Thursday, February 21, 2008

Grandparents Day at School


January 23 was Grandparents Day at our youngest son's children's school. Cameron (second grade) was so excited I thought she would burst when we two grandmothers arrived. She sat between us, holding our hands in hers, smiling and loving every minute of it. I visited her class first where the teacher had put together some cute little projects for us to share. One such item was a set of pictures (car, house, food, etc.), and we were to note how much these things cost when we were in second grade as compared to now. Cameron was shocked at the difference--especially that I had only paid $1600 for my first car--I won't even mention what my 2007 Honda Accord LEX cost me!

Grandma Kay and I switched, and I then visited Taylor's fifth-grade class (Taylor didn't hang around to have another picture taken, hence, more of Cameron). Have you ever watched Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? Well, let me tell you--this Grandma is not! I loved the way the teacher drew all of us into the lesson. She was teaching on the states and asking us all if we knew what significant historical events happened in each . . . unfortunately, we didn't have time to cover them all. I loved being a fifth grader again even if I didn't know most of the answers.

The day and being with the kids was wonderful. However, the best part was knowing that my grandchildren are in a Christian environment each day, learning about the Lord and the values set forth in the Scriptures. Before we visited each class, the principal greeted us with a warm welcome and shared on the impact we have on our grandchildren--an eternal impact vs. a temperal impact. I don't know if he realized how stirring his short message was. As grandparents, it's natural for us to want to give them all they want--but in reality, we need to give them Jesus--in the way we act, talk and love one another.

This lesson never gets too old to learn and practice over and over again.

In Him,

Jim's Patty





Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Chuck's Retirement Party

Faith, Family, Friends is what the plaque said in Chuck and Denise's newly decorated living room. We were all there for Chuck's retirement party last Saturday, February 2. He had been a policeman for twenty-nine years and now at the young age of less than fifty was going to take life easy--at least for a while!
His last day on duty was Thanksgiving (what an occasion to be thankful for), but the party had to wait until my sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jean and Dick, arrived for their wintering here in Florida. I was thrilled that I could take lots of pics (cameras were flashing all over the place) and show off a portion of our family. Denise is one of the two girls in our blended family of six children. How proud we are of Chuck--great
husband, father, brother, son-in-law, friend and most importantly, a child of the King. He, Denise and the boys, Matthew and Jonathan, are well steeped in their faith, and it shows in their lives.

Back to the party . . . the menu consisted of Ziti (prepared by yours truly), fried chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs, and green beans with bacon. Denise got donuts for dessert (see pic of her feeding Chuck) as policemen are known for their love of donuts. She was concerned that she hadn't gotten enough, and then entered Chuck's sister-in-law, Cheryl, with killer home made yellow and chocolate cupcakes and a pumpkin-type of cobbler. Mary Jean had prepared some great chocolate chip and nut cookies. Needless to say, my Weight Watcher points went over the top for the day. I should have taken a picture of the food . . . oh well.

The weater cooperated and the kids had a great time outside riding on the dune buggy and generally running around like kids do. We adults had a great time as well: talking, eating, reminiscing, eating, taking pictures, eating . . .

All in all, it was a wonderful joy-filled day. Faith, family and friends . . . what more is there--and all in the right order.













Pictures left to right: Patty (center) and her sisters, Mary Jean and Linda; Mr. Jim and brother-in-law, Dick; and boys goofing around (grandsons in green and red).

Until next time . . .

In Him,
Jim's Patty