Tonight…I found myself smiling,and almost wanting to cry too, as I re-lived the magic of my little grandson’s baby hugs and my granddaughter’s happy chatter--memories from a very busy couple of days of visiting with them. They spent the night with me while my second oldest son and his wife scrambled to get their house ready to rent.
Andrew and Elisabeth
They left with Dear Hubby this morning and will be driving straight through to Seattle. When you read this, I’ll be hugging my hubby, son, daughter-n-law, and my grandchildren good-bye. I’ve learned one lesson with my oldest son. This isn’t really good-bye..but just, “See you later, Mom.” But it will be a very LONG later. That’s the part that’s so hard.
While the kids were getting the house packed, we babysat the grandkids. Rebekah entertained Lena by giving her a ‘beauty makeover’..not that Lena needed one. Lena had said she wanted some of Rebekah’s makeup..and Rebekah thought it would be so fun to fix her up. :o)
Lena and I read stories, played peek a boo and she rested with ‘poor tired Grandma’ on the couch and cuddled with her blanky, bobba (bottle/actually a sip cup), and me… for a whole five minutes…before getting down to play again. I don’t remember her ever being still for even one moment while awake. :o)
She chatted up a storm to Rebekah and I and helped me feed our Betta fish, Jackie Chan. She loves to color and I got some darling videos of her sitting in the wicker chair I bought her, scooted up to the coffee table to draw.
She can’t say Grandma..but she can say Jackie Chan as clear as a bell! And She CAN say “Donna Rodgers’ in the most precious little toddler voice you ever heard! My heart just squeezes to hear that darling little voice!
Christian helped her work her bubble machine and blew bubbles so she could catch them and make them with the little handheld fan I bought for $2.00 at Wal-mart on Clearance. There’s nothing that compares to the thrill of watching a child laugh with delight at the magic of bubbles.
The next day, the kids and I helped paint the trim in their house and some doors. And then I helped Ebeth take the kids to the doctor’s office for a last minute doctor’s appt. Much of the time that we were waiting in the doctor’s office, Augy (short for August), was drinking his bottle and cuddling with me.
He loves faces and growling at you and twirling..and sometimes pulling hair with his precise little fingers. He’s only five and a half months old but he is quite capable of expressing joy…mirth…sadness…anxiety…hunger..and love.
For half an hour, I cradled him in my arms, and he stared up at me with those big blue eyes, grinning, but never losing his grip on the nipple of his bottle with that determined little tongue. :o) He toyed with my hair, played with my glasses, and pinched my cheek, even while his other hand gripped my shirt tightly. And the little eyes got so sleepy as he sucked his bottle. At last..blessed…sleep…
Today, we picked up Kitty, who is now staying with ‘Grandma’(me) since she probably couldn’t handle the ordeal of such a long trip and the last of the misc. at the house that needs to be disbursed in one way or another and of course some food from the fridge.
Then we kissed my kids, grandkids, and hubby good-bye, and headed home with the keys to their apartment.
It was a pretty long drive home…and now the house is so quiet..too quiet for me …I”m afraid. :o)
(My kids are all at a friend’s house.)
But I took lots of photos and last minutes videos of my sweetie pies while I had them to myself. And I’ll have lots of memories of hugs and kisses to sustain me until hubby flies back next Thursday. Is there anything more precious..more lovely…more magical…than the love of a child? Today…I really can’t think of anything… :o)
11 comments
Oh Donna,
The children are just beautiful. I'm sure your love will reach across the miles and it wont be long before you hold them in your arms again.
You are blessed my friend.
Hope their trip was a safe one,
~Shirley
You are so right Donna. My mum often talks about how special Grandchildren are too.
I hope that I will be able to join you for tea soon. I have had a really busy week this week and haven't posted too much. I hope that things will settle down here soon and then I will most definitely link up!
Best wishes for a fabulous week,
Natasha.
Oh, Donna, my heart is breaking for you. This post brought tears to my eyes. These pictures are precious. That is surprising and funny that Lena can't say Grandma. I'll be praying that they have a quick return. Marty and I moved to Tennessee for three and a half years and then moved back. We don't want to move away again. It's too hard being away from family and friends. Hang in there. I'll lift you up in prayer when I think about it, which I'm sure will be often; and I'll pray for safe travels for your family. Next time you see Lena, I'm sure she will be able to say Grandma. You should visit with her on SKYPE.
Oh Donna, your grandbabies are cutie patooties, and your family is just precious. BIG BIG BIG hugs to you, I know your heart was heavy but at the same time happy for your son. So hard to say goodbye I'm sure. Looks like you had a wonderful time enjoying those babies before they left, that is a good memory for you and for them until you get to see them again. Big hugs girlie!!!
Oh Donna I feel sad for you that they are moving so far away! But happy that you are so close a family that it won't matter that much - the love will still be there for each other. I loved every word and pic.
Oh Donna, my friend I am crying buckets of tears.
You are in my prayers.
Blessings,
Bren
Oh, so precious....maybe God will direct your family to move near your GRAND-babies!!!
I'm with you Donna, hugging you and telling you that things will be all right. They will be settled in soon, your hubby will be back home and you will have already Skyped them. One day soon, you and yours will take a little trip to go see them. Be strong, the Lord is on your side. Have a great week.
Okay, now that you have made me cry, I am so sad for you! Such terribly precious grandchildren and I have been through it at about the very same age when my son and family left here. My heart goes out to you Donna. Love you, Kerrie
Oh I love that picture with the bubbles so precious! I loved this post, you are the best grandma in the world!
xo
Maria
As with all your blogger friends, my heart goes out to you. I have my days where tears just pour out for no apparent reason. My oldest lives away. He's fine. I'm sorta not! My second won't be far behind, and that really sets up the empty nest! My youngest and I will be attached for a little while longer. But, a mother's heart aches always for the love of her children. I know the grandchidren have to be double the love (and pain)! Hope the time in between visits will never be longer than you can stand!
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