New Status

Mckenzie Dawn arrived on Feb. 12, 2016 and she gave me a new status! I am now a grandmother! How is it possible to go from mother to grandmother in 23 years? Honestly, it is truly amazing that I am old enough for that title. You know I used to think that Grandmothers were those old ladies that walked with a certain little stoop, they had grey hair, their teeth rattled if they laughed to much, and they had pockets that held fun little treats, like smarties or lollipops, and they read stories with a lap full of little people.

perfectly sweet

This grandma does not have all of the above characteristics. Its true, my hair does have strands of silver lining and my eyes are not seeing so clearly anymore, and my memory is a bit short,but I would like to say that I do not feel like an old lady grandma. I was however quite disturbed this week when I realized I could not see the time on my phone at night time when I didn't have my glasses on! Something is getting worse! Jonathan has for years already told me that I should sew pockets on my dresses so I could better keep track of my phone. I never listened and continued to have to go on frantic phone search sprees. Well, I'm thinking that now that I'm a grandma I really should have pockets so I can carry fun things with me too. And then I wonder what I might carry in my pockets. I am convinced that it is stupid to get little people hooked on sweets and junk food, so whats my options? Raisens, blueberries, and carrot sticks....hmmm? I hope your not feeling sorry for her. She has plenty of uncles that will want to feed her ice cream and chips and smarties and lollipops, and cookies and fruit loops and, and......?? I sure hope we can be balanced in all things. Several years ago I found a pill that was supposed to help memory loss and I got a bottle of them but they didn't help at all because I always forgot to take them!! Its bad when its that bad!This week Jeremy read a quote and thought it fit me. " Why is it that when I want something I can't find it, but when I don't need it, its there."

I had so much fun caring for mama and baby this week! They all moved into my house for several days since Randall works here at the shop and Mary wasn't real keen on staying by herself. It was easier for me to have them here then I could wait on them hand and foot without leaving my house. So it was all good. Justin and David are in Africa right now so this house would have been much to quiet and empty. It was perfect to have Randall's here this week. I got to snuggle and cuddle this baby all week and I was on night duty several nights. That is when I discovered that my eyesight is going downhill! The other Grandparents from Montana arrived Thursday night so she has plenty of help at her house. Her sister will be staying for several weeks. Mckenzie is the sweetest little girl you ever did see! she weighed 7lb and 14oz. I sure forgot how tiny newborns are but it has been so much fun.
I was amused several years ago during the Christmas season when I got some family photos and letters from friends and the ladies were bragging on their grandchildren and I thought it was rather a funny thing to do! I reckon I will be joining the Bragging Grandma Club!

Carlin proud to be holding his niece

And yes, as I mentioned earlier, Justin and David are in Africa to visit Uncle Tony and family and friends.They had been planning this trip for months already and several folks tried to persuade me to go to. I was so happy that I could say that I am not going anywhere in Feb. cuz I can't be on the other side of the world when my grandbaby is born. Also, I still don't like to fly and those long flights give me nightmares just thinking about them. Of course I had my concerns about my sons going....safe flights, animal safety while visiting the Mara, snakes, traffic safety etc. etc. Like normal the boys thought I was being a pessimist and had all kinds of stupid fears so I figured it was better to talk to God about it all then voice my thoughts to them. It so came to pass that while they were visiting the Mara they got charged by a very angry elephant. He was running toward them swinging his trunk and flapping his ears and making angry noises and they tried to hurry away with the vehicle but then another vehicle got stuck in its efforts to get away and they had to help them get unstuck. They all were quite scared and Justin said he thinks it was the" Prayers from those they love that saved them." Jamie and Ayla, Tony's 2 children will forever be scared of elephants.When Justin voxed and told me they were leaving the Mara I was grateful that they did not get stomped or torn apart by any wild beasts. They saw lots of animals and loved it there but they are also loving it back in civilization with Waynes and Tonys. I will love having them back home again and I can't wait to hear their stories!

My daily work load does shrink a good bit having 2 boys missing. Laundry and cooking and grocery shopping is all seriously affected with 2 less. And the house is just a little to quiet. Yes those 2 that are gone do seem to think that the 2 youngest make the most noise around here but for some reason it got quieter, boring and quite frankly a little depressing. We are all so glad that they are coming home this week! I'm not at all convinced that the feeling is mutual but if they have anything to say they can leave a comment.

I had been dreading the month of February but its almost over and I survived. I like to think that God was looking out for me and brought the baby here 2 weeks early to help the time of missing the boys go a little faster and keep me occupied with fun things.I think it was pretty special of Him to do that for me. Don't you?

Feb 2014 a few days before the surgery

Another cancer friend joined Jonathan in Heaven a week ago. I wonder what they talk about when they meet each other. Do they discuss the cancer fights and pain or is the former life all passed away? I guess we will have to wait and see.

We are keenly aware of the missing Grandpa. He would be the happiest man on earth! But we know that his happiness now can't be compared to any earthly happiness. But we still miss him!