Owen

New babies are a miracle. Being a mother of two girls made it necessary to be taught how to interact with boys. I have five grandsons now. Owen Thomas was born May 7, 2011. His big brothers have been waiting patiently. My family grew to five grandsons with the addition of not only Owen but also Angel and Johnny in November 2010. All five are very different but also share similar characteristics. Angel is blessed with gigantic dimples and a tender heart. Clayton is always thinking; he comes up with the most amazing stories. Johnny is a creative amazing little guy. You have to work hard to stay up with him. Drew is another tender hearted one. He is such a snuggler. Owen will be his own person. I can’t wait to see what is in store for us all from these five very active boys.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Tomorrow is my oldest Dallas grandson's 6th birthday. It seems like yesterday that he was born. Clayton has grown up so quickly.


He is so funny and smart. Of course, I'm not biased. He loves science. For Christmas he wanted a microscope - a real one. He asked his mom recently for a sewing needle so he could prink his finger, make it bleed, make a slide, and look at his blood under the microscope. What five year old would even think of that? I'm sure he keeps Mom and Dad hopping. I just hope and pray his teachers keep him involved at school; he could be a real problem if he is not occupied. His new brother is going to be named Owen. His younger brother is Drew, so Clayton decided he wanted to be called Reid, his middle name, because all the other brothers have names with four letters! Happy sixth birthday, Clayton.

Gift of Being a Grandmother

Being a grandmother is really grand. I birthed two girls; they are as different as can be. Rebecca is creative; she paint and draws. She was an art major then a social work major. After graduation she got a masters in Social Work. Sarah is analytical. Her major as an undergrad was Chemistry. She graduated from Nursing School. She became a ICU pediatric nurse BC (Before Children).
My two girly girls are mommas of very active males. Sarah has a two year old, a five almost six year old, and son due in May. Rebecca is the mom of a seven year old and five year old. All four boys are joys who keep all of us hopping.


There is never a dull moment. The stories those boys tell are only surpassed by their long eye lashes, their amazing smiles, and their drop dead handsome good looks.
The following hilarious parody could easily be the creation of any of them.

"A child was asked to write a book report on the entire Bible.

The Children's Bible in a Nutshell

In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas. The Bible says, 'The Lord thy God is one, but I think He must be a lot older than that.

Anyway, God said, 'Give me a light!'and someone did.

Then God made the world.

He split the Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet.

Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden.....Not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn't have cars.

Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.

Pretty soon all of the early people died off, except for Methuselah, who lived to be like a million or something.

One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a Ham. Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.

After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.

Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable.

God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti. Then he gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include: don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor's stuff.

Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor thy father and thy mother..

Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the
fence fell over on the town

After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot.. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 300 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me..

After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore.

There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them.

After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the star of The New. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door! Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter of fact, I was.')

During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Democrats.

Jesus also had twelve opossums.

The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him.

Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount.

But the Democrats and Republicans put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead ..
Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.."


Yes. It surely is great to be a grandmother.

Brothers!

Brothers are sometimes difficult, sometimes frustrating, but always loved. I was blessed with two girls. Little did I know - or for that matter my two princesses know - that God would add to their families male offspring. Would my two girls be able to survive rowdy, active, loud boys?


But who could ever be upset with such gifts?



What angels they are, but you are wise not to ignore that impish sparkle in their eyes. Holidays are so much fun with those guys. Whether it is Thanksgiving,


Christmas


or "just because" those little gentlemen love, love being together.


2011 was the beginning of such a special introduction of my newest grandsons. Angel and Johnny legally became a part of our crazy adventure.


They have always been a "heart part", but now their adoption is final. I pray they know in their head and their heart that they were chosen to join us. We could have opened our hearts to many other little boys, but no other brothers could ever fit so perfectly as Angel and Johnny.


It is so fitting that Clayton and Drew are pictured on a motorcycle.


Both grandsons are daredevils. Evil Knievel would be proud of these two. Both have no fear- especially Drew. Finding him on a ATV


or a skateboard


or a trampoline is no unusual activity.

One can never quite read Drew's mind. Even the simplest activities can put a smile on his face.


Clayton is a real science guy. Microscopes, circuit sets, growing crystals, and a real telescope were some of his most loved Christmas gifts.


But he is still his dad's clone. The love for NASCAR racing must be part of his genetic makeup.


May 2011 will bring an addition to these brothers. Boy #3 will arrive to two other excited siblings. Maybe there is a sports team in the making.


All my grandsons were introduced to God and His love by godly parents. I pray that they will always listen to our Father.

Something to think about...

Often God speaks through people when they are unaware of the need. A new but special friend sent me the followwing video. She had no earthly idea of my need to hear and watch this. I pray it touches you as it did me.


http://www.openmyeyeslord.net/theseasonsoflife.htm

Happy 2011

2011 started out filled with activity. Sarah, Wade and their crew came December 31; their days at Christmas are filled with in-law fun for both daughters. I get to see Rebecca, Jeff and their boys often, but my Dallas boys are so far away. It is a holiday when I see all four. They were so excited about their haul of gifts. Clayton is a true scientist; he got an official microscope, circuit board experiment that he saw at the Children’s Museum, and his telescope – a real one that he had been eager to get. After hours of research, Papa D searched and searched for the perfect one.


Clayton has found the solar system most intriguing. He and Drew even requested a planet theme for their shared bedroom after boy #3 arrives in May. Drew got so many new toys that will keep him busy. He really squealed in delight when he saw his “jump-it-lene” that he got from Gran and Papa D. He really enjoyed every moment he was awake. I even wonder if he jumped in his sleep.


Becca and Jeff gave Clayton a magical jar that counted money as the coins were put in the jar. He couldn't wait to fill it up! Papa D gave him the task of picking up pecans for a dollar per pound. He was eager to fill up that jar.



Angel seems to love to explore, so he was given a metal detector and walkie-talkies. I hope he will enjoy searching for treasures when he goes to the park, the beach or anywhere else. Johnny is an artist; he enjoys painting and anything creative, so he got an easel, magnetic letters, and legos. Each boy left happy. All four were ecstatic about the headlights they found in their stockings. These were Papa D's idea.




Gran and Papa D gave each other a LED LCD HDTV (Papa D’s factual description). He and Wade even connected it to my laptop. It is a treat to do my computer work in bed and to actually be able to see what I am doing. I plan to blog more often. I pray we all are not so caught up in gifts that we forget the reason for the season. He Is the best gift of all.

My sweet sister Ann and her sister-in-law Harriet came to visit me during the holiday. Thank you, Harriet, for making it possible for two sisters to really enjoy Christmas. It is always wonderful to see Ann. She is so far away. We are
sisters in more ways than just biologically. I also got to talk to both of my brothers who are birthday boys in January. Ann’s birthday is also in January on the 8th – just like Elvis. My mother’s birthday is December 31st. I always assumed that I was adopted because my birthday is in October! My rationale was not very rational.

Happy New Year to all of us. Let us all enjoy health, contentment and prosperity – not in just a monetary way . Family and friends are much more valuable than money.

Blessed

Next week our family grows. My younger daughter and her husband are adopting two precious boys that they have fostered for over a year. A & J have been in the foster system for many years. They have been shuffled from family to family. Thankfully, these two brothers have not been separated. A is sweet spirited, caring, and helpful. J is creative, quick witted, and eager to please. Both have dancing eyes and “melt your heart” dimples. Life has not been easy for these two. My daughter and her husband have had adoption on their hearts for several years. My daughter has been a Masters level social worker for years. She has worked with children who have lost a family member in death, the Houston Katrina population, and the foster family situation. Her tender and loving spirit has been a two edged sword. She can detach herself professionally – to a point. She also is a loving, compassionate, godly mom. She feels blessed to have these two rascals in her life. The challenges are easily outweighed by the love she feels for these two young men. I say “men” because even though the brothers are young, they have been forced to grow up prematurely and basically on their own. At times, they have had to create their own solutions to grown up problems. They are blessed to have a professional who can help them become loved, cared for and one who is knowledgeable and eager to intervene for them. My daughter has had the experience in her under graduate work in college of being a child advocate. Lifting up damaged lives is her passion. My precious grandsons make me smile and fill my heart with the special love of a grandmother. I am so blessed to have four little guys love and protect me. I love these two grandsons the same as my two (soon to be three) Dallas grandchildren. I am happy to be in the lives of all five. My heart is continuing to know true unconditional love.

Skype to the rescue

I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. Hubby went to Norway about his project. Europe as a whole is not very wheelchair accessible. Staying home is a good reminder that I can take can of myself. I dealt with a pool motor needing to be replaced; my van's battery had to be jumped; wind damage on the roof. A good friend, Reggie, rescued me on the van. Home owner's insurance paid for the motor (Thank you First American!). House insurance will put on a new roof. Naturally, all these fiascoes happened while my hubby is in Norway. It was comforting to know I could reassure him that I took care of all these problems by talking to him.


Calls to Norway are out of question because of cost. Our older daughter taught us about Skype. It is amazing. I can talk and see JD with Skype. He can use Skype when he needs input about his project. He can even discuss a problem with his draftsman. Oh the wonders of living in the age of computers.

Even better, I have been able to talk to my Dallas grandchildren. Skyping is another communication "fix" for anyone - but especially for someone who needs help with being able to connect with loved ones.

Grandparent's Day 2010

I have never been able to celebrate Grandparent's Day until this year; my Dallas grandsons are too far away. But 2010 is different. Having two grandsons close made it possible to be with one of them - A - at his elementary school for celebration of being a grandparent. It was so wonderful to see his eyes light up when he saw we were there to eat lunch with him. He was so excited. It was so difficult to tell him that he had to stay with his teacher instead of staying with us once he realized we were there. I know it wasn't just the Sonic lunch we brought him that made him so happy!

We met his teacher, Mrs. E. She is so warm; she genuinely cares that we were there. A's school is very proactive about safety. We had to present picture ID, have a name tag made with our picture, and turn the tag in to the office when we left. The school is huge; grandparents were everywhere. The entire signing in process was very organized; we were registered very quickly. What a wonderful day!

A at Grandparent's Day.




*Soon I will be able to show the face of our grandson. Adoption will be finalized soon.

New Day

When one refuses to accept change, life ceases to be an enjoyable adventure. When I was forced into retirement, I was sad, defeated, and angry. I refused to believe that getting away from the stress of my profession would extend my quality of life. Now I am enjoying my grandsons and my family. I still wake up on my "school clock"; 4:30 AM is a habit hard to break. Not grading essays hours on end is a chore of teaching high school English that I do not miss. I do miss the students that I have had the privilege to watch grow from wide eyed juniors into self assured young adults. I smile when I hear of their accomplishments, marriages, and children. I keep up with most on Facebook. Yes, FB is a current social network for an "old biddy like me."

Selfishly I have enjoyed seeing my family grow. My older daughter Sarah is the mother of two incredible sons. Her husband Wade is a wonderful hands on dad.



My younger daughter married her perfect partner Jeff.



She and Jeff have become foster parents to two amazing boys. A & J came into all of lives almost a year ago. They are a big part of our family. They quickly were vital in our family's "heart". Jeff and Rebecca are their mom and dad; A & J are their sons. Soon the legal system will catch up with what is already a reality with the adoption of these two little guys.



Life is good - especially if we "Let go and Let God."