Christmas Cards

Christmas cards have ALWAYS been a must in our family. We have lived overseas for nearly 20 years so it has been a way to keep in touch with loved ones at least once a year. This year, our Christmas card must be special. Our daughter and her husband are in the process of adopting four boys and the adoption should be final before Christmas. So we will be sure and send out a Christmas card collage of their photo introducing them to our family and friends. I love the photo collage because it is a "scrapbook" right on the front of a card wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Be sure and watch your mailbox!

· holiday cards linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/

· invitations linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

· Calendars linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars

“Shutterfly is offering 20% off all holiday cards” and hyperlink to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

Sharing Who God Is

Thank you, Father, for special times of drawing close to my grandchildren and sharing who you are. Thanks for questions like, "Can God really talk to you, Gigi?" that open the door on deep discussions that lead the heart towards You. Thanks for piercing the hearts of T and J this week and drawing them into Your hand! Thanks ahead of time for the way you continue to draw D and K towards you. Thank you for a wonderful daughter who is a wonderful mother whose heart is bent towards you and whose faith is a daily inspiration to me. I love being Gigi.

Another Grandson for the Night

Today we met Brian's parents in Cookeville (they live in Gatlinburg) to pick up D. D had been staying with them this week and attending VBS at their church. He seemed to have a great time and as soon as we got in the car started showing me all the things he made in VBS. Wow. The Lord has been so good to give me special times alone with my grandchildren since we arrived back in Tennessee. We are hoping to have a few days with J before the summer is done.

Audra shared that T and J gave their hearts to Jesus while they were at camp this week. Wow! Thanks to all of you who have been praying. Keep it up. This is just the beginning and I am so glad that you are on this journey with us.

We have two more boys to pray into the kingdom!

Missing K

I remember this feeling. It happened every time my kids went back to boarding school. That feeling that "something" is missing. We took K back home this morning and were out busy all afternoon. But when I walked back into the house tonight - there was that feeling. I remember when Audra and Ross and Chelsea would leave for ICA, I would walk to each of their rooms and lay on their beds and just try to smell them into existence! Of course, I cried. I will NEVER like saying goodbye and it will NEVER be easy. And here we are saying it again. Oh, it is just for a few days. We will see them all on Sunday - but still. I've got the blues. I miss my little K. I wonder if he eats bones?

Shhhh! Gigi's Taking a Nap

It's funny what habits we have when we are settling down for sleep. Me, I twist and turn and try to find "my spot". Rick says I'm "nesting". It's almost like a cat that goes round and round until it finally finds that comfortable spot! Little K is no different from any other two year old, I suppose. He agrees to a nap, knows he needs one, but can't quite settle down as quickly to take it as Gigi. The last few days I have invested about 15 minutes in lying down with him on the "big bed" with him (actually just enjoying watching him while I pretend to be asleep!) He twists and turns, sings and talks, and whispers "Shhhh, Gigi is taking a nap." I know he is just about "there" when I see his little hand cup under his chin. It will only be a minute now and he will be off to sleepy land. Sure enough, every time that little hand tells the tale. We're almost there. So funny. So adorable. The house will be too quiet tomorrow. And Audra's will almost be full again!

Bones are for CATS!

My girls say I don't deserve a blog since I rarely update it but when you are in the midst of moving, transitioning, and getting used to being in the states again PLUS looking for a house - well, the time just isn't there. However, I had to write today because this week I have little K with me and boy, are we having fun. He is talking so much and SO expressive. The other night at supper, he was helping himself to a chicken drumstick and commenced to eat the bony "handle" of the drumstick. I said, "Oh, no, no, K. Bones are for cats!" Well, he thought that was absolutely hilarious and for the next 30 minutes he asked, "Gigi, do you eat bones?" My reply, of course, was, "No, no, K. Bones are for cats!" Okay, I know you might be asking why I didn't say "bones are for dogs". Well Audra and Brian also have a family pet - Jackson - who is the most beautiful and gentle black laby you have ever met and I quickly thought - if I say "bones are for dogs", little K would be sure to give his next drumstick bone to Jackson! Since Jackson is on a strict "doggy diet" that would be a catastrophe. But since Brian is allergic to cats, I don't think the family will ever get a CAT for a family pet so that seemed like a safe answer. Now, every day, at least 10,000 times - K says, "Gigi, do you eat bones?" and I quickly reply - "No, no, K. Bones are for cats!" Sweet times.

Catching my breath

Seems like I can't stop long enough to catch my breath, much less write on the blog. But I had to stop for a moment - sit down, relax, and BREATHE long enough to tell you about the incredible week I had with T. He came to spend the week with us last week while D went to VBS at home and B went to spend a week with his other grandparents. K was also at home with Audra and Brian.

Rick and I went to get T on Sunday because we wanted him to be here to start VBS on Monday morning. The mission house where we are living backs right up to the church so he didn't have far to walk. In fact, the first two days the opening "ceremonies" were in our backyard! Monday morning he was a little apprehensive about VBS - had never been before and didn't know anyone. I had already pre-registered him so I walked him over to his group. At that particular time there was nothing but GIRLS in his group, but I assured him that it was early and that soon other boys would be there. (Thank you, Lord, that you provided other boys quickly!)

This church's VBS revolved around Paul and his time in Rome. They even had the gym totally decorated like a Roman marketplace. The pastor posed as Paul in the marketplace and he was IN CHAINS. The kids moved around the marketplace for crafts, snacks, bible study, etc. Often there were interruptions when Roman soldiers made their way through the crowds to arrest people for being Christian. T was quite taken with the whole thing and was a little disappointed when I explained that the man wasn't REALLY Paul, but just the pastor acting. I later had teh opportunity to tell the pastor what an impression he had made on T. By the end of the week, T was having so much fun and always wanted to be the first one there. On Friday as we were leaving he was sad that it was over but excited when I told him that he could come and go to VBS wherever we were NEXT SUMMER!

In the afternoons, T and I had fun doing several things. One day we went to the Science Museum here in Nashville. Rick and I bought the "Grandparent package" which includes entry into the museum for us and for the boys as many times as we like over the next year. It is already one of T's favorite places.

Another day I took T to play "goofy golf". T is VERY athletic and picks up sports easily. Of course by the end of the afternoon (two games later) we were definitely "professional" golfers! T also drove a go-cart for the first time and LOVED that!

T was able to go look at several houses with Rick and I. (We are on the search for a rental house in Mount Juliet.) He was hoping we would settle on one so he could be the first one to SEE it! STill no house, but we are continuing to look and ask God to provide.

On Friday afternoon, Rick took off and we took T on a picnic at the skateboard park. He rides the skateboard and was fascinated with all the teenage boys there and what they could do on skateboards. He was concerned, however, that many of them did NOT have on helmets!

Every night T and I had devotions together and had some very sweet moments... incredible moments. Thank YOU for praying for us last week. the week passed way too quickly and it was time to take T home. I think he had a good time with Gigi and Grandpa and will come again sometime - maybe this summer before school gets out!

Sunday Rick and I will pick K up to keep him for a few days. T and J are going to camp and D is going to spend the week with Brian's parents. We felt like Audra and Brian could use a few days all by themselves to re-group! They have had the boys about 2 and a half months now. Keep praying for them. In fact, every time the Spirit prompts you to pray - just DO it!

Until next ime...