Living the Dream

Just living the dream……oh what fun it is to ride and drive and jive! This sweet, little man, my youngest grandson, Bryson, and I are having a great time of summer fun. This is the first time, since my first grandchild 26 years ago, to have alone time for any length of time with one of my other grandchildren. I’m savoring every moment! Usually, our time together includes big brother or one of the parents, but here we are, while big brother is at summer camp in Seattle.

Bryson’s main request while in Tulsa: Incredible Pizza – a place he remembers well and gone away from way too long! We spent several hours there yesterday -- jumping on trampolines, laser tag, and bumper cars (I wasn't jumping OR tagging or bumping, but taking it all in). But, together we rode the go-karts, played miniature golf and lots of games and enjoyed yummy pizza. I listen intently to his musings, his quick little retorts to something silly I said, and to the answer he gave to someone’s question “What’s your favorite school subject?” He said, “Math!” What kid says “math”? I’m thinking…P.E., lunch! I love his desire to impress me with his diving and swimming the length of the pool skills. I love seeing the difference in his miniature golf today (after he’s had many golf lessons from a golf pro versus the non-skilled and, quite frankly, a little bored with the game years ago). I love it when I ask him to pray for our meal and isn’t resistant in any way.

The Michie’s (my dear friends and our Tulsa home) son was by last night and we talked about his 3-year-old and 10-month-old children and I, on my bandwagon, urged him to savor the moments. Yes, I know, when our little ones are little, the days are long and the years go by fast. But even when those days are long, I urged him to stop and listen to their words. Joseph told us that the 3-year old woke him up to tell him “I love you. I’m going to miss you today.” Oh, treasure those words today and tomorrow and for years to come.

It won't be long before this little guy and my little guy will be grown up with families of their own. I know I must sound like a broken record – but I’m passionate about the little things, the simple pleasures, the things that money can’t buy, the beauty of a tender hug and soft kiss on the cheek, a question “Nana, can I sleep with you tonight?’ These special simple pleasures keep reminding me that the greatest blessings on earth come without a price tag.

Treasuring these times, noticing simple pleasures, and counting our blessings. It means learning to live our lives as if everything were a miracle. Tomorrow may never come, so being aware on a continuous basis of how much we've been given. Gratitude shifts our focus from what our life lacks to the abundance of what we already have. Maybe, the best prescription we could take to dispel the common "woe-is-me" attitude is to offer thanksgiving for the "simple pleasures". We just might be re-energized, have new vitality and excitement for this beautiful life that is made up of "simple pleasures"! Mine starts again today -- in a big way when Bryson and I will go see Great Granny, spend time with a little cousin, swim with a friend, climb a tree house, tell silly stories, laugh at Nana singing “Cool Kids” and “What can I say but you’re welcome!” I'll savor it all and hold it all close to my heart because my heart is full and overflowing.

Gratitude for Simple Pleasures

When itemizing those things we are grateful for, we'll list a lot of things that money affords -- like our home, car, clothes, food, electronics, appliances and all those THINGS that add to our comfort. But now, in retrospect, I realize those precious treasures that money can't buy. The Simple Pleasures.

Thanksgiving usually brings families "home". "Home' isn't necessarily the brick and mortar of the home we live in. For example, my oldest grandson and wife couldn't make it "home" to their families, but they were "at home" with friends who invited them to their Thanksgiving meal. Our 2nd to the oldest grandson couldn't make it home, but was also invited to the home of friends. For me, I've realized "home" is WHERE I AM at the time. Home is Austin, Frisco, Tulsa and anything in between where I seem to "light". Home is family, friends, our church, the places where "simple pleasures" abound.

Ryan, Shawntel and the boys made it to Frisco after spending time with Shawntel's family in Muldrow, OK. I loved the photos she took of their big family gathering of over 60 family members. I loved seeing the cousins having such a good time playing together and being "home" with their precious grandmother. Simple Pleasures.

On their way to Frisco, they made a stop in Tulsa to see Granny for a couple of hours. Granny is my husband's Mom, and at 94, though she's active and vibrant, we just don't know if it could be the last time, so spending time with her is so important. Simple Pleasures.

Then, they made their way to Frisco where cousins could frolic and play and have great fun times together. Ping Pong, Light Saber battles, movies, roller blades, and turkey hats. My traditional day-after-Thanksgiving Waikiki meatballs were the menu yesterday, plus our annual movie theater visit. We loved the new Disney movie, "Moana". The day ended with our "traditional" day-after-Thanksgiving dinner -- Mexican food. Simple pleasures.

Our time together at Thanksgiving has always included my annual family photo being taken. It was always a MUST DO -- that everyone tolerated and because it meant so much to me -- they all always complied. I was excited that my grandson's wedding photo would be this year's photo and it would let the family off the hook for yet another photo. But, my two sweet girls -- without my usual need-to-plead, got everyone dressed in grays, black and white and all I had to do was find a gray top and whoa la -- this year's Thanksgiving photo. Simple pleasures.

It won't be long before all these grandkids will be grown up with families of their own. Yes, I'm so grateful for the blessings of "simple pleasures" -- family and friends that keep reminding me that the greatest blessings on earth come without a price tag.

This is the time for counting our blessings, noticing simple pleasures. It means learning to live our lives as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much we've been given. Gratitude even shifts our focus from what our life lacks to the abundance of what we already have. Maybe, the best prescription we could take to dispel the common "woe-is-me" attitude is to offer thanksgiving for the "simple pleasures". We just might be re-energized, have new vitality and excitement for this beautiful life that is made up of "simple pleasures"!

I had many of those these last couple of days. We celebrated many "simple pleasures". Yes, it's the simple pleasures that are life's treasures!

Gratitude for Simple Pleasures

Day 329 of Photo Inspirations -- Gratitude for Simple Pleasures

During this Thanksgiving week, we express gratitude for those things that money affords -- like our homes, cars, clothes, food, electronics, appliances and all those THINGS that add to our comfort.  But at the end of the day, those precious treasures that money can't buy....top my Gratitude List.  The Simple Pleasures.

Of course, the simple yet most profound blessings I have are my sweet family.  Thanksgiving brings them home.  This week, it's in segments.  Yesterday, I picked up my daughter's two at Victory Christian Center's Camp Victory in Mannford where they had been with their church's youth group for the last 3 days.  I retrieved them since this is Thanksgiving week, instead of their going back home on the bus with the group.  They were talking a mile a minute about their weekend.  Great fun on Go Karts, zip lines, dodge ball, and lots of other games, but most of their excitement was from being a part of radical life transformation moments during the praise and worship (Payton played the piano with the band) and ministry about God's love for them.  The youth were all so impacted by God's presence in such beautiful, tender ways.  I remember that it was a Youth Camp that I gave my heart to the Lord.  I understand those precious and intimate times of growing closer to Him with my peers.  I was so touched by the joy my grandkids exuded.  SIMPLE, yet profound pleasures.

After crashing for about 4 hours from lack of sleep (simple pleasures), we headed to Great Granny's. Payton, excited to show Nana his driving skills (he got his driver's permit last month), drove us.   He was excited to point out that the ceiling at Granny's he always tried to touch.....now he's so tall, it's easy-peasy.  Simple Pleasures.   Little Anna (great niece) was there -- loves seeing the kids getting off the school bus.  Simple pleasures. Then it was "Granny's Chocolate Cake Making Training" for Bryson's BD party tonight.   Simple Pleasures.

Last evening, the boys and Shawntel made it in.  (The rest get here on Wednesday.)  We had dinner, BD cake and then played a fun game that big Bear (Barrett) taught us. Simple pleasures.  Then we headed to the clubhouse to play pickleball and pool.  Lots of fun was packed into this first day of Thanksgiving Week.  There are beds everywhere in my house, including the two youngest bedded down in Nana's closet.   Simple pleasures.

It won't be long before all these kids will be grown up with families of their own.  Yes, I'm so grateful for the blessings of  "simple pleasures" -- family and friends that keep reminding me that the greatest blessings on earth come without a price tag.

This is the time for counting our blessings, noticing simple pleasures.  It means learning to live our lives as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much we've been given. Gratitude even shifts our focus from what our life lacks to the abundance of what we already have.  Maybe, the best prescription we could take to dispel the common "woe-is-me" attitude is to offer thanksgiving for the "simple pleasures".  We just might be re-energized, have new vitality and excitement for this beautiful life that is made up of "simple pleasures"!  Mine starts again today --  in a big way when all these munchkins wake up in just a little while, and we head out for Bryson's Birthday Treasure Hunt.  We'll be celebrating so many "simple pleasures" throughout this day.  Yes, it's the simple pleasures that mean so much!