Toots Reads

While riding in the car on Monday, Toots was reading from her many books we brought along for the journey. She did quite well, but struggled with a few words. At one point, I took the opportunity to teach Toots about a compound word made with hyphens. The word was hide-and-seek. She tried it and read it as "Heidi-and-seek." That becomes funny because her aunt is named Heidi.

School Play Day

My granddaughter, Toots, and I spent a snow day playing school. We filled out her extra school agenda with the activities planned for the school day, complete with centers and snacks. I loved it when she played her DS at "recess". She loved it when we ate our school lunches on REAL school lunch trays. One of the centers was crafts where she tied the yarn on 4 of the quilts we are making for an orphanage in the Philippines. When she asked to watch cartoons, I reminded her that would happen when she arrived home from school. It was an excellent day of play and learning. If only real school were as much fun!

Reflections of the Year Past and Resolutions of the Year Present

Ok, so the title is not original, but I'm tired and can't think. It seems as if 2010 has zoomed past me and at times dragged me along with it. I had many deadlines to meet, goals to accomplish, work to be done, and on and on. I guess it would behoove me to make a list of those things accomplished for my own sake, for motivation to do even more in 2011. So here goes in no particular order:

• Babysat my granddaughter on our days off from school, including most of the summer. We had lots of fun, learned a lot, and enjoyed our time.
• Welcomed a new grandson into the world. He is so cute. He loves to stick out his tongue, and he is only 8 months old. Looking forward to many new adventures.
• Enjoyed time with our step-grandsons (I hate that word step!) playing, eating, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, watching football, and just spending time together.
• Enjoyed time with my three children, their mates, and grandchildren, but always wishing it were more time.
• With a great group of people, we sewed and shipped 1001 diapers for the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. This is the most we have ever done. PTL
• Went on a mission trip to South Dakota to help build the addition to their church. In just 3 1/2 days the project went from a hole in the ground to complete roof.
• Went on a mission trip to Honduras where Lorraine and I helped with their sewing program. I took oversized and unwanted clothes and showed them how to make backpacks, bags, skirts from jeans, save items from the clothes and much more. I was so thrilled to be doing mission work in my area of skill.
• Worked Vacation Bible School which is always a fun activity to be with the children.
• Continued with Beginner Bible Bowl kids at our monthly competitions and the Nationals. The young ones keep you hopping and all was good!
• Attended the National Missionary Convention to renew our desire to work in missions, pick up new ideas, and make new contacts. It's better than a family reunion.
• Accepted the challenge and read through the Bible in one year along with 80+ others from our church.
• Continued with our small group for the third year. As a group we sent Children's Spanish Bibles to a project in Honduras, sold Christmas wreaths for project money, worked at SOS in town, sponsored a child for the year, and purchased Christmas for an extended family. We love getting together and especially eating.
• Finished agonizing physical therapy on my hip, and had a root canal. Yippee!
• Continued with our Sign Language Interpreters at church.
• Became Marty's nurse after he had shoulder surgery. I was creative on ways to make his recovery easier such as elastic bands to hold his phone and TV remote while he recovered in his recliner.
• Continued to serve on the Missions Team, collect food for the CARES program, and substitute at the Senior Dinners.
• Attended the graduation, honors dinner, and parties for my nephew, Kyle, who graduated second in his class. Way to go, Kyle!!
• Continued another year as teacher of fourth graders. I have a great class this year:)
• Celebrated 60 years of life and 38 years of marriage to my life partner, Marty. Looking forward to many more years of life and marriage.

As I have listed these accomplishments, it has been cathartic as well as encouraging to me. I see that I need to get busy on a whole new list of things to accomplish in the year 2011. God, I'm ready to serve.

Merry Christmas and Other Ramblings

As I sit near the glowing Christmas tree, alone, contemplating this Christmas with all the gatherings and gifts, I smile. It has been a good one. It has been the best one in years. All my family was here together, at the same time. We shared a meal and the unwrapping of the gifts. My youngest grandson took more pleasure in unwrapping and stuffing it in his mouth. He cared not what was in the boxes. How soon that will change as he grows older. Among many gifts, our older grandsons were thrilled with their slankets, (thicker, longer, original version of the snuggie). Heard that the next day they wore only their undies and the slankets for the whole day. Our granddaughter, Toots, was thrilled with her Little Mommy baby who talks, walks, sits, giggles, and drives you nuts just like a toddler. Our children were thrilled with their gifts as well, making all the right ohs and ahs in all the right places. For hubby and me it was a Christmas to remember.

Future Football Pros

Yesterday Hubby and I had the opportunity to go watch a football game. It was exciting with many great tackles and scores by both teams. The players looked so macho in their uniforms, especially those shoulder pads. The players ranged in age from 7-9 years old. Yes, we went to watch our grandson, D, play. He played guard or nose tackle, and he did his job very well. He stayed with his "man" until the whistle signaled the play over. The best part was how D hustled back to the line every time. He truly enjoyed every aspect of the game, but especially the hot dog and snow cone he won for his performance.

Baby Fix

I was honored to spend time with my grandson, "Cubby." He has filled out well since his early entry into this world. He smiled for me a time or two while I held him. But mostly his eyes searched my face and seemed to be saying "I'm not too sure about this." I rocked him, gave him a bottle, and patted his bottom which he seemed to enjoy the most. Looking forward to more times of enjoyment with my little one.

School's Out for Summer

I'm officially on VACATION. I have great plans for many things to do this summer, but before I know it, school will be back in session. Don't want to look it that way. I want to enjoy my time off, do my mission trips, teach Vacation Bible School, enjoy my grandchildren, and just relax. Time will tell.

Grandson Home

Hubby and I got to see our grandson at home! He came home yesterday at 12 days old! I held him for a long time and looked at his long thin fingers, his long narrow feet with toes spread apart. He doesn't like a wet diaper and lets you know it by his screams. He draws back his feet when touched, cowers at sudden noises, and likes to grab for necklaces. His eyes are dark blue and he likes to peek out of his left one. Hubby got some cute pictures of him exercising his mouth--pursing his lips, making an O, and other expressions as he slept. What a wonderful Mother's Day present!!

Grandson Update

Good news about our grandson--he is off the oxygen and is feeding on his own. As soon as he gains some weight, he will be able to go home. His daddy said it could be this weekend, just in time for Mother's Day. That would be a great present for them.

Meeting Our Grandson

We got to see our newest grandson yesterday. He is so small. He is in a special care nursery where he is hooked up to many tubes for monitoring, feeding, oxygen, and antibiotics. To get to hold him, the nurse had to wade through the wires, pick him up, and hand him to me while I was seated. He was very alert, watching my face and listening to my voice. He doesn't like to be touched on his head--he flinched and drew inward. He grabbed on to my thumb with a free hand and held tightly. He didn't notice the tears that trickled down my face. Wonder if he could sense my joy? His parents call him Peanut, but I'm leaning toward Cubby. That name might change as I get to know him more. Thank you, God, for such a sweet blessing.

Our Grandson

Our grandson made an early arrival. Born yesterday, he weighed 7# 4 oz and was 19 1/2. Mom and baby are doing well. Don't have a name to use for him just yet, but will come up with one soon.

I'm Heaven

Our granddaughter, Toots, told me that our bodies are Heaven. Since Jesus lives in Heaven, and He lives in our bodies, our bodies are Heaven. Argue that one;)

New Baby

I know the sex of the baby that is on the way. Somehow knowing takes the fun out of waiting for 9 months, anticipating, wondering, planning. Well, it does for me. Maybe I am just jealous.