All it takes to make a great day is a grandchild!

A warm day in February. Who says work can't be fun? We had a blast!

Just a little practice--Reed put on quite a show for Gramma and Grumpy when we visited over the weekend. Next time we see Reed, he will be a big brother! Any day now!

Parents

Tomorrow starts a new year. I wanted to take this time to share with my grandchildren how proud I am of their parents. As a parent, I made mistakes along the way. Even parents are human and sometimes do not make the best decisions. But I am so proud that despite any bad decisions I may have made, the good decisions came out on top. First let me tell you that you will not always like what your parents do. There will be times you may even think you hate them, but you really won't. You have some of the greatest parents. They work together as a team and support each other even when they may not agree with each other. No matter what their decisions, they are making them based on what they believe is in your best interest. And that is the most important thing they can do for you. It's not always easy for parents. They don't enjoy having to discipline and/or punish, but recognize it is important to your growth. You also have parents who make time to have fun with you. It may be rolling around in the floor or going out to a movie and many things in between. They also recognize the importance of sharing you (their most valuable asset) with family and friends. And most importantly, they recognize the importance of church and developing your life as a Christian.

But I think one of the most important things they may be doing is to take time to help mold the current youth (teenagers) who are often your role models and someday will be your leaders. In a few weeks, they will be taking them to Gatlinburg for a youth retreat called "Resurrection". This is a very powerful experience for Christian youth. When Michael and Jessica moved back to Chattanooga area, Chris and Regina stepped up to organize and continue this trip. They recognize how important it is that your future leaders develop a strong relationship with God. Michael and Jessica will also be joining to spend some time with the youth they so loved and had to leave behind as they entered a new chapter of their life. The really positive side is that Grumpy and me will get to spend valuable time with you. Time away, truly devoted to you. I can't wait.

So to Chris, Regina, Michael, and Jessica.......I am so proud of the responsible adults and parents (even when I don't like your decisions) that you have become. I love you all so much. I know I don't say that often enough. I wish you a happy, safe, and prosperous year ahead.

A Christmas message to my grandchildren

I'm a bit behind on my posts, but didn't want to pass up this moment. Christmas is such a magical time of year. It's a beautiful time of year as everyone lights up their homes with decorations and everywhere you go, there is excitement in the eyes of children. Michael once told me that there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a Christmas tree without your glasses! Although I don't wear glasses, I will never forget that year when he handed me his glasses to look through. You see, me looking through his glasses gave a similar appearance as when he looked without them. It was a very beautiful mass of lights. But the thing the most important about Christmas is to remember what the celebration is all about. You see, without Jesus, there would be no good cheer and no presents. The giving of gifts wouldn't happen if God had not given us the gift of his son, Jesus. The wise men brought gifts to the Baby Jesus and we continue the tradition by giving gifts to each other. So even though it is great to get gifts and exciting to buy gifts for the people we love, always remember to wish a "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and thank God for sending him to us, so that we might share the feelings of love with all of those around us. I love you so and pray I get to spend many more Christmases with you and some day watch you as you delight in the joy of Christmas with my great-grand-children. Because next to God, my family is the very most important part of my life. I've included a few of my favorite shots for this year.

Reed's First Birthday

Reed, It's so hard to believe that you have already turned a year old. It seems like just yesterday that Grumpy and Me (along with others) were at your house in Pleasant View, building the room upstairs so we could move your Mommy's office and get your room ready. It didn't even seem like work the day we painted your room. We were so excited to get it ready for your arrival that even though is was a lot of work, it was so much fun. Now Gramma can paint, but you are such a lucky little boy to have a Mommy and Granna who are so talented and got everything decorated and made you such a fun room. Grumpy didn't even complain about putting the bed together. He and your Daddy worked almost all of Sunday afternoon. Your cousin Caleb helped them out to. And before we knew it, the big day finally arrived. Your Daddy called me at work early on Monday morning to tell me he and your Mommy were going to the hospital, but wasn't sure yet if you would be arriving that day. Even though he said to just wait until I heard back from him, I called your Grumpy and told him to get ready or I would be going without him. He was ready and before your Daddy could call me back, we were ready and waiting. We brought Memama and G'Daddy along to the hospital and we waited and waited and waited. Granna and Papa T soon arrived and we all waited and waited and waited. Finally your Daddy came to the waiting room and told us you had arrived. Then we had to wait some more before we could see you. So some 12 hours or so from the time your Daddy called me, we finally got to see you. You were such a beautiful baby. I couldn't hold you that day and was pretty disappointed about that, but so excited that you were here and that you and your Mommy were okay. I would say that I fell in love with you on that day, but that wouldn't be true. I actually fell in love with you long before you were born. It's amazing how our love can just grow and grow. And now you are a year old! And once again, Gramma has been painting your room at your new home on Signal Mountain, trying to get it ready for you to move in. Granna has been busy making those curtains (among many other things) and she and your Mommy will soon have it all decorated and fun just like your room was in Pleasant View. Even though I didn't see you every day in Pleasant View, I miss knowing that I could if I wanted to. Having you 3 hours away is much different than when you were just 30 minutes away. I miss you so much, but see that you will be very happy in your new home. I've enjoyed pushing you in your stroller through your new neighborhood when we have been there to help on the house. And you have put many of my fears to rest when you greet me with that big smile and reach your arms out for me. You have helped bring sunshine back into my life. Celebrating your birthday here at Gramma and Grumpy's house was such fun. It was a busy, but exciting weekend. You were so tired by the time you had your cake (you preferred your cranberries), so Kaelyn, Reed, and Lane helped you out with the cake. Having my whole family (4 generations) here at the house sharing laughter and fun times together was the priceless part of the weekend. I know you won't remember this time, but hope that this journal of my thoughts and all of the pictures will always remind you of how very much you are loved. So just one more time, Happy 1st Birthday, Sunshine! I love you.

A great weekend!

Last weekend was a great time. It's been a really busy week so I haven't gotten to update the blog yet. Don't want to rush because it was an important time (celebrating Reed's first birthday) so will write about the weekend soon. Until then, here are a few pics. I love you Reed!

Chicago and an American Girl Birthday Celebration

Kaelyn, What a great weekend! This weekend might have been planned just for you, but it has proven to be a fantastic time for all of us. I can't remember when I have laughed so much. I know you are old enough to remember some things for yourself, but I want to share some highlights I think were worth remembering. The fun started right at the train station. Kassandra and you picked up right where you left off last time and even made new friends right off. Remember Sarah, the young lady who was going alone to visit her friends in Chicago. Remember how she found you on the train and sat right down in the floor with you and started reading your books to you. That was quite a compliment for you girls. You were having so much fun, this college girl who was at least 12 to 15 years older than you, wanted to spend time with you later. We should have gotten more information from her so we could share some of our photos. I think she was just one of God's angels he sends our way sometimes. Then there was the older lady (even older than Gramma) who was quite impressed with the way you girls presented yourselves. I was very proud of you. Then what about that train ride. Wasn't that just awesome? The food wasn't so great, but it was still fun making our way from car to car to get to the dining area. Just like in the movies! The conductor was also quite impressed with your good behavior and smiling faces. It shows in the pictures we captured. Getting that little 'power nap' before we arrived was a good idea, even though you looked like little homeless children lying there on the floor of the train. The bus drive to the hotel was a little less than exciting, but our hotel made up for it. What about that view! Waking to the sunrises over the water in the mornings put us in a good mood right from the beginning of the day. Shopping at the American Girl Store was unbelievable. I think Miss Cindy, Nana, Mama, and me had as much, if not more, fun as you and Kassandra. It brought out that little girl in us that we hadn't seen in a while. But it is always there. You should always hang on to that little part down inside of us that never grows up. And what was up with all of that food we had at your birthday brunch! Good thing we did a lot of walking. And a lot of walking is an understatement (my thighs are still sore). I wish we knew how many miles we walked over those 2 days. And once again, Kassandra and you handled it like real troopers. You didn't complain and hung right in there every step of the way. And then there was Navy Pier. Thank you so much for keeping me calm while riding that giant ferris wheel. Wasn't that just too cool? I can't repeat every event, but I want you to know that this was certainly a memorable weekend for me. I hope as we both grow older, you'll always find a little time to share a weekend with me. Even when it is you who has to help me. But most importantly I hope you loved this enough to remember to do these things with your own daughter/granddaughter someday. Sharing so much laughter with family and good friends is definitely the priceless part of this trip. When you have laughed so much your jaws hurt, you know it has been a good time. And it was a healing time for me. After all, laughter is the best medicine. I love you so much. I know I say that a lot, but that is one phrase I don't think you can say too many times. Especially when it comes straight from the heart! Don't forget to look at the pictures in the slide show. In addition to Kaelyn and Kassandra, I want to thank Regina, Barbara, and Cindy for such a wonderful weekend. We did pretty good ourselves. Six people in one hotel suite can get pretty 'cozy' and I don't remember one time when any of us had an issue. Thanks girls! Next post will be Reed's 1st birthday!! Can't wait to see him (Michael and Jessica, too). Seems like he changes so much in between visits.

Kaelyn's Birthday

Kaelyn, I can't believe my "Sweet Pea" is 6 years old already. Your party was so much fun. You are so special to have a family who loves you so much. I'm so excited about this weekend when we take the train to Chicago! I'll have more birthday memories to post for you when we get back. But for now, I just wanted to tell you how very special you are and how very much I love you. The day before your party, you just couldn't resist picking the one lone rose off my rosebush in the back yard. I wanted to be mad at you, but how could I be mad when I was looking at this...

I love you, little girl.