Gracefully Aging, Day 24: The Joy of Grandparenting

One of the biggest blessings of getting older is become a grandparent.  Being Nana to three precious little boys is one of the greatest joys I've ever experienced! Here are some quotes about grandparenting.

What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure. ~Gene Perret

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Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild. ~Welsh Proverb

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What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies. ~Rudolph Giuliani

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Grandchildren bring a whole new dimension of love.~My mom, Cynthia Garrett

Our grandchildren accept us for ourselves, without rebuke or effort to change us, as no one in our entire lives has ever done, not our parents, siblings, spouses, friends - and hardly ever our own grown children. ~Ruth Goode

It is as grandmothers that our mothers come into the fullness of their grace. ~Christopher Morley

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I would love it if my grandchildren someday feel this way about me.

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Baby Landon is here!

Landon Garrett Swanson, born October 19, 2013

Landon is my third and newest grandchild, and the first one that I was able to be there for his birth! Just as I knew, my heart has expanded to love him every bit as much as I love 6-year-old Payton and almost 4-year -old Josiah.  I'm so glad I was able to spend the first two weeks of Landon's life with him.  Thankfully, I'm going back to Texas for Christmas...I can't wait to see how he's grown and developed by then!

My beautiful daughter-in-law Daylyn shortly after Landon's birth

Josiah is enjoying getting to be a big brother!

All three of the boys with their Uncle Justin (my second son)

My son Jonathan...a proud daddy with his new little son

My heart is bursting with love for this little guy!

Happy 6th Birthday, Payton!

I can't believe my little grandson--my first grandchild--Payton is 6 years old today.  Words cannot express the love I feel for Payton and his little brother, Josiah.  

If you aren't a grandparent yet, there's no way to describe it.  My mom calls it "a whole new dimension of love," and she is so right.

Here are some pictures from Payton's life...

Hello world! Payton is here, and things will never be the same

One year old

A cute little 2-year-old

A 3-year-old among the Texas bluebonnnets

4 years old--and a big brother now too!

5 years old--spring 2012

A few weeks ago--almost 6!



Happy birthday, Payton!!!!

Miscellany Monday...

Today I'm participating in Miscellany Monday, hosted by Lowercase Letters

I've often mentioned on this blog that I spent a couple of years in Beirut, Lebanon when I was a little girl (my parents were missionaries.) One of my favorite links to that era in my life is Edgar Feghaly and now his wife Roseann.  Edgar, or Eddie as we called him, was a teen-ager when I was a little girl in Lebanon.  Now he heads up an amazing ministry to people in Arab countries.  He was the special speaker at our church's missions conference this past week, so my husband and I were able to spend time with him and Roseann.  It was a wonderful time of reminiscing about two years that made a lasting impression on my life.  Edgar and Roseann have literally risked their lives to bring the good news of Christ's love to the Middle East.  I love and respect them deeply!

Edgar and Roseann Feghaly, me and my husband Doug

I believe I've found the best tea-bag tea I've ever tasted!  Doug and I were at Olive Garden one night when I decided to have a cup of tea.  It was Tetley Orange Peach tea, and it was incredible.  It only took one sip for me to realize that this tea was in a class by itself.  I looked in almost every Rockford grocery store to find it, and couldn't. So I ordered it online, and I don't regret it for a moment.  A cup of this tea is like a treat!

November is special for many things, but one of them is the birthday of my precious little grandson, Josiah. (We call him JD most of the time.)  He turned 3 on November 9th.  I wish I could have been at him Thomas the Tank-themed party, but I console myself that we're going to spend Thanksgiving with him and his family.

He is such a sunny little fellow...I love so much! Happy birthday, JD!

I love this little boy so much!

The last time I went to my doctor and had my A1C (a 3 month test of how my blood sugar is doing--I'm a Type 2 Diabetic), I did NOT like the trend I was seeing.  My blood sugar was still in the safe zone, but it was definitely rising.  While diabetes is a degenerative disease, I realized there were things I could do better in the areas of managing my eating and increasing my exercise.  

I resolved to do both, and a key component was joining the site, My Fitness Pal.  I've always kept track of what I was eating..but what I didn't realize was just how many calories I was consuming! My Fitness Pal has made me accountable in both eating and exercise.  I've lost 8 pounds so far (it's taken about a month, so I'm losing slowly and safely) and hope to lose a total of 20 by the time I visit my doc again in January. I can't say enough good things about this site.  What's great is that you can also use it as an app on your smartphone. I recommend it highly!

Happy Monday, everyone!

Click the icon to take part in Miscellany Monday

What I Wore: Sunday, May 27, 2012

I'm always a bit envious when I look at the blogs of women who thrift so awesomely.  They get steals for a few bucks, and look like a million.

Well, I'm blessed to have a wonderful sister who often gives me clothes.  She says that sometimes she just realizes they weren't right for her, or that the colors would be better suited to me.  I'm more than happy to take them off her hands!

This is the latest outfit she gave me, and I love it!

Jacket:  Steinmart

Sheath: Dillards

Both passed along to me by my sister!

Okay, yes, I took these pictures in the bathroom.  Don't you know a toilet in the background is a mark of great photography? :)

A closer-up view of the jacket.  I'm visiting my family in Texas right now, but I just happened to bring that turquoise necklace with me.  Interestingly enough, my sister gave that to me last year!  The earrings and bracelet are my own.

I got the bracelet at Cato.  The ring was my grandmother's.  Took this one in the car...see my seatbelt? :)

I also brought with me these turquoise shoes I bought last summer for $14.99 at Shoe Carnival.  They're pretty and comfortable too.

But the very best accessory is a cute little grandson!  This is me and Payton (5) at Sunday lunch at Bill Miller's BBQ.

And this is me and Josiah (2).  I'm loving getting to spend time with my adorable grandsons in the Great State of Texas! I always look happiest in pictures with my grandsons.

Grandchildren are so precious

Since coming down to Texas for the funeral of our friend Ray, I've been able to spend some much-needed time with my family members who live here.  Especially my precious little grandsons, Payton and Josiah.

Since I live in Illinois, this is truly a cherished time.

Here are just a few of the many pictures I've taken so far.

Happy Birthday, Payton!

It's so hard to believe that  my firstborn grandchild, Payton, is five years old on January 31st!

 It seems like just yesterday that he was born, and my heart was introduced to the new love of my life (Josiah came along two years ago, and of course my heart expanded to give him equal space.  And I'm sure it will be true of any future grandchildren!)

I can't even begin to express how much I love this little guy.  Let me play the proud Nana and show you a few pictures from each year of his life so far...

Hello world! Payton is here, and things will never be the same

One year old

A cute little 2-year-old

A 3-year-old among the Texas bluebonnnets

4 years old--and a big brother now too!

Just a few weeks ago--almost 5!

I won't get to be with Payton on his birthday, but I hope to travel to Texas soon and spend some quality time with my precious grandbabies!

I love you, Payton!~Nana

Happy Birthday