Blog Hop: God's Greatest Gift - my grandchildren are the center of my world

The joy of my life - my grandchildren.

Tyler, Dylan and Kristen enjoy a day at an old mill in N.C.

Blog Hop: If I knew I had one week to live I would take my grandkids to Disneyland

Today's Blog Hop is fill-in-the-blanks.

I just found out I have one week to live. The first person I call is ___God, long distance___, and say __please don't take me yet, I have more to do here on Earth____.

Immediately after hanging up the phone, I leave the doctors office, and before heading home I go to __my daughter's house____ so I can ___see my grandchildren, for which I live__.

I gather my family at home that night and we  __tell each other how much we love each other___ then all of us together ___cry and pray___.

I book a three day trip to three different places because I've always wanted to __take my grandchildren to Disneyland__, ___to Wyoming to visit my son and his wife___ and ___head for home to spend time with my mom and brother___. On the way back from your trip you stop off at __my mother-in-laws house__ to __spend a little time with her__ because I've been meaning to for a long time.

For two more days I spend my time reading ___on my computer___, writing __preparing things_____, and _praying__. I make sure you ____bills and insurance are in order__, ___Henry knows where the wills are__ and __he knows my wishes about organ donations_.... three things I know I should have taken care of but have been putting off.

The final day is too personal to write about but I wonder to myself: why did I have to get a death notice before I finally did all those things this week?

The reason I'll probably keeping putting off all those things is ____I am disabled and can't drive or get around very well __ but ___I do talk to my mom and daughter everyday and I tell them I love them___.

YOUR TURN TO FILL IN THE BLANKS

You just found out you have one week to live. The first person you call is _________________ and say __________________. Immediately after hanging up the phone, you leave the doctors office and before heading home you go to _________________ so you can ____________________.
You gather your family at home that night and say _______________________ then all of you together _____________________.
You book a three day trip to three different places because you've always wanted to _________________, _________________ and _________________. On the way back from your trip you stop off at ________________________ to _________________ because you've been meaning to for a long time.
For two more days you spend your time reading _________________, writing _____________, and _______________________. You make sure you _________________, _________________ and _________________... three things you know you should have taken care of but have been putting off.
The final day is too personal to write about but you wonder to yourself: why did I have to get a death notice before I finally did all those things this week?
The reason I'll probably keeping putting off all those things is ___________________________ but __________________________.

Blog Hop: My grandchildren are gifts from God

Tyler and Dylan show off their catch of the day to their dad and grandfather. They're so proud to catch them, then they throw them back in the lake.


Kristen, 2, is learning how to brush her teeth.

Survival Bouquets© are a hit for end of year presents

It makes me proud when my grandsons want me to help make their teachers a Survival Bouquet.

I created the first one when my eldest grandson, Tyler, was completing kindergarten. He is now officially a sixth grader and his brother, Dylan, is a third grader.

I am so proud of the fine young men my grandsons have become. After each boy had received their awards at the end of school graduation, it was their turn to give. They beamed with pride giving their presents to their teachers, and they both got a big hug from a teacher who was nearly in tears.

Now, the boys get a well deserved vacation. I'm sure to spend more time with them the next couple of months, because they love to come to grandma's house.

I don't know where the time has gone, only that when it's gone, we can't get it back. That's why I hold each moment with my grandchildren so close to my heart.

Rainy day sand play indoors

We had several rainy days in North Carolina, and my grandchildren, Dylan and Kristen, who love to play outside, had to be entertained indoors.

I remembered my grandsons had brought me some sand from their first trip to Myrtle Beach a couple years ago and decided to make an indoor sand box.

I pulled out a shallow container to put the sand in and provided some kitchen items to play in the sand and they played for hours.

Since the project was a hit with the sand I had on hand, I sent grandpa to the store for a bag of sand to make the sand box more fun next time.

When the kids were done playing, I put a lid on it and carried it to the garage and Dylan vacuumed the floor.

It was a nice memory and a fun day.

Grandkids grow too fast, I already miss them

My husband and I are so lucky to live near our grandchildren. I feel sad for the grandparents who miss out on the opportunity to share in the lives of their grandchildren.

From birth, to crawling, their first tooth and first step, we have been there to share the joy. We have taught them to ride a bike, and bait a fishing hook.

We have attended their birthday parties, school and church plays, and sports games.

We have gone to carnivals, the circus, the lake and mountains, and soon we hope to take them on vacation to the beach.

But, the years have flown by. Our oldest grandson is already eleven. And our youngest grandson is eight. It seems they were babies like their sister not too long ago.

Where has the time gone? I already miss the days that have passed. We can't get them back. We have to make the best of what days we have with them while they are still young, because they don't stay young for long.