Florida 2021 (Part 2 )

Madison had asked for a camera for Christmas and I’d spent a good bit of time tracking down an affordable, used one on Facebook, and then driving an hour round trip to pick it up.  That was going to be her big gift, the one she really wanted from Grandma and Grandpa.

And then? I accidentally left it at home.

Sad day.

However, my brother-in-law, Randy, who was also in on the Camera Caper, had purchased a simple camera for Noah who was also wanting to learn about photography. His camera arrived while we were still there–can you tell he’s a little pumped?

Although Madi wasn’t able to take pictures, she enthusiastically threw herself into posing for Noah’s photos. (If I stood like that, I’d need immediate chiropractic attention.)

It’s fun to see Meagan’s and my love for photography being passed down to the next generation.

Madi

When Madi wasn’t flinging herself about in dramatic poses, she and I did a little cooking–here we are making Grandma’s Granola.

We also had a makeup party. Her Aunt Joy had given her some makeup and when Madison found out we were going to lunch and then shopping, she pulled out her stuff and decked herself out.

I got out my beautifiers too, and we enjoyed a few moments of girl time.  Since I don’t get to do grandma make up parties often, it was a special treat.

I absolutely loved that Madison sang me a few songs, one of which I recorded.  I smile every time I watch it, especially when she blithely sings the made-up word of “jing.”  I think I am going to incorporate it into my vocabulary from now on.

Nathan

It was so special having the generations together–not just grandma and granddaughter but also father and son.  I love this photo of my two favorite men.

It makes me sad to live so far away from Nathan. He is such good company and he and I always have such interesting conversations. Before we arrived, he had mentioned to Meagan that he would love to have some time just with me. After lunch one day, I was headed out for a little drive when Meagan suggested that Nathan go along with me. (God bless daughters-in-law with sensitive hearts and good ideas.)

And so Nathan and I took ourselves off to meander through the Florida backroads, talking about serious stuff and fun stuff, holding onto the brief, precious moments we were able to share together before the busyness of life pulled us away again.

I love this picture f him watching the kids play in the backyard.  Always on the alert, always watching over his family.

And also not afraid to take his turn at the kitchen sink.

On one particular night, he and I happened to be the only ones at home with the kids. I know that Nathan and Meagan can handle anything parenthood throws at them but for someone whose little kid skills are a little rusty, two hours of doing dinner, cleaning up, and running after for four littles was quite the adventure. The kids were still alive at the end of the evening so I’d call that a win.

Besides loving to kid-wrangle with him, I also loved watching him play drums at church Sunday.  So proud of him!

Happy Chaos

We tried to cook most of our meals at home to save money going out to eat.  One night I got the not-so fabulous idea of doing breakfast for dinner–pancakes, eggs, and bacon. It was one of those things that seemed like a good idea at the time.

Let me just say, if you are a mother of small children and manage to get even a simple meal on the table, then you are my absolute hero.

Seriously.  How do you DO it?  How do you get even one thing done? I am amazed.

I was at one corner of the bar making my regular buttermilk pancake recipe and Meagan was in another corner making a smaller, gluten-free recipe. Gage and Sarah were across from us laying the bacon out on pans, and the eggs were in the pan getting stirred by whoever had most recently stepped over a toddler and managed to grab a spatula. There were two short people under our feet and two older kids at our elbows who were ever so excited about being helpful.

Happy chaos, indeed.

Thankfully, Gage has grown up with five younger brothers so he was not phased even one little bit.

And then in the midst of all the goings-on, my distracted grandma-ness caused me to put four eggs into the recipe instead of two. The lovely, fluffy pancakes I was anticipating turned out to be pitiful, egg-y discs.  My family put on their brave faces and ate them anyway. Meagan’s pancakes, however, turned out fabulously. You can tell that she is the cooking-with-children expert.

Gage is following along in the Smith men tradition; he isn’t at all hesitant to cook, clean, take out the garage, and do whatever is needed.  Sarah has picked a good one.

Two pictures to close.

When we arrived in Florida, the whole house was picked up and neat and everything was put away.

A couple of days into the visit?

The stairway looked like this.

I stopped for a moment and looked at it and was so grateful for all the people I loved who were represented by each shoe and piece of clothing.

Clean stairways are lovely.

Cluttered stairways are reminders of the ones we love.

And this photo . . .

is one I took during the service at the church where Nathan and Meagan attend. Meagan had been on the platform singing but Grayson was needing his mama, so she came down to care for him.  She was at the end of my row and when I looked over, I saw her cradling my grandson in her arms while singing, praying, and worshipping.

It was a photo that begged to be taken.

A few days after we left, she posted the photo and the following piece on Facebook.

I can show them how to clean

I can show them how to cook

I can show them how to do laundry

I can show them how to work hard

I can show them how to be kind….

If I don’t show them how to love and worship Jesus what have I really given them?

When life is tough…worship

When you feel overwhelmed…worship

When you work…worship

When you are happy…worship

When life is grand…worship

Worship changes your perspective.

Keep your eyes on Him. My actions will ALWAYS speak louder than my words.

I want to show my kids a true relationship with Jesus and help them experience their own relationship with the one who cares for them the most!

From one generation to the next, from the grandma to the toddlers, from the parents to their kids and to their kids: we are all passing down our love for God and our love for each other.

Hand-me down love. It’s the best kind.

What about you?

What are the most important lessons you want to teach your kids/grandkids? What do you think are the most important lessons your parents taught you?

What do you have going on this week?  Whether ordinary or out-of-the-ordinary, I love hearing about you!