forgotten

I had momentarily forgotten

how real

and hands-on

and exhausting

and sweetly precious

life is with a toddler and a newborn.

Newborn Ashlyn needs

feeding and holding,

swaddling and swaying,

changing and napping.

Toddler Ari needs

 books to read,

simple puzzles to do,

lots of food to eat,

her messes cleaned up,

manners taught,

a nap and a half a day (figure that out),

diapers changed,

toilet-learning,

songs sung, alphabets recited, stair-steps counted,

outdoor water play and garden-exploring,

hugs given and kisses received,
doses of her beloved Elmo,
and endless words to learn.
It's very hard to get her photo because she's
on the move almost ALL THE TIME.

And that, my friends, makes for extremely full and exhausting days,

but also so sweet and packed with love.

 

I had forgotten. But now I remember.

clothes shopping for babies

Shopping for baby clothes isn't what it used to be.  Maybe because I'm a grandma, but it's all very confusing to me. I haven't shopped for children's clothing in a very long time. The young moms whiz in, efficiently find what they want, purchase and leave.

The Carter's store is brimming with adorable outfits for little ones, beginning with the tiniest. And this Carter's store has incredibly exuberant sales girls.

"Can I help you find something?" They chirp. "A gift? New baby?"

Well, she might help if I knew what I needed. And yes, it's for a new baby: my granddaughter Ashlyn. But also for her big sister.

I text Jenny for sizes and needs, last-minute of course. Jenny's not into headbands and frilly stuff for her girls. But my sales girl steers me straight to some "adorable accessories:" headbands! I decide I'd better browse on my own, avoiding the pinks and ruffles and big bows.

When my babies came along, the sizing rule of thumb was to double the child's age to determine the right size. No more! This has thrown me off for a year now. Carter's makes it simpler by giving a weight range for each size. Still, I want to do that doubling thing and the sales girl must think I'm crazy.

My initial idea was to find matching outfits or sleepers or something for the girls. I abandon that thought almost immediately when I realize I would have to walk back and forth between the newborn and toddler sizes to decide. And it was, after all, our anniversary and my date was waiting in the car.

Thankfully, Jenny sends me some helpful texts and I select some items. Also, a young mom gives me a 20% off coupon AND it was GRANDPARENTS DAY at Carter's so I received an additional discount.

Do you think the sales girls tell every grandma, every day, that it's grandparent's day?

33 years!

Our kids love this photo, taken just before we got married.
They say we were "hippies."
I say we look better now than then!

Happy anniversary to my husband Bill!

A lot has happened over these 33 years:

five moves and  a few jobs,

four children: two sons married so adding two daughters-in-love,
two grandchildren born with another on the way,

15 years of college with one to go,

on our second washing machine,
not perfection: some tears and struggles and anger and wanting my way,
but determination to stick together and love no matter what.
After all, love isn't a feeling
it's a decision.

Happy anniversary to a man who knows how to love. I love you Bill!

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.


1 Corinthians 13:4-7

7.11 photos

We spent all of July a-way up north at our cabin in Michigan. Thought I'd share some of my favorite photos.

This being the last summer, it was especially sweet to have Katie with us as she prepares for her senior year in college. She kept busy with an online course, and two weeks working at a nearby camp. But we also had time to laugh, eat ice cream, and take photos together. Katie says she gets her photography talent from me, but she's miles ahead!

We love the light inside the old Presque Isle lighthouse, built in 1840. (OK, I know I just posted this photo, but I like it.)

Oh and by the way, the wedding Katie shot on Saturday was sweet, simple, elegant, and just perfect. Katie and her assistant Jill worked hard! I don't think we realize the difficulty of a given job until someone we loves DOES that job. This includes wedding photography. The next three photos are Katie's, btw.

As much as we like being there, we love it when friends visit. Especially dear friends who we don't see often, friends who appreciate simple living in an old cabin beside a lake. So it thrilled us when our friends Dan and Beth made the trip from FLORIDA all the way to northern Michigan and stayed for most of one week. We have known Dan and Beth for over 30 years, so we had a sweet and hilarious time time together!

 At times, maybe a little too hilarious ...

Our biggest expense while at the cabin  is ice cream up at the harbor. Two huge scoops for $2 and the flavors are different every day. Flavors like Blueberry Wafflecone, Michigan Black Bear, and Mackinac Island Fudge. Bill tasted mine one evening and took a hugely oversized bite. Wow.

Let me go on record for saying that I don't believe dogs need a vacation, but if ever a dog loves a getaway, it's our Ellie. She has lots of freedom at the cabin, so what could be better for a dog?

Rock hounds! The rocks in this part of Michigan are amazing.

Finally, we were blessed with many glorious sunsets that God painted

at day's end. It was a lovely month indeed.

Tomorrow: one more favorite photo!

wedding day!

Today is an exciting one: my daughter Katie is photographing ("shooting") a wedding - her first as lead photographer. The couple is adorable, the bride a high school friend of Katie's. She's excited. Prepared. She will do great, I know.

I've been the mother of the groom twice, but never the mother of the photographer. Is that even a title? Good gracious it should be.  Even though I know Katie is skilled and capable, I'm still a bit nervous! But I know it will be a wonderful day for the bride and groom and that's what counts.

Whew, another milestone in turning my chicks into the world, seeing Katie capture a couple's wedding photos. I've fed, nourished, encouraged, prayed, and guided for as long as I can ...  now she's flying on her own.

I'm proud of you, Katie!

Julie and Julia

While I'm on the topic of books this week, listen to this. I can't believe it; I'm recommending  NOT reading the book version of a movie. When does this ever happen? It is:

Julie and Julia

The movie

First I saw the movie, starring Meryl what's-not-to-love Streep

and Amy Adams. Amy Adams plays Julie Powell, the book's author who is floundering with her purpose in life. Until. She discovers Julia Childs' Mastering the Art of French Cooking and embarks on a year of cooking every single recipe in it. The movie is sweet, endearing, funny and follow-able. Meryl's Julia is brilliant, as usual, and you even get some little views of Paris. Amy's Julie catches the essence of a young woman trying to find passion and purpose.

So, she cooks for a year in the little New York apartment she shares with her husband and also blogs about it.

The book

 I can find very little good in this book.

It's hard to follow, too much going on.

It contains too much profanity, way too much.

And too much inane drama involving Julie's friends and family and her husband's friends which detours from the unique premise of the whole story.

It contains not enough about the hilarious Julia Childs

and her winsome husband Paul. Not nearly enough.

I don't very often just flat-out quit reading a book, but after about 100 pages, I skimmed the rest and called it a day. Yuck. Don't waste your time or money. I'm just glad I picked it up at a library book sale for cheap.

Julie and Julia. See the movie, don't read the book!

summer with Harry

My daughter Katie finds the most interesting things. This summer she introduced me to author Harry Bernstein, who published his first book at age 96! Not only that, two more books were published before his death this year at age 101.

Harry was born in England in 1910. His first memoir, The Invisible Wall, details his early life in a poverty-stricken Jewish family. In the face of extreme hardship, Harry's mother Ada managed to raise six children, despite the brutal abuse and neglect of her husband. A central theme is the stark division between Jewish and Christian families on the Bernsteins' street.

The family emigrated to the United States in 1922, and then begins The Dream, Harry's subsequent book, in which he describes his family's life as immigrants in Chicago. It includes the beginnings of his love story as he meets his wife, Ruby.

Harry had been a writer all his life, though with little success at publication. It was Ruby's death that prompted him to spill his vivid memories and heart into writing these memoirs. Harry writes about his 67-year marriage to Ruby in The Golden Willow, published in 2009.

From reading the first two books, I came away realizing it is never, ever too late to pursue a passion. The world discovered Harry in the nick of time. And Harry didn't ignore his passion to write.