Hooray!

Looking forward to our grandsons' arrival in a couple of days! They are 9 and 11 and full of energy . . . we know because we sleep a lot after they leave! Fun things planned, and we sure hope the weather cooperates as most are outside activities. Bring on the boys!

Gearing Up

Yep . . . Grandpa and I are gearing up for our annual visit from Ryan and Kyle. They will arrive one week from today along with little Campbell and her parents who are driving the boys up to Waterloo. We are so anxious for this visit and have lots of fun things planned for our grandchildren! Can't wait!!

Meet Lucas Adam!

Born April 13, 2010 at 12:12 p.m. 8 lb.s 12 oz., 21" long!

Long Distance Grandparenting

As many of you already know, our oldest grandchildren live in the Los Angeles area. Visits with them come 2-3 times a year unless a big family event occurs

then 4 times has been the norm. Since our Indy granddaughter was born almost 6 months ago, I have noticed how amazing it is to see her more often than 2 to 4 times per year. It's really fun watching her learn new things, and she's growing up so fast! It got me to thinking about Ryan & Kyle and how much we miss of their lives not being able to see them more often.

Thus video chat has entered our home. It's was relatively simple to set up -- with the help of our Indy son and family members in California -- and is an amazing tool that allows us to actually "see" the boys, their mom and dad, their aunt and uncle from Encino, my sister and my niece who live in central CA.

Somehow it makes the distance fade away.

First Overnight

Dear Campbell Jane:
Each time you visit I think it couldn’t possibly get any better, and yet it does! Last weekend you visited us once again with your mom and dad. We bought you a used exersaucer, and you enjoyed checking out the new toys attached. It is easy to see you’ve learned a lot since your last visit before Christmas as you are much better at handling playthings . . . and you are definitely more vocal! You are such a joy to watch whether playing or sleeping or sitting on Granpa’s lap looking at the fishies in the aquarium. Our Bichon, Rudy, is your constant very interested protector. and it’s difficult to get a photo of you without him in it as well. He also enjoys watching fishies with you and Grandpa.

Saturday morning we awoke to a beautiful snowfall — flakes falling gently while glistening in the sunshine. Together you and I watched them fall as you seemed fascinated by the sight. Fascinated . . . that’s the way you are with most things that move. You are so alert and very interested in what goes on around you. I told your mom and dad you are like a sponge soaking up anything and everything that comes your way.

Giving you a bath was enjoyable as I got to watch you splash in your little tub and turn the pages of your vinyl bathtub book. I love wrapping you up in a big towel and cuddling you briefly before you’re ready to move on to the next activity. (I have a hunch you’re going to be an independent little girl.)

One purpose of this visit was so your mom and dad could spend a night in Fort Wayne just the two of them. When it came time for them to tell you goodbye, I think it was lots harder than they thought it would be. It was sweet watching them as they held and kissed you. They love you so much Campbell.

First on the agenda for you and I was to introduce you to two of your dad’s favorite baby toys — a Fisher Price musical clock and a Donald Duck dancing musical toy. I think you liked D.D. best as the movement held your interest.

Giving you a bottle this visit was a challenge; but once I found out I needed to add some cereal to your mom’s milk, AND when Grandpa got home and said the bottle needed to be warmer AND he gave you the bottle . . . well, it went really well then.

Following your short evening nap you entertained me for quite some time on the changing table as you quickly stiffened your arms and legs and smiled great big! At first I wasn’t sure what was going on; but then you relaxed, cooed, then did it again. It became a game after that with me reacting largely each time you stiffened up! We laughed together . . . priceless.

I slept in the guest room where your pack ‘n play is kept because I was worried I wouldn’t hear you. No problem there . . . you talked a couple of times in the middle of the night and when you woke up at 6 a.m. That was when you drank 8 oz. of cereal bottle for ME! You went right back to sleep for a 2-hour nap which gave me time to get ready for church.

Ah church . . . getting ready to head out the door was a total hoot! It took Grandpa and I 15 minutes to get everything together, get you in your bear suit in the car seat and in the car. (I think we may be out of practice.)

Let me tell you Campbell Jane, it was a real treat to take you to church with us. We experienced such joy introducing you several people. You are a little charmer my dear, and you brought smiles to lots of faces. You were so good in church, and you liked watching the media screen. When Grandpa and I stood at the end of the service and sang “To God Be The Glory” holding you between us, a few tears came to my eyes as I thought about God’s faithfulness to our family.

Well now . . . Mom and Dad were waiting for us when we got home from church. Guess who missed you enormously? They were so excited to see you, and you smiled really big at them which made them very happy!

Thanks so much for coming to stay Campbell, and thanks to your mom and dad for trusting us with you. Grandpa and I love you very much. Love, Grammie.

Awesome!

Yesterday I talked with Ryan & Kyle, our grandsons who live in L.A. Although the conversation was brief, I could tell they are doing well and enjoying their school year. Both received awards recently for good test scores, and Ryan told me his recent progress report revealed all "A's!"Way to go Davidson boys! Nana is very proud of you!

Connection

Reading is one of my favorite past times, and I have always enjoyed reading to our grandsons, Ryan & Kyle. This weekend I was presented with the opportunity to read to our granddaughter, Campbell Jane. She's only 7 weeks old and may not totally understand the concept of reading, but she sure enjoyed hearing my voice and "looking" at the pages. Such a treat for us both.

Hope

Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart . . ."

Because I believe life begins at conception, I also believe when the life of an unborn child ends prematurely, the loss can bring about mourning and grief that is deeper perhaps than the loss of a loved one who lived a full life.

The loss of an unborn child is void of memories to share and stories to tell. An end precedes a beginning. An absence, an emptiness occurs that words cannot express.

The One Who now holds the tiny hands of the grandchildren I will see in Heaven, is the One Who gives me hope.

Ecclesiastes 11:5 - "As you do not know the path of the wind or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."

SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2009
Precious Memories

How does a grandparent choose just ONE photo to commemorate a week's worth of memories? How do I write all that Grandpa and I shared with these two very special young lads? I can rattle off all the activity (and I will), all the special moments, the laughter, the hugs; and yet I'm not sure I can convey just how precious the time was we spent together during their annual visit to our house. Ryan and Kyle come each year from Southern California all the way to N.E. Indiana; and this is the highlight of our summer!

Ok, now for the activities! We spent more time at the lake this visit than we have in the past, and I wish you could have seen Grandpa's face when Kyle asked when they could go fishing . . . and fishing they did . . . and actually made quite a few catches. Ryan experienced the annual "torpedo" walk with Nana and Rudy laughing as always at Rudy's antics as he (Rudy) played "crazy dog!" Ryan and Kyle alike enjoyed jet skiing with Nana, roasting marshmallows and eating Smores beside an open fire pit, playing Ladder Ball just outside the camper, and their first (and quite successful) attempt at tubing . . . Grandpa at the helm and Nana, the "observer," smiling ear to ear as I watched them quickly get the hang of holding on AND experience the thrill of falling off the tube! It was an amazing sight!

Whether going to or coming from the lake there's always a trip to "Scoops" Ice Cream near Pokagon State Park. Their favorite flavors may change from year to year but never their cheers as we pull into the lot! This year we took the boys to Clay's Restaurant on Lake George, and they tasted their first tenderloin. Ryan ordered chicken fingers which he declared to be the best he'd ever had, and Kyle (bottomless pit at this age) order a hot dog. Since they merely tasted our tenderloin sandwiches, they both agreed they would order one for themselves next time.

The following day brought a new activity -- walking downtown Auburn looking at various Artist benches on display here and there. We paid a visit to Eckhart Library and Ryan checked out a really thick book to read! We took them to a new pizza joint downtown where Ryan sat and read his book on a couch he thought was cool, and Kyle played an arcade game while we waited for our pizza. They are now both fans of Pizza Forum on the Court House Square, and after we ate we went inside the Court House to view the ornately painted dome ceiling.

Our annual visit to Science Central in Fort Wayne, a brief stop at Border's for a new book and Target for some collector cards, was followed by a stop by Dairy Queen before playing at the Leo Park . . . also an annual affair. Later, as I attempted to rise from my reclining position on one of the park benches where I was resting, Kyle ran up to join me. I asked him if he would "help the old lady get up," to which he replied, "I don't see any old lady." I love it!

So many precious memories, and more to come next summer when they travel once again to visit Nana & Grandpa & Rudy!