Christmas 2014 Musings

Just a few weeks ago, our house was filled with grandkids... and already it seems like a dim memory. But wanting to reflect on the moments of fun with each one.... Maelie Jo ~ sitting on her box in the kitchen eating snacks; repeating the names of her cousins on the special picture of them together; wanting to see "Shanta (HO HO)"at Home Depot and the fire station, but just from afar; pointing out each character on the 6 grandkid stockings; wanting to sit with Boppa at our Mexican restaurant and repeatedly putting her head on his shoulder -ahhh; pushing her doggie in the grocery cart; wanting to walk down the steps like the adults rather than as she should; turning the fireplace on and off with a pure look of joy; kissing GGma and GGpa at their place; wanting to hold hands together and pray before meals; Zeal~ running into the Knight family gathering and immediately heading to GGma and GGpa to hug them - no prompting from Momma! Opening her Motorhome toy with a huge grin; carrying around her new soccer pillowcase from Lita; playing in the library--carefully guarding the door to the playhouse so no one could get in except her! Watching HGTV with Boppa; counting to the 5th step to jump off after a careful discussion with Lita; chatting happily about Uganda with Pastor Angela on Christmas Eve, so grown-up and informative. Jet~ his absolutely literal understanding on our every comment; surprise and excitement when he received his camera; the way he quickly caught on to Rummikub and Spoons; playing Hide n Seek-- his 2 great hiding spots (under the table, on the washer), assisted by Lita; his protection of his sisters and brother; rolling around the floor with Trux; jumping off the stairs; his sincere, beautiful smiles; Trux~ totally understanding one of our funny or inaccurate comments-with his standard reaction of Bopppppa or Azzzi, with just the right inflection; smiling and laughing, and yelling at his sibs when they got in his face; putting the puzzle together at lightening speed; eating and eating and eating; sitting on the floor with his Papa on Christmas Eve during the Children's story at Voyage Church --with some cute little African American girls staring at him! Sitting for 2 hours on Boppa's lap in the movie theater!! Azilea~ running into GrammaLita's arms when she arrived at the Knight Fam Christmas; doing nails together; movie day with the Madagascar Penquins; her thrilled expression when opening the necklace with the horse pendant; hugs; enjoying the library and seeing her find "Black Beauty"; her love of HGTV; countless numbers of hugs before departing; telling us that she will buy our home when we die, so she can live in MI! enjoying her love of setting the table uniquely; appreciating the new Christmas mugs; cuddling up in the red chair to read in the early mornings; Evelynn Rose~ watching her slowly warm up to us; putting her down at night with some snuggles; putting her pointer finger to her cheek when she heard a noise! Hearing Boppa cough, and doing the finger thing with 2 coughs, saying Boppa? Boppa? Repeating words or fun sounds, like "RoWDY" with her hands up in the air -then said, Mama?, then Dada?, then Boppa? then "ehh" (me)--we would each repeat it and throw our hands in the air! Watching her love her new baby-- sometimes strolling, sometimes putting her to sleep in the doll cradle, sometimes pulling her britches down and cleaning her bottom with wipes! pointing to different items on the stockings when I asked her to find something; always asking "where Boppa?"; dancing, racing thru the basement "nakey" before bedtime; thoroughly enjoying her yogurt breakfasts..all over the tablecloth, HA! Having fun with the Apple learning toy-and doing extremely well at it! All told, a very fun Christmas even though I was not at 100%. Asking the Lord to build up my immune system for the next CA trip; and to give me fun ideas to connect with each of my grandkids in the coming year.