No words necessary - A few catch up photos!

Celebrating Easter

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;

He arose a victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His saints to reign;

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Just like at Christmas, it is very important to remember the real reason for celebration at Easter. It is great fun to participate in the Easter Egg hunts and to look forward to the goodies that magically appear on Easter morning, but the most important part of Easter is knowing that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He arose, ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God our Father Almighty where he waits for the time to bring us home.

We started our Easter celebration this year on Saturday before Palm Sunday with the annual egg hunt and kite flying at the church. Our church is very blessed to have many children. More than I remember ever being in our church at any one time. There is nothing more joyful than watching children run and play in excitement. Once again, the year's egg hunt was a great success. We continued the tradition of hiding away "bunny money" in the eggs and letting the kids purchase candy with the bunny money. It gets a little crazy sometimes, but is much better than finding melted candy. There wasn't a big participation in the kite flying this year, but those who did participate had a great time. Even though there wasn't a lot of wind, the kites seemed to do very well.

Then on Sunday, Memama, G'Daddy, Grumpy, and me (Gramma) traveled down to Signal Mountain. Memama and G'Daddy got to meet Molly Ruth for the first time. Since we wouldn't get to see Reed and Molly on Easter Sunday, we went ahead and took them their goodies. My tradition is to always give the kids a swimsuit in their Easter basket. Don't ask me why, I just do it. And yes, Molly, at only one week old got her first swimsuit from Gramma. Growing up, my family spent almost every weekend on the water. Although we don't get to do that so much anymore, Jessica's family lives on the lake and also share a love for the water. So it is only appropriate that Molly should have a swimsuit right from the start. I wouldn't be surprised to see Reed on skis this year at Granna and Papa T's. So don't be surprised if we crash the party so we can see Reed playing at the lake. We had lots of fun with Reed. (Molly pretty much just slept).

On Saturday before Easter, I spent the morning with Kaelyn and Caleb. Regina was working and Chris was doing a 10K run, so I took Kaelyn to ball practice and Caleb to get a haircut. It may not seem so exciting, but I do enjoy getting to do those things with them. We also went shoe shopping. You just haven't been shopping until you take a 6 year old and a 3 year old shopping for shoes alone! I'm getting too old. It was much easier when I was younger. I'm sure the people around us were quite entertained. But the kids were actually very good and oddly enough it was fun.

On Sunday, it was up early and off to Sunrise service and breakfast. Then home for a bit and back for regular Sunday morning service. We gathered at Memama & G'Daddy's house mid-afternoon for 4-wheel riding, playing, and a cookout. The weather was beautiful and we had a very fun and safe afternoon. Of course, we missed Michael, Jessica, Reed, and Molly, but look forward to a visit from them soon. Be sure and check out the photos here!

#1 (4th time around) Molly Ruth Hampton

Molly Ruth Hampton arrived on March 30th, weighing in at 7lbs 13ozs and 20 inches long.

Molly, we welcomed you to this world with open and loving arms. Just the same as your brother and cousins, I remember well, the day we found out you were expected. Grumpy and I had come down to see your new home and help with some of the massive remodeling project. When your Daddy was showing us around the house, he identified the Master bedroom, Reed's bedroom, the guest bedroom/office, and the new baby's room. What a bright spot for the day! And then a few months later when we found out you were a girl.......oh my goodness.......such excitement. I think your cousin Kaelyn may have been the most excited. Finally another girl for the family. Ever since that day, we have awaited your arrival with great anticipation. To help us make sure we had no trouble finding the hospital when your arrival time came, you gave us a trial run. We received the call around 9:00PM on a Friday evening, waited (impatiently) for your Daddy to call us back saying you were definitely on your way, and made it to the hospital in record time. We, along with Granna and Papa T, waited.....and waited......and waited. Sometime around 4AM, the doctor decided you weren't quite ready to make your entrance and decided to send your Mama home later in the morning with you still cushioned safely away waiting for your time to greet the world. After a short stop by your house to see big brother, Reed, we drove back to Clarksville. After another trip down to deliver the glider for your room, we finally got the call at 4:30AM on Monday morning, you were on your way. No question this time. It took us about 45 minutes to actually get on the road. We should have been a little quicker. I kept telling Grumpy to speed up. But, we missed your arrival by 10 minutes. But it was perfect. By the time we arrived in your room, your Mommy and Daddy had already held you and shared a special time with you, so Mommy was ready to let me hold you. I wish there was a way to put into words what it feels like to hold you and meet you for that first time. But that is just something you will have to learn much later in your life. There is just really no way to describe it. The most important thing for you to know is that you are a very loved little girl. And although miles separate us, our hearts are bound together for always. We love you so much Molly and look forward to many visits and shared memories in the years to come. Sending lots of love, hugs and kisses from your Gramma.

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.