Grandpa sharing a fudgesicle with Alexis.

She really liked it.

Alexis’ mommy and daddy.
Grammy and Pappy were in town briefly and we were able to get the crew together for a dinner.
Somehow the only photos I found on my camera where of Alexis with her great-grandparents.

Grammy & Alexis had some cuddle time. This little girl was so tired! She didn’t get her nap during the day and by evening was trying hard to stay awake. Amazingly, she was happy the whole time.

Years ago I wanted to know the meaning of each of our names. Years ago I made something simple that I have enjoyed for years. These name cards are old and age stained, yet they remain beautiful to me. I took them out of their special made frame in order to let go of what had been so that I could continue to rejoice over what is.
   
The other day the family that had been six became a family of fifteen. Soon this family of fifteen will become a family of sixteen when Rob and Ashley welcome their third child into this world in September. Who knows what our number will be someday!

Already this grouping is out of date. Jade Marie moved from Christina’s womb to her arms on May 4, 2009. Isn’t life is an amazing series of never to be repeated events?

After replacing the name cards with the photos I wondered what to do with the cards. It just didn’t seem right to toss them away but to simply keep them wasn’t going to work for me either. Instead I decided to use them for a project that I’ve wanted to do for years.

Each one is being placed on Moleskin notebooks that I have for each son. Often I have random thoughts, prayers, and ideas that I want to pass onto my sons and their families. More often than not these thoughts never leave the confines of my brain. These books are my way of seeking to share a part of me with those who have come after me.

Since becoming a grandmother I have often thought of my own grandmothers who have long since passed on. Somehow this stage of my life has granted insight to their hearts and lives. It has allowed me to see myself as they might have seen me. I have realized what a gift they gave me so many years ago…the gift that only now can I begin to understand: unconditional love & acceptance. This has profoundly shaped me as a growing grandmother and as a woman.

These Jersey shore ocean treasures remind me of the passage of time and life and the importance of leaving behind a token of our existence here on earth. Change is a part of this world…I choose to embrace it, celebrate it, remember it and record it…and to dance with it.

Lee Ann Womack’s I Hope You Dance

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they’re worth taking
Lovin’ might be a mistake
But it’s worth making
Don’t let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance

Early Monday, May 4th, 2009, Christina and Jon made the trip to the hospital. Do you think they were excited to meet their daughter?

Christina did a fantastic job laboring this baby out. Jon was an attentive encourager!

Leah, Christina’s mom, & Jonathan were a good team of support for Chris.

Look at that head of hair!

She has such a sweet face.
Stats: 7 lb. 9 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long

Congratulations!

I do believe the wait was worth it!

At the American Legion in Shawnee, OK Jonathan was honored with Solider of the Year at the Annual Honors Banquet. It was a nice evening with a dinner, a short address from Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and the awards presentations to fifteen people from multiple walks of life.
 
Jon & Christina sat at the head table during dinner. I had to chuckle because sitting at a head table with everyone looking at you isn’t a lot of fun.

Jon’s captain introduced him. We learned a few things about him and his tour in Afghanistan that we didn’t know about before.

It was an honor for us to be with him and Christina tonight.

Our recent travels took us to WI before we returned home.

One morning Tim & I woke early and went to a local restaurant for an incredibly simple and delicious breakfast at Thru the Woods Cafe. The air was crisp with the promise of a warm day beginning. Watching the sun rise in a cozy local spot eating a yummy meal with my man was just about perfect. 

After breakfast we met up with Mickey & Joy, OKC friends, and Tim was off to some meetings with Mickey while Joy and I went to a cafe and visited. Later we met up with the guys for a lunch.

Mickey was impressed with the size of the dog in the restaurant.

Later Guy gave me a ride on his Harley. I LOVED it!! Wonder if I could talk Tim into a motorcycle for our next trip?? A true hippie at heart?

We are now back home in OK and glad to be here, however, I do miss the ocean.

We are on the road again…slowly heading home in a round about way. Our time at the Jersey shore was good! How I love the ocean and its many faces.

The weather was overcast and rainy all but one day.

The cold didn’t keep me off the beach though. I braved the wind and cold and enjoyed the walks.

The wind played with the sand.

Here we are in all our glory. LOL Did I mention that it was COLD!!

My walks alone soothed my soul.

It was a mile walk to a cute little local restaurant.

We’d drive to breakfast and then I’d walk back to the hotel.

One morning we both walked to breakfast and coffee and then walked back. We were ready for a second breakfast by the time we returned to the hotel.

The Pirate’s Den was small and cozy. We went daily and quickly felt like a local. The food was simple and good.

We stayed on the island of Brigantine; it is a place I would like to return to.

At the end of this walk the sun briefly broke through the clouds and lit up the sand. Beautiful!!

Some pictures from our time with Tim’s family:

Father Flatt, Becky, Mom & Tim

Our goodbye photo.

After we left Newark Valley, NY we took the back roads to Tunkhannock, PA where we met up with Dan & Laureen for lunch at Twig’s. They look GREAT…tan, fit and healthy.

It was a nice long lunch but an all too short visit.

Laureen & I have been friends for around 25 years…we’ve walked through fires and fun together. Our friendship has weathered our different life seasons and storms and as a result bonded us together in a unique way. Thank you, dear friend for the gift of “you.”

My dear father-in-law had a nasty fall a couple of weeks ago just a few days before Tim and I left Oklahoma. We left OKC earlier than originally planned (thanks to the graciousness of my teacher/mentor) which allowed us to change our travel plans after we were on the road.

Father Flatt severed the quadriceps tendon when he fell. He had surgery a week ago today to repair it.

Tim’s sister from OR was there in New York helping after the surgery. By rearranging our travels we were able to spend time with her too.

Tim & Becky made dinner one night: steamers, scallops and asparagus risotto.

Mom & dad Flatt’s new home is very nice; its perfect for their new retirement life. They already have a network of friends and a good church that they are involved in. It was good to be able to “see” them in their new surroundings.

My camera is out in the car so later I’ll have to post a few more Flatt family pictures.
We are now on the Jersey shore. This morning after breakfast I had a brisk walk on the beach. It’s cold and overcast but still so good to be by the ocean.

Last week Jon & Christina had a 3D/4D ultra sound of their baby. They invited us all to join them which was very special. What an amazing procedure to peek into Christina’s belly and see their precious baby.
Christina’s mom was there to see her first grandchild.

Jade was hiding next her mom’s hip bone, so Jon tried poking her to see if she’d move.

When the poking didn’t get Jade to move the tech had Chris do some yoga moves. Jonathan was a good sport and did the moves with her.

It was a fun family event.

Little Lexie won’t remember her first look at cousin Jade, but it was nice to have her there with us.

Can you see her face? On the right her little hand is curled up next to her cheek right under her eye. She has chubby cheeks and seems like a content little one. I cannot wait to meet her…soon.
Thanks Jon & Christina for including us. 

After I “vented” about last week I had writer’s remorse; I even contemplated deleting the post. A chat conversation and an email encouraged me to leave it alone.
 
Tuesday my Mom called for the express purpose of giving me an ear to vent to. What a gift she gave me! Thank you, Mom, for listening, for asking questions, for being you. It helped me.

Tuesday and Wednesday I spent at home doing laundry and spending time with Faith who helped me clean out my closet. Actually, she did all the work cleaning it out. It looks sooo much better.

Markus during Nationals

Tim & I have spent time cuddling in the his chair while watching TV, going to a movie and talking about what we want to do over the next three weeks. It has been nice. Different kids and grand kids have stopped in and been such a delight. Tim made us all chicken noodle soup & cookies one day and lentil stew yesterday. Soul food…

Josiah will soon be 2 years old. He has his daddy’s curls.

 
Today I went into the spa for class and an appointment. It was wonderful to be back with my classmates and teacher. I have missed them all so much! Dear Anne brought me a loaf of fresh made bread and a POUND of sweet butter! We talked; we laughed; we simply enjoyed being together. What a blessing they all are to me.

Tim had an end of the year OKC Storm pizza party tonight. A parent made this cartoon for him. Thanks Tim Farmer…I love it!

It is a good visual of what the week of Nationals is like for him…and yet he still loves it. Go figure. Layers of tiredness continue to peel off of him. Today he was at the spa for a massage and time in the sauna then he surprised me by bringing me dinner to eat during my night class. When I got home tonight he looked wiped out. He continues to work on tying up all the little loose ends from last week so that when we leave town Saturday he can be free from it all.