Grammy Speaks: Words of Wisdom and Inspiration

Discovering A Sense of Wonder

revdonc — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:33:58 +0000

I am reminded daily of how awesome God is just by watching Hezekiah as he grows and develops. When I see the wonder in his eyes, over the simplest things, I feel my own wonder grow. Everytime he speaks a new word, and he says something new every day, I marvel at God’s creation. And when he turns his smile in my direction, asks to play ‘puter’ with me or for us to ‘weed’ in the ‘bed’ I know that God loves me. His simple faith- that I am here for him, that I love him, that I want to be with him – is a constant reminder that God is here for me, that God loves me and that God wants to be with me. All I have to do is stop, turn my gaze on my Father in heaven and his heart bubbles over with love for me. Isn’t that truly amazing!!

Here are a couple new photos of my joy. The first is Jamie’s work. Visit her website to engage her services.

God Created Children

revdonc — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:25:07 +0000

I don’t know the origin of this but it is sure to make you smile!

GOD CREATED CHILDREN (AND IN THE PROCESS GRANDCHILDREN)

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve .
And the first thing he said was ‘ DON’T !’
‘Don ‘t what ?’ Adam replied.
‘Don’t eat the forbidden fruit’ God said
‘Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit?
Hey Eve we have forbidden fruit!’
‘ No Way!’
‘Yes way! ‘
‘Do NOT eat the fruit !’ Said God.
‘Why ? ‘
‘Because I am your Father and I said so!’ God replied, wondering why He hadn’t stopped creation after making the elephants.

A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was ticked!
‘Didn’t I tell you not to eat the fruit?’ God asked.
‘Uh huh,’ Adam replied.
‘Then why did you?’ said the Father.
‘I don’t know,’ said Eve
‘She started it!’ Adam said.
‘Did not!’
‘Did too!’
‘DID NOT!’

Having had it with the two of them, God’s punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.

Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven’t taken it, don’t be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you ?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT !

You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.
Grandchildren are God’s reward for not killing your own children.
Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.
Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn’t have said.
The main purpose of holding children’s parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own
We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.

ADVICE FOR THE DAY:

Be nice to your kids. They will choose your nursing home one day ;

AND FINALLY:

IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TENSION AND YOU GET A HEADACHE, DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE ASPIRIN BOTTLE:

‘TAKE TWO ASPIRIN’ AND ‘KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN’!!!!!

100 Free Things To Do With Grandchildren

revdonc — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:33:41 +0000

I just received this wonderful resource and I want to share it with you.

Click here to download 100 Free Things

Advice from A Grandma of Five

revdonc — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:17:49 +0000

Submitted by Bettina Seymore

Being “grandma” to some and “nana” to others is awesome as I am blessed to have five grandchildren. They have been a real joy in my life since the first day each one of them was born. As grandparents, the saying is “if you are not happy with the job you did the first time around, you now have a second chance at it-with your grandchildren!!” As grandparents we tend to “spoil” our grandchildren; but that’s because we are grandparents and that is what we are “suppose to do!!” Spend as much time with them as you can. They grow up so fast. Just be careful of what you do and say around them. When they are young, those little eyes and ears see and hear everything. Even though I do not get see my grandchildren often because they all live in different cities, it’s real busy when they come and real quiet after they leave. Love them and teach them the ways of God. Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV – states: “Teach your children and their children after them”.

Too Young To Drive?

revdonc — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:27:38 +0000

It’s nearly summer and our family has begun our normal evening walks. This summer we are enjoying these walks with our grandson. As we walk through the neighborhood we see more toddlers ‘driving’ miniature cars. It has been a trend for a few years for parents to buy their children motorized cars and I am in total amazement. Aside from the fact that putting a child who is still developing fine motor skills behind the wheel of a moving vehicle is akin to telling them to run with a butter knife, I find no compelling reason to shell out $200. What happened to buying children balls and jump ropes? What happened to engaging children in a rousing game of tag? What are parents teaching their children about the importance of physical activity? Are they teaching children that ‘driving’ is the ultimate fun? Are parents who let their children drive up and down the driveway while they garden missing a wonderful opportunity to engage their children in meaningful activity with them or other siblings?

We are a nation of obese children and adults. Instead of being more active, each generation gets more sedentary. And instead of developing the kinds of relationships that come when children play with other children AND with their parents, we continue to raise children who see the world from one perspective- theirs. They start with motorized cars that they drive (without a license) and with very small steps move to private computers, ipods, televisions, bedrooms, bathrooms and totally miss the growth that comes from learning to share.

Parents of today, think!

Traveling With Children

revdonc — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 22:34:50 +0000

If you’ve ever taken one trip with a young child you know that it can be challenging. However, there are some simple things you can do to make the travel a fun, bonding event. We will be exploring several activities to make this happen.

When our children were small I created customized travel games for them on the computer. I printed the papers out and make a little book for each child. They looked forward to these games for years. I kept them filed on the computer, updated them as their skills grew and added new ones. I wish I had saved them. However, they went the way of obscurity with new computers and upgrades to software. As you and I take this journey, I will summarize some of the games I made for them as well as locate some new ones to help you. Who knows, since I’m a Grammy now, I will be creating new ones sooner than I might think. Of course you can buy all kinds of books but I found customizing them for my children more meaningful. Their word searches had names they recognized. They loved seeing their names in print.

In the meantime, here is a great website for you to explore.

The Kidz Page

Sharing Stories

revdonc — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:34:53 +0000

Creating a desire in our grandchildren to hear our ‘stories’ takes a bit of ingenuity. Here is a great idea. Be sure to share yours!

From Elise.

“Make up a little pouch of jelly beans or other small candies…let the
grandchild draw one out to eat (1-a-day like a vitamin?), and explain
that each jelly bean represents a story…so have plenty of stories
ready…!”

The Importance of Stories

revdonc — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:36:25 +0000

How many of us find ourselves sorry we did not record the stories our parents or grand parents told us? How many of us wish we had taken more time to discover more of who we are or from whence we came? Most of us do not realize until it is too late that we let a significant part of our history simply fade into nothingness. You have a wonderful opportunity to help your children and grandchildren to have a greater sense of their heritage.

Submitted by Elise

“Don’t forget to tell memorable, vivid, funny or tender stories of your
own childhood, and also about the children’s parents when they were
young…sometimes these come to be known as ‘old happenings…” My own
father did this for us in the way of audio tapes which were made into a
book…and that is a priceless treasure for children, grandchildren,
great grandchildren. Later when he had a stroke, I read back to him his
own stories, and it helped to “give him back his own story…”

Look at the resources page for creative solutions.

Becoming a Grammy!

revdonc — Thu, 29 May 2008 21:19:54 +0000

I knew I would love my grandchild from the moment I knew one was expected. Yet, I was totally unprepared for the love that would blossom after he was born! For months, I visited the doctor’s office with my daughter and marveled at the miracle that was unfolding before my eyes. When I was pregnant with my daughter, ultra sound technology was fairly new and only used sparingly. The times I saw her on screen I was unable to interpret the vision that my doctor assured me was a baby girl. So with wonder, I watched this beautiful little person grow before my eyes. And, he seemed to perform for his Grammy from the beginning. When I remarked to the doctor during the first ultra sound that I couldn’t tell one part from the other, he began to kick his legs. During another visit he turned his face directly to the camera as if looking back at us. On another occasion, after praying that Hezekiah would be a Godly man from birth, he posed his hands as if in prayer. How exciting to see God at work, shaping this young life.

Though I was present (or course) and awake when my two children were born, nothing could have prepared me for watching Hezekiah make his presence into this world. One of the most intimate times of my marriage was staring into my husband’s tear-filled eyes as we watched them put our grandson on his mother’s stomach. And less than a day later, Hezekiah and I shared a special moment as he seemed to stare back into my eyes, acknowledging that he already knew me! That’s the photo you see here. And, a love-affair was born.