Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Unmitigated joy...


"There has been a huge amount of research out of Harvard about what it does for grandparents to have proximity to their grandchildren. Like if you're a grandparent and you interact with your grandchild more often, you are likely to live longer. You're likely to have higher levels of a sense of purpose and meaning and connection.

You're likely to laugh more. You're even more likely to recover from illness more often. I've seen that in the eyes of my wife's parents, of my parents, when they get around our girls. It's just, it's unmitigated joy. There is something about proximity to grandkids that is literally medicinal for grandparents."
~ Evan Carmichael

I didn't need a Harvard study to know the benefits and joy of being a grandparent. I give thanks everyday for Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm. They really have brought us so much joy. 



Monday we had a birthday date with Grahm and it was wonderful. I love this tradition. We had lunch and went shopping. Grahm found a gecko that can climb up the windows and walls!


And a very cool dinosaur!


We came back home and played for awhile. He saw the balloons and said, "Grahm is 7." He's growing up so fast. He wanted chicken soup with homemade noodles again. I was happy to make that for him. I got him his very own birthday cupcake and Grandpa and I sang Happy Birthday to him.






We also watched a movie, read books, and slept very good.


Milk mustache!


After breakfast the next morning we went to Boondocks and Grahm was so happy Grandpa came too. Boondocks has been remodeled with lots of fun new games. 







Grahm won a ball at the claw machine game.




Grahm soaked Grandpa with the squirt gun.
He thought that was big fun to get Grandpa wet!




We were all hungry after Boondock's so we 
had lunch at one of Grahm's favorite places.


Grahm is a delightful boy, so polite and loving. I hope he knows how much we love and adore him.

Grahm said, Grandma," I have to tell you something. I'm going to write you a letter and say thank you, and put in the mail." He's so sweet.



I think Graham looks like Colbs in this picture. 
He is such a handsome boy!


Happy 7th Birthday Grahm!

Just for fun, here are a few pictures from 
my first birthday date with Grahm.




Monday, July 29, 2024

Don't worry...

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us, . . . if we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." (Church News, Oct. 4, 1997)
Gordon B. Hinckley

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Classic food and fun...

We enjoyed classic chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles for dinner. Who knows how many noodles my Mom and Grandma made through the years. I will always think of them when I make them. Grahm said it was the best dinner he ever had. He had seconds which rarely happens with him. That made me so happy he enjoyed a classic food that holds so many wonderful memories for me. I also sautéed some vegetables from the garden. Grey said they were better than they look and he ate every last bite.


We played a new game and then several classic games that I have had for years. The Dude Perfect game was actually so fun. And you can't go wrong with Spirograph and Lite Brite! 





Grandpa was drawing on Grey's back and he would try to guess the letter.



Eventually Grandpa's pillow challenge will be a classic!




I love it when Mark comes to pick of the Grands and he stays for a bit. We enjoy visiting with him and he even played with the Spirograph!


Another wonderful Grandma Day, hurry back boys.

Monday, July 22, 2024

What you do...

"It's not what you do some of the time that counts. It's what you do most of the time that counts."
Jack LaLanne

Thursday, July 18, 2024

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Sweet Grey!


Our sweet Grey enjoying a homemade popsicle!

Monday, July 15, 2024

Angel in the marble...

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free” 
~ Michelangelo

Michelangelo is considered by some to be history's greatest sculptor. He believed that every block of stone contains a statue that the sculptor must discover. He believed that the idea was already present in the stone, either through divine providence or his own imagination, and that his hands and eyes were simply the tools to bring that idea into the physical world.

Greatness is hidden within everyone, we just need to carve it out. We should be grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow, and to find one's strengths and potential.