Timeless Moments!

L-R: Me, Tessa, Lillie; Heather, Peter, Isabella, Abbie, Lillie, Arles & Curtis, Amanda & Tessa, Heather & Isabella in their 1st Beauty Pagent; Abbie & Lillie, Tessa & Isabella at Tessa's new table; Tessa kissing Mommy; Isabella & Tessa sitting; Isabella pulling Aunt "Binda's" shirt down! What a blessing children are!!

ANGELS ALL AROUND US

"SOME OF MY ANGELS!"

With the wait for our newest addition, Master Harrison Kale Tomlin, I have been given so much to think about. He may or may not have a few minor problems, we probably won't really know until he is born. In thinking about those minor issues, I am reminded that God never leaves us, He sends His Angels to watch over and protect us and that He is the Great Physician and Healer. So, no matter the situation for our new baby boy, God heals, He mends and He comforts. I know that Harrison is in God's hands and that He will bless this new little Angel!

Our messages for the past few Wednesday nights at church have been about Angels and what the Bible tells us about them. You will note that I used a capital letter on "Angels" and the reason I did this is because last night I was reminded that God appears to us in the form of an Angel and that the Bible tells us He actually has a conversation with Jesus in that form. What amazing things I continue to learn about God, Jesus, The Trinity, The Bible and the many, many, many things that we can learn from all of the teachings of the Bible. Whether they are explained by sightings, conversations with angels, battles with evil in the form of angels, feeling the presence of angels, or being led by angels, they are aspired to throughout the Bible. One thing we must remember, God knows all things and when we don't have a concrete explanation for something, we must trust that He does know and we have to accept that as "the last word" on the subject. Earthly angels are addressed, but not thoroughly explained in Bible text and interpretations are made from the writings. We do know for certain that Angels are patrolling the earth and exist among us today. It tells us too that we may at any time be entertaining an Angel in our presence so we must invite people into our homes, into our hearts and share the Word with them to further His direction for our lives. Remember that Mary saw the face of and spoke to an Angel who told her about Baby Jesus. Two angels were seen and spoken to in the tomb of Jesus. I personally know that Angels come to us on Earth in the form of humans, because I experienced the strength, comfort and love of an Angel when I was 12 years old. Unbelievers might say that I was hallucinating, others that I was delirious and others would have some medical explanation for it, but I know without any doubt that I was in the hands of an Angel and that she saved my life. It was God's will, I lived, I believed and I know that God's word is true and that we encounter Angels in our daily walk.

Let me tell you about my encounter with one of God's Angels. I was in a horrendous car accident with my Mom, my four siblings and a childhood friend. It was the middle of the night, we were on our way back from Easter vacation in Atlanta, it was raining and a truck put on brakes in front of us. In those days (the '70's) the cars were big, seat belts were unheard of and everybody could lay down (even in the floorboard of the car) and sleep. So, that is what all the kids were doing - sleeping, when I heard in the back of my mind my Mom scream "Kids, hang on." I remember spinning, spinning, and spinning more. The noise was incredible, the velocity of the car going over the embankment and down the ravine toward the water was powerful and the impact of metal against tree was beyond explanation. I was in the passenger side by the door. The front of the car on my side was stopped by the tree. My sister Tina was pinned beneath the dashboard. Glass was everywhere, crying was unbelievable and I remember hearing Mom crying and calling all our names. I don't know how she did it, but with glass cuts, bruises on her entire body and face, and who knew if she had broken bones or not, she climbed through a small opening in the broken window (in the dark and rain remember) and began to attempt to get us all out of the car. Her fear - that it would slide and go into the water or catch on fire. I could hear the movements, the cries, Mom's voice (that was the only thing that kept me focused) telling us we were okay and she was getting us out. One by one, she pulled each child from the back seat. They were cut, bruised, battered, frightened, but never hysterical. My Mom kept us all calm at a time when she didn't know if her babies in the front seat were going to die or not. She persevered, she kept going, she was a total and complete Mom showing devout love and protection for her children. God's hand remained on her shoulder as He helped her to forge on despite her own pain and anguish. With four children at the top of the ravine, cars had stopped and people were gathering by this time. She had some assistance with those she had been able to free from the car. She turned to return down the ravine to attempt to free Tina and I, when people began following her to offer their assistance. Never underestimate the decency of strangers in an emergency; most are always prepared to help even if it puts them in danger. So, they began the downward trip back to the car to get us out. Help was on the way, but in that day, there were no cell phones, only CB radios for truckers' use, and this is how emergencies were reported. When they returned to the vehicle, it was clear that Tina was pinned in under the dashboard and that I was alive, but barely. It was cold that Easter weekend and we all had coats with us. In that day, the coats were those furry, fuzzy thick things that all the girls wanted. Thank God for those coats. I had one between me and the door, and I managed to pull one onto my head and face when I first felt blood starting to run down from my head. As time passed, seconds seemed like hours and hours seemed like a lifetime. I remember thinking, thinking and thinking about everything and anything. I didn't hurt, I was completely numb from my toes to the top of my head. I couldn't see anything from so much blood and darkness. I remember Tina crying and I tried to talk and tell her not to cry. She would be okay. I remember touching her in any way that I could to calm her, but it was almost impossible to lift a hand much less a finger to find her to both comfort her and myself at the same time. I knew she was alive, that was important to me at the time. I was also aware that the other children had gotten out. Again, I could hear my Mother crying and telling people to help her get us out. She was finally convinced that we couldn't be moved and that she must wait for the emergency assistance that was on the way. With every second, I remember slipping away. I would try to open my eyes to wake up, but they wouldn't cooperate. I could smell blood, taste blood, feel blood, I knew in my heart that I was dying and I wanted Tina to live. My Dad was in New York City at a Retail Convention and somehow, I heard him talking to me. I don't remember his words, just his voice comforting me; and I wasn't yet in a state of complete submission, so I wasn't imagining it, I truly believed that I was hearing the sound of his voice. Never underestimate the power of parents to their children. It is strong and amazing. Mom returned to the top of the roadside to comfort and check on the others. Some people stayed with the car, sitting on the back to hold it down and keep it from forging ahead into the ravine and ultimately into the water. I could hear the sound of voices, but I couldn't understand any words by this point. I fell asleep, dreaming, falling, going in and out of this world. I was awakened by someone touching me and was aware that I had been covered up. It was then that I knew I was dying and that I was believed to have already passed from this world. Mom wasn't allowed to come to the car again, but I could hear her wailing from the roadside above. Faint, but certain, that was Mom I could hear. Tina was removed from the car by cutting away at the metal. I never moved during this time, I was frozen, totally incapacitated and wanted to badly to say, "Hey, I'm alive, don't leave me here." It wasn't possible to remove me from the car until she was out and I wasn't priority any more. After they removed her, the Sheriff of Davidson County, Garner Robinson (I later worked for his daughter, Muriel Robinson, now a Circuit Court Judge) came down the ravine to view the accident. He came to the window which had been knocked out by now and raised the coat. He said "Oh, S___" and I was able to say, "That's a good word for it." I think he screamed, not just for help, but from total shock that I was alive. All from that point was a mass of commotion, yelling, moving, men sitting on the car, pulling doors open, people touching me and talking to me. I heard, but couldn't say anything else after my few words to the Sheriff. I was removed, placed on a stretcher and walked to the top of the ravine to the roadside. I could hear people talking about the fact that they couldn't believe I was alive, I didn't have a pulse when they covered me up. I did, but I couldn't talk to tell them I was still with them. When I reached the roadside, paramedics were working on everyone (I am told) and people were absolutely everywhere. Ambulances, emergency personnel. Out the blue, a Volkswagen made a U-turn on the interstate and returned to the scene. Inside were two medical students from Vanderbilt who had come upon the accident and stopped to help. I could feel them working on me as they cleared my hair, tried to clean blood, bandaged my head to stop the bleeding and did everything they could to stabilize me while we waited on another ambulance to take me to Baptist Hospital. I could hear them, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't communicate with them. When they finished working on me, I remember a light and not being able to determine what that light was. Then the sweetest voice spoke to me. A woman. She told me to rest and to not be afraid. She told me that she would stay with me until the ambulance came for me. She told me that my Mom was there and that she was assisting the other children and that she would be with me later. She told me that God loves me and that everyone else was fine and I would be too. She placed a cross in my hand and told me to hold on to it. I remember it so clearly as if it were yesterday. I could feel the outline of the cross. I could feel her touch, I could hear her voice. Angelic, yet positive. I remember when she left me. During her presence, I heard no other sound but her voice. It was like all the noises from the scene were muted and I only heard her sweet voice comforting me. I felt her presence and then I knew she was gone. The sounds of the emergency around me returned and I realized that they were moving me to another stretcher to be placed inside the ambulance. She didn't say "Goodbye." She simply slipped away. Needless to say, I survived, with 88 stitches in my head (inside and out) after the doctors removed a large piece of glass from my skull. (People often joke that this is what's wrong with me, my brain injury!! That's not it at all, I'm just a very unique individual, created by God!) My very long hair was shaved off half my head and I was stabilized. I asked Mom about the woman who was with me and she told me that there was never a woman with me. I assured her that a lady held my hand, stayed with me and promised me that I was going to be just fine. And she didn't just come by for a second, she stayed with me. But I was told over and over again that there was no lady and there was no cross.

My Angel was never seen with my eyes, but her presence was as strong as when I hold my grandchildren while rocking them to sleep and her voice was a soothing as a Mother singing to her newborn baby. I was in the presence of an Angel sent from God and I will never underestimate the Power of God in our lives. He knows the plans He has for us, and His plan did not include death for me on that rainy night when I was a young girl. He held me, sent His Angel to protect me, and allowed me to hear comforting voices during my time of fear and despair. To this day, I know that God never leaves my side and that He is with me in all things. Sometimes I forget to allow Him to take the lead, but I always feel His presence in my life. So, never doubt the undisputed fact that Angels come to us on Earth and can, in fact, take the shape of a human. They can touch, speak and feel. Many times in the Bible, the face of the Angel was never seen, but they were present nonetheless.

God is in Control. He keeps us safe, and He protects us always. Love to you all. Keep Believing In Him!!

God Answers Dreams!

Here are: Sheila, Curtis & Isabella; Greyson; Curtis; Tessa & Greyson

We are having our little boy - Harrison Kale Tomlin will be here around October 1, 2008. I never ask God for what I want, but I do dream about what I want and sometimes I remember that He also knows our dreams, because He knows our hearts! And my heart was really, really hoping for a little grandson. Having Greyson has been great practice for me and he loves his Nannie (that's what he calls me). His little smile when he sees me is the sweetest thing. I didn't have any boys, my nephews were the closest to me and since there was Ricky and Curtis, we didn't have many boys to chose from. So, we'll pack up the little girly things and start stockpiling things for little boys. I know from having Greyson that they can be the most loving little things in the world, but also the loudest, wildest, smelliest, demanding and stubborn little things in the world. I remember a lot of this from my two brothers when we were growing up. They were more than a handful! I guess I'll have to quit polishing toenails now!

I'm just so happy for Greg and Amanda. Greg is an only child. The last of the Tomlin name. This preserves that name for a longer history and honors his Dad, Harry. Harry has been sick for some time and is on a liver donor list. What a beautiful way to honor your Dad, naming your first son after him. I hope that you will all continue to pray for Harry's donor and recovery. I know that the thought of this new little boy puts a smile in his heart. Tessa certainly loves her Papa.

And as for baby Harrison, he may have a few minor things to keep an eye on, so your prayers for Harrison, Amanda & Greg will be appreciated as well. To say that we are overjoyed can't possibly express the happiness and thankfulness for all these babies. What they add to our lives is totally awesome. God is Good. He hears our Prayers and knows our Dreams!!

2 of my recent favorite photos!

I love these photos. Amanda (I still call her Lulu), Tessa Paige & baby Harrison Kale dancing and Isabella Faith on the couch showing off her awesome smile!! Look how big these girls are getting. I just adore them!

Mother's Day - It will be 364 days before we have another one

This Mother's Day, I went to church and then came home to wait to hear from my girls with their plans for the afternoon. Heather & Isabella came by and ate lunch (Peter is working today). Amanda, Greg and Tessa came a little later and we visited until it was obvious that both girls needed to go "nite nite." Once they had left, Arles took a nap on the couch and I began thinking about the huge effort it takes just to get people together sometimes. Then I realized that I had totally forgotten to take any photos of anyone for Mother's Day, and this so upset me since it was Heather's first Mother's Day.

Holidays, any of them, only come one time a year. If we don't make the best of that one event, we must wait 364 days for it to come back around. So many things can happen in 364 days. We could be leave this world to be with our God, we could go on a diet that really works and weigh a beautiful 125 pounds again, we could build a new home and move into it, we could become pregnant (not me!) and have a child, we could find ourselves totally grey headed, we could realize that it's been that long since we talked to one of our best friends, or we could just wake up one morning and realize that those days slipped away. One thing we do when we watch time pass by is look at photos. Amanda brought baby photos of her and Heather so that they could look at them. It seems so very long ago, yet when I look at a photo, I remember vividly what it was like to be their Mommy and they were my babies. Where did the photos come from? I took them of course. And there aren't too many photos of me with my babies. We always photograph our angels. But what about everyone else? I am still busy photographing my angels and my family, but I am always the taker. There aren't too many photos of me in my 40's and no real pictures taken in a real studio or by a real photographer. There are few photos of me and my children. There may be one of the 4 generations since Isabella was born. Maybe I'm just really self-absorbed as I get nearer to 50, but I want my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have some idea of who their GiGi was and what I was like (of course I prefer those photos be made when I am cleaned up with my face on and hair fixed. I'm not too fond of the "just got out of bed look!"

We always take great strides to photograph the children hunting Easter eggs, opening Christmas presents, blowing out birthday candles. But what about the ones who stand in the kitchen making Christmas dinner and cleaning up the mess, or the one who made certain to put prizes in the Easter eggs, or the one who baked the birthday cake and made sure that every little detail was covered for the decorations, or the one who was up all night Christmas Eve wrapping the presents that would be open within a few seconds of each other. Do we even think to capture these beautiful people on camera or are we too busy with our lives that we forget the ones who do the things that make the world go around? Photos only take a second and they last a lifetime.

I couldn't imagine not remembering what my Dad, my Grandmother, or even my Grandpa White looked like and not having their photos to view from time to time. I remember Christmas 2004 when Sheila brought Abbie & Lillie to Grandmother's house and we took lots of photos of my Grandmother, Mom, Sheila, Abbie & Lillie. I absolutely love looking at those photos even today. My point: Photos are our only vivid connection with the past. When my Grandmother passed away April 6, 2005, I had so many photos of her to look at and to remember her by because I took her picture all the time. On the other hand, my brothers don't visit often, the last photo I have of all five of us siblings and Mom was Christmas 2002 at my house for dinner. We change so much, children grow up, we lose loved ones each year, life is a revolving door and in order to preserve that history, we have to document it.

I see this generation of parents taking photos of their children, but not really taking the time to make pictures of those who made the generations a reality. More and more, our lives are distracted by things around us, by the needs of our children, spouses, parents and grandparents, by our outside/social activities, by the time we have left to do anything. No matter the length of time spent on any one thing, memories are what keep that one thing alive and photos are what allow those memories to live on in future generations.
I realize that there are many people who don't think having photos of old people who aren't around anymore has any real worth. I will tell you this, I am so blessed to know what my great-grandparents looked like. Some I can remember from my own mind, some I remember from photos, but nonetheless, I know them. We've become a society where heritage doesn't seem important anymore. What original nationality was my bloodline? Well, I have a double dose of Indian and a tiny bit of Irish, and I must have some European in me somewhere because I love London & Paris.

So, when you get out your camera to photograph your beautiful families, don't forget the generations that brought you into this world. They will live on and on through you and your offspring. I don't know about you, but I love looking at pictures. A pictures says 1000 words! I believe it! I hope your Mother's Day has been one of love, comfort, rest and family. Snap those photos and when you do, make sure you label them!!!

Mother's Day Dinner with Mom, Amanda, Greg & Tessa

We all had dinner tonight at Koboto's Japanese Restaurant for Mother's Day. Mom's 49th, my 30th, Amanda's 2nd - Mothers' Days!!! Oh, time flies. Heather was in Illinois with Isabella and family for a birthday party and is travelling back tonight in storms and tornado warnings. I pray that God wraps his arms around them as they travel. Arles is flying back from Los Angeles as I write. He has been in New Zealand on a hunting trip for two weeks.
I think about what the sky is like during storms such as these. To be flying there so far above the rest of us, and being able to view first hand the feel of thunder, the lightening, the wind and the rain, the hail storms, the fear and the excitement, all wound up inside while waiting for the realization of what was happening outside the window of that airplane, and realizing that we are either in danger or we are about to fly out of the storm.

That brings me to wonder what these little ones must think, feel, see when looking for the first time at these things such as nature, weather, fire, steam, shattering noises. All things that we are so accustomed to, but are such a new adventure for a little one. With my little ones, I now have two major extremes. While at 10 months Isabella isn't scared of anything, Tessa is scared of most things new. Isabella has yet to learn fear. Tessa has felt it and sensed it enough to know that until tested, you must fear all things out of the ordinary, all things that have previously been foreign to her.

While Isabella runs after the vacuum in her walker, Tessa runs from it because the noise is uncertain. They both love the new washer and dryer because they can see what is going on inside. Yet, they also know that the doors are closed on them and they cannot hurt them. The vacuum after all is running around the house and can gobble them up at any moment if I am not controlling it. A lawn mower causes Tessa to run and climb me in fear; yet, it causes Isabella to stop whatever she is doing and look for the source of the noise. The same goes for the icemaker, blow dryer, electric screwdriver, anything that makes a noise that is out of the norm for the household.

If you search their eyes, you can see the emotions. Even if I didn't hear the noise myself, I can tell by the eyes what type noise they were hearing. I think I now know how deaf moms raise children. They read their faces and know their needs.

Thursday I discovered a tiny bird nest with 3 brand new babies in it. I held Tessa and Amanda held Isabella while they looked into the nest with amazement. They didn't look anything like a bird, so Tessa wasn't comfortable with them. Since she has no fear, I dare say that Isabella would have scarfed them out of the nest if we had put her close enough.

Today as Greg mowed the grass, he ran over a rabbit hole and 6-7 baby bunnies flew out of it. In contrast to the baby birds, Tessa was overjoyed with the bunnies running around her yard. No matter that they too were babies, they actually looked like bunnies to her and therefore they were okay in her book. Fuzzy tiny baby birds with open beaks did not look like a birdie as she knew them. As adults, things that are foreign to us are oftentimes slowly accepted as well.

Children look to the sky for stars, airplanes, Jesus, God, birds, and anything else they may have associated with the sky. They look to the ground for bugs, dirt, sticks, leaves, all things that belong on the ground. But, even at 10 months old, how do they know to do these things? How do their tiny, tiny minds absorb so much information that they can hear a noise and know that someone has come into the house and they begin to look to see who it is? How can they know that if you put a ball in a hole and push a button, it will come out the other side? Amazing!

I realized recently that I am seeing life again in a new light. Through the eyes of a child. In a childlike sense such as spoken of in the Bible. "...and a child shall lead them." They seem to be leading me everywhere these days. From elation to exhaustion, from drama to serenity. They lead me from middle age back to being a child, talking silly talk, singing silly songs, playing silly games, laughing and laughing and laughing....I didn't realize what I had been missing for so many years.

Thank you Lord for the breaths of fresh air that you have given me in these children. Thank you also for the beautiful women my daughters have become and for the awesome Moms that they are. I thank you also for my wonderful Mom and the privilege of having her so close to me so that I feel her love every day. This Mother's Day, I couldn't be more proud, grateful or blessed!! GiGi

Did you know.....

Did you know that the chances of sisters having twin girls 27 years apart without any fertility drugs, and with both sisters on birth control is 1 out of 1,000,000???? Well, my Sister Sheila and I did just that. On December 3, 1977, when I was 19 years old, I gave birth to twin girls (fraternal) - Heather Ann & Amanda Lynn. I found out a month before they were born that I was even having twins. I was on birth control faithfully. I was so happy, but scared absolutely to death. They were born, perfect, beautiful and so very welcomed into this world.

On May 28, 2004, my sister Sheila, aged 41, gave birth to identical twin girls (the doctor says mirror image, but we don't quite agree with him - Abbie L'rae & Lillie Marie. Her husband had taken care of the "having babies" situation. Surprise!!!

I cannot describe the happiness and excitement I felt when I saw those beautiful angels - both times!!! While my two were so amazing, they were also a handful. I truthfully can say that the first year of their life was crazy. But with my nieces, I was older, more settled and I enjoyed them so very much. I cannot describe the love I feel for both sets of twins, mine and my sisters. Although a totally different kind of mothering, they are all mine in my heart. God knew what he was doing, but I will say that we surely thougth he had gotten confused at times!!! It's amazing for my daughers to be 30 and my sisters' to be 4. But, isn't life awesome!!!

Now let me tell you about Abbie L'rae and Lillie Marie Franks. They will be 4 on the 28th of this month and they are absolutely something else!! Their older brother Curtis can probably tell us some stories about his little sisters. They are the sweetest girls in the world. They are loving, bashful at times, playful, beautiful, girly-girls, who love to dress up and absolutely love school at Hendersonville Christian Academy. That is the description of the twins when I or anyone else has them. Now, let me tell you what they're like when their Mommy is around!! They are still all those things, but just like my girls when they were four, they fight, cry, scream, climb Sheila's legs, refuse to eat, refuse to change clothes, etc., etc., etc. I have always told people that children are better when their Mom's aren't around. And these two prove that again to be true! They are so very precious. I will never be able to tell them enough how much they are loved and how much we love and appreciate Curtis for willingly and quietly taking a back seat to his two new sisters. He is quite the young man. He loves karate and will be going to HCA next year also. As for their Daddy, Don, what can I say. He's a trooper and is always a hands-on Dad. He does require a nap from time to time, but no one can blame him for that! Life is ever changing, but also holds lots of mysteries, surprises and good fortune, even for a child!!

Just Thinking About It...

Top to Bottom: Amanda, Greg & Tessa; Peter, Heather & Isabella, GiGi, Tessa & Isabella, Lillie & Abbie, Heather & Amanda - All my girls & their guys!!

Generations pass through this world, leaving a legacy of remarkable women, those who have gone on before us and left their mark on our lives, like my amazing Grandmother Ruby who influenced me so much more than she realized. Others are still here among us, reaching their last phase of life, like my beautiful Mom who is constant as my friend, my support and my unconditional love. As for myself, I am over the crest of the moon and leaning in for the slow spiral downward toward becoming one of the senior citizens, but determined to grasp every second of amazement before I reach that point. I have many years to go yet before I reach the last phase of life and I am more determined than ever to make the best use possible of my time until then. Why? Because of my beautiful girls (And when I say girls, I mean, my Mom, my sisters Sheila & Tina, my daughters Heather & Amanda, my grand-daughters, Tessa Paige & Isabella Faith and my granddaughter, Mia who just might turn out to be Harrison, my nieces, Abbie & Lillie & my beautiful and irreplacable female friends). They inspire me, they depend on me, they look up to me, they love me and they need me. I intend to be here to see the generations that I had a hand in creating live on while on this earth. I have always said that God knew what he was doing when he gave me girls. While I love little boys, I just simply have never known what to do with them. The loudness, the smelliness, the total goofiness of their beings. Yet, it is quite possible that God has blessed us with a little male angel that is growing this very minute in Amanda. Next week we find out if it is a boy or girl, and I can honestly say that I hope it is a boy. I remember when my nephew, Curtis, was born. He was the most beautiful little boy. And he has always loved me so much. I taught him how to dig in the dirt (of course his Mommy says he would never eat spaghetti after that), how to find worms, how to catch lightening bugs. I truly enjoyed that time with him. Now he is 11 and almost as big as me. So, girl or boy, I will feel blessed by God to have another grandchild, but if the truth is told, I think I'm ready for a little Harrison Kale Tomlin. Whatever the case, I just pray for a healthy and wonderful child for my beautiful and blessed Amanda. "Snips & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails..." that's what little boys are made of. And even though I've never had the experience, I have always heard that little boys are the love of their Mom's life!!

When they sleep.....Enjoy the Moments

Photos: Tessa Paige ready for bed. Isabella Faith asleep on Mommy at a church event. It's not possible for me to remember life without them. They are such a vital part of my existence now!

I don't know about you, but I believe that there is nothing more beautiful than a sleeping child. The look of complete comfort on their faces is worth every minute spent enjoying their slumber. And when their little eyes open and they look for you, they are the most precious things on earth. So happy, so glad to see you, so wet, so hungry, so very much the greatest part of your life. We miss so many moments in life thinking other things are more important, laundry to be done, dishes to wash, floors to clean and on, on, on. All the chores in the world cannot replace the growth of a child. The everyday learning experiences - they also teach us as they learn! In the big scheme of things, those tiny amazing moments cannot be recreated and if we blink, we miss them. Don't miss a thing! Life's way too short.

Today I will pray, laugh, dance and sing. What will you do with your day?

Just when I thought being a Mom was wonderful, I became Gigi

Being a Mom is an incredible opportunity, not to mention a nervewracking experience. Once God entrusted a little angel to me (in my case 2 of them at once), I was never the same again. How incredible it is to know that from a tiny egg, a beautiful, precious child of God is born which makes me no longer a woman, but a Mom - for the rest of my life! Wow. What an amazing transformation. Until, I realized there was something even more amazing, being a GiGi (that's my given name for Grandmother)! This is one of my favorite photos of Tessa taken in the summer of 2007 while swimming at my pool. I kept Tessa Paige from 3 months until she was 12 months when Amanda started working from home. Now, I will admit that the timing was perfect because when this precious baby girl took off, the world was her playground and she was always on the go. So, her Mommy got to chase her more than I did. I had the pleasure of being one of the only people she would let rock her to sleep and then I got to hold her and watch her sleep. Life doesn't get any better than that. The look of love in her eyes when she saw me was overwhelming and still is a year later. What beautiful deep blue eyes she has. I know in my heart that she loves me unconditionally and what an amazing feeling that is. So dependent upon her GiGi for love, safety and laughter when she is with me. So sure that I'll catch her when she jumps; so certain that I'll make her boo-boo's all better; so trusting that she can go to sleep in my arms and never be afraid. Thank you Lord for grandchildren.

Now, this is one of my most favorite photos of my precious Isabella. Born 7/11/07, she is the funniest little baby I've ever seen. Her personality is overwhelming and crying (at least when I have her) is almost non-existent. She is a fabulous child to have with me all day. So smart, so loving, hugs my neck, smiles with her lips, eyes and entire body when she sees me. Curiosity is her motto. She is mobile now and exploring with all her might. She can run in her "walker" which I call her "Car" and she stays on top of my feet always. She loves to follow Tessa around the house and squeels so dramatically because she is so exciteable. Oh, the daily blessings I receive from these two little princesses!!

More to come! Enjoy for now and remember to always count your blessings. They are right before our eyes........