So, June and July was our time to spend with Cali, Mike and Raeann. They came to Michigan for almost 3 weeks. I was privileged to have my first Grandma - Granddaughter sleepover! I can't explain how much that meant to me to have Raeann sleep over and not be afraid. It just proved to me that when you spend the time and they see how much you love them, it's ok!

Well, it has been a long time since I have posted here so I thought I should get caught up! In May we flew to Maryland to spend Memorial weekend with Micah, Susan, Ily and Madi. It was very hot so we made a few trips to the bay to watch Ily splash in the water. I have never seen a child love to stand under the hose and have water poured over her head! It makes Madi laugh. The girls are both getting very big!

So, I thought I would also show pictures from Labor Day weekend. We flew once again to Maryland and you are going to be surprised by the change in Ily and Madi. Each time we go is so different from the last time. We arrived to Ily standing in the doorway, waving her arms yelling Gamma, Gappa!! What a treat to be greeted by the sight! She was so excited to see us! Now when we skype she has to tell you everything! You may not understand it all but that's coming!

This year has been so amazing for Paul and I. We have been to Colorado, well I have, Maryland and then to North Carolina. I can't explain how God knows what our hearts need and when we need it but He just does and He has shown us time and time again that if we continue to trust Him the road is being mapped out for us. To spend time with Raeann, Ily and Madilynne so they get to know your face, your voice is so precious to Paul and I. Each time my heart grows heavy from missing Cali, Micah, Susan and Mike, Raeann, Ily and Madilynne Father gives us a little taste of heaven by letting us have a few days here, a week there and it just makes me go on until the next scheduled time with them.

We had the week at Carolina Beach planned from last September but Micah's job opportunity made it impossible for them to be there with us. Cali and Raeann flew into Raleigh and we picked them up there, then drove to the house we rented on the beach. Enjoy the pictures! We had a great time!

My heart wonders how much we miss out on when we don't look deep into what God has given us. Spending a week with Susan, Ily and Madilynne has made me realize that I am blessed beyond measure and just never saw it like I did this week. If we would only take the time to see how much God loves us and wants the best for us we would see all the "things" that are out of our control and how He has orchestrated our lives to see His giving!

Giving back to our family is just a little of what He has given us. I want to be able to show His love to my family so that my granddaughters will know His love! We go home a little less of ourselves because we leave a part of our hearts with our granddaughters and our children. God knows how we long to be with them b/c that's how He is with us. He longs to spend time with us, to share in our joys, our sorrows and all the things that we think are too small for Him to notice. I want to tell my granddaughters about my God, my friend and pray that they will want to know Him too!

I was blessed to spend 4 days in Colorado and watch Raeann the 2 days that Mike and Cali had conferences at school. Raeann and I had a great time together! I know that even though it is so hard to leave the time I am given to spend with Raeann, Cali and Mike are precious to me. It reinforces my relationship with Raeann. She is more aware of people and it touches my heart to know that when I left on Friday she walked around the house calling "Grrramma"!

Paul puts his insulated sock on Molly's head and Chloe decided to help her pull it off! It took us 3 tries to get this short video to share!

Paul and I will have conversations about how blessed we are and that we have gotten to see our children, and granddaughters so much this past year. We were able to be with Micah and Susan when Madilynne graced us with her presence. We were blessed to have 2 weeks at Christmas time, one with Micah, Susan, Ily and Madilynne and then the next week with Mike, Cali and Raeann. I got to play outside with both Ily and Raeann. They both love the snow and being outside!

I have a hard time describing what it is to be a Grandma and when I think about how God created us to grow up with our children and then we turn into that child again when we are blessed with grandchildren. I know that both Raeann and Ily are keeping me young at heart. I want to be able to show them how much God loves them and I will always be in prayer that I will be a good example to them of how much God cares for us.

Here are a few pictures from Christmas that I hope you enjoy!