The last several days have been a ...

breath of fresh air. On Wednesday afternoon, Don and I stopped at our local Goodwill, where I found some great bargains on Linen and Adia cloth. I purchased three rolls of Irish linen for $1 each and a baggie filled with Irish linen squares and Adia cloth for $3. Gotta love a bargain! Afterwards, we took a ride over to Lexington to have dinner out at the Dutch Heritage Restaurant, then walked around the Gift Shop. Of course, I had to purchase a clearance piece of Heritage Lace and some blue robin eggs soaps for the bathroom. While driving back home we rolled the windows down, turned up the stereo and bellowed until we laughed ourselves silly. I just love days like that!

On Thursday, I spent a few hours with Lil Miss Adorable! She is getting so big and her personality never ceases to amaze me. She's loving the living room re-arrangement since the love seat is now in front of the mirror. It is so easy for Garndma to hold on to her while she plays "patty-cake" with herself. {I haven't had the heart to clean off her little handprints and smile every time I see them there.} We had a short and sweet wonderful visit before she returned to Mommy. I apologize for the photo above being a bit blurry --- she's becoming quite a challenge to photograph and can you tell she loves her car? LOL!

What a treasure!!!

I wasn't certain when I took this one just how it would turn out, however, I desired to try it. I did manage to capture Alexxis' reflection within the ornament. {Love this! *smile*}

Reaching....

Of course, Grandma had to consider safety first before placing a shatterproof ornament at the end of a branch for Alexxis to reach and play with. As you can see, she had a blast!

So Precious...

Alexxis spent the night with Grandma and Papa last night. She is growing up so fast! I was surprised when I put her in her duckie pj's to discover that she won't be wearing them for much longer. She loved our Christmas tree, staring at the lights, while attempting to dance to Christmas Music. She laughed hysterically when Grandma sung along to Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You! song...

Here is a sample of the smiles, I get...

Unfortunately, my flash went off and I captured her with her pretty blue eyes closed. She still has a hint of Angel Kisses on her eyelids. {smile} And did you notice those three pearly whites? She also just got one of her top front teeth through the gum while visiting this past weekend. Although teething, she takes it all in stride. Can you tell she is "my girl"? LOL!

Grammie's Girl...

Ahhh, Ha.... I got my camera batteries and just have to share this sweetness! Alexxis McKenzie, almost 5 and a half months old, playing with her toys at Grammies. At this point, she was more interested in getting her hands on Grandma's camera than in having her picture taken.

Who knew?

That one day I'd be so excited over a cake pedestal? LOL! Or that I'd actually care if our dishes were washed, dried, and actually put away in the cupboards? That I'd so enjoy cooking a meal for my family and friends, having guests over, and lingering in these still small moments? I find it so funny that just 5-6 months ago I was saying, "Don't call me grandma!" to now thinking that there isn't anything else I'd prefer to be called.

I would never have guessed just how much I would change and reminence over my own values and their beliefs, and think and mull over all the littlest things. But since Alexxis has been born and I look at her with all her childhood wonder and curiousity, her willingness to explore the world around her, I realize just how important all these things are in influencing the choices and the decisions that she will one day face. Never before have I wished for simpler times, a simpler lifestyle, a more relaxed and laid-back pace to my life than I do right now in this season of my life. And it is all because of her!

I want to spend all the time I can seeing the world from her point of view, exploring with that childlike curiosity with wisdom to know about the dangers that lurk around some of life's corners. I want to make our home her safe haven, her sanctuary, her soft place to fall when the world outside our door becomes too much for her to bear. I want to share with her the delight that is found in the ordinary, everyday moments of time that we tend to often take for granted when caught up in the hustle and bustle of life's busiest moments. But most of all, I want to teach her that is okay to get caught up in life sometimes and that it is perfectly okay to find pleasure in life's smallest treasures; that there is absolutely nothing wrong with desiring to get back to the basics of living a life filled with joy! That is okay to capture stolen moments in time and to just be present in the here and now, savoring them.... one second at a time. That these are the most important moments of all... those that restoreth one soul when the world becomes too much, too full, too big, powerful, and overbearing. There is definately still delight in the little things.

Love you, "Lexi! Ever so proudly, Grandma...

Inbetween...

changing, feeding, playing, snuggling, laughing with Alexxis today, getting dinner on the table, and the dishes done, I managed to get the silk screenprinting frame prepped for beginning! I just got the image drawn on the screen and will upload the photographs for you. Enjoy the journey! {I am! (along with all the possibilities) Gotta love that!}

The JOY's of being a grandma...

I have Alexxis again today! Mommy and Daddy have been job hunting. Diligently, I might add. I think in some ways my conversation with Amber on Saturday made her realize that this is truly a temporary problem, and no matter how bad you think you have it, there is always someone who is a little worst off. I can understand her disappointment and her desiring a better life for herself, her family, her little one. I can understand her becoming depressed and I can sense and know when she needs a 'cheerleader" in her court. And on Saturday, that is what I was... not a friend, not her "mother" {in the "lecturing" sense of the word}, but a listener and a life coach and someone who will always be there, picking her up when she falls downs, dusting her off, helping her to stand on her own two feet once again. That's my job as her mom, no matter what age she is. It is the very same thing that my mom is to me! My confidaunt, caring encourager --- regardless of small, how seemingly meaningless my biggest concern is to her.

Anyways, I've been caring for Alexxis, both her and at her home, while Mommy and Daddy are working on resume's; going through the phone book for possible places for employment, looking in the paper and online. Running here and running there. The good news is Amber is at an interview as we speak. It is a temporary full-time position expecting to last only three weeks --- but it is something until something better comes along. She also has been through two interviews with another company. Yesterday when checking on it, she was informed that she was the first one to be called and they were hopeful that she'd be available when the opportunity becomes viable for them to need her. {A possible contract has stalled: but still looks promising!}
Please keep my dd, her family in your thoughts and prayers; like all of us, they deserve a good break now and again.

Weekend wanderings and other thoughts....

Our weekend seems to have once again flown by..... Friday spent at a yard sale with Amber and Alexxis, and upon returning home I decided to keep "Doodlebug" and give mommy a much needed break. Alexxis is becoming such a fun little girl to hang out with and to enjoy. She is discovering more and more of the world around her. She reaches and grasps everything in her way... including grammies bi-focals, LOL! Her hand and eye co-ordination skills are continually developing, she learning to be more vocal. Her newest thing is "growling" LOL! It is so funny! You look at this sweet adorable little girl and out comes this growl to which she giggles with delight! She is beginning to eat! Baby food jars of fruit, fruit juices, and cereal make up the majority of her diet, although she still loves her bottle! I had her until 9:30-10 o'clock and if it wasn't for Chaos making such a ruckus while outside, I would have kept her overnight.

On Saturday Don worked while I felt truly inspired. I got nothing new created but the ideas for creations seemed to pour out of me. If only I could create theings as fast as I envision creating! Don returned home and desired to take me out for dinner since I've been dutifully working away in our home the last several weeks, so we took a short road trip over to Lexington to eat at the Dutch Heritage restaurant. Delicious Amish cooked buffet...... yumm! After eating, we drove into Galion and visited with Dennis and Sheila for a while, catching up with one another's lives before returning home to rest and relax.

Yesterday, we spent some time in the morning and early afternoon watching TV. I watched a few episodes of Wive Swap. This is the first time I have watch this reality based show so I was a bit surprised by how different some of the people being featured on this show live from our own daily lives. I could see how life truly is made up of being in a constant state of determining balance so I guess that I too walked away with something from watching it. In the afternoon, Don was restless and suggested we take a drive...... one of those going-no-where-in-particular rides.

We ended up in Lima, Don desiring to drive to Ft. Worth! I persuaded him to stay in Lima where we ventured into Pier 1 Imports and simply browsed. Another stop into TJ Maxx where I picked up Alexxis a new outfit ---a pair of pants, a top, and a vest set --- in a 12 months size. Hopefully, that will get her through the winter. As we headed back east, towards home, neither of us desiring to come back too early, Don suggested what I was thinking about, stopping in Kenton at KMart. We browsed there, I found two more outfits for Alexxis...... both reasonably priced, one 2pc. reg. priced 4.99 each for a sale price of 2/$7 and another pants and shirt for $9.99. I ventured into the Toys Department and found several things on clearance and another couple of toys for regular price. I found a Fisher Price light up musical stacker, a mucical toy that plays, "Itsy Bitsy Spider", a Baby Eistein Frog that sings, counts, and says the alphabet, and a child's walking assisting toy that feautures a multitude of other things, and a pull along caterpillar. Some of the toys were age appropriate for her.... 6 months, while a few of the others were items she will grow into. I also found some fleece blanket sleepers with the feet in an 18 month size, so all these things went into a layaway for Christmas.

Upon returning to our hometown, I stopped at Amber's to give her the 3 outfits I'd purchased for Alexxis. I thought that it would help to ease her mind a little, as I know that they are struggling some financially. Chris was recently laid off from his job and Amber is still looking for something part-time so she can spend some time with Alexxis.

My heart feels so heavy for her. She is becoming depressed, and tearfully tells me that this isn't the life that she envisioned for her daughter. I feel terrible, wishing that somehow I could help, yet knowing that I am doing what I can, when we can - to try to assist them and that we cannot do it all for them. It is so hard sometimes, drawing those boundaries ........ although I know Amber is grateful for what I am doing, I can sense a kind of resentment towards me for doing what she isn't able to do right now. She has been self-reliant for a long time.... even working full-time while in high school, earning and saving for her car, insurance, clothes. Of course, I've always been able to help off and on and ease some of the tight spots, I know going through this stage in her life is difficult for her.

I try not to say anything... not desiring for her to take my intentions the wrong way. I know she feels like she has let herself, Chris, and Alexxis down and doesn't need me to interfere. I struggle with those boundaries daily... when to say or do something, how much is enough and how much is too much. And I know I have to let her go and figure some of these things out on her own. It is just difficult to see your children unhappy........ yet Alexxis certainly knows how to bring a smile to face and make her realize what is truly important in life! In the meantime, I do what I can without being taken advantage of, and watch as their lives unfold, knowing someday it will all come together for her and regardless of it all that I am here. She isn't too comfort with that right now but still appreciates it.

I honestly believe this is probably the hardest thing that I have ever had to do in my entire life... let go of my child. You think that you're ready for it when it happens, then miss them so terribly, try to be there and guide them.... gently yet not step on their toes in the process. As a mother you just want to wipe all their pain, their tears away, and tell them that it is going to be alright, and encourage them a little bit more to never let go of their dreams.

Don and I took a detour this weekend. Instead of traveling, going, seeing, and doing, we decided to make a trip to Lowe's. There we purchased the 7/16th OSB boards we needed for the subfloor underlayment of our Pergo Red Oak laminate to be laid on one side of our living room.
Our living room has been my biggest decorating challenge in our home as it is a long rectangle with 3 doorways, one large picture window on the west wall, and two additional windows along the front. Across from the front door on the opposite wall is the doorway to the kitchen and on the other end {east wall} is the doorway to the hallway and bedrooms. This room gets a lot of traffic in the course of the day.

When our home was originally built by Don's dad, our living room was two rooms --- one living room area and the other a bedroom which has given me the idea to treat the space as two separate areas. One side a more formal living area for when we have company and the other for TV viewing and more everyday use.

We decided we'd love to have more of the Pergo Red Oak flooring in our home some time ago and have since been purchasing boxes of it as we could afford to. Back in May, we finally purchased the last box need but other projects and busy-ness have prevented us from getting the job completed. Until this weekend anyway. After a lot of measuring and sawing, our underlayment is down! I'm thinking by the end of the week, we'll have another beautiful floor in our home. The opposite side of the room will one day be carpeted with new carpeting and will continue on into the hallway. Thankfully, that will be the last of the flooring our home will require for some time. I am so happy that this one area of our home where we purchased what we wanted without making any compromises. The results are going to be fabulous! I have already been busy thinking already about how I am desiring to decorate the space, the small touches and details that we'll add in a bit at a time.

On Monday, we took a trip to Sunbury for the Labor Day Ox Roast and annual antique and yard sales. There weren't as many antique vendors as the previous years so my searching and hoping for ephemera wasn't what I expected it to be. Although, this won't be too much of a problem as I can always go through my stash and have some photocopies made for the Variety Collage Exchange.

After returning back to Marion from our trip, we stopped by to see Alexxis, Amber and Chris. I couldn't resist seeing her.... and turn down the opportunity to have her overnight. My back is doing so much better --- although I will still be seeing the chiroprator later this week. Having Alexxis has been a blessing and a joy! She is so lovable. Oh, and guess what Grandma Highland found!!! Alexxis' first tooth!!! Yep, that's right. My little four month old grandbaby has her first tooth! I think mommy's a little jealous that Grammie Highland found it, but she was excited about it nonetheless.

Look whose visiting with Grandma....

I just captured this photograph of Alexxis while she is taking a nap. She is getting so big... she takes up half of my loveseat, LOL! as she is so long! She rolls over now and it trying her darnest to sit up all by herself. When I see her it is so hard to believe she is 4 days from being 4 months old! 

Sunday's update...

I spent my Sunday with the sweetest little girl..... Miss Alexxis. Amber brought her over to spend time with grammie while Chris and her tackled assembling her new high chair. I cannot get over how much she is growing, watching her blossom into herself, and the fascination that she has with the world around her.

I actually caught her playing "peek a boo" with me yesterday as she sat in her Fisher Price Aquarium bouncy seat, cooing at her friends, pretending to watch TV. It was so adorable! She'd coo at her kiss-y fish, glance at the TV, and when I'd look at her sitting there, I'd discover her looking at me. This seemed to amaze her as she look at me and coo, squealing with delight. I'd glance at the TV and then back at her and she'd coo and squeal some more, LOL! She continued this game for a good 15 minutes. She is such a wonderful child, filled with happiness, and for the most part very content unless hungry, tired, or in need of a diaper change.

She'll soon have her first experience with food in just a few short weeks as Amber will be adding cereal to her diet. I believe she is more than ready for it as it isn't too uncommon for her to want to devour an 8 oz. bootle of formula on occassion. She is definately teething, although there is no sign of any teeth coming in yet, her small swollen gums, fingers and hand in her mouth, drooling, and running a low grade fever off and on tell the story.

She tries so hard to sit up all by herself and is so very strong! It shouldn't be too much longer before she's mastered that as she is almost 4 months old now. I'll have to post some pics of her soon --- I didn't take any yesterday as I was just too caught up in spending time with her, devouring every little moment and movement she makes. Between spending time with her, I simply sat and spent the entire day watching movies! Life is definately good!