Happy Father's Day

Dan is a terrific father to our kids and to their spouses. I've watched him grow in love for our son-in-law and daughter-in-law. He truly loves them as much as he loves our own children. From the time our children were born, he has always put their best interest ahead of his own. He has shown them love, commitment, and respect by the way he lives his life. He has lived a life committed to Christ. He has lived by the principles that he taught to our children. His consistency has provided for an environment that makes clear that they can count on him.

Marcus is wonderful father to the two of my grandsons that are in his care. I've watched him nurture and care for their physical and spiritual needs since the day they were born. I have been impressed to see him struggle with a parenting issue until he was able to decide what is the best choice for his boys.

Michael has been an awesome father for the two of my grandsons that are in his care. I have seen him defer to their needs from the day they were born. He shows them what God expects by the things he expects of himself and of them. He shows them that he loves their mother by the way he treats her on a daily basis and that provides a deep level of security for them.

Poppy is a father I've only recently come to know. I've seen his love for his children and his love for two of my grandsons. I appreciate his love and respect for my son. Thank you Poppy for loving those that I love.

There is so much more I could say. Many of the qualities I mentioned are shared by every one of the dads I described.

Thank you Dads and Happy Father's Day

Clear the Stage

I have been a blog recently that is written by a woman like any of us. She describes herself as a country girl but I would describe her as a deeply spiritual woman who shares her spiritual struggles as well as the spiritual insights she gains as she goes through daily life.

This is a woman I have know for about 7 years. I have know two of her children through the school where I work. I always respected her as a person but I just recently began to appreciate her insights as a Christian. Her blog has been very uplifting to me. Take a look here.

She has a link on her blog to a song called "Clear the Stage". I don't know of the performer but I do know that this song has quite a powerful message. The entire presentation is about 8 minutes long so don't stop when the music stops. If you are interested, here is the link.

Tweet Tweet and Good Spirits

I'm sure you've heard about Twitter as I have. I signed up just to see what it's like. I'll let you know what I think.

I think I have handle on my tummy trouble. I'm balancing servings of Ensure, bottled vitamin water, and occasional other snacks. I found individual serving containers of cottage cheese and that that is a real treat sometimes (not kidding). I'm also doing ok with small amounts of sherbert.

The one food that I miss the most is colby jack deli cheese. I used to eat it with meals and as a snack. I got some no fat cheese slices to try. We'll see.

I'm back in good spirits after "choosing to be grumpy" in my last post.

How could I not be with the many blessings God bestows every day. As I often say, grandkids are a special blessing from God. :)

Choosing to be Grumpy

This post springs from a friend's recent comment. "If happiness is a choice then so is grumpiness"

I am choosing to be grumpy all day today. Fortunately, I am the only one home so I will reap the brunt of my grumpiness.

Gastroparesis - My tummy does not like it when I eat!!! In fact, my stomach muscles work soooo slooooowly that what I eat today may well have chosen a nice parking spot and isn't planning to leave for 3-4 days!!! Did you know there is a little engineer in your stomach directing traffic? I'll call mine Mr. G.

Well, Mr. G runs around telling the stomach muscles to work, work, work. Do your job! They ignore him most of the time but then they get motivated and will work a bit here and there.

If not, then LOOK OUT! Mr. G sends for the catapult and no one likes that catapult!! Not only is the catapult rough, he's very sneaky. Sometimes it's motor starts up with a growl and rumble for warning. Other times, however, the catapult operates with a silencer and BOOOM. You get the picture.

Mr. G has a partner and who takes over when the others are taking a break. Her name is Ms. Nauseitis and Ms. N is not a welcome guest. She is the FIRST one awake on many days. Sometimes she stays all day and other times she visits 5-6 times a day.

Mr. G and Ms N claim the if the solid foods will just stay away and allow the liquids to take their place, then all will be well. That's well and good but they are demanding specific liquids. NO FAT liquids. Grrrr --- Well low fat will do IF, AND ONLY IF the right amount is ingested.

Not too much.

On the surface that seems pretty reasonable, right? Well the catch is that the right amount changes from meal to meal and if too much is ingested, Mr. G and Ms N are right back. Mr. G still may send for the catapult! AND no one likes the catapult!

Well, there is more but this is enough for now. I'm going to go be grumpy now

Nanna's Visit

"Nanna!" was the first thing Bennett said as I got into the car when he and Michael picked me me up at the airport. He had a big smile for me and at the same time I could tell he was feeling a bit shy but I may have overwhelmed with my eagerness since I was soooo glad to see him.

Once we got to his house, he totally lost the bit of shyness he had in the car. One of the first things he asked when we got to his house was, "Where's Papa"? I couldn't believe that he remembered on his own. He hadn't seen Papa since Christmas. He seemed satisfied when we told him Papa couldn't come.

"Nanna," he said from across the room and as soon as I looked he had a great big smile for me. He proceeded to show me his toys and with each one he called "Nanna" as he brought it to me. He was clearly happy to have Nanna visit and I was clearly happy to be there.

By the time Lambie, Froggie, and Monkey had "kissed" me, my hair was a mess but I didn't care. I had so much fun playing with Bennett.

I also loved watching Bennett and daddy swimming in the backyard. They took turns splashing each other and throwing balls in and out of the water.  When I wasn't playing with Bennett or watching him play, I was holding Jasper.  I loved when he smiled at me and tried to talk to me.

Jasper has the same easygoing personality that Bennett has. He is mesmerized when he catches a glimpse of Bennett. It won't be long until Bennett will be a major source of entertainment for Jasper. It was so sweet to see Bennett's gentleness when he touched or kissed Jasper.

Bennett often informed me of one rule or another. "Not throw ball in house" or "Not disobey". I loved hearing him say "yes sir" and "Otay" when given instructions by his mom or dad.

As I've said before, grandsons are one of the great blessings of life.