At the children's museum in Philadelphia
In the backyard
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Time with Keaton in New Jersey
From Indianapolis, Indiana to Mays Landing, New Jersey Nani keeps busy with grandchildren!
At the children's museum in Philadelphia
At the children's museum in Philadelphia
Monday, July 15, 2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
It's finally time!
We are going into our 6th year of living full time in a motorhome. It has been and continues to be a wonderful adventure with its twists and turns to keep life exciting. God has been our navigator all along and we trust the directions He maps out for us. Lately I've been feeling a nudge from "above" to start thinking about putting down roots somewhere. For the last year or so that has been the topic of many of our discussions. Where to settle or at least where to stop and rest for a while? We've explored the south with a winter in Austin. Friends opened their home to us in the beautiful rocky mountains, where my sister also lives and we considered that as a possibility. Other dear friends suggested a return to the Quad Cities. But one element was missing in each of these locations: grandchildren!
We have five, soon to be eight, grandchildren. Each one of them is so precious to us and we wish they all lived in one town. Then there would never be a question about where to settle because we'd be where they were!! Unfortunately that will never happen. Two of our three children have careers in the armed services which means they will continue to relocate for 6-8 more years. We will, of course, follow them around either in our RV or in a plane where ever they go and spend time with them and their children. But we can't put down roots with either one of them now since those roots would be uprooted way too often and at our age the "plants" might whither and wrinkle more than they already have wrinkled. Ha!
We do have one child, Branden, who is settled, in fact starting a new career in a week. He and his family are not planning to move. They like where they live and plan to raise their children, our grandchildren, in one spot through high school. Their location?-Indianapolis, Indiana. OK. I'm going to hear from those friends who know me that there is snow there-remember? Midwest weather is not perfect. I know, but weather has become less of a factor and being near family more important.
The Lord has directed us to a 55+ community just 15 minutes from where Branden and Brooke live. It is an active adult community where the outside of the houses are maintained, features a club with a pool, fitness area, tennis courts, as well as a number of club offerings, including biking, tennis, ping pong, and Bible studies. Here is the website if you are interested: http://www.delwebb.com/communities/in/fishers/britton-falls/11908/index1.aspx#.Udy0dhaA3zI
We are purchasing the smallest model, since we will still keep our RV, which we will continue to use to visit the rest of the grandchildren and for travel and volunteer work. After all, I don't own anything to put in a house at the moment so I want as little space as possible to decorate. Ha!
We are excited about meeting new friends, establishing a church community, locating doctors, a dentist, hair stylist, etc-all those "staples" that one has in a home community.
We are also hoping that our friends will plan a visit to the Indianapolis area and come stay with us. Even though the house will be small it will definitely have a second bedroom!
The house won't be done until March of 2014, which is fine with us since we will be traveling until then anyway. We'll keep you updated on its progress and as of next spring the welcome mat will be in place!
We have five, soon to be eight, grandchildren. Each one of them is so precious to us and we wish they all lived in one town. Then there would never be a question about where to settle because we'd be where they were!! Unfortunately that will never happen. Two of our three children have careers in the armed services which means they will continue to relocate for 6-8 more years. We will, of course, follow them around either in our RV or in a plane where ever they go and spend time with them and their children. But we can't put down roots with either one of them now since those roots would be uprooted way too often and at our age the "plants" might whither and wrinkle more than they already have wrinkled. Ha!
We do have one child, Branden, who is settled, in fact starting a new career in a week. He and his family are not planning to move. They like where they live and plan to raise their children, our grandchildren, in one spot through high school. Their location?-Indianapolis, Indiana. OK. I'm going to hear from those friends who know me that there is snow there-remember? Midwest weather is not perfect. I know, but weather has become less of a factor and being near family more important.
The Lord has directed us to a 55+ community just 15 minutes from where Branden and Brooke live. It is an active adult community where the outside of the houses are maintained, features a club with a pool, fitness area, tennis courts, as well as a number of club offerings, including biking, tennis, ping pong, and Bible studies. Here is the website if you are interested: http://www.delwebb.com/communities/in/fishers/britton-falls/11908/index1.aspx#.Udy0dhaA3zI
We are purchasing the smallest model, since we will still keep our RV, which we will continue to use to visit the rest of the grandchildren and for travel and volunteer work. After all, I don't own anything to put in a house at the moment so I want as little space as possible to decorate. Ha!
We are excited about meeting new friends, establishing a church community, locating doctors, a dentist, hair stylist, etc-all those "staples" that one has in a home community.
We are also hoping that our friends will plan a visit to the Indianapolis area and come stay with us. Even though the house will be small it will definitely have a second bedroom!
The house won't be done until March of 2014, which is fine with us since we will be traveling until then anyway. We'll keep you updated on its progress and as of next spring the welcome mat will be in place!
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
The Zoo
A cool, sunny spring Friday morning begs a visit to the Indianapolis Zoo. With two toddlers in tow, back packs brimming with pitas, veggies, and apples Brooke and I load the van and head out for several hours of fun. Oh, and not to forget the most valuable item: a double stroller! With miles to walk and one of us almost eight months pregnant carrying kids is NOT an option.
A long line of yellow school buses grace the parking lot evidence that schools are wrapping up teaching and opting for field trips. Thankfully the zoo covers many acres so even though there appears to be kids popping up everywhere we are able to travel around viewing animals with ease. In addition we visit a butterfly pavilion, stop at the face painting stand and a spend a few moments at a playground.
Finally we end the long morning and head home to play outside but first a little rest and these two do that well in the car!
I love being a part of my grandchildren's lives! One of God's greatest blessings-Grandparenting!
For those of you who are also experiencing this blessing here is one of my favorite Bible verses:
Psalms 71:18
"Even when I am old and gray (that's me right now), do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation (our grandchildren), your might to all who are to come."
What an awesome responsibility God has entrusted to us. May we all rise to the challenge!!
A long line of yellow school buses grace the parking lot evidence that schools are wrapping up teaching and opting for field trips. Thankfully the zoo covers many acres so even though there appears to be kids popping up everywhere we are able to travel around viewing animals with ease. In addition we visit a butterfly pavilion, stop at the face painting stand and a spend a few moments at a playground.
Finally we end the long morning and head home to play outside but first a little rest and these two do that well in the car!
I love being a part of my grandchildren's lives! One of God's greatest blessings-Grandparenting!
For those of you who are also experiencing this blessing here is one of my favorite Bible verses:
Psalms 71:18
"Even when I am old and gray (that's me right now), do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation (our grandchildren), your might to all who are to come."
What an awesome responsibility God has entrusted to us. May we all rise to the challenge!!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
My Legacy
A legacy is defined as "a thing handed down by a predecessor". While walking Christian, my 5 year old grandson, to school one morning during the 5 weeks I spent with Rebecca's family this spring I began thinking about my legacy to him and my other 7 grandchildren (3 still in the womb). When I'm gone what will they remember of me? I'm struck by my responsibility as the Bible states:
Deuteronomy 4:9 "Teach them (God's truths) to your children and to their children after them."
Deuteronomy 11:19 "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Psalm 78:4-7 "We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done."
These verses often echo in my mind. So how can I teach God's truths to my grandchildren? One way I've discovered is to tell them Bible stories. All children love stories, especially at bedtime. Christian also loves me to tell him stories as we walk together to school. During my recent visit I told the following stories, adding humor, acting out scenes, and in general entertaining with God's Word:
David & Goliah (I've told this one over and over and over! Chrisitian and I often act this one out together- with my role always Goliah!)
Noah & his boat of animals
Samson with his long hair welding a donkey's jawbone
Daniel sitting among a room full of lions
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. (The boys love to say these names!)
The many "adventures" of Paul
My advice to any grandparent is open up the Bible and share the marvelous stories you read with your grandchildren and you'll be" leaving a legacy worth leaving"!
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