They told me not to blink

When my kids were little, I would hear it all the time. “Don’t blink, they’ll be gone before you know it!

Well, I have to admit, there were probably some days when my kids were little that I did a few “extra blinks” in hopes to speed the growing up process just a wee bit.  It didn’t happen very often, but the diaper years, and the teen years were probably some of the most challenging for me.

And now…my kids are grown, married and have kids of their own.

My grandkids.

Ahh, what a delight they are to my life.  Two boys and one girl.

Three beautiful little lives!

But apparently some one keeps blinking, because these little ones are growing up way too fast!

It seems as though it was just a couple of months ago the littlest one was born, and yesterday he started pre-school. Really?  I was just there, helping my daughter try to figure this whole “new mom” thing out, and now…well, she’s taking him on like a pro!

photo credit: my daughter

photo credit: my daughter

The oldest one is 8 years old now. He delights in the fact that he can teach me how to play video games with him! He’s still a whole lot better at it than I am.  Guess I need to practice more.

showing off his B'day gifts

And then there is my granddaughter. Oh my, this little girl is like sugar and spice! At 5 years old she is wise beyond her years, loves life, and is eager to share it with the ones she loves. She simply melts my heart on a routine basis.

A at La Jolla

Pure joy, that’s what they are.  I could write until I have no more words, but you will never fully understand the joy of grandchildren, until you have experienced it yourself.

I hope if you haven’t already, someday you will get to experience this special kind of joy.

Now if I can just find that person who keeps blinking, and maybe get them to blink at half-speed.

I love watching them grow up, but maybe they could slow down just a little bit 🙂

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Thankful Thursday: A gift outside, inside, on a plate

1. A gift outside:

I’m so thankful for the outside places like this that offer our grandchildren hours of fun, and give me wonderful, random moments like this!

R at the park

2. A gift inside:

Recently we had all 3 grandchildren inside our car when we took them on a little adventure! The picture is a little fuzzy, but the moment together was priceless!

all 3 grandkids

3. A gift on a plate:

My husband isn’t much of a cake fan, and I know it’s not on a plate, but it ended up on a plate.  So for his birthday, I made his favorite, homemade apple pie. My gift to him! And yes…he was VERY thankful!

apple pie

Starting out the New Year with a heart full of thanks!

I hope you’ll join me on this journey, because, there is always something to be thankful for.

Always!

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” ~ 1 Chronicles 16:34

Thankful Thursday: 3 Gifts Said

3 gifts Said:

1. I am so very thankful for the day he said…I love you…will you marry me? I can’t imagine my life without him!

2. Oh, and then there was that special day when they said…you’re going to be a mom! Yep…that was a good day too!

3. And…I’ll never forget the day my kids said…you’re going to be a grandma! I am thankful every day for these 3 wonderful blessings in my life.

Think Happy Thoughts

These are just a few of the many things that I am thankful for.

What are you thankful for?

Will you join me in looking for these gifts and sharing them with others?

Thankful Thursday: 3 Gifts Overjoyed!

3 gifts Overjoyed!….

1. Celebration of life – Oh the joy that it brings…especially when you add great-grandkids, a birthday cake and candles to blow out too!

Birthday Wishes

2. Moments together – moments to treasure, and hold safe in my heart. A moment that can only be described as pure joy!

at the beach

3. Beauty in nature – the peace, the calm, and the joy that is found when I’m surrounded by it!

a quiet place

These are just a few of the many things that I am thankful for.

What are you thankful for?

Will you join me in looking for these gifts and sharing them with others?

“The unthankful heart… discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!”

~ Henry Ward Beecher

Thankful Thursday: 3 gifts of family

3 gifts of family….

It’s really hard to narrow this one down to just 3, but I think I’ll just keep it to the 3 that I often refer to as my “heart melters.”

My grandkids…3 very special gifts of my family, and from my family!

1. Grandson #1 – The first time he said the word “Grandma”…I knew my life would never be the same from that moment on! He’s fascinating and smart, my treasure hunter, and my treasure! He holds a pretty special place in my heart, that’s for sure!

My first heart melt

My first heart melt

2. Granddaughter #1 – My one and only! I love her style! I love her smile! My heart skips a beat when she looks up at me with those big blue eyes and says to me, “I’ll love you forever, Grandma“. Forever and always…she’s my girl!

My little princess

My little princess

3. Grandson #2 – There’s Just one word for this little guy….delightfull! O.K., there are a few more…joyful, happy, cute, lovable, snuggable, just about perfect…one sweet little guy. Yep. He’s got me right where he’ll want me.

books from Grandma - photo by my daughter

My littlest heart melt…he captured my heart! – (photo by my daughter)

These are just a few of the many things that I am so very thankful for today.

What are you thankful for?

Will you join me in looking for these gifts and sharing them with others?

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.”
– Henri Frederic Amiel

Thankful Thursday: 3 gifts of endings

3 gifts of endings…

1. I’m thankful when I get to the end of the dirty dishes in the sink.

2. When the end of the laundry is in sight, now that’s always something I’m thankful for! Such a good feeling to get that all done at one time! 🙂

3. At the end of the long journey to see my son-in-law, daughter and grandson, when I walk in the door, and get a big hug from all of them.  Always, always, a very good ending!

These are just a few of the many things that I am so very thankful for today.

What are you thankful for?

Will you join me in looking for these gifts and sharing them with others?

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” —”
― William Arthur Ward

Have a wonderful “Thankful Thursday“!

Thankful Thursday: 3 gifts musical

3 gifts musical…

1. The deep belly laugh of a child…especially when it’s from one of my grandchildren. Sweet music to my ears.

2. The sound of my coffee maker as it makes me a cup of coffee.  Ahhh… I love that sound! A lot like music to me.

3. The ability to listen to a variety of music through a pretty cool program called Pandora.

These are just a few of the many things that I am so very thankful for today.

What are you thankful for?

Will you join me in looking for these gifts and sharing them with others?

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” —”
― William Arthur Ward

Have a wonderful “Thankful Thursday“!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Nostalgic

My two older sisters have both passed away in the last few years.

I miss them so very much!

Linda

Kristy and Debbie

I have become a Grandma three times over since then, and their children have each had babies since they have passed away.

Being a Grandma and being nostalgic just seem to go hand-in-hand 🙂

Lately I have found myself becoming a little nostalgic and wistful as I watch their grand babies grow.

My sisters were amazing moms.  I just know they would have loved being Grandmas to these sweet little girls….

Sophia

Abigail

Interested in seeing what others have done with this challenge? Take a look by clicking on this link!