Miracles!

Tonight at my church, Hillview Baptist, we are having a benefit concert for Erik Jackson, the "miracle baby" who was injured in an accident at the church. He is in Atlanta recovering from his injuries and every doctor believes he is truly a Miracle. I know God allowed this miracle and that Erik will recover fully and be home soon. I check on him many times a day - I just cannnot get enough of God's saving Grace and want to keep up with every detail. That said, I pulled some recent photos of the girls that I love and just want to share them with you. They are my miracles and I thank God for them every day! Enjoy!!!

Where does the time go?

My days get shorter, my memory too. It seems like yesterday that we had Heath, Heather & Bailey as babies, then came Alyssa, then Greyson, then Tessa, then Isabella and now we await our precious Harrison. Isabella turns 1 on July 11th and it seems like yesterday that I viewed, for the first time, the birth of a child. Heather & Pete allowed me and Peter's Mom (Debbie also) to be present for the delivery. What an awesome experience. Me, the one who can't stand the site of blood, who gets faint smelling "hospital smells". I never even realized where I was, I was so focused on that baby being born and my own daughter getting through it without incident. Heather, as always, was a trooper, 5 hours of labor, push, push, push and out came my beautiful Isabella. I thought the birth of my first grandchild, Tessa would be the shining event of my life and then came another little angel and I realized how grandparents love them all and know the special details of each child. First, second or third, they each have their place in my heart and tug on those strings with their amazing eyes, their tiny squeals, and their cries that break my heart every time I hear one. Oh, where does the time go? I was a special girl. I knew my grandmother loved me without any strings attached. I was the first grandchild and I don't think I ever let her forget it. Holding Tessa today I felt that she will never let me forget that she was "first" as well. We have a special bond, unlike the one with Isabella, but both are unique in their own way. When Isabella sees me, she has this special "salute" she does over her head which reminds me of how very much she adores me. The smile, the giggle, the salute - I melt every time! Now another year has passed and only months away from Harrison Kale coming into this world. If I sound like a brainwashed Gigi, that's because I am. Grandchildren, there is absolutely nothing like them. Enjoy every moment, I just don't know where they go.

Going Back In Time....

Sunday thru Tuesday of this week, I went to Indiana with Don & Sheila to watch their 4 year old twin girls, my nieces Abbie & Lillie while they were in a medical convention. Mom decided to go with me and we had an awesome time. Those little girls are the most wonderful little people. Every time I looked at them, watched them interact, and saw their awesome expressions when something new was discovered, it took me back 26 years to when my twins, Amanda & Heather were four years old. I miss that time so much. They grow up so quickly and sometimes, we blink our eyes and time gets away from us. Now my girls are mommies and wives and are just the most amazing women. I cannot wait to see these girls grow up and be a part of their lives as they do. What a blessing they are, what a double blessing I have been given with two sets of twin girls to watch grow up. Here are photos, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I wish so much love and happiness on "Aunt Debbie's Girls!".

Passing Moments!

Amanda & Tessa looking at the ocean; Isabella getting ready for some fun at the zoo

Isabella trying to figure out the laugh! Tessa on the merry go round
Tessa loves Mommy's red shoes and she really loves to swing!

Isabella would love to eat something other than her hand and she loves to hold her own juice cup! What she doesn't love is new veggies (look at the face) and she is a fish in water!!

I can honestly say that I don't remember a time in my life that I have cherished every moment as much as now. Nearing 50, I realize how precious the moments are and that I only have one opportunity to cherish that time. Taking for granted that we have "all the time in the world", I am guilty as so many of us are of just letting the moment get away from us and not letting it register in my mind or my heart. I find myself asking all sorts of questions (quietly to myself of course) and looking for answers in my own heart. Children seem to play the largest role in my life at the moment. I seek their faces looking for answers to my own questions, trying to answer theirs, reading their eyes, feeling their thoughts through a touch of the hand or a kiss on the face. When they are swinging sooooo high, do their tummies lunge and what goes through their minds? When they are climbing to the top of the staircase and turn to look down, what do they really see, fear or elation over a job well done? If they eat the popcicle to the end where they can see the stick, what do they think when they say "push it up Gigi"? When their faces go under water in the pool or bath, do their little hearts pound away or are they laughing at the fact that they are actually in the water? When they hear an owl hoot, a train roar, the thunder clap, the wind blow the trees, the crickets at night, the mower in the next yard, a car horn blow, the shower running - all sounds so familiar to them now, but yet new every time they hear them- do they still search for the source of the sound? I am amazed at their knowledge, their interest and their trust in the "older folks" in their lives. I am overwhelmed with emotion when I realize that they trust me beyond explanation and love me without fear because they know how much I love them back. So, the next time you let a moment slip by, try to go back and retrace it, you cannot make it happen again and you can't put it to memory if you don't study it. Don't miss a moment; they pass all to quickly!

A "Real" Papaw!

Arles & Tessa playing hide things in the cups!

Arles & Heath, Bailey, Heather & Alyssa with a photo that actually didn't include 2 of the girls so we're updating to get them all in a photo.
Papooh & Tessa learning ABG's(?)

Arles, Grandpa, Tessa & Greyson playing the flying butterfly game.
Arles, Heather & Tessa @ Friday's for lunch
Papooh & Tessa building her Christmas tree!
Papaw & Greyson waiting for a popsicle!
Papooh & Tessa playing at the little girls' table!

Papaw & Bailey telling a story to Grandpa
Papaw/Papooh & Alyssa & Tessa being silly!
Papooh trying to hold on to a tired Tessa!
Papaw & Greyson playing hide the balls under the cups!
Papaw sleeping, Isabella confused!!!

I just have to give Arles credit for the amazing man he is. Our grandchildren (combined we have 7, Heath, Heather, Bailey, Alyssa, Greyson, Tessa & Isabella, one we refused to give up, Brennen and Harrison due sometime in September -wow, that's 8!) love him as much as a child can love a person. He is their playmate, their back scratcher, their tickler, their game player, their chauffeur, their "whatever you want baby" and "come to Papaw, I'll save you" man. He's the one who gives them their first taste of chocolate, cookies, cokes, ice cream, "cicles" and anything else that they want. He is their friend, their comfort and the one who saves them from danger. I am amazed each time I see him with one of them at the ability God gave him to make children feel safe and happy in his presence. Thank you Arles for being the awesome Papaw (pronounced Papooh by Tessa!) that you are. I just love watching the faces of the little ones when they think they are going to see Papaw. He is truly a blessing.