Kids Kids

I Love Being a Grandparent
Here are my kids kids. They are the sweetest grandchildren any grandmother could want. They make me so happy. They're a dream come true. How lucky am I.

I'm proud of them. They call me grama, but I sign gift tags, "Gma" for short.

So far, I have six grandchildren. Four boys and two girls. There's one grandson missing from this picture. He joined the family after this picture was taken.

Same kids with after a few years of growing. Dont's they look awesome. I am the luckiest grama ever. I love them so much. Dreams right in front of my eyes. Wow!

Here we are at the Scarborough Fair.  That's the oldest grandson. Can't wait to see him all grown up.

This is me with one of my grandgirls at her school on Grandparents Day. My Honey and I have been to Grandparents Day for the grandkids many times.

It sounds funny to say that being a grandparent is different than being a mom. I guess it's obvious. I only mention it because I looked forward to becoming a grandparent. The surprise was that it wasn't entirely up to me.  They are precious.

For years, my life was all about providing a safe and happy home for my children. I didn't think about grandchildren. Then. When that time came, I got involved, but I was forced to realiize that the grandkids have a mom and dad. I am the grandmother. Not the mother. I had to wait for invites.

This one is the youngest. I didn't want to be called a nosy or pushy mother or mother-in-law. I hope my children would want me to have a relationship with their kids.  I hope my grandchildren would want to know me and me them. I think that's right.

This is the youngest with a trophy and the other pic is him with his Halloween costume come to trick or treat in our neighborhood.

Life is short, even when it's long. Look at these two girls... grow and grow.

Someday they'll have kids of their won. Holy cow. I can't imagine that. On this day, these two sweeties are but innocent babies...

In the blink of an eye, here they are years later. See the happy grandgirls with their hands in that big giant bowl of masa. Same girls.

Yup. We're going to make homemade tamales. I think they're having fun, making memories. I hope they treasure this memory like I do. Takes my breath away.

I can't even describe how my heart overflows with happiness when my two grandgirls come to my kitchen to cook with me. Recipes like my grama's pork carnitas tamales. They're mixing masa. It;s so much fun, and fun to watch, too. I'm sure it's a wonderful memory for each of these girls, too.

Below is the youngest grandchild again, and my Godson. I used to walk up to his school around the corner from my honey and my house. Then, I'd walk back to our house with him. He'd stay until his mom picked him up. Loved that time with him.  I think that lasted most of that school year, but I can't remember.

"Push play grama."

I used to drive Tim's older son (below) to school and pick him up and drive back to our house until his mom or dad picked him up. My honey picked him up after I stopped driving. I loved spending time with my grandsons. I thought this special time gave us a chance to establish a good relationship.

I have enjoyed the best times with my grandchildren, watching a video, playing a card game, going to their dance, flag twirling, sporting and school events, shopping, church, visiting, cooking, all while chatting about everything and nothing.

I wish I could have been more involved, but it would have crushed me if my son or daughter thought I was overstepping. I didn't want to give them a reason to even think I was buttin' here where I didn't belong.

The relationship with the kids kids is different than the relationship I have with the kids. It should be. When my children invite me to their house or to the grandkids school or events, I love that. When the grandkids get older, it'll be up to them. Right now, it's up to their parents. I do the best I can to show my love. That's who I am.

I love my family beyond words. Many Grands fill my heart with smiles because they take time to send me messages and pics. I love it. I am thankful that I have Grands who are attentive, loving and caring... more than I could have dreamed possible. I appreciate each and all my grandchildren, and I hope they know how much I love knowing about their life.

From watching my grandma flip her homemade tortillas on the stove when I was a girl, to making enchiladas for my kids at Christmastime, to sharing precious moments with the grandkids, the "pictures in my mind" are treasures I appreciate that day, the next day and now years later.

It's memories that live on, because you never forget moments shared with those you love. ///