Thursday Night’s Night Cap

In life we can become so busy we often forget to take notice of the people/things we love.  We forget what makes us happy! Most days begin and end with our “To Do” lists in hopes of not forgetting anything important. But what about the things we love, are they not important?

If this is you stop what you’re doing right now and grab your pen, paper, and don’t forget your Night Cap while making a list of some of the things/people you love most!  Cheers!

Things I love:

1. God & my Bible
2. My Kids, Granddaughter’s, and Family
3. Friends
4. Hugs
5. Writing/Blogging
6. The ocean
7. Blue Butterflies
8. Helping others
9. Ladybugs
10. Sunsets
11. Babies
12. Puppies
13. Long walks
14. Working out
15. Sweet Memories
16. The smell of Turkey on Thanksgiving day
17. Everything about Christmas – even busy malls
18. Meeting new people
19. Chai lattes
20. Sailing
21. A glass of wine with friends
22. Life Group
23. Hard work and a paycheck
24. Balboa Island
25. USA
26. New clothes
27. Chick flicks
28. Packing for vacation
29. Surprises  (good surprises)
30. Home

It’s amazing how a little break from the “To Do” list and mundane can bring us back to what’s truly important – the things we love. I hope this little exercise helped you as much as it did me – Sweet dreams!

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Just 5 More Minutes

Ava

Gianna

Emma

I always leave San Jose feeling emotional after visiting with the kids and my grandchildren. As I check in at SJC I of course check in on Facebook letting my friends know how I am feeling. The “Feeling” popup gives so much emotion I am unable to post them all…It’s like a rollercoaster weekend in more ways than one as I try to cram as much fun in as possible with the girls. My anticipated excitement of hanging out with all of them as I prepare to travel to the Bay Area, and wrapping those sweet little girls in my arms reminds me of how time is fleeting, and how we must cherish every minute we have with those we love.

It’s a joy to hang out with these little ones watching the world through their eyes, and hearing about the world from their point of view as they share their stories. Kids see everything as exciting, cool and fun. They don’t care if they’re wearing the same swim suit all day. They don’t care if they play hard and their hair gets messed up. They love to eat dessert first. They love shiny rocks, meeting new friends, and singing out loud. They don’t see anything wrong with sitting on the edge of the pool growling at everyone that goes by (scene of a boy at the pool). They don’t hesitate to ask the questions we’d like to ask but lack the courage to do so. The other thing that gets me is how they can recharge after only resting for about 10 seconds and they feel great!

On one of my flights I had a 5 year old boy take the window seat when another passenger passed by and whispered to me, “He is a really cute little boy, you’ll enjoy him”. Not sure if she was warning me or saw a “look” on my face when he and dad squeezed into their seats. This was the little guy’s first plane ride and his brown eyes were as big as saucers as he watched out the window with excitement and kept repeating, “We’re flying!” While watching the plane rise above the buildings and mountain tops he looked out and said, “Wow, it’s a big place out there!”

As I leaned back in my seat I began to wonder why us adults can’t seem to enjoy our excursions with this much enthusiasm. It really is a big place out there and a wonderful thing to get on an airplane and fly to different destinations around the world. What if we got excited about these “little” things vs. being stressed out over cramming our legs and carryon bags into what feels like a very small space to bump shoulders with a stranger? What if we just said hi to strangers crossing our path and threw them a smile as we continued happily on our way. How simple it would be if we could muster up the courage to swim all day and not worry about our hair.

While at the pool waiting for the family to arrive I lost count of the many dads walking over to the side of the pool letting their kids know they had “just 5 more minutes.” I watched these kids “hurry” to take one more dive, one more jump, and one more swim to the other side of the pool in their last 5 minutes. They did not want it to end.

I quickly reflected back to the dad on the plane sitting next to me who asked if I had any kids. I told him yes but my kids are grown. He said, “How grown?” As I informed him they were married with kids of their own he of course gave me the compliment any gentleman would give. I told him to savor every moment as time passes quickly and he replied, “Really, well my little guy is active and doesn’t stop talking.” He looked a little exasperated!

I reminded him of how quickly they grow up and it happens in a blink of an eye. POOF and they’re off building lives and families of their own! All good things but do you ever think, “What if we had just 5 more minutes with them? What if we could go back to that memory that was so precious to experience one more time or the memory that wasn’t so precious and have a do over. What if we could have just 5 more minutes?

Some inspiration from one generation to another:

Psalms 145:4  “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”

Deuteronomy 4:9   “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Unknown  “While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”

We Shall Call Her Emma!

The miracle of life, it really gets you thinking and especially when you see it up close and personal. I’ve been blessed to give birth to two sons, and with the privilege of being in the delivery room for the birth of my granddaughter Gianna. Now I am getting exciting news once again, my older son, Jason and his wife are expecting a baby girl! My daughter-in-law, Danielle has had a few ultrasounds so we’ve been watching God form Baby Emma in the womb. She started out with a little brother or sister but God chose to keep this baby with him and send us Emma. We will see Emma’s twin and celebrate him/her some day too!

So we are now celebrating Emma and she is due to arrive late June! Thus far, Emma is a very healthy, cute and active baby!  Danielle say’s she is especially active when she drinks Martinelli Sparkling apple juice! Emma likes to wave to her mom, dad and big sister Ava when the tech begins picture-taking. She was also caught sucking her thumb comforting herself. I have a feeling she won’t be shy!  So many things I love about her already but I think my favorite part of her now is her little button nose!

As I was imagining her personality and staring at her picture I was amazed once again by God and his great power. How we are knitted together in our mother’s womb. How he knew us before we were formed. How we were made in the secret place…Psalm 139:13&14:

 For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made,

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written

in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:16

There is so much joy and peace in knowing God has His hand on her little life. I truly can’t wait to hear her little voice when she is calling Mimi!  And then there is my excitement for Jason and Danielle as they grow their family, and experience once again the joys of parenting, and raising two beautiful girls. I know they will love baby Emma with a powerful and protective love. And so the generation goes on!

Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. Psalm 145: 3&4

 It’s a grandparents right to brag…feel free to leave your comments!