Grandma-Hood

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." ~Stacia Tauscher

Isn't that a true statement? I remember when my children were small, worrying about how they would make it as adults, what they would do with their lives, trying to help shape the kind of people they would become. Duh. The reality was that they arrived in my life as someone. And those 3 someones were already smart, talented and unique.

That's another something I'm loving about grandma-hood. I don't work, worry and wonder, trying to fit these precious little people into some kind of mold -- I just enjoy them and love them. At the risk of becoming repetitive, grandma-hood is my favorite thing about this stage of my life.

It's a gift. The best one ever.

**Big thanks go to Daniel and Ben who gave Grandpa the fabulous marble roller-coaster-builder set for his birthday. Because I seem to be camera-challenged, I didn't think to take a pic of them enjoying it with him - with the roller coaster strewn all across their dining room and back. This is Maya and Mason enjoying the gift with Grandpa as well.

Primary Song Bakery

Our Primary chorister is wonderful. She has fun ideas and {even better} she lets me join in the fun. Every single time.

This past week, we reviewed the songs we've learned this year for the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation. There are a lot of them and there are a lot of words to remember. In the past, we've done a Song Hospital, where Joan and I wear our scrubs and decide if the songs need to stay in the hospital or if they are ready to be discharged. This year, however, Joan decided on a Song Bakery. She made little gingerbread men, each with the name of a song on it, brought a small toaster oven, and signs that said 'gooey', 'half baked' and 'ready to serve'.

The fun part {for me, anyhow - and I think the kids liked it too} was that Joan had her apron and chef hat on and I wore my chefs' coat and hat. We chose names from our choosing jar, and then the child chosen got to wear an apron, a chefs' hat and an oven mitt and helped direct the song. We had stirring spoons with smiley faces on them {because you always sing better when you are happy, right?!} and then we sang the song, listening to see if was 'ready to serve' or not.

The kids loved it, we now know what songs need a little work {not many! just the second verses of a couple of them could use a review} and Joan and I had a blast. I love it that she lets me play along with her every time.

Prayer

"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God- it changes me."~ C.S. Lewis

It's hard to get to the point in life where you realize that you really can't help yourself. I still struggle with this - - I was born independent and will no doubt die independent. I want to do everything myself and I don't want help. But to make full use of the atonement of Jesus Christ, I have to humble myself and admit to Him that I can't do it alone. I do need His help.

And in the end, the very act of praying, humbling myself and recognizing the need I have for Him in my life literally changes me. For the better.

Thank goodness.

Birthdays

"In childhood, we yearn to be grown-ups. In old age, we yearn to be kids. It just seems that all would be wonderful if we didn't have to celebrate our birthdays in chronological order." ~Robert Brault

Miss Maya celebrated her 6th birthday this week and it's got me thinking about age. The above quote really spoke to me -- isn't that the truth? I'm finding there really are some things I like about being older, but there are probably equally as many things that go along with it that are not so much to my liking. I like being able to look back and really see the hand of God in our lives, as He has moved us around. I like the perspective I have gained with time. I really like having a better understanding of myself. And grandchildren? The best gift I've ever received, since the original gift of my children.

The wrinkles? Not so much. Or the alarming downward slide of body parts that have always been up higher? Nope. And I really don't like the minor aches and pains that seem to creep in as time goes on. The gray hair is something that my hairdresser Jake takes care of so that's not so much a problem.

So does it even out? For sure. Time is something I have a little bit more of, time to play with little guys, to help our our grown children, and time to think. Time to serve in the church, both with children and with music. Time to reflect and to try to do better.

Old-er age is a gift -- especially since the way I feel inside has never changed. Inside, I'm still young. Really young!