Wednesday, April 19, 2017

A BLESSED WOMAN

Well, we are back!  Goodness, while we were only gone 6 days it definitely felt like we were gone quite a while and entered a whole new world.  We enjoyed every...single...little...moment. I thank all of you who kept us in prayer, as we traveled without any mishaps and remained well the whole time, and I was very grateful.  It was just soo good to see them all and get my hands on those babies.  They have all grown soo much, and especially Claire had done A LOT of changing in just 4 months.  She is talking up a storm now and is showing all her little personality traits she is developing WAY more. There is just NO WAY that I have the patience (nor do you I am very sure! lol) to tell each day, event to event, moment to moment. So I will try and keep this brief (yes, even for me!) as I can, and I have even taken the time to group like pictures in collages to make it quicker.  I haven't bothered with collages in a LONG time as I always feel like you can't SEE the pictures well enough to bother.  Or that's the way mine seem anyway.  But I just take my pictures with my i-phone, and really don't have anything of any real quality anyway.  They are just a captured moment and memory in time to share, and not any what I would call "real" pictures. lol  Some of you I follow in this blogging world take such QUALITY pictures I am impressed beyond my imagination.  They could just be post cards they are soo good.  But it just isn't me.  I WANT it to be as I do LOVE a good photograph.  But I just don't have enough of the patience needed, nor the desire to learn, so I have accepted my mediocrity in the picture taking world.

Sooo we arrived at about noon on Friday just as we hoped and spent the next 3 and half days packing just as much loving on those kids as we could.  They are all very extroverted and friendly thank goodness, and have no problem working back in to spending time with us.  Even little Claire who doesn't know us well at all yet, worked right in and was very happy to jump up onto our laps and be hugged and kissed.  Well, as much as any 2 year old can sit still for that I guess explains it a little better.  I had LOTS AND LOTS of good conversation with my girl, and enjoyed the wonderful food she had prepared, and got to spend Easter Sunday with her etc., which is the first time we have done so since she married almost nine years ago.  I was THRILLED, and I mean THRILLED that ALL of the clothes (minus the grey and pink skirt!) fit Claire PERFECTLY!!  And honestly looked soo cute on her I could barely stand it.  Melody loved them all too, and if I am being honest, or if she were being, lol, I think she was surprised just how much she did.  They do lose something in my lack of photo taking skills, lol.  I think I will just start posting pictures and tell about things as I do, and hopefully this won't get too long or out of control.

IT WAS SOO NICE OUTSIDE THE DAY WE ARRIVED THAT WE SAT OUTSIDE FOR A WHILE AND WATCHED THE KIDS PLAY.  MEL WANTED A PIC OF US WHICH ORDINARILY I WOULD HAVE FOUGHT HER ON, (just can hardly bear pics of myself!) BUT AS YOU RECALL I DECIDED TO FORCE MYSELF TO STOP DOING THAT AS THERE ARE JUST NOT ENOUGH PICTURES OF MY KIDS AND MYSELF, SO HERE IT IS! 

THE BOYS LOVE TO BE READ TOO AND WE WERE BOTH QUICK TO COMPLY.  YOU CAN'T REALLY TELL FROM ALL OF THESE PICTURES I AM GOING TO SHOW YOU OF THEM, BUT LUKE'S HAIR IS GROWING BACK IN, THANK GOD!  HIS ENTIRE HEAD IS COVERED IN SOFT WHITE HAIR, HIS EYEBROWS ARE IN AND SO ARE HIS EYELASHES, BUT THEY TOO ARE WHITE BLONDE.  THEY ARE STARTING TO DARKEN THOUGH AS THE PIGMENT IS COMING BACK TOO.  NO ONE KNOWS WHAT COULD HAPPEN THOUGH.  IT MAY JUST GROW BACK IN TO STAY FOREVER, OR IT MIGHT ALL FALL OUT AGAIN IN A FEW MONTHS, OR IT MIGHT NOT GROW ALL THE WAY IN OR DARKEN UP COMPLETELY.  ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE POSSIBILITIES I GUESS.  THERE IS NO RHYME NOR REASON TO ALOPECIA, AND PRACTICALLY EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT  SOOO WE WILL PRAY AND HOPE FOR GOD'S BEST.  MEANWHILE IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER MUCH AS HE IS PERFECTLY HEALTHY AND HAPPY, AND ONE OF THE CUTEST LITTLE GUYS THIS GRANDMA HAS EVER SEEN!
ONE THING WE DID DISCOVER IS JUST HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO GET A 2, 3, AND 5 YEAR OLD ALL SITTING STILL AND LOOKING AT THE CAMERA WITH SMILES ON THEIR FACES AT THE SAME TIME....A YEAH, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.  THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST EVEN THOUGH CLAIRE IS NOT LOOKING AT THE CAMERA AT ALL, LOL

SO HERE SHE IS WEARING THE LITTLE NAVY SHORT SET, THE TORNADO PJ'S AND THE BUNNY IN A TEA CUP DRESS.  PERFECT FITS WHICH MAKES MY HEART JUST HAPPY, LOL

AND THIS LITTLE CROP TOP AND CAPRI SET FIT HER WAY WAY BETTER THEN I HOPED FOR.  I ALMOST DIDN'T EVEN BRING OR GIVE HER THE TOP I WAS SO SURE IT WASN'T GOING TO FIT.  BUT I BROUGHT ALONG A NEEDLE AND THREAD AND FASTENED THE STRAPS AFTER I MEASURED THEM ON HER AND THAT WORKED REALLY WELL.  THEY HAVE A NICE PARK NEAR THEM AND SO WE WENT THERE ONE OF THE AFTERNOONS.

HERE ARE THE BOYS IN THEIR NINJA TURTLE AND MICKEY SUMMER PJ'S.  AGAIN, PERFECT FITS.  AND THEY WERE HONESTLY SOOO HAPPY WITH THESE THEY WORE THEM 3 OF THE NIGHTS WE WERE THERE, LOL.  NOTHING BETTER THOUGH AS A SEAMSTRESS THEN SEEING YOUR THINGS BEEN WORN AND APPRECIATED, LOL
DYING EASTER EGGS!  SOO FUN!  THEY ALL LOVED IT AND DID A REALLY GOOD JOB!

JUST ONE OF OUR MILLIONS OF ATTEMPTS TO GET ALL 3 OF THEM INTO A PICTURE

I TRIED REALLY HARD TO GET A PICTURE OF HER IN ONE OF HER NEW SUITS, BUT SHE JUST WASN'T STILL LONG ENOUGH, LOL.  BUT THEY FIT HER PERFECTLY AND SHE WAS JUST ADORABLE IN THEM!


CLAIRE (VERY UNLIKE HER MOTHER!) IS SUCH A GIRLY GIRL....SHE HAS HER OWN LITTLE MAKEUP BAG AND WOULD COME AND SIT BESIDE ME AND "DO" HER MAKEUP WHEN I DID MINE,,I THOUGHT MY HEART WOULD MELT!

STILL TRYING FOR THAT POSE OF ALL THREE

THEIR LITTLE FAMILY BEFORE CHURCH ON EASTER SUNDAY

WITH US...CLAIRE WASN'T FEELING IT, LOL

AT THEIR CHURCH

MEL AND I AT CHURCH...NOT SURE WHAT THAT MOUTH OF MINE WAS DOING, LOL  I AM JUST NOT USED TO "POSING" FOR CLOSE UPS, LOL

STILL TRYING....THE BOYS GOT RUBBER SNAKES IN THEIR EASTER BASKETS WHICH THEY WERE POSITIVELY THRILLED WITH, LOL.
ENJOYED A BRUNCH OUT AFTER CHURCH, AND A WONDERFUL DINNER LATER AT THEIR HOUSE...AND OF COURSE THE EASTER EGG HUNT....CLAIRE IS WEARING THE LITTLE ROMPER I MADE HER HERE...SOO CUTE ON HER.  NOTICE SAM WITH HIS BOOTS AND SHORTS, LOL.  NOT UNUSUAL I GUESS ACCORDING TO MEL AS HE LIKES TO HAVE HIS BOOTS ON AND READY IN CASE HE NEEDS TO GO OUT AND "HELP" ON THE DAIRY, LOL

SAN DIEGO GRANDS ON EASTER SUNDAY...MISSED THEM
CLAIRE'S 2ND BIRTHDAY!  SHE'S WEARING THE LITTLE SHORTS AND THE "HAPPY" SHIRT IN THIS ONE....DARLING ON HER!

STILL TRYING....LOL

LEAVING FOR LUNCH OUT ONE DAY
WE GOT THE BOYS KITES AND FINALLY ON THE LAST DAY WE GOT THEM UP...IT WAS EITHER TOO WINDY OR NOT WINDY ENOUGH.  SAM CLIMBED UP INTO HIS CLUB HOUSE ON THEIR SWING SET TO FLY HIS....SOOO CUTE

AND 3 YEAR OLD LUKE GOT TIRED OF WAITING FOR HIS TURN WITH GRANDPA TRYING TO GET THEM UP AND DID IT HIMSELF!  NOT BAD AT ALL!  LOL

SHE WAS JUST SOO CUTE WITH HER CAKE!  SHE WAITED AND TALKED ABOUT HER CAKE ALL WEEK-END, AND EVERYONE WAS GLAD WHEN SHE FINALLY GOT TO ENJOY IT...AND ENJOY IT SHE DID!

SHE GOT THIS LITTLE TODDLER QUAD FROM HER PARENTS...SHE WAS SOO THRILLED WITH IT.  AND SHE COULD REALLY WORK IT PRETTY WELL!


IN ADDITION TO THE CLOTHES OF COURSE WE GOT HER THIS WALKING, TALKING MAX FROM THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS....SHE LOVED IT!

AND SO DID LUKE....ALMOST MORE SO, LOL

BY THE NEXT DAY CLAIRE WAS KIND OF STILL ENJOYING MAX, BUT LUKE WAS EVEN MORE ATTACHED.  FELL ASLEEP PLAYING WITH HIM, SOO SWEET.  HE DOESN'T NAP EVERY DAY ANYMORE, BUT HE SURE NEEDED ONE ON OUR LAST DAY THERE.  WE WORE HIS LITTLE SELF OUT.  BUT HE JUST COULDN'T BEAR TO MISS ANYTHING.  THIS WAS TAKEN THE DAY WE HAD LEFT.  MEL SAID SHE KNEW HE'D NEVER MAKE IT ANOTHER DAY.  HE DOES HIS VERY BEST TO KEEP UP WITH SAM AND HE USUALLY DOES.  BUT HE IS ONLY 3!

JEFFIE HAD ANOTHER TRACK MEET....SECOND PLACE THIS TIME IN THE MILE

AND ANOTHER ONE!  GO JEFFIE GO!


All in all we just couldn't have asked for a better trip and I am soo grateful we were able to go.  Of course I am in my usual withdrawals today, but they are planning on a trip out here this summer, so I will just keep reminding myself of that.  It's always good to see my daughter in her world.  To see that she is a GREAT mama and cares for her family well, and loves them and her God soo much.  To know she is right where God intended her to be, and she continues to grow and mature in her relationship to Him, and as a person as well.  I LOVE seeing the bond between those boys as well.  They are truly just the best of friends.  They have many, many games they play and imagine together and enjoy each other soo much.  Claire is joining in now adding her little personality and sass to their games as well.  God is good.  I hope you all had a blessed Easter.  I will continue to get around and catch up in the next couple of days as I doubt I do much more than rest up.  I felt kind of bad as my poor hubby chugged off to work this morning and I just poured a second cup of tea and curled up in my chair.  A blessed woman, and I certainly know it!  Debbie


8 comments:

  1. I read every word and loved seeing the pictures. They are an adorable, sweet family. Yes, you are indeed a very blessed woman.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awww . . . Debby, it was such fun to read of your trip and see all of your pictures! Worry no more about them not being good enough! Wow, with such darling subjects, you can't lose. And, as you said, it is so important to just have these moments recorded. I love the photos that you're in; I think it was a good decision to overcome your reluctance and become a part of these recorded moments yourself. That first pic in this post, the one with you and Melanie wearing your sunglasses? Fabulous!!

    Oh, such sweetness, such cuteness! I am glad that you had such a good trip. Indeed you are a blessed woman!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You packed a lot in! They have all grown so much! Love seeing
    them wearing the things you made them!
    Blessed indeed!!
    XO Kris

    ReplyDelete
  4. You truly are very blessed. I'm so glad you are getting pictures with your family. I'm starting to do that more myself too. I think it's so important. I want them to have a record some day to show that I really was there. Hubby and I both are allowing it more.

    It just looks like you guys and the kids had so much fun together. I love all of Claire's little outfits and the boys' pj's are adorable. Congrats to your grandson coming in second twice!

    Loving this post.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It blesses me to see all these wonderful photos! So proud of you for getting yourself into the picture. I am praying for Luke that whatever The Lord allows will be for His glory and just won't be an issue for Luke at all. Love seeing all that great peach fuzz coming on back. Claire is a hoot! Bet she keeps her parents and brothers hopping!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Debbie, these photos were a delight to look at. You have a beautiful family and your daughter is just gorgeous. How wonderful to have spent that special time with them and enjoy those sweet grandkids of yours. And you, you are way too hard on yourself. You and your husband look great with those kids. All of their outfits are cute as can be and I know it gives you pleasure to see those kids wearing them. Bless you. You have much to be thankful for. So blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! What a full 6 days away! Lots of family memories and great photos. I know what you mean about feeling like you enter a whole new world when you go away--especially one so joyfully busy with your kids and grands! And those are wonderful pictures of you and your daughter--two beautiful women.

    ReplyDelete
  8. OH! Deb, I am sitting here once again with tears of joy reading this post, you and your DH are the best grandparents, I think one reason I am so moved by what I read, is that it is like I am reliving my days with our grandchildren, and you and Mel, seem to have the best relationship, like Susan and I do!
    I will add too,that you have the cutest grandkids, all of them, and what a joy for me to see them grow,, thank you of sharing! and for allowing me to enjoy them with you! Now that little Claire, is so cute in those outfits!

    And like you I don't like my photos taken, I got dressed Sunday, and thought I looked kind of cute,(ha ha) so on a whim i took a selfie, I really needed to photoshop it, getting old is not fun for me!
    Yours and Mel's selfies are were beautiful!
    I am so glad you all are home safely, I can relate to the withdrawals, but there will be a next time, and that is what I always would tell myself!
    Much love,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete

I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!