Sunday, March 30, 2014

Too blessed to be stressed

Hubby grilled. I prepared salad, deviled eggs, relish tray, cheesy potatoes, balked beans, fruit salad and desserts. The doorbell started ringing at noon and our children and grandchildren arrived one after another for the next hour. The house was noisy; the laughter pealed, the children made cupcake crumb trails, the adults came back for seconds.

Our 17 year old grandson still loves hearing me tell the story of his birth: he looked right into his mom's face as she spoke to him right after he was born. I pronounced him a genius then and there. His daddy would wrap him in a blanket time and again, and each time his little feet would flop out the other end. Most newborns have that frog-leg syndrome; not our boy. He was growing those legs from birth. He now wears a size 15 shoe and is a volley ball pro at 17. He's 6'4" and does he have a future!

Our little darling with red ringlets who used to toddle and jabber, is readying herself for prom. Her brother is a freshman in high school and has shot up and out of sight. The 13 year old who loves red hot corn curls was surprised when Grandpa surprised her with her very own bag of them.

My son and his family came bearing news: they sold their house and are moving; their daughter has a lead in her school play, and her 11 year old brother still sits beside me and asks me to rub his back.

My daughter and her husband brought an old photo album. Yes, there were comments.

Bill looked at his "little girls" and wondered where the years went. Their husbands watched War of the Worlds. Hubby and I told them the original was so much better.

From preschoolers who can sing Twinkle Little Star to an almost 21 year old grandson with a  very lucrative lawn care business (makes more than our combined income) and our 24 year old first "baby" who is 12 weeks away from having her own little pumpkin...cousins who still tease one another...OUR FAMILY! What a fun, sunny day. I am exhausted and feeling so blessed to have  such happy, healthy kids all together at the same time. Hope you have a great week.

19 comments:

Mevely317 said...

Why, your title just drew me in ... I was engaged 'til the last period fell!

Thank you for painting us such a sweet vignette, Linda!

Hugs,
Myra

Val said...

I am exhausted just from reading about it. And now I have a warm glow from the family festivities.

Bookie said...

You are very, very lucky to have so much family close by and attentive! I am happy for you.

Anonymous said...

What a terrific day! You are indeed blessed, with a dear family and grandchildren who sound like stars!
Wonderful.

Sioux Roslawski said...

You are blessed with wonderful kids and grandkids (and soon a great-grandkid), but those kids and grandkids are lucky to have you and Bill.

Well, they're fortunate to have you, and with Bill around, your kids and grandkids learn how to deal with people who are "special."

Susan said...

So happy for you, Linda. Sounds like it was a wonderful time. Those kind of memories are priceless. Susan

Janet, said...

Yes, you are blessed! Sounds like a wonderful day.

River said...

A house filled with cooking, chatter, laughter...family! It's just wonderful.

noexcuses said...

What a wonderful day! Thanks for reminding us of the blessings right in front of us. Your words painted a You-Tube video right before my very eyes! Thank you for sharing your family and your gifts!

Debra Mayhew said...

Sounds like a perfect Sunday afternoon! There's nothing better than being surrounded by your family. Hope you have a great week, too!

Susan Sundwall said...

Linda, your joy really rings forth here! Our house is like this quite often and I cherish every cupcake mess, toddler utterance, and the memory making - and sharing them, too. I love the visit and peek inside your fam. Hugs.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great day and sweet family. And you made that-well, with help, but still, how awesome are you? Pretty awesome.

Southhamsdarling said...

What a wonderful time you all had, and how lovely for you to all be together like that. Family really is what it is all about, isn't it? Sounds as if you have blessings in abundance my friend.

Karen Lange said...

Wow, you are wonderfully blessed! Makes me smile just thinking about it. Enjoy your week! :)

Lynn said...

Blessed is truly the right word! Sounds like you had a wonderful time with family!

Tammy said...

Sounds to me like you're all pretty blessed to have each other! What a heartwarming read.

Connie said...

Ah, this sounds lovely. :)

Mary Horner said...


What a great day! We don't have any little ones in our extended family right now, but maybe in a few years!





Sagheer said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.