Springtime at Grandma and Poppa's

 time to slide through

 time to pickup a stick or two

 time for exploring with you

 time to learn a thing or two

 there's lots of work yet to do

 flowers starting just a few

sticks, old grass and weeds that grew

 helping hands with a wheelbarrow of blue

 don't step on the bird's egg so few

 building a fire pit thats new

a gold finch bird's eye view

 fun with me and you

more fun swinging....zoom

hard work clearing the garden its true

 what will we plant, haven't got a clue

 reading time with grandpa's crew

 mischief makers one and two

 going for a walk after the wind blew

love it here I surely do

Childhood Memories of Summer

My summer memories growing up in Kansas in the 60′s was playing outside all day and into the night. I rode my bike all over town from one side to the other without a worry or care in the world (back then my mom and dad didn’t have to worry much either in those days). I use to pack a sack lunch and ride to the park to explore or ride to the swimming pool. Once in a while a friend would ride bikes with me but most of the time I was off on an adventure in solitude. I played outside with my neighbourhood friends catching lightning bugs (fireflies) and collecting locust shells.

I always looked forward to visiting my grandparents on their farm where I would chase the chickens, play in the hay mow, watch grandpa milking the cows, building a tree house and pretty much anything that could be explored and imagined outside.

One time we visited my other grandparents who lived in the country also but they didn’t have running water or electricity. I remember one summer it was so hot and I was very young probably 5 or 6 years old. My mom and I had to stay with the grandparents for awhile to take care of my grandmother. We slept upstairs of a 2 story house without electricity. I remember crying myself to sleep listening to the coyotes howling while my mother leaned over me in bed fanning me for a long time till I fell asleep because it was so hot. I hated using the outhouse and at night upstairs we had a pee pot and longing for the comforts at our own home but still, I found something to explore even there on that farm. I was fascinated by cowpies in the pasture. l

Today, a woman of 55, I finally have my own country home and my grandkids are visiting me.  I love gardening and puttering outside in the yard, taking long walks along the country road and…..I’m still exploring the countryside on my bike.

Birthdays with grandchildren are worth the wait!

So nice to be able to plan short visits with our family if even just for a weekend.  All we have to do is jump in the car and we're there.  I remember a time in my life when 6 hours in the car was a big deal but when you've lived thousand's of miles away from family, 6 hours is nothing to drive now.  Before we moved to Ontario we would be fortunate to see my son and his family every other year, which included the added cost of airfare whether it was us or them -- somebody had to pay the price.  


We were able to drive to Michigan to celebrating our grandson's birthday.  Crossing the border we had to give up our clear sandwich bag of unidentified dog food for Teddi.  We've learned that the next time we cross we have to bring it in the original bag and we cannot bring Lamb & Rice dog food regardless of the brand name. Thankfully I only packed enough for 3 meals and it wasn't that big of a deal to give it up. Left early Saturday morning and arrived about noon (6 hours later).  It was so nice to be able to just jump in the car and drive to where they are.  

We had a great time with my son and daughter-in-law too.  Grandpa and Sage played outside in the snow for awhile on the first day we got there.   Our daughter-in-law made a beautiful "Spiderman" birthday cake.  I think an impatient little boy may have tried getting into it before he was suppose to.  My son made an awesome potroast dinner using a pressure cooker and roasted potatoes in the oven.  The next morning he made pancakes, bacon and eggs.  We had a lot of fun just visiting.  Grandma really enjoyed the baby cuddling and bonding time.  I cannot believe how much the baby has grown since Christmas.

When we crossed the border on Sunday coming home, we paid the toll to cross the bridge as usual.  They gave us our change in U.S. funds.  I was excited to see the $1 coin for the first time like Canada has.  I had heard they were making these but had not seen any yet.  Cool!  

We stopped outside of London at Costco on our way home.  I may have picked up the flu with all the traffic in and out of Costco.  It could have been the flu from my son and daughter-in-law's house because they all just had it a week ago.  Who knows?  I got sick the next day after we got back but it was only a 24 hour bug so not too bad other than the standard flu symptoms one does not enjoy.  

All in all It was a great car trip.

How wonderful it feels to be a grandmother

I was just thinking how wonderful it feels to be a grandmother.  I know that grandchildren and grandparents have a special bond that others cannot understand unless you have experienced it.  I know my children grew up truly knowing their grandparents well, looking forward to visits with them and just enjoying life with these awesome seniors on their side, always.  When I was growing up I do not remember a lot of happy memories spent with my grandparents but there was a lot of competition back then.  My grandparents had a lot of grandchildren  -- so cousins who got to see "grandma & grandpa" a lot more than me, well, I just missed out a lot.  When I did see them, it was more like a warm memory of their house, their food, just listening to their voice.  

I really want my grandchildren to know me and my husband as their grandparents that played with them, listened to them, kissed all over their faces, hugged them till they almost popped, went places with them and experienced life with them.  We hope they always have fond memories of us and always feel loved and accepted and special because they are.

Dedicated to my grandchildren.

Grand Haven, Michigan

So we are in Grand Haven, Michigan and Sage is sitting on my lap while we look at pictures on my laptop. Snuggling with Sage, watching Toy Story together, hiding in a blanket tent, eating fruit loops, read "Curious George", wearing his Spiderman costume we bought him.

Today Grandpa and Sage built a snow-woman. The final touches were a little unusual -- a coconut bra and a grass skirt. We later decided it would be great to put both arms going the same direction like "she" was doing the hula. So funny!

We've been here since Thursday afternoon and will be leaving on Sunday heading to Ontario.

Leaving Michigan

This was hard leaving the grandsons and my family but I know that we will see them again in a few months after we finally move to Ontario.   Some of the highlights of our visit with the kids:

1. Grandpa and Sage playing at the school ground

2. Grandma and Sage playing in the backyard

3. Kissing and holding new baby Christian

4. Coley and mom late night chat and dueling computers

5. Shopping at Target

6. Fawn and Char shopping at Wal-mart

7. Char getting her glasses caught in her hair and needed store assistance

8. Coley & Brian golfing

9. Coley's salsa and fajitas

10. Coley getting his new truck

11. Mornings with Sage

12. Walking to the Beach - asking jogger for prayer.

Let me explain #12 (Walking to the Beach - asking jogger for prayer) because it is a good story. As I was walking Teddi heading to the beach, I was praying about our house selling. Then as a woman was jogging toward me, I was inpressed to ask her something. I yelled over to her as she neared me, "Excuse me, would you happen to be a Christian?" She answered, "Yes, I am." She stopped as she reached me. I asked, "Would you mind praying for me?". She crossed the road and I explained that I am a little anxious about our house selling back in Calgary, explaining that I live in Canada. She nodded and said lets pray right now. She prayed for peace for me and my family about this house selling and then prayed for God's perfect timing and following his plan and so forth. I agreed with her in prayer. Then she said, "I believe strongly in the scripture 'you have not because you ask not' so I appreciate that God must have wanted you to ask me for prayer." Then we said our goodbyes and as I walked on to the beach ahead, I thought to myself, "Thank you God that you put this into my heart and I heard you. I'm so glad I obeyed you and acted on that impulse to ask that woman for prayer. I leave this in your hands." When I got to the beach, I stood there looking out and took in the beauty and majestic size of Lake Michigan. The beach, the waves, the wind blowing moist air upon my face, the cool waves washing over my feet as I stood on the sinking sand. I thought of the scripture that talks about not building your house on sinking sand but on the rock. I looked at the wet beach and could almost see the footprints in my mind from the footprints poem. I truly felt His peace and the letting go of the worry. I know it will be a continued release, just as the waves continually wash in, I will probably have to continually let go of this worry and continually bring this concern before the Lord. I know one thing -- it truly is in his hands.    "...the times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you". (Mary Stevenson's poem 'Footprints in the Sand')

Grand Haven, Michigan

We arrived in Grand Haven, Michigan and plan to leave in about four days to head back to Ontario. My son took a couple of days off work. We bought Sage a Spiderman costume because he is so infatuated with Spiderman. We also got him a Buzz Lightyear costume. We've pretty much just hung around the house with the kids. My son bought a used truck in great condition. He and Brian went over to the guys house to get it. That will give the kids two vehicles instead of just one.

We watched a movie together one night and have been just playing with the grandkids and talking. On Sunday, Coley took us to Target so we could go shopping.  Fawn stayed home with the baby. Today, Fawn and I went out to Wal-mart and then came home while the guys went shopping for running shoes and golf shoes. They are going golfing in the morning. We are planning to take the grandkids and all go to the pumpkin patch tomorrow afternoon. Its been so much fun just playing with Sage and holding the baby. They are so cute. We've been staying in our motorhome parked in the driveway. Its so nice to have the extra room and privacy when we want it.

Every day with the grandkids is a new adventure. Sage is almost four.  He is still adjusting to sharing attention with his new baby brother. The baby is sleeping more and more and growing so quickly even since we've been here. Its just so great to be with them. I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye on Wednesday but the good news is that we won't have to wait so long to see them the next time. Hopefully we'll be moved to Ontario shortly.

Visiting The Grandchildren

Arrived at Coley & Fawn's house in Grand Haven, Michigan. Spent time with the grandsons, Sage & Christian. Christian is only 2 months old and hasn't quite got the hang of sleeping in his crib at night. Coley and Fawn take turns staying up with him holding him. Sage is full of energy and makes me laugh. He is definately "Grandpa's boy" so I'm hoping Christian will be "Grandma's boy". We need one each ya know!