Daffodil Dreams: Serena

Showing posts with label Serena. Show all posts

Monday, July 25, 2011

Surprise! Papa's here!

About 2:15 Wednesday morning, Papa came to visit! Total surprise to me! I had absolutely no inkling that I would walk downstairs to see his luggage in the living room and then have him pop around the corner!

He came because he missed me, of course, but he was really hoping to see his new grandbaby while he was here. But, I guess the baby didn't realize that, so Papa had to go back home without meeting him/her.

On Friday, the day before he left, we went up to Estes Park for a family outing and to walk Serena. Grammie (Serena's mom), Papa, and I explored the town with the grandchildren while Josh and Serena went "hiking".

As you can see, we have an extra couple of kids.

I brought Meg along and Emily brought her other grandson.

The more, the merrier!

Before we all set out, though, we had a picnic. We found this lovely little spot next to a church. It even had a little creek.

Shallah and Papa sharing cookies.

Shallah and Papa have a special thing going. Before he came, she acted like she loved me. But one day, I went to get her out of her crib and she hugged her arms around her and said, "I want Papa." Oh, well. He's gone now.

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Thursday, December 30, 2010

We weren't supposed to be exchanging "real" gifts...

But, after all the presents in the stockings were opened on Christmas morning (there were 16 opened one at a time), I was handed a letter. It was addressed, "To our dearest Mom, Mommy, Nana, our best friend."

I was in tears before I even read past that. And I cried through the whole letter. The kind of letter that I can't post because then I would seem really egotistical. But, it went straight to my heart and will stay there forever.

When I finished reading, this beautiful antique chandelier was brought in. I couldn't believe it! I had admired it in a local shop, thought it would look wonderful in our entry, but knew I couldn't buy it, so didn't think about it anymore. And here it is in its perfect chippy state sitting in my living room!

Of course, when the girls came over to hug me, I started the ugly cry.

Thank you, Daja, Sarah-Kate, and Serena! You are the absolute best daughters!

And BFF's!

(I miss you, Serena.)

Hopefully, it will be put up real soon. (Now looking for a ceiling medallion.) I'll post before and after photos.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Giving Thanks, Day Eighteen

CUTENESS.

I was perusing pictures on my laptop and thought of two wonderful things to be thankful for today:

1) that we can actually have all these wonderful pictures stored and able to be viewed at just a push of a button, and

2) that so much cuteness abides in my family! To make my point, here are just a few pieces of evidence from my 2005 folder:

See, I told you!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Giving Thanks, Day One

As the beautiful fall season turns into the Thanksgiving season, I want to take extra time out to be grateful. My goal for the first twenty-five days of November is to blog about so many of those things that I thank God for. There are way more than twenty-five things, of course, and I won't be posting them in any kind of priority order. Wouldn't that be a horrible task? To put all the things you are thankful for in order? Oh, my.

Family.

I am so thankful that each and every one of these people are in this picture.

My grandchildren are so very precious and I love each one of them. Each of the fifteen are so unique. And yet, they all have so much in common. Cousins even look alike! Happily, I know that there will be more additions to their club, too. I am very grateful to their parents for giving us these wonderful gifts!

My husband and I are very thankful for each of the adults in this picture, too. Each of them are so embedded in my heart. The children I gave birth to have given us three more wonderful children when they married their spouses.

Now, no one for one minute should think that we haven't gone through our share of hardships. In fact, I'm sure that we have used up a few shares that weren't ours! A little over three years ago, I was afraid that this picture would never happen. Thank God for answered prayers! Thank God that we can and did take authority over the darkness! This picture was taken on the day of Josh and Serena's vow covenant renewal. Thank you, Josh and Serena, for giving us this day.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Shallah's Dedication

Shallah and bow!

My youngest grandchild, Shallah Rianne, was dedicated to the Lord by her parents on Valentine's Day with her Papa officiating.

Nana loves her Shallah!

Grandpa, Grandma, Grammie, Mommy, Daddy, Nana, Shallah, Papa

Levi, Ezekiel, Abishai,Jael

Godparents, Dan and Erica Hall, were not able to make the trip from Colorado.

He is actually the sweetest little boy, but that look wouldn't let you know!

Josh has written a song for each of his children for their dedication. Always wonderful, often prophetic. This time, though, was a bit different. Intense. Not necessarily something my Nana's heart would want to hear. But, we were here to dedicate her to the Lord, not to ourselves. She belongs to the Lord; she has only been lent to us to train up for His glory. Here is her song. Oh, and you need to know that Shallah Rianne means "River of Grace".

Grace to stand in the midst of the pain;

Grace to walk right through the rain;

Grace to give in spite of the hurt;

Grace to live beside the poor in the dirt.

Grace to hold those that no one will touch;

Grace to love even when it hurts too much;

Grace to stand to make right what is wrong;

Grace to go even though the journey is long.

Grace to count the cost everyday;

Grace to give your life away;

Grace to accept those that all would despise;

Grace to work to make it right in His eyes.

May His river of grace flow through you;

May your hands hold the broken;

May His river of grace flow through you;

May your life touch the nations.

May there be peace and joy through all of your life;

Despite the pain that comes and the tears you cry;

May your life be filled with the presence of God;

May His grace be what keeps you strong.

By Daddy

You can see it impacted Papa.

As is my tradition, I give a reception for each of my grandchildren on the day of their dedication. We had a lovely lunch after the morning worship service to which the whole church was invited. I served Italian Drip Beef, Asian Noodle Salad, Vanilla Almond Punch (my new favorite punch and the easiest ever!), and these lovely little desserts. Unfortunately, those were the only things photographed during the whole reception. Some of us were too busy to think of a camera. Some of us were having too good a time, I guess, to remember to take pictures.