by jphilo | Apr 28, 2016 | Three Thoughts for Thursday
- What it means to be content: Knowing you are right where you should be, doing exactly what God spent your lifetime preparing you to do.
- What it means to be discontent: Knowing you are right where you should be, doing exactly what God spent your lifetime preparing you to do, while constantly wishing you had thick, curly hair and missing your grandkid so much it hurts.
- How to overcome discontent: Write a mystery novel with a fictional protagonist with thick, curly hair, lives near her grandkids, and is right where she should be, doing exactly what God prepared her to do
What makes you content? Leave a comment.
by jphilo | Oct 27, 2015 | Top Ten Tuesday
We’ve had a baby in the house since Thursday when the Man of Steel and I swallowed our pride and asked our kids for help. The presence of a baby changes a person’s priorities faster than almost anything else, making adults ignore things they once held dear. Here’s what’s being left by the wayside at our house this week.
10. The dog. Not ours. Our daughter and son-in-law’s. Poor thing’s had its nose out of joint since early April when Baby arrived and became the center of attention.
9. Feng shui. Not that I believe in it, but if I did, the baby paraphernalia scattered throughout the house would destroy any semblance of personal harmony with the environment.
8. Housework. Thank you, dear Baby, for liberating Grammy Jo from this one. At least for a week or two.
7. Normal routine. Because the only predictable thing in a baby’s routine is lack of predictability, which has a domino effect on everyone and everything.
6. Regular mealtimes and table manners. After all, Baby’s gonna eat when Baby’s gonna eat. And who cares about elbows on the table when an adorable six-month-old has squash puree dribbling down his sweet, little chin?
5. Elaborate grooming rituals. Forget about neatly coiffed hair, a manicure, or a pedi. Instead, consider a day with time to shower, brush teeth, and slap on deodorant to be a magnificent gift.
4. Latest fashion trends. With a baby on deck fashion trends are reduced to trading pajama pants for yoga pants every morning.
3. Adult conversation. Who has time to talk politics and new movies between feedings, diaper changes, and playing Peek-a-Boo? All of which are far more fascinating than politics and movies anyway.
2. Any task requiring more than 5 minutes and 1 hand. No further explanation necessary.
1. Modesty. Between a chubby baby butt and a nursing mother, everyone lets their guard down a bit. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
What gets ignored when there’s a baby at your house? Leave a comment.
by jphilo | Sep 15, 2015 | Family, Top Ten Tuesday
Last week’s post listed several lessons the Man of Steel and I learned during recent visits with our two youngest grandbabies, ages 5 months and 8 months. This week’s post is all about what we learned during those visits from our 2-year-old grandson who turns 3 in a few weeks.
10. Grandparents who want to buy a brand new car can rationalize the purchase because of the LATCH child seat feature. It’s all about keeping the little ones safe.
9. Ladders are the most important thing.
8. Grandparents can achieve rock star status by taking a 2-year-old to Home Depot and hanging out in the tool aisle.
7. While hanging out in the tool aisle, a 2-year-old can teach his grandmother to recognize ball peen, roofing, and tack hammers, as well as explain how they are used.
6. Every moment is a teachable moment.
5. The outdoors in an amazing classroom.
4. The sweetest thing in the world is holding a small child’s hand.
3. Intergenerational relationships are a precious treasure.
2. Each smile from a 2-year-old is a reason for celebration and great joy.
1. Saying good-bye to a 2-year-old grandchild is like resurrection. The next time you meet, the relationship you’ve developed will come alive again.
What have you learned from your grandchildren? Leave a comment.
by jphilo | Sep 8, 2015 | Top Ten Tuesday
In the past 2 weeks, the Man of Steel and I enjoyed the company of our two youngest grandbabies, ages 5 months and 8 months. They taught us several important lessons, which we want to pass along to you. Next week I’ll be back with what our almost 3-year-old grandchild taught us, too.
10. Grandparents who want to buy a brand new car can rationalize the purchase because of the LATCH child seat feature. It’s all about keeping the little ones safe.
9. Getting things into the mouth is the most important thing.
8. Cloth diapers are a good choice.
7. The outdoors is an amazing classroom.
6. Every moment is a teachable moment.
5. Intergenerational relationships are a precious treasure worth cultivating.
4. Bouncing up and down on Grammy’s legs must be done even when it leaves bruises. On Grammy. Not the baby.
3. When babies fuss, hand them back.
2. Each smile from a grandbaby is a reason for celebration and great joy.
1. Saying good-bye to a grandbaby is like attending the funeral of a loved one. The next time you meet, the baby will be a whole, new person.
What have you learned from your grandbabies? Leave a comment.
by jphilo | May 21, 2015 | Three Thoughts for Thursday
- The top of my dresser is covered with toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, and coconut shells. Can you guess who is going to receive a cornucopia of craft supplies from his grammy this weekend?
- Our son-in-law received his Masters of Fine Arts in Acting and Directing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison last weekend. Kailen Fleck, we are so proud of you!
- 30 years ago this month we celebrated our little boy’s 3rd birthday just before we moved from Camp Crook, South Dakota to Boone, Iowa. This year I just completed the first draft of a novel set in the tiny town where we used to live…just in time to spend the weekend celebrating our son’s 33rd birthday and our son-in-law’s graduation. The best things in life are worth the wait!
What’s been worth waiting for in your life? Leave a comment.
