If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Days for the Grands - Lydia's

Last week we enjoyed a few Days of Lydia.  You see, since the first summer of having grandchildren, I have enjoyed spending a few days with them spending the night here.  I like to have them one at a time.  That seems to work best to waylay arguments and to allow each one to get some personal attention.  Of course, some of the grands have not had Days...yet.  Well, not Days here.  A couple of summers ago I went to Harris's house to have Days with him because he was just a bit too little to spend time away from his parents - he thought.  At any rate, Lillie and Lydia have enjoyed Days with us each summer, I think.  Last week Lydia came for her Days.

Now, Days are not anything extraordinary of fancy.  We don't usually have carnivals or big deals when they are here for their Days.  Mainly, it is just a time for them to be away from siblings and parents and have free run of things.  We watch TV, we do craft projects, we try to squeeze in a little fun.

Last week, when Lydia was here, she enjoyed lots of TV time.  We tried out a couple of crafts - shrink-art was a bust but card stamping was a hit.  The most fun thing we did, though, was spend a little time at the pool.
The local recreation center, of which I have a membership, has a wonderful pool for children.  There is one area where it slopes down from a little splash pad of sorts toward four foot deep water.  It is perfect for little folks and old folks alike.  We can venture in at any depth we choose.

Of course, for most of the time that we were at the pool, this was the vision I had:
It was brought to my attention that, really, the only way the pool visit could have been a better experience was if she had a snarfle or at least a pair of goggles.
Days for the Grands are really special times and we enjoy them to the fullest.  We are already looking forward to Lydia's next time!

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

On the move and busy...

This little lady always seems to be on the move and busy.  She just rarely is still.  Yet, she almost always has a sunny expression!

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Antics of the Grands

I love the facial expressions that they display from time to time!
It is almost as if they are revealing the world to me...
...and sometimes they get 'the look' from their parents in the process!  (Look closely at this photo and you can barely see part of that as well.)

Monday, June 27, 2016

Watching, Learning, and Trying

A few of our grandchildren came for a visit recently and I got quite a chuckle out of them!
This guy was trying out a new technique that his aunt was demonstrating for him...
He would watch closely...
Then, try, try, try...
Watch again...
Try again...and he almost got it!

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Family Reunion

Yesterday we attended a gathering of Mama's family.  It was hosted by her Uncle Jack and Aunt Jessie.  The location was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the fellowship was wonderful.  I'm sharing photos which include my family because they have all given me permission to post!















It was hot but everyone still seemed to enjoy the day!

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Little Gardinger

Harris has a garden.  (I think Bryan and Jessica help him out a little bit with it.)  Jessica sent these photos showing growth progress three or four weeks ago:

Then, when we went over for a visit, we saw the progress of the garden first-hand.

The first thing I noticed was one of my favorites - the squash!
The lettuce and herbs were beautiful - and tasty!  (We took a bag home for salad the next day.)
From every angle it looked green and lush.
Harris was really proud of it and had to show it off to us.  He told me that he uses "garding" tools like a rake to get the weeds out and showed me his technique.
"Look at this," he said.
"Those are 'matoes!"
Bryan and Jessica fenced it off to protect it from deer, rabbits, Hope (the puppy), and wild tractor drivers.
I never could get a shot of the tractor driver that wasn't a blur like that because he zips around at blur speed!
The garding and new fence, though, posed beautifully for my cell phone photos!  Harris is a pretty good 'gardinger' if you ask me.  (His parents are pretty good helpers, too, I think!)

Monday, June 20, 2016

Hot Summertime!

School is out for the summer and the weather is fine...well, fine for some things.  Bridgette sent the collage below of what her three are doing on hot, summer days.
Splashing fun!
Playground acrobatics are also fun.  And who doesn't love to play with a bubble wand?  The kind Luci has is an especially good one!

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Daddy's Girl

I think I've always been a Daddy's Girl.  Today, on Father's Day, I realize that I will always be a Daddy's Girl.  Even though my father is not just at the other end of a phone call, or wrapping me in a strong hug, or even firmly reminding me that I don't know Everything with his presence here on earth, I realize that he is and always will be with me.

I am Daddy's Girl when I beam with pride of family.  I am so fortunate to have had him and my mother supporting, guiding, and nurturing, first me and then my children.  Bridgette and Bryan turned out to be better people as a result of his getting in the floor and playing with them, laughing with them, cheering for them, and even giving them and their friends bubble gum, ice cream, and chocolate.  Without even realizing it, I find myself striving to be that kind of parent and grandparent.  In just the past several days I have had the opportunity to spend time with my children, bonus child, and grandchildren.  I have never felt more alive and more happy than when I am in their presence.  This Daddy's Girl learned to love and cherish her family and relish that time shared with them.

I am a Daddy's Girl when I work. I was taught to attack a job, go after it with gusto. and keep driving till the job is done.  Don't expect somebody to do something you are not willing to do yourself.  A strong leader is right there in the thick of the work with those he/she is trying to lead.  Work elbow-to-elbow or knee-to-knee with folks.  You are no better than the next person but you are every bit as good.  There will be time to rest when the work is done; so, stick to it and give it your all.  Give everything you do your very best because it is your stamp, your signature, your reputation that you are offering as you work.  This Daddy's Girl knows that her work ethic and dedication to the job are important and stand as a pillar in this world long after you are gone.

I am a Daddy's Girl when I interact with people.  I was taught to meet people where they are.  We never know what hurdles somebody else has overcome or is facing and it doesn't cost a thing to be kind. A little kindness goes a long way.  They get in their britches just like I do and should be treated as I want to be treated.  Always share a smile or a chuckle with them - a little humor serves as a pick-up and makes each encounter a pleasant memory.   It is alright to disagree with somebody and even to oppose their stance fervently but be ready to shake hands, share a hug, and walk away with an attitude of cooperation and respect.  Treat folks with respect - even when they don't deserve it.  We never know when a chance encounter may make a huge impact on another person.  It is more important to know people and know who they are than to know where they are from, or what they do, or what their station in life is - just knowing them as they are.  This Daddy's Girl learned that it is important to leave people with a positive memory of your interaction.

I am a Daddy's Girl when it comes to learning.  I recognize there is always more to learn and embrace learning something new constantly.  Get as much education about every thing you encounter that you possibly can.  Knowledge is something nobody can take away from you.  Be a student even as you are being the teacher because we can always learn from somebody else - anybody.  No matter how many degrees you earn, you still don't know Everything!  Even those who don't have a stack of degrees have a world of knowledge to teach you.  Share what you know but share it with love and even if the knowledge isn't appreciated, the love will be.  This Daddy's Girl has a passion for learning and relishes the opportunity to learn.

I am a Daddy's Girl when it comes to embracing life.  I realize that we only have one chance here on this earth and we should live it to the fullest.  Stand up for what is right and good.  Take advantage of every opportunity and realize that sometimes an opportunity doesn't seem like an opportunity at all!  In everything we do there can be an element of fun if we choose to make it so.  Experiences are important and people are even more important.  Take time to enjoy and appreciate both.  This Daddy's Girl doesn't want to miss a thing and wants to be sure that I and the people around me have a big time.

The person I am is certainly a reflection of being a Daddy's Girl.  It takes commitment, diligence, and dedication to become a good person and I am lucky enough to have had a role model to give me guidance and encouragement to keep striving toward that goal.  Oh, Daddy was far from perfect and certainly didn't lay down a road map.  He did, however, show me a world map and instilled in me that whatever I wanted to accomplish is possible.  He also instilled in me that there is a responsibility bestowed upon each of us and to take that responsibility seriously.
I miss his presence each and every day.  I feel lucky that I had Billy Noland as my Daddy and am proud to be a Daddy's Girl.  Happy Father's Day to you and yours.

Happy Father's Day!


Happy Father's Day to the guys in my life who are fathering day-in-and-day-out!  

Mike

Helping out
Providing support
Sharing work
Learning and laughing
Playing games
Sharing tunes
 Sharing love
Silly faces

Corey

Smelling the roses
Teaching patiently

Stephen

Encouraging and protecting
Loving

Bryan

Enjoying and discovering nature
Guiding and modeling

I admire the job you are doing as a father and am proud to have you in my life!