I'm Back...

...and I must tell you this is the first time I didn't think in the back of my head about having to say goodbye at the end of the week. I was there in the moment and enjoyed every second. Well, except for the part when 3 year old Stella fell and broke her foot. :-( I didn't enjoy that at all. It's the first broken bone for one of our grandchildren, and she was a real trooper. I think she fared better than Mom and Nana. She was thrilled when the doctor offered her a glittery, purple cast. Thankfully, she'll only need it for four weeks. Tracy is happy too, she no longer has to carry her on her back "like a kangaroo" as Stella called it. "Hop, Mom!"

We managed to rally the gang for a much anticipated Easter photo. I say much anticipated--that was by me; the gang wasn't into it so much, but they made Nana happy.

The setting is our son's new backyard. I arrived in Atlanta on Monday and we left on Tuesday for Tennessee to visit with him and his family. I loved seeing the kids playing outside on what Ashley said was "the warmest day of the year so far." 

The laughter was contagious, everyone was so happy to be together. This was Brielle meeting her newest cousin, Phoebe for the first time. It was precious.

As I flew home I tucked away all the memories we made on this trip, grateful to have a family who wants to see me. Being a faraway nana may not have been my choice, but I'm discovering the times we share because of the distance are more precious than if we lived close to each other. If we did, I'm afraid we'd be tempted to take our abundance of time for granted and wouldn't even realize it.

So whether you're near or far from your grandchildren make the most of the time you've been given. It is a gift!

Brielle turned two

Perspective Matters

Next week I will once again get to be with all my grandchildren for a few days. I'm delivering the girls matching Easter dresses, spending time with my daughter while her husband travels for work, and hopefully going to see my son's new home that they're moving into this weekend. It will be fast, fun and full of photo opportunities. But always in the back of my mind and heart is the reality that I will have to say goodbye....again! 

Our pastor said something this past Sunday that helped me so much in embracing the distance.

"If my children grow up and live all over the map of the world, yet love God and are doing what He's called them to do, I will rejoice! That's the whole point of parenting--training our children to grow up and continue the race they've been called to run. It doesn't matter what their address is, it matters where their heart is!" - Aron Osborne, Metro Life Church

As I pack my bags this time I'm taking with me this perspective. 

It doesn't weigh anything, the TSA employees won't pull me aside to ask about it, but my heart will be lighter like the balloon in this cartoon as I won't be carrying the weight of regret and disappointment.

How has a changed perspective helped you adjust to saying goodbye?

The Adventures of Achoo Bunny

Last week I shared with you all about Achoo Bunny. This week I made a video of all his antics to give as a keepsake to my little people. I thought you'd like to see it too.

I spent hours trying to figure out how to make my own video using iMovies on my Mac. When I couldn't get it to work for me, I settled for Plan B. (It's always good to have a Plan B). I used my old phone to video the movie my smart phone put together for me. Sorry it's not the best quality, but when you're doing things for little people those things don't bother them at all.

And you'll also notice my youngest daughter texted me in the middle of the recording. Glad it was her and not a private text from my hubby. ;-)