Bits and Pieces

* Two turned ten today. There was a pizza party in his honor on Saturday. His dad makes fancy pizzas. Ever have cheese burger pizza with dill pickle slices on top? How about cheese and bacon pizza topped with fresh shredded lettuce and a drizzle of Ranch dressing? They were delicious! (Four is watching him conjure up his birthday wish before blowing out the candles.)

* The weekend flew by way too fast, but tomorrow is Wednesday already and that means we'll be halfway to next weekend. Christmas is right around the corner and I don't have a clue what is going on. Perhaps I should make some inquiries.

* Number Nine loves birthdays, especially when they come with cake and ice cream. Cake and ice cream are so wonderful they are "two fork" worthy. Ha ha! Yes, he actually ate off both. He's quite talented!

* I have been searching the pottery studio shelves for several weeks, looking for a bowl I glazed and but I couldn't find it. What do you know? It was there waiting for me this evening. I blame its absence on those naughty studio elves and their trickery. I'm still missing a handle-less mug, but so much time has gone by since I glazed that one, that I don't believe the elves will ever return it. Perhaps it turned out so beautiful they decided to keep it. Ah, well...

Change of Plans (post #2 today)

It's my weekend to work. I'm not working. I am staying home.

I got a text from one of my boys during my nap yesterday afternoon ... "Are you at work?" I told him I was at home and soon the phone rang. On the other end was a worried dad who told me his little boy was on his way to the hospital with terrible stomach pain. I read desperation in my son's voice. It wasn't long before we were blessed with two grandchildren and he was on his way to the hospital to meet his wife and son.


We fed the kids, watched "Storks" with them, fixed up some beds, read a few stories, said a prayer, and tucked them in for the night. I called in sick to work this morning. Grandchildren take precedence over my friend in the Memory Care Unit, and besides I am fighting this nasty head cold that has been knocking everyone off the map. I don't like to give up my hours, but I had two good reasons to stay home and so I did.

This morning Grandpa made buckwheat pancakes and, of course, the toys came out. There was mac and cheese for lunch and a movie or two on the television. This is what being a grandparent is all about. Just being there.

The child has had surgery and is recovering. Mom and Dad are relieved, and so are we.

Baby, It's Cold!!!

This is good weather for staying home where it is warm and cozy. The arctic cold front has moved in and it is bitterly cold outside. Sure do wish I had a nice pair of thick homemade mittens. Does anyone have a Grandma I could borrow? My fleece gloves just don't do the job 'cause fingers need fingers to help keep each other warm.

I'd really like to stay home inside my warm house tonight rather than venture out to church in the fridgid cold, but Sundays and Wednesday evenings are when I get to hold my newest baby. He still likes to sleep all curled up in a ball with his little hands up close to his face. He looks quite a bit more like my babies than Josh did but I do see Alysa in there too. (She is his cousin.) It will be fun to see how he develops and who he looks like a year from now. Either way he's a cutie.

Baby Feet

Aren't newborn baby feet sweet? Warm, clean and kissable. I wonder if those little toes will someday be "pinchy toes" like his grandfather's. Will those tiny pinky toes lay on their sides like his grandma's do?

What a wonderful little Christmas package! This year we will celebrate with two little grandsons. Let the party begin!

A Brand New Baby

Welcome to the world, Lucas! He arrived at 4:17 am. (That gives him his own birthday.) He's 20 inches long, weighs 6 pounds 15 ounces, and is beautiful! What a tiny little guy!

Bethany and I took Ben, Hannah, and Josh and went to see him this morning while I had a chance. Children will keep me here the rest of the day. Sara and Alysa will be jealous that we went as this is their new cousin and they are eager to meet him too.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

Psalm 139:13-14

This is my new grandson! The best I can tell this ultrasound photo was taken the first week of August when he was just 20 weeks old. What an incredible picture of this sweet baby! I can hardly wait to meet him, smell his sweet baby smell, and kiss his soft baby head.

Today we had our church baby shower. It was a long and busy day but full of joy and laughter. I was blessed by all the ladies and girls who came to celebrate with Dave and Leta.

We ate lunch together (chili, corn bread, and salad), played some games, and ate cake. It was a Teddy Bear kind of picnic. There were lots of presents, of course, but mostly friends and fellowship. It was a wonderful party. (You did a great job, Bethany!)

Ain't That Funny?

We are having fun with Josh this evening. His mom and Dad went out on a date. As you can see from the video, he is having fun too.
I am looking forward to next summer when we will have two little grandsons to love. Leta felt her baby move for the first time on Monday (Dave did too!) and today she had her 20 week ultrasound. It's a boy!

One- Two- Three- Four

Happy Anniversary, Dave and Leta!

It's hard to believe that it has been four years already since I was blessed with a beautiful daughter in law. She is a sweetheart and I wouldn't trade her for anything. I tell her she is my favorite daughter in law, and that's the truth! She used to roll her eyes and say "I'm you're only daughter in law." (I told her she can always be my favorite. When the other boys get married, I will call the others my favorite too, then I will look at Leta and wink, and she will know that she is always my favorite.) Now she calls me her favorite mother in law. Isn't that special?

When Christmas comes this year, we will be looking for a brand new grandchild. Dave and Leta are expecting! A few weeks back, on Mother's Day, Dave handed me a little piece of paper, folded in half, and said "Happy Mother's day." I was curious about the paper and opened it never expecting to see an ultrasound image. I think its pretty awesome.