now we wish we hadn't~don't guess kids ever get out of the stage of rolling their eyes. And I thought I beat that out of you (smile)
*I don't care how hard you try, you'll never have as much time, be as relaxed, or have the patience of a grandparent. We've been where you are now and it's tough. We don't have the demands on our lives, nor the expenses, nor the stress of being young parents. Sadly, we are to the point of needing to feel important and are happily available to make your life a bit easier, while garnering all the snuggling time we can with someone that thinks we are the next best thing to a pacifier.

It's a curious and age-old dance between parents and grandparents. There were numerous visits with grandparents when Jenny was younger and countless hours spent with Mammie, Memaw, and Nannie. Each woman had a different style, each special in her own way, each one loved and spoiled her. I like to think I have the best of all three women living and breathing within my heart and this is what spills over each and every time I am with Jenny's babies. I've said this before, but I would act a complete fool just to hear one of them laugh at me, with me, for me. It briefly takes me back to when I heard their mother's voice ringing through our home. And I rue the day that I no longer have one of them to rock to sleep, for it's during those times I can make believe I'm rocking her.

I don't mean to spoil my grandbabies. Or maybe I do, for I watched them spoil her and I saw how delighted she was, and I remember feeling the same with my grandmothers. Now I do not want to cater to the point that they are horrid little monsters, but yes, there are times that as a parent I wish I'd been less strict and found more moments of laughter and hugs.

There's a saying that grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your children. That one doesn't mean a thing to me as Jenny was such an easy child to parent. However, there's also the saying once an adult, twice a child. Is that it?! By the time we become grandparents, we're moving into the stage of aged childhood? No wonder we get along so famously with them and create such angst with the parents. Whatever it is, I know it's one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed. To watch my baby love, teach, and guide her babies into and through life. And to know I can be there to love and show them a grandmother's love.

UPDATE ~ Ah, Jess. Okay, so you've made me cry now with your post. Thank you for taking it from a parents' view, which is one of the, if not THE, hardest jobs in the world.

Letting Go~

Uncle Pete is in the hospital. The baby on Johnny's mother's side. And it doesn't look good. He's lived a good life, a righteous life, and it's almost time to go Home. We visited with him and his sweet wife of so many years and knew it may easily be the last time we'll see him here. Dying is easy, it's living that's hard. He's so uncomfortable, so tired, so ready. She understands, but she's not ready. Are we ever? The will to live is strong, stronger than the body.

It's been an up and down kind of day. You know the kind I'm talking about. A phone call and you're happy, the next one brings you a bit lower than earth. John called with some unsettling medical news of his own, nothing that a change of diet and exercise won't control and prevent from becoming serious, but it was enough to make my heart quicken. Went to Facebook and read that another friend is having a heart cath this week, another is seeing a cardiologist the first of next week. And then John got the call telling us the family needed to come. It's more than growing old, it's more than the aging process.

More like a wake up call. More like life isn't just short, it's tiny. And I'm feeling very mortal today.

Family Hack & Others ~

Okay, so I'm still on hiatus, but learned of this site and I know me well enough that if I don't comment on it now, I'll forget. And yes, I could set the date and time for this to post later, but why wait? One of my girlfriends sent this via email with a tip on how to retrieve something dropped down a drain. The site appears to be one that will be invaluable with other things as well, hence the reason you are now reading this (smile, smile) It's call Family Hack and maybe it can answer a question or two for you.

Another site I learned of from WSFA today is Coupon Mom. I've watched Jenny and her friends sort through their coupons, clip and share, and there's even a blogsite now that two of them have begun to keep everyone updated with sales, coupons, and specials. I applaud them and wish I had done this on a more consistent basis when the girls were young. Oh, I cut out coupons and searched the sales flyers BUT always left the coupons at home or forgot to save the flyers. argh I was NOT good at it. So here's another site for those of you that ARE good at it. That is, if you don't already have it.

Tonight is Ian's K-4 graduation and we'll celebrate afterwards with a dinner trip to Mellow Mushroom. I am confident Jenny will have her camera, so when she posts pics of this milestone in our grandson's life, I'll let you know. Susie over at Bienvenue just had her son graduate from high school and I feel her pain. It doesn't get easier as a grandparent, let me tell you. Our little ones are growing way too quick for me, which does NOT mean I'm getting older. They are. Not me. Understand?!

So here's to new sites that make life easier, and little boys that make it a happier place to be~

UPDATE: Stop the presses, you coupon and sales searchers! I just found a post at Family Hack that will bring a smile to your face! Click here to find out what the weekly schedules for some major stores to mark down clothing and other household items!

It's Time For ~

Needing some time to be ~ to live, to love, to laugh.

~back later~

Slave to Target

I thought of you Jenny, when I found this blog tonight. The name got me, Slave to Target, and yeah, it's too cute not to go visit right now. Clicking on the snapshot will take you to the post that made me laugh out loud. Couldn't we ALL have written this!

WallieWorld was on their way out with us several years ago, but we still found ourselves going in to buy items for the yard, shampoo, and the little toiletries of life ~ that is, until Target came to town. Now that we live where we do, we don't even have to get into traffic to shop there! Not to mention I can make my Books-A-Million run for the latest magazines; several eateries that won't break the bank; and Publix is next door. Yep, I heart me a red cart.

Hey, Hood~

this one's for you~

These sweet curls

became much shorter today~

and I felt like crying.

Then we got this snapshot of our oldest grandson,

and I did cry.

Why do they have to grow up?

{and Ian graduates from K-4 Monday night; get the Kleenex ready, Hood}

And He Waited ~

Elexis is coming to swim!

Noah was so excited, and watched for her.

Because they were running late, we went on over
and he suited up in his swimwings and vest~

Then she got there!
(And seems to be saying, "what IS that you are wearing?!"
If you were to see the large version of this snapshot,
you can tell Noah has his shoulders thrown back
as if to say, "so just what are YOU wearing?!")

And this one? This waterbug?

He was happy ~ jumping, swimming, and laughing.

Elexis wasn't quite sure about the wet stuff,
but then it was like opening a toybox!
What fun this water is!!

And Noah? Mr. Braveheart?
Nah, he didn't like it.
In fact,
he didn't like it at all.
So he let us all know it.

Then he tried to scale his mommy.

I personally think he wanted to sit on her head.

Anywhere but in the water.

So Nan got him, dried him off,

and we came back to the apartment.

Where Pizza Hut brought us pizza,

and we had chocolate chip cookie cake!

It's bragging time once more~

This was taken Saturday.

Our Mississippi girls, Leslie & Stacey.

I miss them lots.

Love them even more~

And yes, I'm overdue for a visit.

Are you reading this, John?

And here's Austin with a bass he caught himself!

John says it's a largemouth.

I thought he was talking about me.

Sweet 'Laina ~ she is growing up too fast.

I think this is her "I-want-to-see-you-Nan" look.

What do you think?

Again, are you reading this, John?

It has been a nice Mother's Day ~ quiet, calm

Shannon and Elexis came for lunch

and brought a sweet gift and their laughter~

Ian and Noah brought a gift, and lots of love~Elexis is a bit younger than Noah, and took such delight in playing on the porch.This person made me a mother, a mommy, a mom ~ and I am so in love with her.
Our day was a really nice one ~ how was yours?