It's Mom Time

Not that mom time since we are still waiting on baby boy to join the party here. I'm talking about my own momma today. She and my younger sister flew to SC for Daughter2's baby shower several weeks ago, and while my sister went back home my mom has been here ever since. My older sister lives about an hour from me and we've been sharing time with her.

She was at my house for nine days early on in the visit, and we took a big little road trip to Tennessee so she could see where her granddaughters live, spend time with her great-grandsons, and visit two of her old and very dear friends who live less than an hour from Daughter1. 

It seemed simple, three hours to Daughter2 and spend the night. Then three more hours to Daughter1 and spend three nights, plus the side trip to the friends, then three hours back to Daughter2 and spend another night, then home. In a blinding rainstorm through Atlanta which was as delightful as it sounds. Plus in the first hour of the trip I made a wrong turn (too much gabbing) and drove about thirty minutes the wrong way before I realized it. Oops. Hey it's not an adventure if everything is smooth sailing, right? 

This little road trip was a lot of schlepping for someone in their ninth decade of life. Also a lot of schlepping for someone  in their sixth decade, but if she can do it I can do it and we did and it was wonderful. Did I take a single picture of the momma-to-be with her grandmother? No I did not. Boo. I meant to, but we were busy talking and dining out and playing cards and time got away from me. Here we are at the shower though, so that's something-

And I did manage a couple of snaps with Daughter1 and her boys while we were in her part of the state. We went to a highly entertaining T-ball game on a warm Friday evening and that needed to be documented. 

Love the batter who ran to first base then sat down for a little rest until it was time to run to second lol. That's our star first baseman beside her-

And I did get a picture of my mom with friends she and my dad made when these friends were newly married with young children. They have been so wonderful to keep in contact with my mom all these many years and we had a lovely lunch in their home. Such a treat for my mom to see them in person-

We went to church with Daughter1 and her family, then out to lunch the Sunday we were there. For the record, picture taking with busy little boys is not for the faint of heart. 

After we got back to SC mom was at my house a few more days before moving over to my sisters to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend and my niece's birthday. Then back to me for another nine days, then back to my sister for another nine days. Whew! She's a trooper! 

We did a lot of card playing, porch sitting, bird watching, and jigsaw puzzle working while she was here. On Monday hubs drove us up into the mountains to the charming town of Highlands North Carolina. We stopped on the way up for the not-to-be missed view of our lake and the lake just above ours, then had a nice lunch in town. 

On the way home we made a quick visit to Bridal Veil Falls which are accessible from a pull-off in the road. It was such a beautiful day, and mom enjoyed walking behind the falls. Not Niagara, but pretty nonetheless. 

What a gift this time has been. To set aside all my to-do's and just enjoy time spent with with my momma. Such tender precious memories made. 

Four

This week's Hodgepodge questions are one post down.

Dear Mancub, 

Today you are four. 

You're there and I'm here and that's okay. God has a plan for each one of us and you there and me here is part of His plan for both of our lives. 

You are a world traveler. 

You've spent one half of your life living on the other side of the world, seeing new and interesting sights, hearing a language not your own, eating foods most toddlers wouldn't dare touch with a ten foot chopstick, and sharing your life with us via the miracle of technology. You are far far away from extended family and that's okay. 

Your momma and daddy have done a most excellent job of forming deep and lasting bonds with friends who have acted as family in absentia these past two years. Friends who will always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of your parents. Friends who will send you Christmas cards as the years roll by and who will go out of their way to visit you in person no matter where you roam.

You ask a lot of questions. 

I read recently the average four year old asks as many as 200 questions each day, but that's okay. This statistic only confirms what I've known since you uttered your very first word, and that is you're extraordinary.

One of the things I look forward to most about having you here is listening to all your many questions. When you hear a new word, even in passing, you must know what it means. You don't settle for a simple answer either, and you drill down to the nth detail until you understand it completely. You are growing your brain and keeping ours young and sharp too. 

You still love books.

I cannot overstate how happy this makes me. Nana has piles of books for us to share snuggled up on the couch, sitting on the porch, or riding in the car. Anywhere really. 

You love big. 

You and your little brother are developing such a sweet relationship as you've grown into the role of older brother and we love having a front row seat to your shenanigans.

You've learned to share your favorite people's time and attention, to understand the miracle of family love and the way our human hearts can expand and make room for more and more of it. 

You should know I stole all these pictures from your momma, and that's okay. Once upon a time she was my three-year-old turning four and I see so much of her in you. 

She also loves books and words and her people most of all, and we are so lucky to call her ours. 

To call you hers. 

To be on the receiving end of so much joy and magic. 

Happy birthday mancub. You are so very precious and your Nana loves you deep and wide. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6