I LOVE BEING A GRANDPARENT!!

Today was a very good day! We have 3 services at our church (8:30, 10 and 11:15) and in the summer they decrease to 2 (9:00 and 11:00). In the summer, we go to the 9:00 service. Jason and Sandra and family and Jodi and Steve and family usually go to the 8:30 service and we go to the 10:00. So, we see the grandkids on their way to Sunday School at 10:00. In the summer, we usually get to sit with them in the service. This morning was just such a time. Lucas had a rough start, as a wasp stung him either before or after he got on the bus, but he was actually being very stoic about it. I was so proud of him. After we had sat down he noticed the communion items on the table in front. He said, "Oh, there's communication today; but I'm not going to take it, I'm going downstairs." So cute. The church provides donuts, fruit and muffings to the hardy souls who come for the early service, so 4 of our 5 grandkids love to sit and eat their goodies. I don't think Xander (almost 3) can function before he has his. He sure can't talk about anything else until the chocolate covered creme-filled donut is in his hands. (by the way, he only eats part of it, but Jason has to diligently keep it for him and put it in their mailbox to be retrieved after the service - it's his little ritual) Bethany was throughly covered with icing sugar and we tried to find something wet to clean her off. She was uncharacteristicly sticking close to me. Usually she won't leave her dad's side. So, I decided to go sit down and she came with me. She wanted to sit on my lap, which thrilled me (she isn't always "touchy-feely"). She asked for a pen and proceeded to show me how she can make a person - she just turned 4 in June - and her little person was so cute. Big head, crooked smile, with 2 eyes, hair, long legs and arms and a tiny little Erin right next to it. This is all being done with the paper sitting on my hand, as we don't have hymnbooks and I couldn't reach my Bible for her to use as a "table". She did pretty well. Then, she wanted me to draw for her. I made a kitty for her (her favorite animal), then a bunny, dog, fish and other stuff. All the time Erin is saying something to me, but I can't hear her. I thought she was saying she wanted to stand up, but she was actually saying she wanted to sit on my lap. I asked Bethany if Erin could have a turn, but she said no. No use starting a fight in the middle of church. It wasn't long before Lucas and Bethany went off to children's church and Erin got the coveted lap. Ha! For some reason, she figured I couldn't draw for her unless I was holding the pen in her hand, so some of the animals were pretty strange-looking. She finally tired of this about halfway through the sermon and got down. She had her beloved "Baa-Baa" with her and during the singing while communion was going on, she was standing with him lovingly held in her arms and rocking him while singing. It was so cute!! I wanted a video of it to remind me how preciously darling these little ones are. Meanwhile, before the service, Dale had latched on to almost 10 month old Evan and had managed to put him to sleep in his arms. So, there we were, Nana and Papa with two of our little grandkids in our laps and so much in our hearts. It's times like these that we love so much. From almost 6 to almost 10 months, each with such a different personality, we are so blessed to have these little darlings in our lives. We have times when we haven't seen them for awhile that we just have to go get our "fix" of them. We love it that our kids welcome us with open arms - and it helps that the kids come running with shouts of "Nana and Papa!!". I had forgotten to get something from Jodi one evening, so told her I'd stop by on my way out. When I got to her house and got out of the car, out ran Lucas with what I needed. I hugged and kissed him and as I turned to go back to the car, I heard, "I want a hug and kiss, too" and out ran Bethany and Erin. So, hugs and kisses all around and then I was allowed to leave. This is what I call living!!! I have a t-shirt (I actually bought 2) that says "My grandkids are cute as buttons" and I proudly wear it!! For those of you who are grandparents you will understand what I'm talking about. For those who aren't, your time, hopefully, will come. It's the greatest thing in the world! (I'll try to get some pics of the kids on here soon.)