Pools and Playgrounds

Yesterday, Josh and Jayme had a youth rally to help with for the teens at church. So, we went over and got Bryce early and took him out to dinner with us. We picked up McDonald's for him (his favorite, the rest of us, not so much!) and then went to Toro Loco to eat. After we ate, we dropped Papaw and Uncle Josh off at the house and Bryce and I went to the Dollar Store to pick up some tools to work with then headed to the playground. We took some of his Thomas trucks and went up to the school playground and played in the gravel. He had a very good time. We took some cookies with us and had a snack then headed back home to take a bath! Gravel play can be very dirty. He is so much fun--Nana loves to spend time with him and just listen to him talk on and on.

This evening Krista called and wanted to know what we were doing. We had been working outside all day, getting a sandbox together, washing down the vinyl siding on the back of the house, etc. We got some new furniture for the back deck and had to clean up for that. So, anyway, they were going to come over and have some pizza and then swim a little. Krista brought Mia's bikini (isn't it adorable??) and their bathing suits. The water was up to about 85 degrees, so they decided to try it. Can you see how much Mia loved it? She wasn't sure at first, but decided that it was great fun. She splashed, wiggled and just loved it.

It's going to be such a fun summer. The grandbabies are at such fun ages and we have a new little guy coming. God is so good to us. He gives us mercy and grace for each day and so many blessings on top of that.

Josh has been sick all week, so please pray for him. He is in the process of deciding where he wants to job hunt, what he wants to do, etc. Pray for God's will to be clear to him. Thanks all....have a great Lord's Day tomorrow.

Memorial Day Weekend

We were able to get together with family and friends a few times over the holiday weekend. It was a great time to catch up with some and to just hang out and eat a lot of good food. Bryce had a great time playing with everyone--especially Uncle Ken. He was here visiting from Tennessee and stayed at Granny's house. So, Bryce got to see him for quite awhile on Sunday when we went to Granny's for lunch. He wrestled with, ran with and played a "tick-tock" kind of game with Uncle Ken.

Mia had a chance to get her picture taken standing beside a tree, which I had been looking forward to taking. I took a picture of Ben Duncan back a few years ag0 (he's 5 now) when he was barely standing. Then, I took pictures of Bryce standing by a tree holding on when he was learning to stand. So, I just had to do the same with her. She wasn't too sure about the rough bark of the tree.

So, all in all, the weekend was a great one. It's Thursday and I'm still trying to get caught up and rested up. Whew....those weekends are hard on an old nana. I am so thankful that we were able to see so much of our family this past weekend though. I only wish I had taken more pictures to document it.

I just have to share a couple more pictures from Sunday and Monday. I have these cute grandkids, you see.....I just can't stop sharing pictures of them.

Graduation Party

We had a graduation party for Josh yesterday. There was so much going on that this was the first chance we had to have it. We had hoped to have the pool opened and ready to swim in, but the heater was broke and the water temperature was in the low 60's, so no one wanted to swim. (I can't figure out why?) We had a great time visiting with friends and family--thanks to all those who came and made Josh's day special. We missed some very special friends who just moved and couldn't make it. Maybe they can come another time just to visit. (Love you Duncans!) Congratulations again Josh--we're so proud.

Collin

Collin Isaiah is our "to be" newest member of the family. He is scheduled to arrive somewhere around the 7th of July or so. Jayme, his mommy went to the doctor this past Tuesday and learned that Collin already weighs about 5 lb. 2 oz. So, he's not going to be a tiny boy. His brother weighed 8 lb. 4 oz. at birth. I can hardly wait to meet this adorable little man. I asked Bryce the other day if he was excited about his brother coming. He said "Yes". I told him I was too and asked him if he was going to let me hold him and play with him. He said "You get to play wild with him--like throw him in the air like you do Mia". Poor Baby Collin. He's going to live a rough life, isn't he? Please be in prayer for this little guy. His mommy has some issues that requires some planning for his delivery.

Maleigha

We have a granddaughter who is 10 months old. Her name is Maleigha Evangeline. She is at a very fun age. She's just starting to pull up to things (whether it's short or tall) and is trying to walk around them. When she was born, Aunt Jayme, Papaw and Nana went down at the first signs of labor. We arrived about 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24. Mia didn't arrive until Wednesday, July 25 at 12:08 p.m. It was a long wait for us all (especially her mommy!), but she was well worth the wait. I had the opportunity to stay for a few days with Maleigha and her mommy. Her daddy was working the late shift (midnight to 4:00 a.m.) at UPS at the time in Louisville. I had a motel room right up from their apartment, but would come down in the early evening and then stay while David was at work. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to bond with Mia. I tried to let her mommy rest and would hold her for hours on end--until she needed to be fed. I praise the Lord for that chance to be there for those early days with both my grandkids. Mia is such a good baby, she is fun and loves me! She also loves her cousin Bryce and squeals with excitement whenever she sees him. It's been really fun buying baby girl clothes too--there are so many to choose from. I praise God for my grandchildrens little lives. I pray that they will come to know Jesus at an early age and serve Him throughout their lives.

Bryce

I happen to think that God has blessed me with 2 of the most wonderful grandkids in the whole world. I know that a lot of people think that about their grandkids, but mine really are! :) Bryce Joshua is 3 1/2 years old. He is a bundle of energy and a very smart little boy. He's into jokes and rhyming right now, which is very interesting. He's going to be going to pre-school in the fall. The idea of that took some getting used to for him. It only took him about a day though and he said "Great news, Nana, they have beds and a playground at my school". He's our first grandchild and while we really didn't know at first how we were going to react to being grandparents, well, he was such a magnificent gift that God gave us all. I think that his other grandparents and us as well spent almost every day the first few months of his life just hanging out at their house, loving him and marveling at his amazing little face, hands, body, etc. Like I said, he's 3 1/2 now and isn't so much into the loving all over him stuff. He does however really enjoy a good wrestle with Uncle Josh or his daddy. He and his daddy like to wrestle on the bed in the evenings. The picture is of him at Easter this year. Isn't he adorable?

Gratitude

One of my very best friends, Jennifer recently posted about a song by Nichole Nordeman called Gratitude. I was very familiar with the song, or I thought I was. She said in her post that she had just recently really "gotten" the song. After listening to it a few times in the last few days, I too am starting to "get it". God has given me so much and blessed me and my life so much. And, even in the times when I pray for something, just because God doesn't grant the exact request, I still need to give thanks with gratitude. I am now praying that I look for things in my life to be thankful for--even the small things.


Last Sunday we had a man preach at our church who preached from the Gospel of Luke about the Pharisee and the publican (tax collector) who both went to the same temple to pray. The Pharisee who came to the temple, thanking God that he was not like other men then continued to tell of the "things" he did, the traditions he followed, the customs he upheld, etc. Then there was the tax collector who came and knew very little about the "laws" and traditions, just about what the gospel said about him--that he was a sinner. He then says "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!". The Pharisee was measuring himself against other men while the publican measured himself against God--seeing his own unholiness in contrast to a Righteous, Holy God. Anyway, in this message the man who spoke made the point that as Christians, we need to worry about pleasing only one Person--God. We are to "perform" for an audience of One. I have thought about that message and prayed all week that God would help me to love Him with all my heart, soul and mind, seeking Him in all I do and say. If I am doing this, it doesn't matter what man thinks about me.



I know that by now you are asking "What does that have to do with Gratitude?" Well, I have let people, situations, criticisms and such blind me to the many, many blessings in my life. I've spent too much time feeling sorry for myself and being angry. I want to be a person who sees the many things that God has given me and the grace and mercy He shows me each and every day. I want to be as the publican and see my need for God in my life--to learn to lean fully on His unending love.


Just a side note--the message Sunday was the best message I've heard at our church since our former (my favorite) pastor left in February. Thank You God for godly men who see that our purpose to this life is to glorify You.


Here's a picture of seven (and 1/2) of the most wonderful blessings God has given me

A Very Special Mother's Day

Sunday, May 11, 2008 was a very special Mother's Day for me. Not only was I able to spend the weekend with most of my family, but my youngest child, Josh graduated from Asbury College. While I think that every graduation is special, somehow this one seemed a little more close to my heart than most. From the first day of kindergarten, Josh has not exactly loved school. On his first day of kindergarten, my mom called him to see how it had gone (they were on a vacation out west at the time). He had already told me that he didn't like it and didn't really want to ever go back. Well, she asked how he liked it and he repeated that he didn't like it. She told him that he had a lot of school yet to go to, like at least 13 more years. He said "That's what Mommy told me too".

Fast forward 16 and some years and here he was, in a cap and gown graduating from college. Josh had experienced some hard times right before the last semester started and had a really hard time going back after Christmas break. But, he also saw that God was really working in his life at that time and he stuck it out, thanks in part to a very good friend/pastor/advisor. So, like I said, graduation day was really special for all of us. Praise the Lord for good friends and family that prayed for Josh and for this day.

So, here's to you, Josh.......your dad and I are so very proud of you. We just know that God has some very special plans for you. He loves you more than anything. Remember, "You Are Not Who You Were".

I love you so much Pal.