Lingering Longer

This past weekend we spent in New Mexico celebrating the eighth birthday of gran number four.  His birthday was Saturday and he was also baptized that day.  It was a wonderful day in every way.

Each time we visit our grans and their amazing parents I find myself lingering longer when it is time to go.  Studying each face and trying to memorizing each feature of their precious faces.  Listening intently to their voices so I can replay our conversations over and over again in my mind.  Remembering their words and the funny things they say.

Each visit is a gift, a blessing.  But the parting brings me such great sorrow.

Just This Day

Tender Moments!

Health

My health is something I've never taken for granted.  But I'm especially thankful today for modern medicine and my good health.  Even as I've struggled to get back full use of my arm this past month I know with a little more patience I will have my throwing arm back.......so you best watch out Wilson!  I'll be back, I'll be back!

My 21

Inasmuch as this is the month of 31 for 21 I’ve decided to prepare a list of my own 21.  So here are my 21 things that I think are the best part about being a grandparent.

1.            There are 13 of them;

2.           The oldest 8 and the youngest 1 (oh how I love to share that part);

3.           They always (at least so far) love to see us;

4.           Sometimes they prefer me over Mom (I’m a push over);

5.           I can sugar them up and then turn them over to Mom and Dad;

6.           Diapers aren’t my responsibility;

7.           I might say yes, when Mom and Dad might say no;

8.           Getting to travel to visit them;

9.           Having them visit us;

10.       I learn from them;

11.         Reading to them;

12.       Having them sharing their accomplishments;

13.        Watching them sing and dance;

14.       Receiving artwork from them;

15.        All their hugs and kisses;

16.       Their goodness;

17.        Watching them play with each other;

18.       Playing games with them;

19.       They are just so perfect (in my eyes);

20.      Watching their parents raise them;

21.       I’m their SuSu!

D s or D S

There's

D s = Down syndrome 

or

there's ......

D S = Delightfully Special 

We prefer the latter.  

The reasons are obvious, 

wouldn't you say!?!

The World Calls It

Down syndrome.  It is named after John Langdon Down, the British physician who described the syndrome in 1866.  Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome.  This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.

So, so much more has been written about Down syndrome.   But really for me all I need to know is that I love these two faces!  How. Could. You. Not!

31 for 21

Well the month of learning has flown by.  And what I've learned from that is time waits for no one and that there is still a lot to learn.  And now we are on to October, can you believe it!?!  What I really can't believe is that it was in 2008 I took the challenge to participate in 31 for 21.  2008!  In looking back, this is what I wrote on day two of that challenge!  It stands true today so I share again!

"Well the challenge is on and today is only day two. I have put in a 12+ hour work day and could easily call it a day but I love a challenge and so for day two of this 31 day challenge I would like to share this thought.

“There comes a time when you must make yourself that person you want to become; work, progress, and rejoice in the change.” 

I received this “thought” in a Relief Society meeting over 25 years ago; it is still posted on the wall in my office after all these years. And after all these years I’m still working and progressing and yes, I do rejoice in the changes and wonderful blessings I have been given as I have tried to become the person I want to be!"

<br><a border="0" href=<a href="http://drivingwithnohands.blogspot.com/">http://drivingwithnohands.blogspot.com</a> target="_blank"><img src="http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w340/kimboya/October2011ButtonSmall.jpg"/></a><br>

Service

I have learned that when we support/serve each other we grow in ways we never thought possible.  I've joined won't you?  Together we can make a difference!

http://drivingwithnohands.blogspot.com/2011/09/stepping-up.html

Baby Baby

I love the ideas of others.  And I believe imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  So when I heard about this from D1 who heard about it from D2 I knew instantly I too had to try.  I carry a camera everywhere for picture taking; but mostly I just carry it.  But every now and again I am able to get a shot off that I believe is magical.  And this shot is definitely one of them.  I just love it.  So since this is the month of 30 pictures what better time to enter a photo contest.

You can read about the contest here:

Dance Party

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.....

But who is imitating who?



New Tour

Eight years ago we started the Blessing Tour.  After the birth of each gran we would travel to wherever they lived to attend church and be a part of that special day.  The day when their father would give them a name and a blessing.  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we consider this a great privilege for this new baby to be held and given a blessing by their father who holds the priesthood.   We have attended thirteen of these blessings. 

Today we are beginning our Baptism Tour.  At the age of eight we believe a child has reached the age of accountability and is ready to be baptized.  And so it begins.  We are so excited and proud of Gran #1 for making the decision to be baptized.

Happy Birthday Shout Out!

Today is Birthday Number Five

for Gran # Six!

Happy Birthday Girl!
Love You So!

Happy Birthday Shout Out

Today is Birthday #8 for Gran #1!

Wahoo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry James............I couldn't resist!

Happy Birthday!

We Love You So!

Time

Favorite time! When all the very energetic grans are down for the night and all you can hear is silence! Love them but this SuSu needs to re-charge because tomorrow is another busy day with some of my favorite little people!

Grans

So this is the deal. If I've said it once I've said it a million times "grans should of had them first!" They are just my favorite thing! And can I just say it is also my favorite thing to play all day with them.

Art Work Part 2

So as I mentioned I love original art.  Well, I was reading PW today and saw this:

Oh it is a thing of beauty, I will say that.  And I love my Kitchenaid Mixer as much as the next person.  And having a Limited Edition Mixer designed after the cover of one's book is indeed impressive, I mean how many people can say that......no one I know.  But how many people can say they have an original one-of-a- kind personalized piece of artwork on their Dell Laptop..........no one I know.  Well except for me.

I can't stop looking at it!
I love it!
I'm just sayin'!

Art Work

I love art.  I love mostly original art.  I know many budding artists.  They love to give me their work.  It is priceless.  And I love it!

(It is also copyrighted so don't get any ideas)

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Thirteen

Lucky Number 13

Chase Evan Allred 

arrived today at: 12:40 p.m. (ish)

He weighed in at 8 lbs. 7 oz. and is 20" tall

We love you baby Chase and can hardly wait to kiss you!

Conversations

During the month of July I had many fun and fascinating conversations with G6.  This one was a personal favorite. 

G6: "Why don't you have kids?"

Me: "Ah, I do have kids."

G6: "What's their name?"

Me: "D1 & D2."

G6: "Where are they?"

Me: "On a trip."

G6: "Do you have boys?"

Me: "Yes."

G6: "What's their name?"

Me: "S1 & S2."

G6: "How old are they."

Me.: "They are 34, 32, 29, and 27."

 G6: "Do you have any more kids?"

Me: "Do you want a fruit snack?"

Conversation over........for the moment!

It is so hard for little kids to understand the age thing in families and who belongs to who sometimes.....I love how their minds work.

Tent City

I will be reflecting back for a while on my July adventure. So today I'm talking about Tent City. As we prepped the house for the grans, we transformed our living room into a playroom of sorts. All breakables were removed. Well almost all, I forgot one of the marble tiles in the fireplace was not glued in so it was a casualty; I never liked that tile anyway, mostly because it was never glued down. So all toys and fun stuff was moved to the playroom. We bought a tent which had a tunnel attached and filled the tent with 100 fun plastic balls. By the end of the month a tepee was added to the room; said tepee was made by my mother for our kiddos to play in. (Some things I just can't give away)  Also, added to the room was a princess castle. You can't have dress up clothes without the proper residence to reside in I learned. Princesses don't live in tents or tepees..........who knew. Last night as we picked up toys and took down the tent, tepee and princess castle it felt a little bit like cleaning up after the circus had been to town.......not that I've ever been in a circus.......I'm more of the zoo type!