You ought to be writing in your blog

A friend just reminded me and I must admit I don't know where the time has gone since my last entry.   Cooper has turned 5 years old in February and every day he reminds me of how strong 5 year olds are.  You can see the changes in both boys.  Cole will be 2 in April.   Actually they have been the focus of all my attention these past 3 months.  There is much to write about and I promise to get with it.  Ashley's family came to visit, Ken came from Chicago, and this weekend the cousins are coming during their spring break.  We are having lots of rain right now but am looking forward to the tulip season and all the beautiful flowers.  So far health is holding up and I have been working on an article about things to think about when you come to live with your children.  I think I'll start printing it on my blog.  More to follow.  Thank you Joyce for reminding me to write.

Oh the things we do for love

The other evening I looked up and saw my 6ft 8inch son cutting out paper dolls for his son who had printed them off the computer.  I heard him say don't ask me to do this again.   Later I remembered his mom had sewed him the most wonderful Halloween costume and every evening both grandsons plead with their dad to chase them around the house pinching his fingers together like a crab.  You can hear him yelling the pinchers are coming and when he stops the boys "yell more daddy more"!  Of course I will do anything for them and often find myself just looking at them and thinking how much we all love them.  Yes there is a lot of love here and many more wonderful moments to come.

It's hard to be lonely or down when you play Go Fish and War all afternoon

The Crowley boys really keep me hopping.  They love to play games and when we play cards we wind up with all the cards all over the place.  They also love to march around the couch and love it when their dad plays pinchers with them.  Pinchers is when dad snaps his fingers like a crab claw and chases them all over the place.  All you can hear is the boys shouting "More, More"!   I wish all my friends who don't have grandkids could experience the joy and fun of playing.   You don't have time to think of yourself and even though we are getting older everyday you get to tap into the joy of new life.  What a celebration!

The fix-it lady

I am now the fix-it lady and everyone in the house comes and asks me to fix things.  Everytime a toy breaks here comes Cole and Cooper asking me to use my special glue to fix it.  Ashley needs a needle so out comes my box of buttons and needles.   Matt needs a button sewed on his shirt so the fix-it lady goes to work on it.  I can just here the grandkids saying someday how much they miss the fix-it lady.   I guess it is good to be known for something.  I also hope they know how much they are loved and how much fun they are.  

A friend is a wonderful gift

Not sure why it has taken me so long to write in my blog.   We have been to the beach in Florida, settled back in at home, and I have been busy with the Mercer Island Women's Club which is a great friendly group of women on the Island.  But back to my thoughts about what a wonderful gift a friend is.   Ashley and the kids went to Austin for a week and my good friend Jinny came to visit from Houston.   We had a ball.   It was so good to get up every morning and have coffee together and talk and talk and talk.  One great thing about a friend who has know you for over 50 years is that they have seen all sides of you and all the ups and downs.   You don't have to hide or explain everything you say because they already know what you are thinking.   We went out to lunch, visited the Luther Burbank Park (beautiful views of lake Washington) and I drug her to the casino.  A day before she went back to Texas the kids came home and she got to see them in all their glory. It was a peaceful relaxing visit and came at a great time.   Thank you Jinny!    I'm looking forward to more visits from friends and plan to spend time in January in Houston and Austin doing some visiting myself.

I love you too, Big One

Cooper is so much fun.   The other day when he was going upstairs I said to him, " I love you, little one!"   His response so seriously was " I love you too, Big One".   These are the moments you are so glad that you are here so that you don't miss the charm and uniqueness of each grandchild.   

It has been awhile since my last entry and am not sure where the time goes.  Am getting more involved in the Mercer Island Women's Club and really enjoy and appreciate the kindness and warmth of the group.   It is interesting though being older and new and seeing how you come across to a younger group who do not know you or your background.   I rarely think of myself as older but I am.   This experience has helped me understand my own family's reaction and I am beginning to realize that mellowing is not a bad thing.   

Home is where we laugh the most and are loved the best.

Someone sent me a card with this saying on it.   When you reflect on the words you realize how much you miss your own Mom and Dad.   There is something about that unconditional love that gives you so much support and sense of worth.  I am happy to have the chance to keep giving that unconditional love to Matt and Ashley and especially to Cooper and Cole.   It is heart warming too to see them give that love to there children.   If only we could keep passing that down and laughing together we will be ok.