THE GRANDSON!

Our grandson Sam whom I have blogged about since he was born, has lived with us for the last 2 1/2 years. He is an electrician's apprentice and has made a way for himself to have a very good income! We are so proud of him, as last week, he moved in with two good, solid roomates. Way to go Sam!

Its World Kindness Day

 This is the 65th Anniversary for World Kindness Day.  I am thankful for those in my life who have been so kind to me.  Today, is a day to recognize kindness and to be kind to one another.  Of course we should ALWAYS be kind, but I'm thankful for a day to recognize it.

 My son, who is a philosophy professor is wearing a "Mr. Rogers" cardigan to teach today.  I'm proud of him for standing out and saying, "Be kind"....

He grew up watching Mr. Rogers.  He wanted to imitate him, and would try to catch his shoes like Mr. Rogers did. He'd zip up his zipper sleeper all the way up, then back 1/2 down to wear it like Mr. Rogers.  We didn't DARE try to zip it all the way back up... "NO! Mr. Rogers doesn't wear it that way!" 

When I think of the word kindness, I also picture tenderness, gentleness, patience, and a gentle smile.
Children NEED us to simply be KIND.  They need us to be tender, gentle and patient.  And they need us to smile at them affectionately, so they know we love them.

I'm thankful for all of the lovely, kind people that speak into my life.

A Few Photos of the Grands

We truly enjoy have the grand children over now and then.  They are getting SO BIG!
I will be updating our blog photo as Ruby isn't even in it and she is 4 years old!

 He loved Driving the Boat!

                                                         The Next Generation!

Grandson Invasion!

We got to spend the morning with 3 precious little boys!  And we were Happy Happy Happy!

 

 I'm not so sure how thrilled Felix was being dressed up by Miss Alli. LOL

 Sam is always joyful! He especially likes finding Surprises on the Christmas Tree. :)

 Truman had a really good time outside today! Tomorrow, it will be way too cold!

 Felix loves playing with the blocks.

 Pizza Time!

Mama and Daddy had a nice coffee date.... :)
Our pleasure!

The Weekend

 
This weekend was Joe and Becca's 10th anniversary!  Now that they are in Texas, we had the joy to watch the grand boys.
Felix stayed for 4 hours so they could go out on an Anniversary Date.  My responsibility was to give Felix a bottle for the first time. 

Let's just say, he was not a happy camper when it came to feeding time! LOL
We settled for a "sippy cup" and he seemed to like that.

He was certainly happy to have his mama back!!!!

Truman enjoyed playing hide and seek with Erika.  His favorite place to hide was the Pantry, where he wanted her to hide with him. LOL

 Truman will be 3 next month!   Note the gun and sword Miss Alli made for him out of paper. He is a well armed toddler! LOL

Sam just loves spending time with Grampa.  He is a hard worker and LOVES to keep himself busy!
He even helped me fold towels and showed of his towel folding skills well! :)
His favorite thing though is to go out with grampa and work in the auto shoppe. :)  He is such a big boy now!  6 years old, going to school and reading!

 And here is pick up time.....

 Happy Anniversary to two of my favorite people in the world! :)

                                             "MY THREE SONS"

Sam Went To The Lake

Grampa took Sam, Erika and Alli to the lake today.  He had a wonderful time.  His eyes just lit up when he found out he was going to be able to go on a boat!

 High Fiving after tubing.....

 Sam and Grampa

Next is driving the boat.

Joy and Sorrow

We have had some wonderful days these last two weeks.  Actually longer, but the last two weeks have been very special!

Going to Oklahoma to meet Tatyana and her boyfriend Gibson, and their family, visiting their church, coming home to our Son arriving from MaryLand and now our Daughter in Law and three grandsons....


Joe and Becca



Sam

Truman
Felix

  And then the Fontes family came to visit and will visit again!!! (we are so excited!)
Things have been Hot and Happenin'! :)

All the girlies have taken it in stride and I am so PROUD of all of them.

Today however.......  was a little different.

Today I observed each of my sweet girls taking time to play with nephews.  Miss Alli in particular was just drawn to Felix.  She spent a lot of time with him, and even wanted to hold him while he was sleeping.

At around 6:30, she suddenly rushed to her room in tears, and threw herself on her bed.  She wanted to be alone for a while. 
About an hour later, I came in and sat with her.

Through tears, she spoke about how she didn't know what SHE looked like as a baby. She wondered if she were so loved and cherished as Felix is.

We went to the rocking chair and I told her that we love her just like she is baby Felix. When we snuggle her we see Baby Felix.  And we adore her just like Baby Felix. :)

I explained to her, that it IS sad we don't have baby pictures of her, but we have a video of her at 8 years old and I can just imagine what she looked like as a little girl, and even a baby. :)

The other side of the joy of adoption is grief.  The realization that you are no longer in your birth family, the realization that you may have not been cherished... and that you do not know who held you, loved on you, or adored you... cooed with you, blew air on your sweet belly as you cooed with delight, nursed you, changed you, cuddled you when you had a tummy ache.... is all there in glaring sadness, as you watch your little nephew adored.... and you wonder, what about me? The questions came.... Did somebody do that to me?  Was I loved?

Break. My. Heart.



I was so proud of her as she overcame her deepest sadness and took part in loving her nephews, playing with them all day long!
But when she was finally overcome with grief, we snuggled as she wept, and healed a little bit more. :)

So proud of my sweetie! :)

So proud of all of them!