In our family...

In our family....we do second chances...we do grace...we do real...we do mistakes...we do I'm sorry (and I forgive you)...we do loud really well...we do hugs...we do family...we do love.















Thursday, December 3, 2009

Smile

My children that live in Northern and Southern Florida got together to celebrate Thanksgiving. My daughters took pictures of my grandchildren and I just had to share these with you.

Whenever I see these smiling faces, I cannot help but smile…

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He is 2  1/2. He calls and talks to me frequently but most of the time he sings to me…12457_629122087738_60704815_35825907_141711_n

He loves to sing and dance…

…and tells me he is coming to my house so that we can run and chase each other…he gets so excited as he jumps up and down at the idea of seeing me that he drops the phone.

As much as he loves to sing and dance, he is all boy.

As much as he is all boy, I see my daughter in him.

When he says, “Love you Gramma. Love you to the moon and back.”in his little sweet voice, my heart melts.

He, literally turns my heart to mush.

This is my 10 1/2 year old granddaughter…

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She is a such a joy to me and even though she has now lived away for 7 years, we have remained close. She used to sing to me on the phone, and although she will occasionally sing a song we mainly just talk about girl stuff. It’s so fun!

I look at her and I see my daughter.

The relationship I get to have with her is a gift that keeps on giving to me.

She is sweetness magnified.

My heart still stops when she says, “I love you to the moon and back Grandma. Love you bigger then the universe….”

Back in the day, when they were home for Christmas,(before my husband), when I couldn’t afford a Christmas tree, she would paint a Christmas tree on a large sheet of paper, on my wall, just so I could have a tree. I still have these tree’s tucked away. :)

I couldn’t afford to buy presents for anyone, and she would offer to give me some of hers to give away. Since I wouldn’t accept these, she would wrap up some of her little things and give them to me. Isn’t that the sweetest?

Oh what I would give to have her come and paint a tree upon my wall.

Both of them love to hug and kiss.

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Oh what I would give for one of their kisses. Or hugs.

Every single time I hear “Grandma” come out of their mouths, I am honored.

Any day, that I get to talk to either one of them, makes my day.

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What I love most about being a Grandma is that they remind me of what is most important in life. (And it helps that they think I’m the greatest. :)

Some people dread being older and being called Grandma or Grandpa. I love it. I think it’s an honor and a blessing.

They make me forget all that is wrong and to remember all that is right.

There is nothing like a grandchild's love.

Nothing.

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See how they make me smile?

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See how much joy they bring me?

If I could bottle up all this goodness, I would.  If I could, I would wrap up a bottle and send it to anyone in need of this kind of love.

Conversation with my granddaughter while laying in bed late one night, a couple of years ago….

”Grandma, did you know that you and God are a lot alike.”

No…how so?”

Both of you see the good in me and love me just the way I am.”

Oh honey, I am far from being like God.”

To me, you are perfect Grandma. Cause you love me perfectly and that feels really really good.”

Even though I am far from being like God, I have never forgotten how this conversation blessed my heart that one dark night.

Just thinking about this makes me smile.

What makes you smile? What brings joy to your life?

Love & Hugs, Lori

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post, celebrating the love of Grandchildren!!! They are so special. I am also honored to be a Grandmother, it's a cozy feeling like a warm blanket and cup of hot chocolate. Grandchildren are exactly that... Grand :)
By the way, yours are absolutely adorable!!!

Natalie said...

They are beautiful little ones for sure! How could your heart not melt?
Children make my heart sing too.xx♥

Buckeroomama said...

Oh, what a blessing these little people are! That conversation you had with your granddaughter just melts my heart. :)

SciFi Dad said...

Oh your granddaughter may just be the sweetest kid in the world.

mommytoalot said...

Awww they sure are beautiful. What a beautiful post. My sister is a granmother of one and she is going through some tough times, because all of a sudden the baby's mom will not allow her to see him. She used to babysit him two or three days a week..where he stayed there..now nothing.
You are truly blessed.
xo

Jeannie said...

I don't have any grandchildren yet and don't expect any soon if ever...but I have a "faux" Grandchild - my son's girlfriend's daughter. We are quite attached as her real Grandparent's are all across the country. So her hugs and I love yous and Please tuck me ins - and being asked to go on field trips at school are very special.

Jan said...

I was one of those people who didn't think they'd ever want to be called "Grandma."

Boy, was I WRONG.

Midnitefyrfly said...

Children are magnificent! You are so blessed with beautiful children AND grandchildren. I look forward to that second honor someday :)

Brian Miller said...

yep, i think they would turn my heart to mush as well...smiles.

rachaelgking said...

Oh my goodness! With the vest! I cannot stop awwwing! SO cute. ;-)

Mike said...

That is so touching! It is great that they love their Grandma so much. It is tough living so far away from them. My mother is going through the same thing with my brother.

Mike said...

My brother's kids is what I meant to say!

Nancy said...

What a terrific post. Your grandchildren are utterly adorable. My grandson, age 2 (tomorrow!), brings me such joy. He is my sweet boy and I adore him. I live a little closer than you do - about 10.5 hour drive and only a 1.25 hour flight, so we get to see him a little more often. It must be sooo hard to not see them all the time, but from the sounds of things they love you will all their hearts and that, truly, is a blessing!

Unknown said...

Your grandchildren are so beautiful. And so are you! I love that you have this great love!

Busy Bee Suz said...

This brought tears to my eyes...so sweet!!!!

Hilary said...

Oh wow.. they're absolutely gorgeous and so are you. You're such a young looking grandma. You've a beautiful family.

Stepping said...

Beautiful, Beautiful Beautiful! You are such a lucky woman.

kanishk said...

it's a cozy feeling like a warm blanket and cup of hot chocolate. Grandchildren are exactly that.

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