Note: Yesterday was the 18th anniversary of Sarah’s bone marrow transplant. So many thanksgivings!
So let’s start with the pajama story referred to in last week’s post.
For many years, Nathan has made no secret of the fact that he doesn’t like matching pajamas and thinks that anyone that wears said pajamas are not quite so high on the Cool List. He has teased Steve mercilessly through the years over his penchant for pajamas that match.
Which brings me to the picture below.
Gage’s mom thought that as a joke, it would be fun to get all six of her sons matching Christmas pajamas. As soon as Steve saw Gage’s pajamas he said, “You’d better prepare yourself because Nathan is going to give you a really hard time over those.”
Before Steve, Sarah, Gage, and I left Charlotte for Florida, Steve’s mom pulled out an unused, new pair of pajamas that she had bought for Ken. When she asked Steve if he wanted them, he was suddenly struck with a marvelous Pajama Plan. He discussed it with the rest of us and we all decided that we would give the pajamas to Nathan as payback for all his years of pajama pontificating.
When Nathan opened the gift, he threw his head back and guffawed.
And then the only thing left to do was for the three ladies to demand that the three guys go upstairs and don their matching pajamas and show them off.
And by the way, Nathan decided to keep the bottom half of his grandpa’s pajamas so he did manage to benefit from the gag gift.
I have mentioned in a previous post that Nathan and Meagan recently moved into a larger home; it was wonderful to have room for all ten of us to spread out. We are so proud of Nathan and Meagan for their diligence and hard work in getting into that house.
Of course, a big part of our trip to Florida was to see those darling grandbabies. Try to look at these faces and not smile.
One of my favorite kid stories from the week was when Grayson sauntered up to Nathan and pronounced with great solemnity, “Mah butt tinks.” (Which being translated means, “My butt stinks.”)
The Smith Parenting Team burst into action, but not before Meagan had equipped herself with an anti-tink mask.
Gage fit into the whole kid scene like a champ. The kids adored him from the second he walked into the house.
One of the highlights of our visit was when the six adults went out to dinner.
It was the night before Steven’s and my thirty-ninth anniversary so “the kids” went together and bought us a gift card to a restaurant in Manteo; they also presented us with an anniversary card containing meaningful messages from each of them.
After we had read the card Meagan said to Steve, “So, Dad, tell us your favorite thing about Mom.”
Well, Steve didn’t just stop with one thing; he went to say five or six things.” And then it only seemed right that I should say something in return, which I happily did.
Although the exercise had started out as a way of marking our anniversary, we decided it would be fun to include all the couples. It turned into the sweetest time, with each person looking at the beloved person in their life and, often with tears, telling them the things they loved and appreciated. Precious moments.
These two are celebrating ten years of marriage in July.
I’m thankful to have a daughter-in-law I enjoy being with so much. During the visit, we had several good talks, went shopping, cooked together, chased children, and enjoyed a couple of huge giggling fits.
My best friend of thirty-nine years.
And the newest Smith lovebirds.
My daughters and my friends.
This photo is extra special to me; the two Smith siblings standing side by side with the ones they love.
I have other photos and stories to share but I will save them for next week. Thanks for following along on our Florida story.
What about you? Are you a matching pajama person? How about your spouse?
If someone asked you to name a thing or two you love about your significant other, what would you say?
Almost every year since Steve and I have been married we have to go to Christmas with family or they come to us. On these mornings we always wore our pajamas for breakfast and gift opening. This year we didn’t go to family until after Christmas day so no pajamas. It made me a little sad to see that tradition not happen but just having the four of us together on Christmas, playing games & watching movies was great!
My Steve is a gentle, kind human. He grounds me in all the good ways! We share a love of Jesus, athletics, games, and cops & robbers shows. We are in our 19th year together/17th year married! Enjoying the Journey!
Tammy,
What a wonderful description of Steve. I clearly remember seeing those things in him when you guys lived here.
Sounds like your scaled-down Christmas was a sweet one. Games and movies and togetherness . . . sounds good to me!
I’m mostly just commenting because I LOVE Sarah’s dress in your dinner photos! 😍
My SO is very gentle. It’s not a trait that society really encourages in men and boys, but it’s one of the first things I noticed about him, and I love it so much. I also love how much he makes me laugh. We can just be sitting on the couch doing our own thing, and he’ll come out with something that cracks me up. Finally, he’s a talented musician and I love hearing him mess around on the guitar or ukelele.
Meredith,
Thanks for loving the dress. I should have mentioned in the post I got it for $4 at Goodwill!
You are so right about gentleness in men not being celebrated. It needs to be. And to have a gentle man who is funny, AND musical AND good company? You’ve got a good one!
Gotta love a good thrift store find! The thrift stores in my area are hit or miss, but my mom lives in a rural area about 45 minutes away and she finds absolute treasures. Our entire bedroom is furnished with things she’s found at the thrift store. I think the total cost of all of our bedroom furniture was $5. My favorite? When I was born 33 (!!) years ago, I had a lengthy NICU stay, and when I was finally able to be held, my mom would spend hours with me in a wooden rocking chair beside my incubator. Years later, the hospital did extensive renovations and replaced all of the furniture. She saved that very same chair from being trashed and it now sits in my bedroom.
(P.S. I just love how you respond to all of the comments. Your kind heart really shows in every word.)
Meredith,
Thanks for your sweet words closing out your comment; that meant a lot to me.
And good for your mom for rescuing that special chair. What a treasure! And let’s hear it for our thrift store furnishings. Yay!
Wow – It’s hard to believe it’s been 18 years since Sarah’s bone marrow transplant, and even harder to believe Meagan and Nathan are about to celebrate their 10th anniversary. I still think of them as newlyweds (even with with their 4 precious babies). I’m so happy everyone was able to enjoy being together in Florida. I hope y’all have had a wonderful week.
Sue Ellen,
I know. The older Sarah and Nathan and Meagan (and the grand get) the more I can’t believe ANY of it! But the years have given me plenty of reasons to rejoice.
Dear Becky, Another wonderful blog with beautiful photos to match! The photos that really “got me” were the grandchildren lined up (with backpacks attached) waiting for their turn to give grandad Steve a hug around the neck. My favorite part of the blog was the discussion of “favorite things” about your spouse. That one set me to thinking about all the things I admire about Lucy. You can imagine that after 52 years of marriage, it is a long and never-ending list. Blessings and best regards to the Smith family, Fred & Lucy
Fred,
That picture with the backpacks was the morning we were leaving and they were saying goodbye. Doubly poignant!
Glad to hear your list of outstanding Lucy-qualities is neverending. I’m sure she’d say the same about you. Blessings to you both!
Ahahaha to the PJ story. I’ve always wanted to get my son and I some, but I always forget until too close to Christmas. Perhaps, I’ll go shop for them now.
The new FL Smith home is beautiful. They are blessed.
I’m so glad that you all got to have time together! Memory making!!
Blessings!
Krista,
Yeah, that was quite a sight to have all three fellows in their matching pj’s. Good times.
Nathan and Meagan are truly enjoying their new home–especially all that space!
18 years! What a wonderful anniversary.
I am not a matching pajama person but then I’m single so no one to match with! 🙂 And I don’t have a significant other so nothing there either.
Looks like you had a great time in Florida. And looks like Gage fit in perfectly.
Phyllis,
Well, my pajamas (top and bottom) match each other but they sure don’t match Steve’s! 🙂
Yes, Gage does fit in so well; thankful he could go with us to Florida to meet the crew.
18 years since the bone marrow transplant…I bet that was a joyous celebration!!
Your little ones are precious beyond words. The pics made me smile. I bet you smiled constantly!
We don’t do adult matching pj’s. However, since my grands were about 2, I have always bought them matching pajamas for Christmas. Truly matching was so much easier when they were younger. Two years ago, I made matching flannel nightgowns for the girls. Too cute! This year they were all Christmas colors. That’s as close as I could get.
As for my significant other, he is such an honest, caring and fun/funny guy. Fiercely protective of those he loves. Handsome too! I could keep going. Lol We will celebrate our 40th this year and plan to renew our vows when we go to Colorado on our family vacation. It should be very special and I can’t wait!
Lee Anne,
Forty years is a BIG anniversary. Many congratulations to you and your fine fella. He’s definitely a keeper.
I admire anyone who can just whip up flannel nightgowns. I know the girls loved them!
So happy You all celebrated 18 years of Sarah’s transplant and she remains healthy! Praise God!
Look like you had a great vacation. Those babies are beautiful! Nathan and Meghan’s new home is lovely !
I did buy all 3 daughters, one of their fiances, and my husband new PJ’s for Christmas Eve this year. First time in a long time.no one seemed to mind. Speaking of my husband, we met in high school in 1978 when he was dating my friend. We were friends. In 1980 after they broke up we got together. Dated for 5 years.married in -he a Funtime , good hearted guy who can fix anything
Michele,
Well, it sounds like you and your friend have good taste in fellas; I know you’re glad to be the one who ended up with him.
I love the idea of you adorning the adult members of your family in Christmas pjs. So fun!
I am like Cheryl H, with all the mess going on this past week, all the pictures and the stories behind them just makes us all smile. And waiting a week for PJ story was well worth the wait! I love the look of matching PJ’s but I doubt I would ever get my family to go along with that idea.
I have been with my husband since 04/15/1989. As all marriages, we have had our ups and downs, but are still together. I can’t imagine my life without him and our wonderful son. One thing I can say about my husband is he has always been truthful and straight up with me.
Can’t wait until “Part 2″…
Donna,
So glad the stories and pictures brought a smile. You can never have too many smiles!
I love your description of your husbands: truthful and straight up are two wonderful qualities. Now to just get him into matching pjs? 🙂 (Glad the pj story was worth the wait.)
18 years post transplant…10 years married with 4 children…Irefusetofeelold Irefusetofeelold Irefusetofeelold 🙂 Beautiful people! Beautiful heritage! I don’t have a significant other as far as a husband/boyfriend and I’m okay with that. I’ve a son and grandson who live with me and love the antics and hugs. Matching pajamas? Maybe matching t-shirts and sweats would work for us!
Guerrina,
I am repeating the old mantra right along with you.
With antics and hugs in your life, you are a blessed woman, indeed!
So many things to look back on and shaking my head that time has marched on without me realizing it. 18 years since the transplant (know Sara was a little upset because she was so short – looking at Gage, he appears to be, in height also, just right for her). Many prayers have gone up for her during those years. Was remembering when Nathan was going to Israel, when he met Megan, being married 10 years and now 4 children later. Wow! Matching P.J.’s, nope. He will wear the bottoms if he is not feeling very good. I remember years ago, as a little girl, looking at the wish book (Sears and Roebuck) the matching shirts and matching p.j.’s they had and I really thought it was wonderful. Today, hmm, not so much. My husband has been a great husband, dad and granddad. Very thoughtful, jack of all trades. Guess that is more than 2!
Sharyn,
Yes, we love how well Gage and Sarah go together height-wise. Perfect!
Funny how you used to love the matching sets in the Sears catalog. Those were the days–browsing through those magical pages at all the things out there in the great big world. (That I could never afford but still loved looking at.)
Sounds like you’ve been blessed with a mighty fine fella!
I like the matching P.J.’s but my husband wouldn’t go for it. I have bought matching ones for my grandkids. I have 3 ages 12, 9, and 2.
It looks like your children have chosen the perfect soul mate for them. Their parents were a good model for them. You all are so blessed. It’s fun to have a grown up dinner sometimes with your kids away from the grands. You actually can have conversation.
I have been blessed with a great marriage of 40 years. He is my best friend and always looks out for me and our family. We have been blessed with a wonderful son in law and daughter in law also.
FYI I met my husband on 2/28/80, we got engaged on 5/2/80 and were married on 10/12/80 and we found out we were pregnant on 1/13/81. So we accomplished quite a bit that first year and after 40 years we’re still going strong.
My daughter and her husband knew each other from second grade but didn’t start dating until their junior year of high school and through college and 3 years after that. Long courtship.
Tell Sara when you find the right one sometimes you know right at the beginning.
I’m so so happy for Sara – 18 years – God has great plans for her.
Have a wonderful day.
Joy,
I loved reading your timeline. In eleven months, you just got’ er done! So fun to know those details. You’re right, when you know it’s the right persons . . . well, that’s all you need!
And I love that your daughter and her husband have known each other almost their whole lives. I know there was a moment somewhere along the way when they suddenly saw each other with new eyes, not just a childhood classmate. So wonderful when that magic sparks.
You’re right about not being able to have conversations when the kids are present; a grown-up night is such a treat. I know your little ones keep you busy and happy.
With everything else going on in the world right now, this post makes me smile. Thank you!
Cheryl,
So glad to bring a smile. Thanks for letting me know.