Daughters

My daughters when they were little

My daughters are my friends and confidantes. They are my "go-to persons" when my friends are busy. They are strong, independent young women, a little opinionated, but that's okay. They get it honestly. We actually agree more than we disagree. They have blessed me with grandchildren and are doing a great job raising their families. They both also love to cook. I am proud to be their mother.

No, I don't want to make this a "brag fest" because they are not perfect. There are times that I still want to tell them what to do, or at least advise them. At times, they are my advisors, my mentors. They are good listeners and have a sense of humor. They get that from their father, who was a funny guy.

I thank God for my daughters.

The Innocence of Childhood

I love the innocence of childhood.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" I asked my grandchildren when they spent the night.

"Spiderman!" immediately responded my three-year old grandson. He is currently obsessed with this comic book hero.

"Tinker Bell," said the four-year old. She wants to fly when she grows up.

"A princess," replied seven-year old "Teka", "Probably Belle, because she looks like me."

I see many children that are miniature adults. My grandchildren still believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. And that's okay, because these years go by so fast and soon they won't remember their childhood dreams. But then again maybe they will grow up to be a princess.

Celebrations

August is a month full of blessings.

My daughter and her husband celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary today.

Their oldest will turn 7 next week and start 2nd grade. "Teka" is like a little Mommy to her four-year old sister and the new baby. She has been known to fix the baby's bottle and change her diaper when my daughter is busy. And she listens...most of the time. She was looking at the advertisements last weekend and pointed to something that she wanted, "Look, Mommy," she said, "Oh, never mind. It costs money."

My grandson just celebrated his third birthday. He loves Chuck E. Cheese, so that's where we had his party. His party guests were four girls. "Where's all my girls?" he asked when we arrived.

Have you ever noticed how little boys come with sound effects? And they actually say, "I want to be a Super hero." I didn't have boys, so I'm thoroughly enjoying the company of this little boy.

With school right around the corner, my older daughter is like a kid in a candy story, getting her classroom ready for her eighth-graders. She'll be teaching Algebra.

I have a couple of friends that have cause for celebrations, too. The daughter of one friend is finishing up a four-month hike along the Appalachian trail. She is down to the last 100 miles and will be home soon. S., whom I have know since she was in preschool, is quite the adventurer. She worked in a bear camp in Alaska last summer, after driving there all the way from Alabama! And in the fall/winter she worked at a ski resort out west and drove along the California coastline and then across the southern United States. And she is only 23 years old!

I love to celebrate the little things, as well as the big occasions.

Hoping that you have something to celebrate this month. Whether big or small, it's worth celebrating.

When I Get Older...

I want to be like my mother-in-law, when I get older. Her mind is sharp as a tack and even with her arthritis, two hip replacements, and a knee replacement, she doesn't sit still. She makes it to church on Sundays, cooks and cleans for her daughter's family, loves to attend hockey games, and loves to laugh at a good joke.

My husband is the cute kid on the right.

This week she is flying to Michigan, by herself, to go to her family reunion. She and her sister are the only remaining siblings out of nine children. Her son and granddaughter will fly in from Minnesota to meet her there. She's proud to be the oldest of the "Graves" family that will be attending.

She's 89 years young. She still has the dimples, too.