WE A HAPPY FAMILY

I have been inspired by my 2 1/2 year old grandson.  I had an amazing opportunity to spend 11 days with him, and his parents and his new baby sister.  He hadn't seen me in person (versus a face on a computer screen) for about a year, so I wasn't surprised that it took awhile for him to realize who Gramma really was.  When he finally figured it out, he was stuck to me like glue.  And even though I had about five of the 11 days stay left, I made every effort to play, talk, and spend time with him.

Evan is a smart little guy.  He's actually closer to 3 years old (August 27) than to 2 1/2 years old, but when you describe his age to any other adult, saying "he is a 2 1/2 year old" it is clearly a definite description of a rambunctious, curious, strong willed child.

If any one of us had to deal with the changes in Evan's life since his sister was born, we probably would have had to lean on some of our vices to make it through the day.   You see, it wasn't just that Evan was now a big brother to a baby sister.   That in itself is an adjustment for any child, especially a child that has had Mom and Dad's attention all to himself.  But now his mom is home every day.  She is a 12-month teacher in a private school, and is on family leave for the summer.  Until now, Evan has been cared for by two pre-school teachers.  That was his every day, Monday - Friday, with Mom and Dad and sometimes other family on the weekends.  Adjustments for Evan have also been to learn the rules of being a big brother, nap time at home, eating snacks and meals at home, and having Mom every day of the week.

During the time I visited them, Evan's dad was also on vacation.  So we'll add having dad around all day, every day for 10 days, too.   Is it any wonder that when Evan saw Gramma at his house for 11 days, sleeping in his bed, with her suitcase in his room, sitting at the table eating with them, and riding in the car when they went places, that he was a bit confused overwhelmed?

Yes, I was inspired by Evan.  Had I had that many changes in a matter of days in my life, I would have been out of sorts to say the least.  Of course, we know as adults that we have developed our own coping systems when the changes and stresses of life catch us off guard.  But what does a 2 1/2 or 3 year old child do when everything as he knows it, changes?   He sings.  Evan sings all the time.  In my opinion, Evan has nearly perfect pitch for a child.  Singing is part of our family heritage and history.  It is what has been done at family gatherings for generations, so hearing Evan sing and sing so well, really warms my heart.

As you might imagine during these 11 days that I was visiting Evan and his family, there were a few occasions of frustration that were just too overwhelming for Evan. But Evan wasn't the only one that was affected by all the changes in their household.  And on one day in particular when emotions were just a bit more evident than usual, it was Evan who set the tone for recovering from a mishap.

About the time in our car ride when tension was high and all were stressed out, when nothing could be said to settle the situation, Evan began to sing.  "We are family.....we a happy family......."  Evan's voice was the gentleness we needed at the moment.  Evan was the saving grace.  Evan was the blessing we all needed to snap us out of frustration and into the joy of why we were together - for the love of our children.

I haven't stopped thinking about Evan's gentle voice that afternoon.   There have been some tense moments in my own life, now back at home and participating in small town life. Evan's song has inspired me to stop my own frustrations and remember that little child's voice singing "we are family.....we a happy family"  Even if my rough moments aren't about family conflict, I recall the easing up I felt with his voice, which reminds me to let go and stop trying so hard to make things work out.

Evan.....you are an inspiration to your grandmother....even at nearly 3 years old.  And I thank God for you, for your innocent singing that day, and your sweet self!

Happy Baby Boy Celebration - the birth of another Grandmother! Update - He has Arrived!

This is a special day for Breanne.  She will be showered with love and gifts as we gather at her baby shower.  Breanne is the daughter of a friend of mine named Sue.  And since Breanne is having her first baby, my friend will also become "Gramma Sue"  just like me.

Sue asked me to make some tried and true tea foods, since Breanne wanted a tea party setting for her shower. My granddaughter, cousin, and I will be helping to serve today, too. Someone else is bringing scones, so these are the foods I made:  Cheese biscuits that will be served with fruit salad; cream puffs that will be filled with pickle and ham sandwich spread; mock Devonshire cream to be served with the scones; and two types of sandwiches.  I made egg salad on white, and olive cream cheese pinwheels on blue bread.  We have a local bakery that makes the colored Pullman bread, cut lengthwise.

Here is what I wrote for Breanne:

When your mom and I planned the menu,

we had no other idea for the meaning of the

foods, than those that would be tea party favorites,

 and enjoyed by the guests at your baby shower.

As I prepared the foods though,
 this is what came to mind: 

First, you've got to have a menu –

 that's the plan that God has had

from the start for your child.

 

When making the cream puffs,

I thought about your little bun in the oven;

how the cream puff starts out so tiny and

 with the right temperature and time,

 it grows into something unique –

 that's you're little child.
 

Next came the cheese biscuits.

 I thought of the many times

you will be snapping photos

of your first little somebody.

 Say “Cheese!”
 

There are egg salad sandwiches on white bread.

 You never serve fancy sandwiches

with the crust on.

And that's life – it can get kind of “crusty”,

 so as children we are welcomed

into the arms of our parents

who love us and comfort us.

Little blue pinwheel sandwiches.

Your child starts out, a little boy.

 Love him when he is little,

 love him when he is grown.

 You will discover how much your heart

will grow in size when you become a mother.

Tea is far more than a beverage –

it is an experience.

Whether I am alone,

or sharing a moment with a friend,

 or serving a tea party -

it's what happens when you take time out for yourself.

 Don't forget to do this from the start –

 take a moment every day –

you're going to need that to stay you.

May God bless you, Breanne, as you open your heart and arms to a precious little boy.

Best Wishes!

Reed David arrived 5 weeks early, and is progressing well.  Thank you, Lord!