Things you wonder as your kids grow up . . .

Over the past few years, I often wondered what kind of things that my daughters remember doing, hearing, or participating in. As they raise their own children, I have often wondered if there is anything that struck them as worth filing in their memory banks for later. Well, this week I discovered that there are things that they remember.

When I was talking to Laura this past week after she and Danya dropped off the gift for the NICU in Hawaii, she said to me that she most vividly remembers buying a gift to give to another kid at Christmas time (i.e. Operation Christmas Child or Toys for Tots). She told me that she wants to instill this love of giving in her daughter so not only did they drop off the outfits for the NICU but they had purchased a gift to be given to a little girl who was hospitalized. She wasn't sure if they would be able to deliver it themselves but thought if nothing else they could drop it off. Well, they did get to drop it off and she said she hopes that as Danya gets older she herself will be the one to initiate the gift giving.

Then I read Margaret's blog and she adds a note at the end of the blog about her dad praying with them at night when they had all been tucked into bed. She now has begun that same thing with her Little Man O.

It is so fun and heartwarming to listen to my daughters talk about what they learned from their dad and I and how they are putting them into practice. I can't wait to hear more as their kids grow and then to hear what Michelle and Eme would offer as well. I am certain there are a few things that they will choose not to do with their kids and that's okay. I just pray that all the things that I tried to do with my girls will somehow come in handy for them.

I love all my girls and their husbands and children and children-to-come.

School (meaning work)

After the first week of school (work) things are finally settling into a sort of routine. We have fewer students but seems to be students who want to be at Arlington. Those that wanted them, have received a very nice messenger bag to carry their books in and I have begun to absorb jobs that were currently done by another clerk whose job was cut because of budget. Hopefully, with fewer students things will not be as busy. But, as always, time will tell.

The one thing I know for sure is that I am very much missing my time with Oliver. I enjoyed the time we spent together this summer and can't wait until next summer when we can do it again.

The Many Adventures of Mormor & Oliver

This summer has been a fun time to hang out with my grandson, Oliver. He has been a joy to have around and play with. I have been able to watch him grow and hear his vocabulary increase. I only wish I could have Danya close so we could do the same. Summers always seem so short when August gets here and I know that in a few short weeks I will have to return to work. But I thought I would share a little glimpse of what Oliver and I have been doing this summer. Enjoy the little slideshow presentation.

Gary Update

Thought all would like to know how he is doing. He went in to see the doctor at the beginning of July and the doctor said that his bone was healing right on schedule and that he could begin to put partial weight on the leg beginning on August 1. In the meantime he is lifting weights with his leg, using an exercise bike, and working on an "as needed" basis. He still cannot get out and go by himself as he is not allowed to drive yet but it will come. He is anxious to get going and get back to doing what he likes to do -- be around people and work at his business.

His favorite statement lately is: "I can do everything that I could do a month ago, only better!"

Has it really been?

30 years ago today, Gary and I welcomed into our lives two baby girls.



Cute story alert!!

While we were at the hospital Laura was staying at her Nana's house (my mom & dad's). My dad was out of town at the time so when he called in the evening to talk with mom, she put Laura on the phone to tell her Papa about the babies (they had been to the hospital earlier to see them). Her words to my dad were: "Papa, Papa my mommy had two baby girls and one of them is in a box!" (To explain -- Michelle was in an incubator because of some issues when she was born but she was fine, it was merely precautionary.) Needless to say my dad immediately asked to talk to my mom who explained the situation.

Happy 30th Birthday Margaret and Michelle! We love you!!