Gratitude #8

I am so grateful for long-time friends.  My friend, Lynda, was in town last week and made time in her busy schedule to have dinner with us.  I have know Lynda for almost 35 years.  She had her wonderful family have seen me through some really low points in my life and have shared some of the best moments in my life.  It was good to see her and catch up on life.  I only wish she lived closer.

Gratitude # 7

A couple of weeks ago I was able to spend some time alone with Nathan.  We don't get to do that much anymore.  I understand his first priority is his wife and son, but I do miss spending time with him.  As we sat and talked, I was just amazed at what a decent young man he is.  I think as parents is often hard to see what other people see in your child.  After all you love them no matter what and I know that too often I think of him as just my kid.  I am so grateful that little kid I loved so much has grown up to be a man I admire so much.  Love you much!

Monkey Business

The theme of the Trevin's room is monkeys.  So at the shower last Saturday there were monkeys everywhere.

On the cake

and on the bedding I finally finished.  This is the quilt and the sheets I made.  I did not get a picture of the bumper pad.  Maybe it was because it gave me so much trouble I just wanted to forget about it.  There was nothing difficult about it, it was just me.  I felt like it was the first thing I ever sewed.  It's just how it goes sometimes.

Big Brother

Last Friday I picked Kaiden and took him shopping for his brother's baby shower.  We had a great time looking at everything.  Okay, I might have had a better time than Kaiden, but he is certainly pleased with this bib.

Back at the house, he selected a page from a coloring book to use as a card.  He let me help color and write his name.  I let him pick out the bag and tissue paper to use for wrapping and I think he made a pretty good choice.  It came down to this bag or one with Santa Claus.  I was surprised Santa Claus did not win.

I was so proud of him.  He kept the gift a secret and was so happy to give it to Mom and Dad at the shower.  I think he is going to make a pretty good big brother.

Puppy Love

I have had Rocco for the past two weeks.  On Friday night I picked Kaiden up to take him shopping and we stopped at the house to let Rocco out.  They were so excited to see each other.  Rocco almost knocked Kaiden over and Kaiden was giggling.  It was so cute.  

I know Rocco isn't a puppy, but he is so small I have always called him a puppy dog.

Easter

He wanted his tie outside his vest.  He put the stickers on his face and vest.  We tucked his shirt in too many times to count.  He looks so grown up to me in this picture.  Where did those chubby cheeks go?  

Waiting for the egg hunt with his buds,

He got off to a slow start because he had to stop and show everyone that he found one!

Going through his loot with Mom while Dad watches

Instead of a basket this year, I put his Easter gifts in the bicycle helmet Tito found for him.

First Communion

My heart is bursting with love and joy and pride tonight.  Kaiden took First Communion tonight at our Maundy Thursday service.  Our Pastor believes whenever a child is aware that there is something special surrounding communion, they are ready.  And he knows there is something special and wanted to be a part of it.  I know that he does not understand all the concepts of communion, but then again, neither do I. 

At the First Communion class, Pastor told the children that their parents did not want them to drink the red wine, but wanted them to drink the white grape juice.  In his mind, if his parents did not want him to drink the red wine it must be hot, so he calls the wine hot juice.

Another part of our Maundy Thursday service is foot washing as Jesus did for his disciples.  Kaiden didn't quite understand why everyone was taking their shoes off, but wanted to go up to have his feet washed.  He just smiled and smiled while Pastor washed his feet and then stood and watched while his parents and I had our feet washed. 

It was a wonderful to watch through his eyes and see that he knows this is magical.  I am so proud of his parents that they know this is where he needs to be.  It was a very special evening.