Wow...

Can you imagine the clamor of emotions, memories, prayers, hopes, dreams, pride, praise, and thankfulness all vying for attention in my mind? I'm so overwhelmed I don't even know where to begin. Even with so many wonderful topics I could expound on tonight I'm going to pass up the rare opportunity (i.e. choice of subject matter) and just send thoughts to my fingers and type away.

I have an awesome new grandson!

We really needed the video camera this afternoon. We were still at the hospital, waiting for everyone to be discharged. Zachary had a messy diaper and, alas, it's Grandma to the rescue. Not. It took 3 adults and 4 wet-wipes to complete the mission. In the end (no pun intended) we had a clean baby (fianlly), a soiled blanket and lots of talk about how he sure can kick his legs and wave his arms right where they shouldn't be! Hummm...actually more like hummmmbling.

My Elisa is a mommy now. Rob, a daddy. They are the parents God chose for Zachary. I know they are going to be awesome in their new roles. What an incredible job they did in dealing with the stress, pain and fear of the last few days, weeks, and months.

It's really funny that as I type this there's an old Billy Ray Cyrus song playing; "Achy Breaky Heart." The funny part about it is that as little girls, Shannon and Elisa used to do the official Achy-Breaky dance when the song was popular (15+ years ago!) I can see them so clearly...even remember their error in the lyrics where they thought it said his heart would blow up 'the cutest man." The correct lyric was "might blow up and kill this man..." Now, those same two little girls are young women with families of their own.

I have learned the meaning of bittersweet.

Darrell is struggling to come up with nicknames for his newest niece and nephew. Let's hope he's struck (hard) with inspiration because his current offerings make me cringe!

I have an incredible 2-month old granddaughter!

Kenneth is a wonderful Granddad (or papa as Matthew calls him). It really warms my heart. He's still the burp-meister, too. He can get a baby to burp when no one else can.

Grandparenting can be hard since we still have young children of our own at home, but overall this gig is pretty wonderful.

Matthew has a cousin! Let's see...big brother in July, cousin in September...makes you wonder what his Christmas is going to be like!

Ken, Christopher, Abbey, and I had a special treat today. We had breakfast/brunch at the Marriott. They have a great buffet along with omelet and Belgian waffle stations. It's also the hotel where Rob and Elisa's wedding reception was held. More memories...I can almost hear Barbra Streisand in the background now...

I danced with my granddaughter today... My girls will understand this at once. I'm on another trip down memory lane to a time when Shannon was 3 and Elisa was a newborn. Mother and I were out to lunch with the girls to Morrison's Cafeteria. Elisa, having tummy trouble, needed to be held/bounced/pressure put on her tummy/rocked (all at the same time, of course), and Mother and I would take turns with her. Trying hard not to disturb the other diners, we were trying very hard to keep baby Elisa calm. Well, all of a sudden Shannon started crying. She sounded like her heart was breaking. Sharing puzzled glances with overtones of "oh no, what now?" I asked Shannon what on earth was wrong. Sniffling, wailing and looking pitiful, she finally got it out... "I want to dance with Grandma, too!!!" she said. It was priceless and probably one of those "you had to be there to appreciate it" family tales. But, with that said, I had a few moments with our beautiful Kaitlyn this afternoon here in the family room all by ourselves. Suddenly it struck me - hit me both like a brick...and a feather...that I was dancing with my granddaughter. It was too sweet for words.

To Mother...I'd give anything for you to be sharing in the joy of these babies with me...to be here with me for a smile, a laugh, a hug, a few tears. Or maybe even a dance. We sure could be silly at times.

Both of my oldest girls have put me in the position of having to see them wheeled off for major surgery for a good reason. Three grandchildren and three c-sections. Two of which came after hours of labor and increasingly frightening reports of stressed babies and dropping heart rates. But, on the other hand, three instances of ultimately healthy moms and healthy babies - even if they did take a different route. We never know when obstacles will appear to detour us. We find different sights on detours and it may take a little longer to reach our destination, but different doesn't have to be a negative.

I realized this week that missing a night of sleep really can take days to get over. Not like in the good old days when it was absolutely no big deal. Then you'd just grab a hot shower, a cup of coffee or a soda, and do it all over again!

Shannon is finally an Aunt! She's the one in the family who's been busiest making Aunts and Uncles of her siblings. Now it's her turn. Congratulations Aunt Shannon!

There's been another plus to all the excitement this week. Our families keep such busy schedules that we don't get to see each other as often as we'd sometimes like. With Elisa in the hospital, Shan's been there each day and we've had more time to spend with Kaitlyn. She's smiling now and will even give a little chuckle at times. She even shows "attitude" when Shannon holds Zachary.

Tomorrow is my last Sunday in Freedom Kids for this quarter. Monday is my next class in the study of 'Daniel.' Tuesday is our next small group class. I enjoy working with the kids and that's always a fun way to start the week. The ladies in my Bible study are terrific. I love getting to know these women and traveling through this study with them. We're still the newbies in our small group but so far the other couples have been so nice, warm, open and accepting. I look forward to the coming months getting to know everyone better. I'm so glad we have these folks in our lives.

There's so much more I could write but hey, I was up all night Tuesday night and now it's only Saturday. I'm still worn out! It's time to call it a night. Tomorrow will be here in the blink of an eye and I want to be ready for it.

My blessings are like calories...they don't just add up...they multiply!

Make a point of smiling at strangers this week. It'll make you (and them) feel good.

Long Awaited...

Be sure to continue to the next post...

Introducing...

Those Fabled Good Intentions

I feel so lame starting most of my blogs by apologizing or making excuses for taking so long in-between posts. At least this time I really did have good intentions. Of course, we know where that will get you...

Here's a picture of my desk. It's a bit cluttered, but that's pretty normal. I just feel so much more comfortable having my own work space again. Even in my for-real office (slash sewing room)! The printer all-in-one thingie sits off to the left but this covers the biggest part of it. The room is still transitioning from Elisa's room/Storage room to Mary Kay Office/Sewing room. That's a nice way of saying it's still a mess. Or, the more attractive phraseology of "a work in progress." If I had my way I'd move the kids' school desks in there, too, but we're probably better off in our official "classroom."

I've got to tell you that the days seem to be whizzing by so fast that my head is in a permanent state of circular motion. The only time they seem to drag by is when we stop to think about Elisa's due date (2-days ago). We know she'll have the baby by Wednesday, if not before. It would just be preferable for her to do this in a natural manner as opposed to having labor induced. Either way, when thinking about Elisa and the baby, the hours just drag by.

We did have an impromptu dinner party Friday evening. A group of us went to Olive Garden for dinner. It felt a bit celebratory as we declared it could be her "last supper" being pregnant (it wasn't). I took pictures and about a minute of video (a videographer I'm not). I just really like being near her as this time winds down. I really don't remember being this nervous when I was waiting on my own kids to arrive. The little guy is following tradition, however. Of my 5 kids, my 3-girls arrived 2-3 weeks before their respective due dates. My 2-boys, on the other hand, were both 10-12 days late.

The day is winding down and turning into evening. It's about time to get the kids to Kids Praise, do some lesson planning, and a bit of research on my newest hobby-to-be; digital scrapbooking.

I suspect Zachary may just be here before I make my way back to this keyboard for the next post. Please keep Elisa, Rob, and Zachary in your prayers.

In closing, I wish you a safe and happy week, but most of all, WELCOME AUTUMN!

Showered With Love...

When I was pregnant with first Christopher, and then Abbey, Ken's co-workers held baby showers for him. This was novel, unusual (at least to us), and greatly appreciated. Putting aside "tradition," they shared in this special time of life with him and held a celebration.

Years later, I remember when Shannon was expecting Matthew, that a friend of mine got me the sweetest card and lovely gift. The card basically said that as a child is born, a grandma is made. How cool was that?

Barb is Elisa's mother-in-law and a woman I count as a dear friend. She's wonderful and I'm so glad we're going to experience
'grandmotherhood' to Zachary together. I just heard that Barb's co-workers gave her a 'Granny Shower' last night. Complete with a cake and everything. How thoughtful that friends understand and acknowledge what an important life-event this is and then add to the joy by celebrating it with us.

I've been so appreciative of the amount of love and care Elisa's been "showered" with during her pregnancy. Now I'm reminded of how wonderful it is to have such great friends who 'shower' their love by celebrating what/when we celebrate, cry when we cry, and hold our hands as we travel along life's paths and all that entails.

As James Taylor melodiously shares in the chorus of 'Shower the People'...

Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna work out fine if you only will (do as i say, yeah)
Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna be much better if you only will
'Shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel.
Things are gonna be much better, if you only will

What are you looking at me for? Go on and 'shower!'

Time Passages

Dawn and I have been playing an impressive game of phone tag recently. She was wonderful enough, however, to leave a voicemail on one of her "tags."

I am so very happy to report that Nicole has improved dramatically. I believe we can let out huge sighs of relief that this horrid illness is now behind Nicole. At least for now. I need to ask Dawn if recurrence is still a concern. I know I was blown away when Dawn said that Nicole had been cleared for sports and that she attended soccer practice this week. I love being able to post such incredible praise reports!

As an update, Kaitlyn is doing well. She's a happy baby girl as evidenced by the photo Shannon sent on my phone tonight (I'll get around to getting it on here but it won't be tonight). She's so precious.

Elisa and Rob are doing well. Anxious, of course. I get "funny-tummy" flutters whenever my phone rings. One of these calls will be the one...

I did receive sad news tonight. My uncle, Douthit Kimber Whitaker, died Monday. He was 83. It's funny how I still see him as the much younger man I grew up around. We worked together during the time I was pregnant with Shannon and the subsequent year-and-a-half after she was born. He sure loved coming into the office at the end of the day and seeing her big smile. It seems like only yesterday.

I honestly feel like I've been in a time tunnel recently. In addition to my uncle's passing, I've been going through papers, photographs, and items of my grandmother's. Many from the 30's and 40's. Quite a few involving my parents, great-aunts and uncles, and great-grandparents. Also many items I had sent her through the years from wedding and birth announcements, photos of the kids (the oldest 3), etc. Now we have Elisa's baby due, Kaitlyn is settled in with Shan, and Matthew turned 3-years old yesterday. Yes, my head is spinning.

And finally, the kids and I are adjusting to the new school year. They had their 2nd week of co-op today and still love it (me too!). Monday night was the first night of the women's Bible study I'm in. We're doing Beth Moore's "Daniel" study and it looks to be terrific. Ken and I also had our intro meeting with our (new) small group. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and am really looking forward to the next few months with these folks. It's been a few years since we've been in small group and that was at our previous church.

So that just about covers recent happenings. Pretty soon I'll be writing about Kaitlyn and Zachary and not about us "anxiously waiting" for them to arrive. I'm sure that will be appreciated. All this baby stuff's been going on for just about a year now. Please keep Elisa and Zachary in your prayers for this last leg of the journey. For a healthy baby and smooth, easy delivery for Elisa. These beautiful young women are having their own babies, but they are still, and always will be, my babies. There are some things that time just can't change.

God bless you and yours...

Ch ch ch changes...

Yes, it's a new year in September. I've already mentioned our new school year. We also have a new co-op, new AWANA year, new year in Children's Church, etc... Lots of exciting things going on. New committees, new classes for the whole family! Lots of changes.

'Change' is certainly a word we're hearing a lot these days. In my home I'm the more optimistic one. Kenneth and Darrell share the title of family pessimists. To me the word 'change' equals excitement. To Kenneth and Darrell it brings dread. It's fascinating how different people can be.

We've had one recent change that is anything but good. Our grandson, Matthew, is living in Texas with his father right now. On this one I certainly relate to my guys here at home.... change is not always a good thing.

And another painful change...
We received word this week that an uncle of mine is in hospice care and his hours are certainly numbered. My father was told his brother probably wouldn't make it long enough for him (my father) to drive from Florida to North Carolina. Well, as far as I know, he has, and Dad did. My father is the youngest of 5 children in his family. There will now be just 2 left. My mother was an only child and she passed 7 years ago.

Amid all the blessings and happiness in my life, a heavy heart can't be avoided altogether. If it weren't for the rain I wouldn't know to appreciate the sunshine. It's very difficult for me to have so very much in my life that's good and still feel such pain. I have no right. But it still hurts anyway.

Did I mention how much better I'm getting at Sudoku puzzles? They are a good way to pass all that free time I really don't have. I think I use them for escape.

Moving on...
Where my oldest son is concerned I tend to nag. Mostly because we see things very differently. He's one of those teenagers who still knows everything. I'm an old woman who knows I'll never know nearly enough. Oops...back to my point... I've been nagging my son to register to vote. He kept saying he didn't want to vote. He feels it really makes no difference whether he votes or not. Well, that wasn't the answer his mama wanted to hear. It turns out he has a professor who wields more power than moi. Specifically the power to grant "extra credit." This professor will grant extra class credit for his students who vote. Well, at least I don't have to threaten to stop making his favorite dinner. The spaghetti is safe!!!

The clock will soon strike midnight. I better get this posted while it's still "today." The weekend is in sight. Make some wonderful memories.

Quick Thoughts From the Weary

• Today was our 1st day of school for the '08-'09 school year. It went pretty well. A few adjustments here and there and we should be in good shape for a great year! The day really exhausted me, though. It must be post-vacation wimpiness.
• Please keep praying for Nikki. She's doing so well and I know all of the prayers had a lot to do with her turn-around.
• Allen Bennett hospital closed recently. Greer Memorial replaced it and is just a few more miles up the road. Our family has many memories of time spent there. Surgeries, tests, and ER visits to name a few. Happily, our two grandchildren were born there. On the other hand, it was at Allen Bennett that we said tearful "goodbyes" to my mother. Life, death, trauma, bumps and bruises, celebrations and despair. It sure had all the elements needed for a great late night blog entry.
• Abbey completed her first hand written English school paper today (as opposed to a workbook page or similar). It was a lovely paper and reminds me that summer breaks cause new 2nd graders to reverse a lot of their letters and numbers
• Matthew's 3rd birthday is coming up and he won't be here. I miss him so much.
• Congratulations to Josh on his new job. I think he gets hired any time he applies for a new job.
• Mischief is back outside, her kittens are off to new homes, and Kit-Kat can relax a bit now that she's the only cat in the house.
• I'm slowly getting my 'new' combination office/sewing room set up. There's one good thing about children leaving the nest!
• I'm praying that Zachary arrives healthy and that Elisa has a safe and easy delivery. Rob, too! Seriously, I know he'll be a great labor partner for Elisa and a great dad, too.
• Izzie had a nice walk today. I think she likes her new collar. Now that the height of summer is behind us we'll have to walk her more often.
• I haven't forgotten my promise to tell you about a new project. I'm still waiting to receive additional materials. Once they are here I'll write all about it.
• Wasn't it nice that we sandwiched our vacation right in-between hurricanes? This was pure luck - trust me - our usual timing would put us right in the middle of "the big one!"

Too tired to type so it's time to say goodnight. Happy September!