And Here Begins the Parade of Birthdays

But first... There was a gathering last evening. Unfortunately, I had a prior engagement that could not be altered and was unable to be in attendance, however I was blessed with two very fine photos from the event. Here is Number Nine (Idris), Grandson Number Seven, to share our good news!






Good thing we love boys! Here comes Number 15, Grandson Number 13. We are so excited! January seems a long way off today, but it will be here in no time.

And tonight, in honor of Granddaughter Number Two, there was a party. Number Eight (Jilly) turned five today! She was quite excited to have her two grandmas, one grandfather, and an uncle gathered for her celebration. There will be a kid party next week for both her and her brother, Grandson Number Four, also known as Number Five (Jake), who will be turning eight on September 11th.

I am more than ready for tomorrow to be Friday (Actually I was ready today...) and the three day weekend to follow. It's been a crazy week at work! A good week, but a crazy one as well. I am ready for a rest from the kitchen, and a hike in the park with my sisters.

Pottery People and A Sleepover or Two

My oldest daughter has been out of town so her three children spent a bit of the week with Aunt Hannah. I'd intended to spend a few evening enjoying my grandkids after work, but it turned out to be a rather busy week. A staff meeting on Tuesday and the Thrsday evening invitation to dinner from a CoDA friend, took me out the two evenings I would have been home. (Strange how that works...)

I made a quick pottery studio stop on Wednesday evening to look for my boxes. I didn't find any finished, but did find something else, a sculpture I'd made and tried to fire at home back in 2005. It hadn't finished firing and the glaze was dry and cracked like sun-baked mud. I left it on the bisque shelf a week or so ago, along with a note asking if they could refire it for me. I had no idea what to expect, but hoped for the best. I was pleased to see the glaze had melted in the second firing. It made me smile.

I got home that night just before the kids headed off to bed and was rewarded with the opportunity to read my granddaughter a few stories before she went to sleep. I read the stories, she said a little prayer, and I laid down next to her for a little bit. When I attempted to leave, she started to cry. I know at home she very often climbs into bed with her mommy, and I knew she was missing her, so I put my head back down and settled in for the night. Once or twice she woke up with a cry, noticed I was still there, and went back to sleep. Last night I grabbed my pillow and we had another sleepover. I don't think she woke up at all during the night and I slept too. It was a good slumber party. Maybe we'll do it again someday. :0)

Just a Few

A few of my favorite shots from yesterday's picnic...

It's not the best place for chalk drawings, but they enjoy coloring the pavers just the same.

Clifford the Big Red Dog in Spanish. (Raul gave her just a little bit of help because even though he doesn't usually let on, he can speak and read Spanish.)

These two love each other. Cousins and best friends, just the way it should be, and Molly the scary Staffordshire as well, because the greatest kid photos always have a dog.

And there was cake and ice cram too because somebody turned two on Sunday.

And now, because I am exhausted from the weekend, I shall turn off my computer, turn on the fan, and close my eyes.

PS. My first day alone in the kitchen went pretty good even if I did have to share space with Rodney who was making a valiant attempt at fixing the leaky drain pipe. No one went hungry and I got out of work by 5 o'clock.

Windy Wednesday

I stopped to drop off some papers to my favorite Hannah this morning and came upon my favorite Bethany. It was the perfect surprise! I got to snuggle two babies!!! Good thing I had my camera along.

The day was bright, sunny, and pleasant. The wind kicked up a little after noon and turned the city and surrounding areas into a bit of chaos. Lots of downed trees and power lines, branches everywhere, and a few flying trampolines. Empty tractor trailer trucks were eventually banned from the highways, traffic lights went out making multiple 4-way stops, and rush hour commutes doubled and tripled in time. A tree came down on a car in the work parking lot,

and Bethany had the foresight (or maybe a whisper from God) to move two of her vehicles out of the driveway before the pine tree came crashing down. The third one had a dead battery and the tree landed directly behind it, tickling the back bumper as it dropped.

Kids and the Puppy

We had visitors last night, three more grandchildren and their sweet mama. Grandpa set some rules and let the dog out of her crate to play. "Lay down on the floor," he told them, "and put your face down on your arms." The dog went crazy, running circles around them, hopping across their backs, and stuffing her nose into their faces and under their necks. Giggles erupted from the boys which just made the dog run faster.

Jilly was a little overwhelmed and kept her distance, especially after the puppy jumped up and nearly knocked her over, but Jakie decided to become a puppy himself. He grabbed Nassa's stuffed dog with his teeth, like little boys will do, and had a good old fashioned game of Tug O'War with her while his  mother said, "Jake! Get that out of your mouth!" Yeah. Good luck with that. The game was just too fun to give up. Ha ha!

It was a nice evening. We ate ham, broccoli, and cheese soup, which the boys declared "delicious," munched on soft, crusty bread, and doled out lavish amounts of love and affection. When it was all said and done the little dog was more than ready for a nap.

Grandflower Day

I have been out and about every day for the past week. (Church, work, appointments/meetings, shopping, kids...) Years ago I could spend day upon day caring for and playing with small children, never leaving my home, or at least never going far. The debate for whether I prefer the new way or the old has not yet come in. Yesterday I was busy out and about (again), but it was good. I even met a friend for a late afternoon salad at Panera Bread.

It was a "grandflower" kind of afternoon. I took Number Nine over to visit Numbers Five and Eight. Such fun!

 They're all just a little too cute, dontcha think?

Babies

My Facebook newsfeed is full of babies. Six of my "friends" have had grand- children born in the past month. One got a grandson, one was blessed twin granddaughters. As you know, I was also honored to receive a new granddaughter. She arrived on September 3rd, three days late. Because of her brother's traumatic birth and subsequent Group B strep infection, she spent a little bit of time in the special care nursery. Thankfully, she went home on schedule, and thankfully her mommy and daddy came up with a name to call her, Jillian Mariah. Little "Jilly Bean."

My grand- daughter was not the only baby awaited with more than eager anti- cipation. Although she was due four days prior to my own granddaughter, this little girl decided to hold out and stay secluded for an extra two weeks. (Just like her own mommy did 34 years ago.) I fought back tears back in February when I learned my sweet niece was expecting and the catch in my throat came back when this sweet darling finally entered the world on September 8th. Welcome to the world little Liliana Elaine!

PS. Sorry for the previous typos in this post. I fixed them up. :0)

She's Here!

Happy Birthday, Baby!
9# 1 oz and beautiful!
:0)

A Surprise Shower

We surprised Bethany with a baby shower at her house on Sunday afternoon. Those daughters in law of mine are great schemers. Beth had no clue as to our plans.

Sabrina and Michele did a wonderful job of planning, decorating, and delegating. Flowers graced the tables and filled miniature bird cages. There were fancy, pink flower cupcakes, fruit salad, bruschetta, slices of French bread with egg salad, and raspberry lemonades in mason jars. We played only one game of scrambled baby items, and everyone left with a sample sized bottle of lotion or soap.

After opening the first gift and spying something pink, Bethany turned suddenly emotional and looked as though she might cry. I think she had all but given up on her dream of having a little girl. She  pulled herself together and held back the tears this time.Almost all of us brought something cute for the new little princess to wear, and there were a few fun items thrown in the mix too. Now I can hardly wait until the next shower! :0)

I was blessed to have all of my most favorite girls in attendance, even though Ben and Morgan are no longer a couple. She's been with us for over a year and a half and I was blessed to have her there.

Letting Go

"This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go: of loved ones, of possessions, of control."

This was part of a devotional from a week or two ago. I read it yesterday. God's timing is once again impeccable. I'm finding it hard to let go. We have spent much of our lives gathering, collecting, and acquiring, now it is time to release, loose, and let go. The road has grown more unpredictable with twists, turns, and hills. Sometimes the ride is smooth, sometimes it is rough. Sometimes it's simply not knowing what is around the next bend that makes the way unsure. In all of this I learn to trust the One who holds the future a little bit more. It's time to sell Mom's house. :(

Not all of life is letting go. There is still time for a bit of gathering in. Toward the end of August we will welcome a second granddaughter into our lives. The announcement of her impending arrival was a surprise back in January, a surprise to even her mommy and daddy. Today we found out she is a girl. How cool is that? I can't wait to start buying girl stuff!