Pajama Party

Our church has undergone some big changes over the last couple of years. Some of those changes came with a lot of sadness and left us feeling a bit discouraged. Recently, though, we've seen healing and growth that is heartwarming.

One if the changes was a loss of a full-time youth director. She had previously done so much work and organized many great events for the kids. With her resignation came a lot of reorganization, which is not always an easy thing. What I've noticed now, a year later, is a lot of people stepping up to the plate, so the speak. 

New events keep popping, organized by parents and other volunteers. This past Friday night they organized a Polar Express Party. As with many of these events, entire families were there having fun together. We all wore our Jammie's and went as groups from one station to another. 

We followed train track to lead the way to stations where we decorated and ate cookies...

... Played in piles of shaving cream "snow"...

... Made decorations and had coloring contests. 

 I am showing close-up photos of only our granddaughters and not the faces of other kids since I didn't ask for parental permission to show the others. There were over 60 kids there!

There was a white elephant gift exchange. I was worried Elise , at age 2, wouldn't quite understand the funky gifts but a small miracle occurred as she received a My Little Pony. She was so very excited! I was so relieved!

Cordy received stationery cards and wasn't thrilled at first but later was planning how she could leave secret letters to make people happy. I love that girl.

At each "station" the kids received a mark on their ticket. At the last station they realized their marks came together to spell JESUS.  

They all sat down while Mike told a story that brought home the message that Christmas is really all about Jesus.

Then, things got wild with an indoor snowball fight. Ok, the snowballs were made out of newspaper. The kids loved it!

The adult leaders then had a contest to see which team could clean up the fastest... A stroke of genius!

I love when a congregation serves as our larger family.  In January we will be having Saturday Talent Sharing Day. Different folks will be teaching others such things as Intro to Drumming, How to Play Cribbage, Crocheting, How to Improve Your Golf Swing, and more! Doesn't that sound wonderful?  The week after that we are going cross country skiing together. 

It is so wonderful to see so many people maybe stepping a bit out of their comfort zone to do more together. Do any of you have ideas you'd like to share of events your congregations sponsor?

Just Stand

"Hey, girls, just stand right there for a second so I can take your photo."

"Ok, I think I got a good one."

Make Exercise Fun

Sometimes, oK, often, I post about random thoughts that cross my mind. This is one of those times.

(all images from Google Images except the one of our beautiful granddaughters)

How Adults Get Exercise

This is a good one.

This sums up how it feels, at least to me.

Kids have a better way.

Maybe we adults can find ways to make it more fun.

Have a fun day!

Happy Birthday, Ben!

I do not remember the last time we got to spend Ben's birthday with him but he is visiting here from the East Coast and today is his day! Yay!

Ben is a guy full of energy and when he is here it is most definitely NOT dull. Cordelia and Elise are loving having another uncle around for a bit! It's so nice to see his smiling face... I like having all three of my children within reach.

We love you Ben! 

Happy Birthday! 

We're glad you are here!

Family Time

Angels and Little Ones

Matthew 18:10  

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. 

For I tell you that in heaven their angels 

always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

photos by E.K. Wimmer

Something About That Girl

There is something special about our granddaughter, Cordelia. I know, you are surprised that I think that, aren't you? Well, actually, there is something special about our other granddaughter, Elise, as well. However, this post is about Cordelia.

I totally believe that there is something special about every child. I hope no one is upset or thinks of this as bragging. I just think every child should have their good qualities mentioned frequently. I'm happy to do that!

Our daughter, Maria, recently mentioned Cordelia's repeated remarks that she was born to make the whole world smile. Isn't that just the sweetest thing? I've seen her do just that over and over. One example this week-end was when she gave a lady at a store a hug because she thought she was sad. She also asked the lady if she had any little children to make her smile.

When Cordelia was really little, maybe 2, she was able to verbalize that she felt shy in certain situations. One day, though, she told Maria that she wasn't going to be shy anymore. That was a life-changing day for her! She has been trying to make the whole world smile ever since! Sometimes it is simply running over to another child and saying, "Do you want to be my friend?"

Saturday I got to take both granddaughters to a park for a bit of fun. There was a little boy there, younger and rather intimidated, and Cordelia instantly set to work to make him smile. She showed him all around the park. He was a two year old and not yet too verbal. She didn't mind a bit! She just did the talking for both of them!  He ended up smiling a lot!

Yesterday we had a group from Youth Encounter, New Vision, at our church to lead worship. Cordelia LOVED them! From their first song she was enchanted. She got right into the clapping and dancing. When I complimented her clapping and such she turned to me and said, "Yes. I'm going to have to be in a band."

Later, the group had the children come up for a close-up view of a puppet show. At the end of it, Cordelia stood up and opened her arms wide stating, "I love you guys!"

After the worship service Cordelia ran over to them and was quite generous with her hugs. I heard her asking one of the team members if she could go with them. The girl asked Cordelia if she could play any musical instruments. Cordelia did not hesitate. She proclaimed, "I am very good on the drums so I'll just take the drums.

Later Sunday, when Sam and I stopped by their house, Cordelia gave us each some stones and sea shells from her little collection. She told us she wanted to give us something because we are very precious to her.

Yes, there is something special about that girl!

Embracing the Moment

Treasure every moment with those you love.

All Together

It didn't last long enough, but for a time Mike and I had all three of our adult children, both of our children-in-law (that's a term, isn't it?) and our two granddaughters all together in one place. It was wonderful. One of my favorite Arizona memories from this trip will be the day we all went for a walk enjoying some desert nature.

Ben and Sara came were there from North Carolina.

It was so great to get to spend time with them.

Cordelia was pretty happy to see Uncle Ben.

Can you see the adoration in her face?

Elise was happy to have Sara tote her around because Sara knew the trick. It looks awkward but Elise wants to be held facing outward so she can see where she is going.

We were walking around a Riparian Reserve so the bird-watching was fabulous.

I think this is a Blue Heron. Am I right? I love his beard!

I wonder if others in this reserve thought Maria and Eric were some sort of celebrities. Don't they look like a movie-star family?

 

Oh yes, I got time with the little girls as well.

I just felt so happy that day!

This guy was one of the locals.

Mike is standing on his tippy toes to be as tall as Sam.  

Pitiful really.

We made friends with some geese (groupies) who kept following us.

Ben showed Cordelia what to do with this perfect tree.

Arizona has its own beauty.

While I looked at this group of people I thought back to Mike and me at 15 years old, meeting in our little high school. I don't think I was capable then of imagining the joy of looking together at our children and grandchildren. I am so grateful for these moments, happy to share them with Mike.

I love my people!