Here are my 3 boys with their paternal grandpa. We live a life a little reminiscent of Everybody Loves Raymond since my husband's entire family (parents, grandpa, 2 brothers and 2 sisters) all live within 2 miles of each other. I will admit that when we first got married it was more of a burden than a blessing - newlyweds don't particularly care for family members banging on the side of the house at 8:00AM on a Saturday morning to get help with the cows - but over the years we have all learned to give each other a little space.
When we first got married, my husband's family wasn't so sure about me, and I wasn't so sure about them. I had never met a family that was so loud, and rude, and argued as sport. However, over the years I have become one of them. When my first son was born, my father-in-law started making regular visits. At first I wasn't so comfortable around him because he is the polar opposite of my father, but slowly I started to "get" him. Now, if he goes more than a couple of days without popping in we all miss him. The boys are old enough now to give him a call. "Grandpa, will you come visit us today? And don't forget the chocolate".
I captured this picture on Friday. This really sums up their relationship with him, and I will cherish it always. He is the story and chocolate grandpa. My dad is the computer and pizza grandpa. We never know how much time we have with a person, but especially when they get over 70. If we were to loose him in the next couple of years, I don't know how much my youngest will remember about him. So, I'm glad that I've been able to capture some of these moments and save them in our scrapbooks.

When I got home from my grandma's house on Easter, I took the time to write her a letter about the influence she has been in my life. So many people never have the chance to know their grandparents - my children are lucky to know all of theirs. Maybe this week, take some time to remember one of your grandparents in your blog or personal journal. No matter how close or distant you were, you've probably learned something from them. If they're living - maybe even take the time to send them a letter - a real one on paper.

100 Years

Okay, I'm only 32 years old, but the song 100 Years by Five For Fighting has really made me stop and think about growing older. If you don't know the song, it's featured on a commercial for Chase credit cards where the guy is young and has an amazon.com card, then he has kids with a Disney card, and then he is older with an AARP card (and yes, I am obsessed with commercials).

Anyway, my husband's grandfather is turning 94 next month, and I just recently started thinking about him looking at his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren (no great-great's yet), and remembering his life at each of those stages. It's so easy in our youth-centric world to forget that our older people do have thoughts and feelings and memories. They started out as little whipper-snappers, suffered through Jr. High, asked someone on a date, asked someone to marry them, interviewed for jobs, maybe got fired, had babies, watched them go out on their own and start the cycle all over. I know that in the past I have been too quick to dismiss older people as irritating burdens. It has been an awesome experience to know my husband's grandfather - and to gain a new perspective on the olderly. I love him - and there's never a wish better than this when you've only got 100 years to live.

100 Years recorded by Five for Fighting (totally download worthy)

I'm 15 for a moment
Caught in between 10 and 20
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
I'm 22 for a moment
She feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live
I'm 33 for a moment
Still the man, but you see I'm a they
A kid on the way
A family on my mind
I'm 45 for a moment
The sea is high
And I'm heading into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy, Time to lose yourself
Within a morning star
15 I'm all right with you
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live
Half time goes by
Suddenly you’re wise
Another blink of an eye
67 is gone
The sun is getting high
We're moving on...
I'm 99 for a moment
Dying for just another moment
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
15 there's still time for you
22 I feel her too
33 you’re on your way
Every day's a new day...
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey 15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live

Hello Out There

So, here it is - my first blog entry. I've been reading people's blogs and thinking about writing my own for several months now. However, I just didn't think I had anything worth saying. But then I realized, does anyone really have something worth saying, or are we all just out here hoping that we have something important or beautiful to say. All I know is that I'm in love with words. I have been since I was a kid. A perfectly crafted phrase can bring me to tears in an instant whether I'm reading them in the privacy of my own home or in the card aisle at Hobby Lobby. So, here I am, ready to add my thoughts and ideas to the great, big, blogerful world.

Hello out there!