Oh little Pooh, where are you?

Today's date, 09-29-09, has special meaning for our family. It is our daughter-in-law's due date and marks the upcoming birth of our second grandchild. She was hoping this would be the day and has remarked, "I love the numbers -- 09 - 29 - 09 !

Winnie the Pooh and friends is the theme of their nursery. It's a lovely, peaceful room with the classical Pooh from days gone by (not the newer, Disney version Pooh). The colors are neutral enough to work with boys or girls, though this baby has already been tagged during sonograms as a little boy! We can't wait to meet him.

I hadn't realized the classical theme only had four animals: Pooh Bear, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. Those are the four you'll find in the older Winnie-the-Pooh storybooks and drawings. They are also the ones featured in our new grandchild's nursery. There is just one thing missing in this lovely room, however. We can hardly wait to see our new "little Pooh" in here!

Waiting is tough, especially when you're so far from those you love. We have been praying about this event for many months and especially in the last weeks. None of us know the exact day he will arrive, but my Grandmother Denton, who helped deliver many babies, would always say, "Don't fret -- when the apple is ripe, it will drop!"

This photo shows the lovely bassinet our daughter-in-law slept in when she was a newborn. It has been refurbished for the baby and is anxiously awaiting him! This means our little Pooh will be portable -- moving downstairs when Mommy is in the kitchen or visiting Daddy's man-cave to hang out and watch a football game.

I love the thought that he'll get to use this family heirloom! He also has his maternal grandfather's bowl and will use his maternal grandmother's silver spoon and fork.

Our plans are to go up in late October, a few weeks after mommy and baby are back home and in that sweet, cozy nursery. Not that we wouldn't like to be there when the baby comes, but this is our daughter-in-law's time with her own mother, grandmother and extended family.

They should be with the new mommy first. And there needs to be a *bit* of time alone as a little family of three. I know our son is going to be a good daddy and will take special care of his wife and son. They will make a lovely family.

I'll be sure to keep you posted. You all know me well enough by now to be sure of one thing --- we'll take lots of photos of our little Pooh and his parents to share with you!

Autumn's reminder ...

Autumn is officially "just around the corner," and it's already begun to make an appearance. There are some leaves turning here .. those on sumac bushes and our black gum tree out near the mailbox.

The photo here was taken of some dogwood trees last fall in the mountains of Tennessee. We had gone for a little retreat of our own and went to Fairhaven, a peaceful getaway for anyone, but particularly built for and reaching out to those in ministry.

It certainly is a quiet, lovely place with wonderful chalets and a rustic, welcoming lodge. Even the drive up the mountain to the lodge is a feast for the eyes.

While there, we took time to reflect on the busy months of the earlier part of that year -- as a couple, as parents, as pastor and wife in the ministry, and as grandparents (we'd just received news of our daughter's pregnancy at the time.)

That trip was a blessing in so many ways. The staff at Fairhaven were so kind and accomodating. A nice-sized library of games, books and puzzles were on loan to anyone who wished to use them. A roaring fireplace was in the main lobby with plenty of rocking chairs waiting for visitors to sit and chat.

The chalets had one master bedroom, a full kitchen, nice-sized livingroom/dining combo and an upper level with twin beds. The sofa made out into a bed, too, so it was possible to sleep six people comfortably.

Our chalet was literally backed up to a mountainside. Before us, outside the picture window, we could see the glorious hills -- their peaks and valleys taking on various hues at differnt times of the day or evening.

Early mornings, we would take a cup of hot cappuccino or tea out on the deck and listen to the birds greet the day. Below us, a pond beckoned with a cheery red rowboat tethered to the bank. A duck family floated, waddled and quacked, claiming their rightful territory. Streams and creeks were abundant in the area and made a musical backdrop as they dabbled or dashed over moss-covered stones.

Autumn is a wonderful time for retreats and mini-vacations. Even a short drive through the countryside refreshes the body, mind and spirit. God's creation is all around us, and when He adorns it with the colors of autumn, we need to take notice!

Take your little ones outdoors to collect pretty leaves and save some well-ribbed ones for crayon rubbings. Introduce the art (and work) of raking leaves by promising your children a chance to jump in the pile after it gets "this high." Even adults can hardly resist the urge to revisit childhood and romp a bit.

Our two older ones loved to bury their brother in a pile and then come get me. "Mom, have you seen Kevin anywhere?" I'd stall a bit, giving our 3-year old time to bolt upright and holler, "Here I am!"

Autumn is also a great time for hikes, bike rides, roasting marshmallows and cozying up to a fire on the hearth -- or sitting around a snapping bonfire outdoors. The smells and sights in autumn are gifts from our Lord.

It is His reminder to us that even though life on this earth is temporary, it is full of beautiful moments. As we lift our hearts and voices in praise to Him, we are refreshed and He is glorified. Autumn reminds us to slow down and enjoy the last few weeks of beauty and wonder before the trees are stripped of color.

I hope you and your loved ones have a blessed autumn!

What to do with junk mail ...

I don't know about you, but I'd much rather get a letter or card or magazine in the mailbox than to find something marked "Occupant." In other words, junk mail.

It might be a flimsy sale paper from some store half way across the state offering a dozen donuts to the first buyer of their brand new fake fur foot stools. Maybe it's a crazy ad about humvees and artillery tanks being given away by the government. Then there are the slick and glitzy offers to upgrade your (non-existent) pool to an Olympic-sized, marblelized outdoor spa! You get the idea ...

So just what does one do with junk mail, anyhow? That seems to be question Ethan is pondering here while sitting on Papaw's lap. Teeth on it? Does it rip easily? Why does it make a crinkly sound when you wad it up? Hmmmm... if it's bright and pretty, does that make it taste better?

Our junk mail normally goes right into the garbage, but we couldn't resist tolerating it long enough to let our five-month old grandson explore it while I snapped a few photos. Normally, he focuses on the camera and grins (quite a ham, already) but he was too fascinated with Papaw's cast-off mail to even look up.

Maybe thinking outside the (mail) box is the solution, folks. Perhaps junk mail has all kinds of uses after all. Slap a label on it with your child's name and have him or her open their own mail. Cut it up into strips and make paper chains on rainy days. Collect various types and weights of junk mail and see if you can form a "Junk-Mail Family Band."

The name does have possibilities, you know. I'm just not sure you'd get a big following or could come up with a good recording -- unless ... perhaps ... well, just think of the possibilities. Junk mail makes all kinds of sounds, depending on what type of paper it is and what you do with it. Wad it, tear it, flip through a short stack of it, fold it, snap it, crush it or rattle it -- all of which make varying tunes and tones on the junk-mail musical scale.

I'm sure there is *some* good use for junk mail ... and our grandson may be the first one to figure it out. Just look at the concentration on that little brow!

The little fisherman

This is Ethan on his first fishing trip with Papa Jack. I just love the cute expression on his face! We are learning that Ethan likes being outdoors as much as his Daddy and Mommy do. Both his grandpas are also outdoorsmen, so he comes by it naturally.

My, how babies change in two months' time. Since we last saw him, Ethan has gained weight, better balance, discovered his feet and toes, flips back and forth between back and stomach and sits up in a high chair and walker. He also loves for someone to read to him.

We've also learned he's quite the comic. The expressions he makes at times seem to say, "Gotcha!" or "Yeah, right..." or "Can you do this?" or "Really!"

This week has been special in many ways, one of which is that we've seen all three of our children in the last five days. Considering they are scattered from Virginia to Florida, that's quite a feat.

Last weekend, we saw our son and his wife in Virginia and I attended her baby shower (see blog below this one). Then, two days after we got home, our daughter, son-in-law and grandson arrived! On Thursday evening, we went out to eat and met up with our other son, so we've had our parenting cup filled with lots of love, laughter and new memories to cherish.

At 4:30 this morning, I heard a tap on our bedroom door. Melissa and Ethan poked their heads in and asked if I'd like to cuddle with my grandson while they loaded the car for their trip back south. Hubby was at work on an early shift, but he had some special time with our sweet grandson last night.

What a joy it's been to host them the past three days! They are very laid back and easy to please, so having them here in our home is relaxing. Saying goodbye this morning was tough, knowing we'll probably not see them again until the holidays. Many more changes will occur between now and then, and our lil' guy will most likely be crawling, standing and saying his first words by then.

I guess that's the only drawback to the grand-parenting experience -- about the time you get your quota of hugs and cuddles and your heart expands to fill up with more love and happy memories, you have to say goodbye again ...

Of sailboats and sharing ...

We drove to Virginia to see our son and his wife this past weekend. They are in a new home now and are soon expecting their first child. I was able to attend her baby shower while we were there.

It was such fun to see her open all the little packages with tiny outfits, blankets, books and booties, stuffed animals and tiny toys!

Along with those, there were heirlooms handed down from Kerry's side of the family -- among them, a silver porringer her own father used and her mother's first silver spoon. They are lovely pieces with special meaning.

The quilt shown in the photo was one that was lovingly hand-stitched for me when I was expecting. We tucked this quilt around our little Jason on special occasions 27 years ago. Later, it was wrapped in tissue paper and stored in a cedar chest for safe keeping. There, the sailboat quilt has rested, waiting to be shared.

When Kerry opened it at the shower, there were lots of oooh's and aaaaah's around the room with comments about its beauty and like-new condition. What a joy to think our little grandson will soon be wrapped in the same quilt that cuddled his Daddy many years ago!

Sharing an heirloom is one way to show we cherish memories of days gone by. It's also a good way to remind our children they are an important link in the family chain. By preserving special items and handing them down, we connect the dots from past, present and future. In the process, our children begin to make their own memories -- and, perhaps, they will enjoy passing along some of the same heirlooms to the next generation.

Can't wait to meet our grandson!