Christmas in July for our family!

Doug and Susie always try to give Gwen and Tim's kids an experience for Christmas instead of adding to their mound of presents.  For Christmas in 2023, they gifted a day at an Arcade for the whole family.  It just happened that our schedules didn't allow for this to happen until July, so it was Christmas in July for our family!  This was such a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  The place that Doug and Susie found was really great.  It was just about the same distance for everyone to drive and we planned to have lunch after a couple hours of fun. 

This is just a small sampling of the photos that I took of the kids going from game to game.  Lia and Ellie especially liked this game that actually shot water.  The four girls played the Mario Cart game and actually raced against each other.  Tim and Zeke threw bags against those clowns and won so many extra points that Zeke shared them with everyone at the end of the time.  I decided that video games are not just sitting there - you have to throw and run and shoot and dance.  There is much movement for sure!  I managed to not score many baskets when I tried to help Anna. But I tried!

Before we left the arcade, I made sure to get pictures of the kids together and with me! 

By the end of two hours, we were all tired and ready for some lunch!  The kids all agreed this was the best Christmas present!  We went for a nice lunch at a local place and everyone actually ate all their food with very little left to take home.

Ice cream was a necessary treat after such a good lunch so we found the nearest Baskin and Robbins and went there for a grand finale to this day. 

Gwen took this final picture so she is missing from this last shot!  

It was a wonderful Christmas in July celebration for sure.  

These memory making times for our family are just the best.  As the kids have gotten older, they really seem to appreciate these experience gifts and talk about them from year to year.  In the past we have visited indoor and out water parks, we have gone camping (to see the Eclipse this year) and visited various parks and playgrounds.  I sure love to get these fun experiences with all the kids together.  

Every time I look at these pictures, I get a bit chocked up.  This is the last time my entire family will be together before Lia heads off to college in a few short weeks.  I keep telling myself that she will be home for all the holidays, but, really - where did the time go?  And on the other end of the ages, Jimmy will be starting preschool this fall.  Yes, time marches on.  But I have to admit, that sadness of missing Lia is tempered by a burst of excitement for her.  I can't wait to hear about all the wonderful new things that will fill her life at college.  Every age and stage is filled with new experiences.  The best thing about this, is that I get to share in them.  I am incredibly grateful for every hug, every smile, every phone call or facetime, for every bit of contact I am blessed with from this crew!  

Today, I am especially thankful for Doug taking the time to come and help me solve a very odd problem that happened in my house!  Yesterday, when I went to leave the house, I could not open the door from the house to the garage!  The door handle would not budge!  I went outside, opened the garage door and tried the door to the house from inside the garage.  Nothing!  Apparently the lock mechanism broke somehow.  So I purchased a new doorknob and Doug was able to (rather quickly) change it out for me. 

I can't tell you how many times between yesterday morning and today that I went to that door and could not use it!  Old habits are hard to break!   But Doug's visit to fix this problem is just another blessing of having my family close by.  

There is a verse in the Bible - Proverbs 17:6 that says, "Children's children are a crown to the aged" and that is most certainly true.  One meaning for a Biblical crown is honor and joy.  My grandkids are my pride and joy.  

Jesus, thank you for family, for children and grandchildren.  Holy Spirit, remind us during times of transitions in our life, that you have much more in store for us in the years ahead.  Jesus, give us courage to walk ahead, even when it is a new path.  Holy Spirit, remind us that you are with us when  seasons are changing.  Fill us with hope and great expectation for the new things ahead.  Amen

It is amazing to witness big changes!

 Last night I got to attend a Park District drama production of the show "Grease".  Ellie, at 14 and a high school freshmen, had decided to try out for a musical after discovering that it somehow fit into her very busy dance schedule.  She was delighted to be cast as a "Pink Lady".  Over the last couple of months she has learned her lines, learned and practiced all the dances included in the production and attended rehearsals.  She was so confident, such a great dancer and really enjoyed herself up on that stage! She played the part of a Pink Lady to a tee!

If you would have told me that Ellie would be ASKING to be in a play or musical, I would never have believed it.  Watching her last night was a testament to just how much Ellie and has grown and changed.  I know that being in dance and the yearly recitals have certainly helped her gain confidence.  But there is so much more to this!  Ellie is homeschooled and she did not know any of these kids when she auditioned for this production.  That did not matter one bit to Ellie.  If she sets her mind to something, she will go for it.  Now she has lots of new friends.  I am so proud of her!

I was remembering when Ellie was in Kindergarten in public school, she and Lia were in two different plays.  The first was in the fall of the year and Ellie was five.  The play was Aladdin and Ellie would not wear the costume on stage!  The director was happy to have her just be there, which was wonderful.  this was after that performance in 2014.   

Then in the spring of 2015, Ellie and Lia were in the production of Cinderella.  Ellie was a mouse and this time she actually wore the costume and went on stage!  She looked scared to death, but she was there!

I was so blessed to be able to see last nights show.  Ellie had friends and family cheering her on!

As a parent, I remember how worried I was about my kids as they were growing up.  Watching your grandchildren is no different.  Ellie had many struggles over the years with Sensory processing, ADHD, and Severe Dyslexia.  Thanks to years of hard work, therapy and so much family support, she is thriving. What growth and transformation for Ellie!  She is an incredible young women and I can't wait to see how far she goes in the years ahead.  

I saw a post this morning from a young mother, who was talking about her "village" - the group of people that were surrounding her family to help raise their children.  There were so many comments from young parents who do NOT have that support, and it broke my heart.  It does take a village to raise children.  There are always struggles.  There are often hard and difficult times.  Sickness, job responsibilities, car troubles, sleepless nights.... you name it!  Those early years with children are hard.  I am so thankful that I get to be part of a village for both my daughter's and son's families!  That means I get to really know my grandkids and experience these wonderful transitions as they grow into adults.

I am sure some of you are wondering how this might apply to your situation.  Here's the thing.  You can find a village if you don't have one.  Villages have people of all ages!  Church is a wonderful place to do this.  I know that I am "Grandma Lyn" to a whole host of kids and parents at my church!  You just have to be willing to help out.  In this season of Thanksgiving, look around and see where you might join or enlarge your own "village".  Maybe this is finding someone who has no place to go on Thanksgiving and inviting them to share your family dinner.  It might be bringing a treat to a neighbor that you haven't seen much lately.  Or inviting an old friend over for a cup of tea/coffee and conversation.  Don't miss out on the chance to brighten someone's day.  Smile at the drive through worker when you get that morning coffee.  It doesn't have to be much, and you just never know when that small gesture might make a big difference to someone who is feeling down and alone.  Start everyday with the thought, "How can I share a kindness with someone today?"  The best part of doing this, is that one sharing will be blessed as much as the one receiving!

Jesus, thank you so much for my villages!  Holy Spirit, remind us all to look around for that one person who might need a smile or kind word.  Give us courage and boldness to step out and be that "village" for someone in need.  Thank you for friends and family who celebrate our successes with us, and stand with us when things are difficult.  Thank you for welcoming us into your family, Jesus!  Amen

Fall retreat weekend recap

 I spent this last weekend with Anna while Gwen, Tim, Lia, Ellie and Zeke were away at Fall Retreat.  It was Gwen and Tim's 11th year leading this retreat weekend for the youth of their church.  I have seen the passage of time as the kids have grown up and instead of staying home with Grandma Lyn, they have gone on the trip.  This year was the second year that it was just Anna and Grandma.  We talked about the fact that we will only have one more year after this year - Anna is in 4th Grade and she will go on this trip as a 6th Grader.  It makes me feel so old!  

We had so much fun together.  We talked about so many things.  We shopped and we ate special meals together.  We played some games and made some crafts.  About the only thing we didn't get to was baking!  But there will be time for that in the future!  Sunny and Chandler (their two beagles) required much more attention than Anna!  Sunny is still adjusting to being a family dog after being rescued  as a part of the Envigo Beagle rescue.  While she is 2 years old, in many ways she acts like a puppy.  And the much older Chandler (he is a senior dog at almost 14)  has very little time for her shenanigan's.  Anna is great with the dogs and feeds and helps care for them.  Grandma is a sorry fill in as far as the dogs are concerned.  This is the first year that we didn't spend much time outside.  It was our first really COLD weekend and it was also cloudy and rainy.  I believe it was the first year that I didn't visit a playground!  Another mark of the aging of the kids.  Anna was happy to stay in, making some beaded bracelets, do some crafts and apply some press on nails! 

We created these posters from a kit with stickers and gems, and then wrote information about our picture.  My creation is now hanging on my fridge!  

A week ago, Susie and I got together at my house to scrap for the weekend.  Our normal scrap weekend at the hotel could not happen, so we decided to make do with just the two of us.  I am currently working on 2020, which has proven to be somewhat difficult to do.  The combination of Covid and the change in our family routines and Ken's illness and death made it hard to put pictures on the page and find the words to explain the events shown.  I was certainly thinking about these photos of Anna and I from the fall retreat in 2020.

The mask around her neck and our "outside" dining are certainly reminders of 2020.  But she was so young!  And so was I!  My hair is a bit grayer and there are a few more wrinkles and saggy skin.  I so treasure this time with each of my grandkids.  As I age, it seems to be more and more important to me.  

I also got to help in Rock (Sunday School) on Sunday.  I forget how much I love those little kids.  It always brings me so much joy to watch them grab onto a concept or just remember a story or verse.  The current Sermon Series at my church is on the 10 commandments.  We are only up to the third commandment and I have been amazed at the insight and new connections that I am learning each week.  It is hard to imagine that at 69 years old, I am still learning and seeing new revelation each week from the Bible.  One thing that I know from watching Anna, being with those Rock kiddos and every time I am with each of my grandkids, there is ALWAYS something new to learn!  I am so thankful that we never get to old for new revelation.

It is said that grandparents who help care for grandchildren, are healthier and stay more active later in life.  I believe that is true for me.  I looked outside today at the crisp, sunny fall day and decided it was time to put away my outdoor patio for the season.  A look at the predicted weather ahead for the next couple of weeks showed lots of rain and much colder weather.  So I set about getting the job done! 

Within and hour and a half, I had the job done.  While it is sad to know that winter is on the way, I am so thankful for the 6 months that I got to enjoy the outdoors protected from the bugs!  My kids seem to think that I should have help to do this, but as long as I am able to accomplish these things, I plan to!  Hopefully, thanks to time with those grandkids, I will be able to for many more years!  

 Jesus, thank you for reminding me that getting older does not mean you stop learning and growing.  Thank you for bringing new meaning to Bible passages that I have read for years and years.  Holy Spirit, give all of us older adults courage and boldness to step out and connect with people of all ages.  Give us opportunities to share and learn from each other.  Thank you Jesus that you never leave us and you care for us all.  Amen

Yearly "Mission Trip" time with Zeke and Anna

 Every year since Ellie was a baby, I have had some part of the yearly Mission Trip that Gwen and Tim always spend some of their vacation attending.  In 2009 when Ellie was just 4 months old, I went with on the Mission Trip (to Toronto) to be Grandma to Ellie when Gwen was busy being a leader/participant on the trip.  When you have a nursing baby, you do what you have to do!   I stayed home with the kids as they were added to the family with the exception of 2020 (of course)!  There were only a few years with all four kids, since beginning in 2019, Lia went with Gwen and Tim!  This year, 2023, Ellie went with, so I just had Zeke and Anna.  Zeke is counting down the years (just two) until he goes on the trip also.  It is a "right of passage" for these kids and something that they can hardly wait to experience.  Our time together this year was somewhat different.  Having only two kids means more opportunities to do fun things and less disagreements on what those things should be.  

The biggest highlight of the trip for the kids - and they are telling everyone this - we ate at 14 different restaurants during the 8 days that Gwen, Tim, Lia and Ellie were gone.  There are many reasons why this happened in 2023 but I think the biggest one is my age!  At just a few month shy of 69, I am tired of cooking!  And I know that I have gotten lazy just having to cook for myself!  I really enjoyed all of the meals out and lets just say - it made the kids very happy!

I do have photos of most of the eating out, but I decided to just include this one!  I love the sign on the wall says EAT and that is what we did!  I had some of my favorite meals out that I just never go to alone.  If my count is correct we had 10 "sit-down" meals (some were at fast food places) we had pizza delivered  one time and then we visited Starbucks, Dunkin and the TeePee (Riverside Chocolate) making up the other 4 "eating out" times!  We went to four local playgrounds, we went bowling, roller skating and to the library.  We visited a skate park and also went to a local water park (thanks to Anna being invited to a birthday party).   I'd say that was a pretty good week for Zeke and Anna and this grandma.  

Since Gwen and Tim have a pool and a trampoline we also had plenty of time to swim and jump while at home. Seriously though, this year was the worst weather for swimming we have ever had during this week.  It was COLD and RAINY several of the days.  I actually borrowed clothes from their closets since I only packed clothes for HOT weather!  This was actually really good for the Mission Team since this is the first year in a very long time that they have not had heat advisories!  And they had no rain during the week either. 

 The kids also receive a daily gift from the "mission trippers" which is always a highlight of the day.  This includes a note about what the Mission Team is doing that day and then gives us some specific things to pray.  I love that the kids are older now and really understand this.  Each day, one would open and read the card and then pray for the concerns.  The other one got to open the gift.  Here is a sampling of some of the things they received as gifts...

It was COLD and the water was cold but the kids insisted on taking this volleyball net into the water on the first day!  I know that Gwen was also planning on HOT weather during this week. As it turns out, we didn't get in the pool very much!

Slime making, diamond art, tie dying, and painting were just a few of the gifts.  This year Zeke discovered Sudoku and picked it up quickly!  He pretty much carried that book with him anytime we left the house.  

One of my favorite parts of the trip, besides the games we played and the movies we watched, was that Anna asked me to help her with a scrapbook she was working on.  

Anna and I spent many hours sorting her paper and putting the pictures she has into an order that made sense to scrap.  It was so much fun watching her enjoying something that I love so much!  Zeke was more than happy to have some video game time while us girls were busy cutting and pasting.  

Seriously, the best part of all the eating out was Zeke's very heartfelt statement that he wanted to actually spend time sitting and talking together.  More than once he opted to play a game with Anna and me rather than have a bit of video game time.  Anna told me over and over just how grateful she was to have time with me.  Things like this really melt a grandma's heart.  

I love this time so much!  Over the years various people have made comments about my kids "taking advantage" of me taking care of their children.  I am always taken aback by those comments.  Being with my grandchildren is the greatest gift I could ever receive from my own children.  Being a part of their everyday lives, watching them grow and change and knowing exactly how to pray for them is a priceless gift.  One I would never trade!  

So here I am, back at relationships.  Spending time together is really the only way that we can get to know someone.  I love seeing small glimpses of the amazing way Jesus is shaping each of the kids.  Knowing their strengths and their struggles gives power to pray specific prayers.  And I remember the adage "General prayers get answered generally and specific prayers get answered specifically".  

These last two months (May and June) have been difficult for me.  (Watch for the next blog... yes, I am leaving you with a cliff hanger).  I know that being with the kids and all of the activities in these last three blogs has been the glue that has held me together.  If I did not have an active relationship with Jesus, I can't imagine how this time would have played out.  This is my encouragement for you today.  If you have family that you are estranged from, consider making an effort to form stronger bonds.  If you have been curious about why some of us rely on our relationship with Jesus, just ask!  Find a trusted person with whom you can have open and honest conversations.  Visit a church or two or three.  Try it out.  You might be surprised that all the things you might see on social media are not true.  Are you missing that old friend you haven't seen in years?  Call, write, text, email, message.  Take a step.  Don't have many friends you can count on?  Join a class at the library, talk to your neighbors, visit some older folks at the nursing home nearby.  Take that first step and watch how things will happen.  

Sometimes life throws you an unexpected curve ball.  If you miss that throw, chase after that ball.  You just never know what blessings are ahead.  

Jesus, thank you so much for children, laughter and fun.  Thank you for the availability and the means to find good food around us.  Thank you for cool weather and rain but also for warm sunny days.  Jesus, you know exactly what we need and provide that for us.  Thank you for Mission Trips and for times at home to pray for those who go and the people they touch.  Holy Spirit, nudge us to seek you without fear.  Show us truth as we scan social media.  Thank you for your care and concern.  Amen

Babysitting (for Gwen and Tim) from ONE to four to ONE!

What a fun time I just had with this cutie! There is nothing better than spending one on one time with your grandchildren. This time with Anna was a real treat. 

You can really get a clear idea of the passage of time through pictures.  The top picture is from this weekend - Anna and I together, having a great time while Gwen and Tim (and Lia, Ellie, and Zeke) are on a Youth Retreat.  The bottom picture is the very first time I watched Lia in 2008 when Gwen and Tim were on a Youth Mission Trip.  Since 2008, I have either been with on a Mission trip to watch a child or watched Gwen and Tim's children at home while they served on youth retreats/missions.  But this year marked an important change.  I am now back to only having one child to watch!  This was the first youth activity that Zeke could attend (he will be a middle schooler in the fall.)  So it was just a special Anna and Grandma time.  For the last 14 years, at least once a year (three times a year recently) I have done my own "mission" taking care of my grandchildren so that Gwen and Tim can serve where they are called.

Anna had a very special time all planned out for us.  This included a special "check in" to the "Johnson Hotel", where I was given a special guest room.  She had really gone all out and put special things I might need in the guest room (even a Bible) and extra things in the bathroom.  She was very excited.  

The first activity on Anna's agenda was for us to create another "needle felting" project.  If you missed a couple blogs ago, we learned this new craft.  I had purchased this project that day and Anna was waiting to complete it when I could help her out.  We managed together to create this wonderful kitty.  Anna was so happy with it and it was such a small project.  We had a movie night and Anna got to pick the movie.  In typical "youngest" fashion, she pointed out that she "never" (okay, rarely) gets to pick what movie is chosen.  I was a bit hesitant about her choice, but I have to say, I genuinely enjoyed that movie.  I can't remember the name of this kid movie, but it was roughly about some kids of Super Heros, who had their own special powers.  It sparked lots of good conversations and we both agreed it was worth watching.  

After a good nights sleep, we went for a "fancy" breakfast out in a restaurant.   Anna is a wonderful conversationalist and also noticed how hard the waitress was working. I am amazed at how aware Anna is and just how much she has to say.  What a pleasant meal it was! 

Anna has been asking to go shopping to spend some gift cards she has been saving, as well as some "tooth fairy" money.  So, we started out at the ever kid-friendly Dollar Tree.  She was able to get 6 very special items and spend her teeth money.  As a special surprise, I took her to one of the kids favorite playgrounds.  It had rained heavily all day on Friday.  So early on Saturday morning it was still a bit wet, but it was warm and the sun was shining!

Anna had a great time, running and playing.  She was surprised to discover that she has grown a couple of inches since her last visit to this play space and she could now reach one of those "rings that slide on a track". (I am not sure what that is called, but it is the top picture on the right).  So we both spent a wonderful hour in the much needed sunshine and fresh air.  

We visited a couple more stores for Anna to finish all of her important purchases.  She managed to easily spend her Easter Basket gift card from Aunt Susie and Uncle Doug on very "girly" purchases of hand cream, lip balm. hand sanitizers and a special holder for that sanitizer.  She was one happy girl for sure.  

No shopping spree with an 8 year old girl is complete without visiting Claire's.  She was able to find exactly what she wanted and we ended our shopping day with one very happy Anna.

When we arrived home, Anna was surprised to find her seed project on the ground, after it sprouted its first leaf and grew out of the ziplock that had been it's home.  It sure is amazing to see these Lima beans grow roots and then sprout and grow up toward the sun!   Even those seeds needed that warm sun today.  It was special that I got to see the growth of those seeds as I was thinking about just how much Anna has grown up. 

We did a bit of organizing in Anna's room and then had plenty of time to get outside and take a long walk.  We explored all over their yard and watched for any "wildlife" we might see.  We sure heard a bunch of frogs but only saw squirrels and an occasional bunny.  

On our walk in their neighborhood, the frog sounds were almost deafening.  We tried really hard to actually find a frog, but no success.  When we got back home, there was only a couple of hours left until the family returned home.  We played many rounds of "War" and I managed to actually win one. I read many stories out of some big "collection" books.  Anna would have sat and listened to more, but I got her to agree on another game instead. She decided on Blokus and we played a few games. 

I learned that Anna really likes Blokus. One of the reasons she likes this game is because she got to play it "every night" with Tim when he was working from home, due to Covid restrictions.  Isn't it interesting that something that we so often saw as hard and so bad, allowed for this special time with Tim when he didn't have a long commute.  It doesn't take very much to find good things from what was a very bad situation.  

So this grandma came home with a smile on my face.  Even though we are back to our (usual) April rainy weather, I still have that sunny feeling that this special time brings.  I have been thinking about the desire to always be moving forward.  I am not sure exactly where that desire comes from, but I know I have certainly felt that at times.  It is terrible to feel stuck and for so many of us, the pandemic has made us feel like being stuck in a nightmare.  We were isolated and limited and it was hard to not be fearful.  All we could do was pray to move on - to move forward out of this horrible situation.  Yet, in this event, in some ways, I am moving backwards to a time of one on one with my grandkids.  And in this case, backwards is not terrible.  I realized today that it is really important to move forward and find one on one time with each of the kids.  There it is - the moving forward that I am looking for. 

Over the past year or so, I have been wondering if the things that I had thought I was to accomplish and haven't yet done, are really FOR ME.  Those things that I thought the Lord was directing me towards but somehow they have not come to pass.  I know I am not alone in feeling sort of "done" as we age.  I have entered a new season of life as a widow.  So in many ways, I have less keeping me from doing all of those things I once could say "I don't have time for this".  Over the last several months, I have been prayerfully considering a long list of "not yet accomplished" things.  I am convinced that this is something that we all should do often.  Sometimes we get so caught up in just doing things that we don't stop and reflect and pray about them.  Or sometimes we get so used to NOT doing the things that we forget to pray about them.  So, moving forward (there it is again - that moving forward thing) I plan to be more intentional about this list.  I will take time to prioritize each item and most importantly, this will help me remember to be in prayer about them.  Yes, this moving forward thing is good. 

Jesus, thank you for the revelation you bring to us as we reflect on our everyday activities.  Help us to hear your voice, Holy Spirit, as we encounter those long lists of undone accomplishments.  Give us courage and boldness to step into those areas that may feel scary or hard.  Thank you for the love and laughter of children.  Help us Jesus, to know you are walking with us as we move forward.  Amen