Happy Grandparents Day!

My kids are doubly blessed. They have such special grandparents on both sides of the family. We were just with Nana and Gramps (sometimes referred to as "Pop" because Cole called him that early on when he was struggling to articulate his speech).

Nana has taught us the value of true cooking, and more importantly how bringing family to the table creates close bonds (my best "catching up" time with her is when we work together in her kitchen)! She loves to celebrate special days and she has a way of turning ordinary days into special days by the way she celebrates life in general. She is a wonderful friend and teaches this to our children by the way she models a listening ear and gives endless quality time with anyone who needs it!

Gramps has taught us the value of a Dad who spends time with his boy--it produces a great man. Now it is so special to see him take time with each of his grandchildren one by one, investing in each of their lives and praying for each by name, daily. He was saved as a young boy through a church that reached out to him through their children's ministry. Eventually because of his tender heart the rest of his family came to church and also met Christ's transforming message. As he raised his own family he laid down such a careful foundation of unconditional love, careful discipline and always a relentless pursuit after the heart of God. It is that same foundation that inspires us now as young parents.

Lastly, we are so excited to have Grandma come to our house this week to help celebrate Cole's b-day. I remember all too well the day Cole came into the world and that memory is forever special as my Dad was there in the waiting room to greet his namesake. My parents were the proudest grandparents ever!!! It was their first grandchild and as my Dad had been raised with three sisters, three daughters, he was almost awestruck by the idea that I had brought a son into this world. In the year we saw my Dad slip away from us my kids became more than special grandkids, they became light in the midst of immense darkness. It's been four years now, and still my Mom lights up at the mere mention of their name. I am so sorry we don't live closer but am so thankful she makes it possible for us to be together as often as we are. She is an absolutely incredible Grandma (and former "Mama"). Her patience and interest in each of them as unique individuals always inspires me when we are together.

To all the grandparents in my kids life, thank you for loving us so selflessly, completely and joyfully! Your touch on our lives is so felt even though we are so far apart.

To show a child what has once delighted you, to find the child's delight added to your own, so that there is now a double delight seen in the glow of trust and affection, this is happiness.

-- J.B. Priestley