As I looked back
through the photos we took in Cincinnati during the two weeks we were there
visiting our kids and their babies in early October, one word kept coming to my mind.
through the photos we took in Cincinnati during the two weeks we were there
visiting our kids and their babies in early October, one word kept coming to my mind.
Thankful.
Cara and Tim are always so welcoming and always open to our visits.
The level of comfortable is second to none when we are with them. We don’t take this for granted.
The level of comfortable is second to none when we are with them. We don’t take this for granted.
We savor every moment ….
All the slobbery, teething, toddler kisses and
hugs. All the raspberries and little boy noises. All the little girl pretend play. Every day. All day.
hugs. All the raspberries and little boy noises. All the little girl pretend play. Every day. All day.
Every diaper change. Really.
Each trip to the
potty with the two (and a half) year old (who often told me, “I will tell you” — as in, I will tell you when I have to go, because I don’t have to go now).
potty with the two (and a half) year old (who often told me, “I will tell you” — as in, I will tell you when I have to go, because I don’t have to go now).
Every bedtime story with a sweet one year old little boy, then rocking him to sleep while giving him a bottle.
Each bedtime with Sydney — we read, and she reads
to us. Prayers, songs, and her telling
us, “you can lay down wif me for a minute if you want to.” Absolutely we want to sweet girl!
to us. Prayers, songs, and her telling
us, “you can lay down wif me for a minute if you want to.” Absolutely we want to sweet girl!
The many pretend “grocery store” trips after writing our “lists” which always included avocados,
bananas, eggies, juice, salad and milk.
bananas, eggies, juice, salad and milk.
Each time we were patients at
the pretend dentist, and the pretend doctor.
the pretend dentist, and the pretend doctor.
When we pretended we were Sydney’s “baby.”
All the pretend sandwiches
and pitas we made and ate at pretend picnics daily.
and pitas we made and ate at pretend picnics daily.
The morning wake up after my sleepover with Sydney – seeing her sweet face as she slept,
and soaking up the giggles and talk when she did wake up. (I get to sleep with her!)
Outings to Target, Kroger, IKEA.
A date night with Sydney, NaNa, and PaPa to Chick Fil-A and Disney
Store.
Store.
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| Best family restroom ever at the mall! (kid size sink and potty!) |
The rides on the school
bus or car, for a buck, at the mall … and the pure delight on their sweet faces.
bus or car, for a buck, at the mall … and the pure delight on their sweet faces.
Walks to the
nearby playground, nearly every day, for balance beam practice, slides,
climbing, bar swinging and running laps.
nearby playground, nearly every day, for balance beam practice, slides,
climbing, bar swinging and running laps.
Cooking in the play kitchen and making music with the pots and pans!
The laughter and fun at the indoor playground
at a nearby church.
The usual breakfast on PaPa’s lap, and coffee with our sweet girl.
Watching Harrison be celebrated by family and friends and friends who are family, on his first birthday!
Talking about where the moon is each evening and walks outside at bedtime (in jammies) to see the moon with PaPa.
We also enjoyed a grown-up dinner out. Skyline dinners with kiddos and Graeter’s ice cream!
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| Photo by Maria Lynn Photography |
Being far from these kids and their babies is no joke.
It is
so dang hard.
so dang hard.
However, if it has
to be, we are SO THANKFUL that we are welcome to visit, and have the means and
the time to do so.
to be, we are SO THANKFUL that we are welcome to visit, and have the means and
the time to do so.
Tim & Cara …. from the bottom of our overflowing, mushy hearts …. we are forever grateful !