All of our toys are now being used by the next generation.
Even with five children, it is amazing that we still have all the pieces to our games.
We still have all the Fisher Price Little People sets intact.
We still have the Fisher Price dollhouse and all its accessories.

We still have the play kitchen with all the pretend food.
We still have the dishes, teacups, and spoons from all those years ago.
We still have the tea bag that goes into the tea kettle.
We still have all the toppings that go on the pizza.

Read More...

Seven years ago, we had two family weddings.
One of our daughters was married on a beautiful June day.
Two weeks later, one of our sons was married at the very beginning of July.
It was wonderfully busy that year, with much celebration and rejoicing.

This past year, we had our grandchildren on those anniversary weekends.
We had our daughter’s three children first.
She and our son-in-love had a “stay-cation” since they are expecting their fourth child this fall.
They wanted to begin to get the room ready for their son who will be moving into a bed soon.

Read More...

I was heading over to my daughter’s house after lunch.
I was going to be staying there for a few hours while she went out for a bit.
I knew that only my oldest granddaughter would be up and about.
Her sister and brother would be napping this time of day.

I drove onto the street and turned up her driveway.
There she was.
My granddaughter was waiting for me in the front window.
She was waving furiously as I pulled up to the garage doors.

Read More...

It was my husband’s birthday weekend.
To have a birthday on St. Patrick’s Day, and have the last name of Gallagher, is quite special.
He and I celebrated his birthday on his actual day.
The following day we had a family dinner.

We had seen our son and daughter-in-love, who live in Virginia, the weekend before.
We always FaceTime anyone who is not physically here.
It helps make sure that everyone is included.
How our grandchildren love to “help” blow out the birthday candles.

Read More...

I am so glad that I saved most of my children’s toys.
They are still in great shape.
They have been well loved and well used.
They are now the toys of the next generation.

My grown children are nostalgic when they see certain toys come out again.
There is the bin that has all the little figures from Happy Meals back in the day.
Muppets, Fraggles, Sesame Street characters, and Berenstain Bears.
Winnie the Pooh, Princesses, Little Bear, and even Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe figures.

Read More...

It was a sleepover at Grandma’s house this past weekend.
We had three of our grandchildren here, Friday afternoon until Saturday after dinner.
Favorite toys were set up in the family room.
The gates were placed near the front stairs for our one-year-old grandson who loves to climb.

Our two granddaughters, his sisters, love to ring the doorbell when they arrive.
It doesn’t matter that the garage is open for the entire family to come inside.
They like to ring the doorbell because they like to surprise me that they are here.
Of course, an Academy Award performance on my part is in order.

Read More...

I was thinking about song lyrics.
It was from the album, Signs of Life, by Steven Curtis Chapman.
I used to play it in the car as I drove  my children here and there.
One stanza in particular kept repeating in my mind.

Now I’ve got crayons rolling around in the floorboard of my car
Bicycles all over my driveway, bats and balls all over my yard
And there’s a plastic man from outer space sitting in my chair
The signs of life are everywhere

Read More...

I needed to bring something over to my daughter.
I planned to stop by before I headed out to lunch at a friend’s house.
I texted my daughter when I was leaving.
I reminded her that I couldn’t stay very long.

The reminder wasn’t for her as much as for my grandchildren.
My two granddaughters are always excited when Grandma came over.
Their brother, my grandson is excited to see me as well.
However, at nine months old, he can’t anticipate the visit like his sisters.

Read More...

It is said that everyone has a love language.
A love language is how you manifest love to another.
It is also how you desire love to be manifested to you.
It always sounded very complicated to me.

However, through the years, I saw that there is indeed a pattern.
I see it in my family as they interact with each other.
I see it in me as I love them.
It really is our default response.

Read More...

How I love my morning walk.
I love the solitude.
I love what I see.
I love what I hear.

I am always amazed at how the littlest, simplest thing can be the most profound.
It is not that I am more astute.
I look for things.
I seek to be aware of my surroundings.

Read More...