I have a confession

It's something I've been covering up for years.

First, I used my own children as an excuse. Now I use my grandchildren. But I can't keep denying it forever.

I am a child at heart.

When I was young, I would stare for hours at the clouds, the horned toads, the spider building her web. Then I thought I had to "grow up." Grown ups didn't lie on their belly in the grass staring at clover flowers. Grown ups didn't lie under a tree fascinated by the patterns the sun made on the leaves gently dancing in the soft breeze.

I figured out, though, that grown ups could lie beside an 8-year-old daughter or a 4-year-old grandson and do those things and call it "education." But sometimes, there isn't a kid available and I stumble across something captivating.

At 48, it's time to face it.... I never lost the wonder. This cicada had just emerged from its skin and was drying its new wings before it flew away. I sat down and watched (and took pictures)... without a child anywhere around.

I loved it.

And the winner is.....

momwithboys!!!!

Send me your address and your Baby Whozit will be on the way!

Full Surrender

This was in my reading of Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles Cowman. Every verse spoke to me of things I have been contemplating lately.

Fearing to launch on "full surrender's" tide,
I asked the Lord where would its waters glide
My little bark, "To troubled seas I dread?"
"Unto Myself," He said.

Weeping beside an open grave I stood,
In bitterness of soul I cried to God:
"Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?"
"Unto Myself," He said.

Striving for souls, I loved the work too well;
Then disappointments came; I could not tell
The reason, till He said, "I am thine all;
Unto Myself I call."

Watching my heroes--those I loved the best--
I saw them fail; they could not stand the test,
Even by this the Lord, through tears not few,
Unto Himself me drew.

Unto Himself! No earthly tongue can tell
The bliss I find, since in His heart I dwell;
The things that charmed me once seem all as naught;
Unto Himself I'm brought.
--selected

Drawing for Baby Whoozit® on Monday

Hurry and make your comments on this post and I will be drawing a winner at 10 am on Monday, August 24!

Toys from ebeanstalk and a giveaway

Picking toys is not easy and there is a toy website called ebeanstalk, dedicated to selecting good, safe baby toys. BUT they need help from moms (and Nanas) like me to help pick the toys. The toy they sent is called "Baby Whoozit®" from Manhattan Toy, who makes great developmental toys Here is the deal on this toy, not only is Baby Whoozit® soft, but he has lots of different textures, patterns and contrasts to stimulate your child. He is also small enough to tuck into a purse or diaper bag to go just about anywhere. The ribbon and velcro loop at the top make it possible to attach Baby Whoozit® to the stroller or carseat.

So make a comment on this post and Baby Whoozit will make his way to your house and your baby!

Oh, and isn't this the cutest grandbaby? My youngest guy is almost three months old already!

First Day of Kindergarten

When Beau was only two, he saw the school bus go by and he wanted to ride. He's asked and asked and asked when he could ride the "flat-nose school bus" to kindergarten.

Today was the day.

He got up early and ate his bacon and eggs. (Beau can put away the bacon and eggs!)

And here he is ready to go!

It didn't take long for him to get tired of Nana's Lens.

We all walked down the block to the bus stop to wait. My Hero and Beau talked while they walked.

And finally.... the bus was here and years of waiting had finally paid off!

He never even looked back! So now, I can't wait for him to get home and tell me how it was.

A new chapter begins.

Bits and Pieces

I haven't been blogging so much lately. Some of it is laziness. Some of it is busy-ness. Most of it is forgetfulness.

I blog in my head several times a day. Then I forget to transcribe my thoughts in electronic form. Wouldn't it be cool if you could blog by thought? (I know there's a word that means that, but I'm too tired to figure it out.)

I'm swimming laps again. I swam 1/2 a mile today. I'm planning on doing it again tomorrow.

Beau starts school in a little more than a week. I can't imagine that I'm old enough to have a grandson in school. Wow.

My Hero is still unemployed. He is going to an orientation class tomorrow to see what job training is available. In the meantime, God has sustained us. We haven't seen blinding miracles, but the cruz of oil has not failed.

Other than those things, my job is fine. No major life drama for a change. Just the daily stuff.

I like it this way.