"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

The Hearts of the Children

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.- Alex Haley


We have been so lucky this past week to have Grammy and Grampy come and spend some time with us. They are always so supportive and helpful. We are totally spoiled when they are here. They may live 3 states away, but they make every effort to be here for all of our family's important events. Our lives are blessed because of these two wonderful people. Aren't they cute?


They drove all night so they would arrive on time for Lonica's dance competition. They are definitely her number one fans.


Grampy and Jalen had fun making fresh squeezed lemon-aide from the lemons off of Grampy's trees.


Lonica was delighted to have a private sewing lesson and made her doll this fabulous outfit.


Grampy taught Johnny how to fix a flat tire. Johnny was so excited that he tried to change Lonica's flat and accidentally put so much air in her tube that it exploded. But he learned his lesson and is now a pro.



Grampy and Loni shared their traditional glass of buttermilk. Weird I know. But they both love it.



Yesterday it was so sad to see them go. This is probably the last time they will visit us in this house. But I am grateful for the memories we have and the wonderful example they are to me. I love you Mom and Dad. Thank you for all that you are.

21 comments:

Cecily R said...

There's something magical about visiting grandparents no matter how far they come from!! Great pictures!

Scrappy said...

What wonderful parents/grandparents you all have! I wish it were easier for my parents to come visit us. You are very lucky to have such a close family. I love the pictures!
Lonica, you did an awesome job on the doll outfit!!

Wendi said...

There really isn't anything quite like grandparents. I only had one grandparent as a child. (She died when I was two) I am learning through my children what all the grandparent hype is about. I get it now. My parents were able to come for the weekend and they attended a baseball game, a dance recital, a preschool picnic, and visited my sisters family. Alot to cram in for a weekend, but they enjoyed it. We did too. My children are so blessed to have such wonderful grandparents in their lives. I remind them of this often.

You are one lucky girl to not only have wonderful grandparents for your children, but wonderful parents for yourself. I have only *met* your mom through blogging, but she seems like the most incredible woman. I can *feel* her love for you and your family in her words. I have really enjoyed having her as one of my bloggy buddies!

Lonica did an amazing job on the doll outfit. I could never do that!

Lisa Cannon said...

It's always fun when grandma comes...

It looks like you guys had a great time. What great grandparents!!!

Tricia said...

You really do have awesome parents, Lynell! They have always made us feel like family when we see them, they're so thoughtful! I never knew what it was like to have loving grandparents growing up, but I'm so grateful that my kids do, as well as tons of cousins and aunts & uncles close by!

Good thing you're just moving down the road, we'll still get to see Grammy & Grampy Staffy, and well, you too, of course! hee hee!

Great outfit for the doll, Loni! Can you make me one now if I buy the material?? wink!

And Johnny, don't feel bad about the exploding tire, my sis filled up her Celica's tires with EIGHTY lbs of air (instead of 35) and drove from CA to TX, and wondered WHY she could turn her steering wheel with her pinky! LOL

An Ordinary Mom said...

Sad, indeed, to see them go! At least you made many remarkable memories with them in your old house, and I am sure you will make many new ones in your future home!

Grammy Staffy said...

Dearest Lynell,
Thanks for the nice blog. You are so sweet to say those nice things about us. Of course you know how much we ENJOYED OUR VISIT. The only sad part is when we have to say goodbye. Each time I have to go it feels like a piece of my heart is torn away.(I've learned to keep a box of kleenex tissues in the car just for when we leave.) How I miss your sweet face, the hugs and the kids. (upps, I'm starting to bawl again.) I guess that I should count my blessing that we get to see you as often as we do. At least you are not an ocean away like our blog friend Marie's kids are.

We had a wonderful time with you, your family and McGibbons. Thank you all for making us feel so welcome and so loved. Words cannot express how precious you are to me.
Love, Mom

Erin said...

Aren't they the best? We are so blessed to have such loving and supportive parents!

It was such a great visit!

Love you mom and pop!!

Misty said...

This made me think of what a treasure it is to have my husband's parents live the next town over.

It also made me think of my own grandparents, who raised me for about 5 years, when my own parents walked out on us.

**sigh**

Marie Rayner said...

I can well imagine how hard it was to see them go. Looks like you all had a lovely time together. I am the only grandchild that has memories of my grandparents as they died quite young and all of the other grandchildren were either too young to remember them or not even born yet. I always wanted my children to have a close relationship with their own grandparents and I think I managed to make that happen. However since my divorce my kids have pretty much ignored my parents, which saddens me as I know my mother really misses them. It's really sad...why does divorce do that to people? I mean . . . she didn't divorce my ex, I did!

bows and more said...

So sweet! Grandparents are so great! They have wisdom and have learned to have patience! What a blessing! I love that Grandma too the time to teach Loni to sew! So wonderful!

hoLLy said...

my parents and little brothers visited over the weekend and when their car drove off i had a huge lump in my throat. every time i have to say goodbye, it is so hard:( and i also have to add that i just love your mom! she is so sweet. even though none of us have ever met, i feel a special connection to your amazing family.

Danielle Christiansen said...

How fun! grandparents visiting was always one of my favorite memories growing up!

KATE said...

Grandparents are always so much fun! I remember my Grandma used to let me put makeup on her! HOw funny I used to do up her face like she was a street walker! ha ha ha ha grandmas and grandpas are the BEST!!!!!

Corey and Susie said...

It's so neat to see our parents be "grandparents" It makes me excited to be one someday.

Anonymous said...

Okay, I remember drinking glasses and glasses of buttermilk! YUMMY!!!

Marilyn said...

What a sweet post about your parents. I hope I can be that kind of grandma to my grandkids!

SuperCoolMom said...

Your children are so blessed to have both a Grandma and Grandpa! My kids don't have any Grandpas. Today at our block party, my 3 yo son saw an old man neighbor and said "My Grandpa! I'm going to go say hi to my Grandpa!" Luckily he's a neighbor we love, but so sad not to have a "real" one.

allredclan said...

Just so you know, I'm still not very happy about you moving... =( However, that being said, I want you to know that I love you and that I will miss you and your family in church every week and seeing them in the neighborhood. As for you and I, I know that we will continue to be friends no matter where you live. And I say we still do the girls luncheon even in the summer or maybe do ice cream in the evenings instead (or have a girls night in Susan's pool!) (Hint hint, Susan!) Your optimism is contagious.

Susan said...

This is the first time I've spent more than a minute with your parents, and I lOVE them! I am still shocked and amazed that they drove through the night so they wouldn't miss Lonica's competition. Really, you and especially your kids, do have quite something by having those two as grandparents!

And here, here to Melinda's comments and ideas!

Grandma B said...

you are indeed blessed to have holy and good parents. i enjoy blogging with your mom. look forward to her new posts and also her comments on my blog.

how is your move going? know it's difficult to pull up roots, but always remember, HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS !! many new happy memories will also be made in your new home.

have a wonderful day......