Rain

We have grandchildren staying with us this week. 

We have had a great time together.

We have been to the park, museum, and lake.

We searched for colored eggs and ate a feast.

Church was more fun with 3 little ones to share it with.

We tried to go to the Zoo earlier in the week, but were turned away?!?!?

The schedule opened up to try again today.

The weather report said clouds early in the day and rain this evening.

We set out on the hour drive,

Half an hour later the first drops appeared on the windhield.

The phone rang and there were reports of hail at home, still we pressed on.

A quick stop to procure some rain panchos and we were ready.

The zebras and lions were still.

The gorillas and chimpanzees were active and happy, showing off for the few who ventured forth to visit.

It was cold and wet, yet we stayed dry and warm.

It was worth our effort to go.

We had a great day.

No one melted even though they were all so sweet.

perfect summer day

Today was the perfect summer day.

It was neither hot nor cold--just perfect.

The grand children played happily in the yard

We had grilled corn and fresh fruit with lentils for dinner--easily made and cleaned up

The hammock beckoned as the ice cream maker did it's work

We took a delightful stroll through the neighborhood

The ice cream tasted delicious just before bath and bedtime

A happy, relaxing summer day

Perfect

Mother

My daughter had back surgery AGAIN last week.

My husband and I are staying with her and her family to lend a hand to the care of her young family while she convalesces.

I am so tired.

I find myself laughing--a lot--at the antics of the children.

I can't keep up, when we arrived the day before the surgery, the house was spotless, now there are games, shoes, homework papers, mail and toys scattered about.

This morning it was time for Eden to get ready for school, Grandma's suggestion of what to wear did not make the cut and Mom needed to be consulted.

The baby is secure when grandpa rocks her but when a boo boo shows up, only Mom's kiss will make it better.

The kids are used to my cooking, but always refer it back to the way Mom does it.

When we were out taking a walk, we knew which way Mom thinks is the best route.

We were looking for strawberries in the garden and stopped to pick out a few weeds, I was informed that Mom says the best way to rid a garden of weeds is to pull out the whole root.

Last week at church a friend gave a wonderful talk on motherhood that made me stop and think.  Motherhood is the hardest job and the rewards are not all immediate, though, that jelly kiss sure is sweet.

Now as I look back over my 38 years of mothering my own children I feel quite rewarded.  My house now is usually tidy (when I am not working on a home improvement project) or it cleans up easier and stays that way until I do something that messes it up.

I very seldom yell anymore except to find my husband who may be out in the back 40 somewhere.

After all of the preparations, dinner is now met with a smile and cleanup help rather than a judgement of "I don't like it" even before being tasted.

Being a full time mom is hard work.  Hard on the nerves, ears, back and brain.

Being a full time mom means no time off, no vacation from responsibility, no breaks.

I have discovered that it is easier to go to work and have someone else do the every day chores of wiping up messes and changing diapers all day long.

I raise my voice in praise and admiration for the women I know who have chosen to be full time moms.

I have 3 daughters and 3 daughters who married my sons who are all great mothers and wives.  They are women I admire.  They are women I am proud of.

They keep up their homes, nurture their children and support their husbands.  They stretch their single income to meet the needs of their young families.

A mother is the center of family and needs to be there to be sure things run smooth--plenty of clean socks, boo boos kissed and dinner on the table.

I am thankful for a good mother and my grandmothers who taught me about the important things in life--family love.

I hope I have taught my daughters well enough and can influence my granddaughters so they know that home and family is an honorable profession.

Crafting with the Girls

I am visiting my daughter this week.

Today we are working on a project for the young women at church.

Three generations sitting down with watered down paint and wooden blocks.

It brings back memories from when my grandmother visited about 10 years ago.

I had a pile of vintage silverware that needed to be polished.

My mother, grandmother and I spent many hours over the course of several days wiping, washing and shining.

My grandmother was elbow deep in blackness.

The end result was beautiful.

Our blocks will be beautiful when they are finished as well.

Three different generations in the same family.

The last time I was the grand daughter, this time the grandmother.

Passing down the desire to make our homes and lives lovely with the work of our own hands.

It has been a good visit

Reviews

After 3 days of service I had two contradicting reviews of my grandparent skills.

Review #1
"You're not that old--You are a good grandma--Grandma's are supposed to be fun--right?"

Review #2
"You don't do it like my mom"

Also heard from the back seat, " I am lucky--I chose good parents!"

I have to agree with that last statement, my grandchildren all chose good parents.

I also agree with review #2--I don't do it just like mom, but I have learned that your very own mom is the best mom for you. No one loves you as much as your own mother, no one understands you as well as your own mother. A grandma loves you and cares about you, she has your best interest at heart as well as experience and time on her side, but she is not as good as your very own mother. But, sometimes change is good for both mom and child --change is as good as a rest and helps you appreciate what you sometimes take for granted.

As a side note, I remember now how I was able to stay thin when the children were small--no time to eat and you run all day long. Guess more grandma time is needed to loose these extra 20 pounds. Okay everyone--get out the calendar and sign up for your week. We'll call it the grandma workout, you will be doing me a favor.

10 in the Bed

My daughter and her sweetheart are off and I have the privilege of caring for their children while they are gone. Eden and I have been having fun taking care of household matters while her brother is at school.

I have been a preschool teacher for almost as many years as I have been an adult. I have learned that almost everything a mom and child does at home can be a learning experience.

Yesterday, Eden and I practiced our backwards counting. It started innocently enough with the need to make the beds and soon we were bouncing and singing and counting.

When I went to climb into my bed last night there was hardly room for me--Eden had piled all of her stuffed animals and dolls into the bed and I felt like saying--"toys in the bed and the grandma said 'Roll over, roll over' So they all rolled over, and one fell off, leaving......."

After a short nights sleep--5:30m comes so early--Eden and I are off to enjoy our day. Hope you enjoy yours too!

-Eden

This week we are celebrating Eden's Birthday. She is four years old. How fast the years go by.

I have been privileged to be with her all week and I have enjoyed her 4 year old antics. As she asks for something she says "Grandma is your favorite word please?" When I answer yes she says "do you like thank you, too?" Then I tell her it is my second favorite word in the whole world. And then she smiles from ear to ear.

Eden puts her tapping finger to her pursed lips thinking, then starts writing a list. She spouts bits of little girl wisdom often. She likes to change her clothes 3 to 4 times a day. She is self entertaining.

Eden makes me laugh. She decided I needed some help today so she got out her tool set and using her hammer, saw and scrub brush repaired what she could-- on my body.

She is bold, happy and creative, yet when she was at the Doctor she was suddenly shy. She has gained 5 pounds and grown 3 inches this year. Her hair is getting longer and she lets her mom put it up into pretty styles.

We walk together to the pond so she can throw rocks into the water, this will entertain her for an hour or more. She is a kind and loving big sister to her new baby, and she adores her big brother. She wants everyone to be happy and well cared for. While her mother was sick for so many months she was ready to take the tray up at every meal.

Now that her mother is among the family again she is happy to just sit by her side and take notes. Her Daddy is her first love and he adores her. She loves her dolls and dress up clothes. She worries about next years Halloween costume. She enjoys school and is friendly.

Eden is looking forward to her Pinkalicious Birthday Party this weekend. I have been sewing aprons for her guests and her mother has been baking cupcakes for them to decorate. I am sure it will be a fun time for all. There are pink flowers, balloons and streamers decorating the house in preparation of the celebration.

Happy Birthday, Eden. Grandma loves you.