The Day After is Boxing Day!

December 26th is not only a day for Santas everywhere to catch their breath, but, I remember when we lived in Canada -- we celebrated Boxing Day! Though it lends to the fact that empty boxes from the gifts and presents are trashed and unwanted gifts are returned to stores, it came from a British origin that is traced back to 1833 when lords of manors and aristocrats distributed “Christmas boxes” filled with gifts, money and leftovers from Christmas dinner to their household servants and employees. They had been required to work on December 25th and were recognized for their good service throughout the year. It is also said that Boxing Day's name came from the charity boxes that were placed in churches during the Advent season for the collection of monetary donations to be distributed to the poor on December 26th. It is also the feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr and and known for his acts of charity. (Ireland celebrates December 26th as St. Stephen’s Day.) So there you go -- now you know! You're welcome!

But we've taken Boxing Day to a whole new level in our family this year. Our birthday celebration for Jesus was literally amidst boxes and it will carry on in a ginormous way today. We are literally boxing boxes, loading them up and getting them to their new place. Today is the last day in the beautiful home where so many lives have been touched, healed, restored and have come into the family of God. So many precious memories here, but have no fear -- we expect even greater blessings coming in their new season.

We didn’t forget that yesterday was Jesus’ Birthday – so, as with another little tradition to savor, I made a lasagna for the “moving team”, but, most importantly, made my chocolate cake! We sang “Happy Birthday to Jesus “ and partied to “Boxes we have raised so high – sweetly towering to the sky!”

I would be remiss to end this blog with Boxing Day "talk", because while we'll soon be boxing away our Christmas decorations that include the manger scenes and Holy Family figurines -- we will never be able to box away God's great love for us. For some, seeing Jesus as a baby in a manger and "boxing" Him away for another year is as close as they want to get. Perhaps the grown-up Jesus seems too far removed from their every day life. If we keep Jesus at arm’s length, we’ll never get to know and love Him for Who He truly is. If we don’t get to know Him, we won’t love Him. If we want to move faith from our heads to our hearts, we must fall in love with the REAL -- alive and well -- Jesus.

To fall in love with Jesus, it must be more than a once-a-year way, but deeply -- everyday. That kind of knowledge takes time and persistence, just like any good relationship. Jesus invites us to abide in His love — rest, stay, tarry — not rush past it. In John 15:9, He said, “‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.’”

How do we get to that kind of love? There are so many reasons to love Jesus. He is real, and He loves us so much. For us to experience that love, we need to really know Him. As we stand at the front door of the Wallace’s new home, and as we stand at the door of a new year, won’t you join me in seeking to know Him more? That’s my Priority #1 for the new year!

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God”. (Ephesians 3:17-19)

And Unto Us a Child is Born -- Happy Birthday, Jesus!

The birthday celebration is on – as children everywhere are running to see what Santa brought them last night. For them, it’s all about the presents and for those of us who know better -- it’s about God’s greatest present EVER – His beloved Son. That’s how He celebrates His Son’s birth-day – giving us His perfect gift! Oh, Happy Day!

If you follow my blogs at all, you’ve heard that this Christmas is very different for our family this year. We aren’t making our trek to Austin to celebrate together with my son and family because the press is on to get this Frisco family moved from their home that sold – right here at Christmas – and into their new place by December 27th.

We are missing some Christmas traditions because we’re not all together, but one tradition wasn’t missed -- our Christmas Eve tradition of reading the REAL Christmas story together. Thank God we live in this technology era. This year, I bequeathed to my son our beloved “The First Christmas Story” book that Papa always read from on Christmas Eve. He stepped up to be our family’s patriarch to take over where Papa left off. So at 9 pm we gathered together in my home here in Frisco and the other side gathered together in Austin and we heard this greatest story ever told again. We all still savor this tradition of making the Reason for the Season the principal thing. It’s a story we should never get tired of hearing. A King in heaven coming down to be our humble King on earth to be familiar with us earthlings as one of us and Who gave us treasures of faith, hope, love, peace, joy and most of all, His life, so that we can live forever with Him.

Earlier yesterday afternoon, my Frisco family and a couple of friends joined me at my church’s Christmas Eve Mass. It was beautiful. Children were singing, families were joined together in honor of this magnificent night when Christ was born. How honored I was to serve communion – the Body and Blood of this Savior Who came to us as a newborn and Who, in a matter of just three years of ministry, turned our world upside down with His rock-the-world teachings. “Love your enemies! Bless them that curse you! Do good to them that hate you! Pray for them who spitefully use you, and persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44)

Maybe, this Christmas morning you're having your traditional family breakfast and opening Santa's presents and seeing what he left everyone in their stockings.....no longer hung with care. Now they're on the floor, stuffed full of goodies and treasures. Santa's cookie plate only has a few crumbs left.

Oh, the joy of hearing children's laughter and the thrill of Christmas in their eyes. If your children are grown, enjoy the sweet memories of past Christmases. If you are missing children and loved ones today, spend Christmas with God's Son praising and thanking Him for coming to be one of us. And if your loved one is in heaven, like mine is, we can know with certainty that he or she is having the most joyful Christmas possible and a day will come when we’ll forever celebrate Christmas together -- forever!

Christmas and the tangible gifts we receive from friends and loved ones are temporary. But the gifts that heaven brings us are eternal. I hope you will receive all that Jesus was born to give. May your Christmas be blessed with God's greatest gift of love: "For God so loved you and me that He gave us His one and only son." (John 3:16)

When it Comes to Fishing – Anything Goes

My grocery list in hand, items checked off, coupons pulled and I’m at check-out with a brimming grocery cart. Only two cashiers? Ugh! I patiently wait in line. All those unnerved folks waiting behind me must be thinking: “Great! There’s THAT lady who is going to take FOR-EVER with all those groceries! And to make matters worse – SHE HAS COUPONS!”

I’ve been behind people like me. I try to grin and bear it, but it definitely calls for pulling the fruit of patience out of my Holy Spirit fruit basket! The elderly lady behind me is amused as she watches the total to $200, then $210, then $235!! She exclaims: “I’ve never spent that much on groceries!” I reply “Oh, I don’t either, but this is for a family fishing trip!” Then she sees the cashier’s final total of $175! Oh, yes, this girl coupons. I apologize to the grocery buyers behind me with their meager-filled baskets and thank them for their patience. They smile at me with clenched teeth. The little lady right behind me assures me “I enjoyed watching this show!”

This kind of shopping is not for the faint of heart. It is a quest – a feat of monumental proportions and it takes time. I ease into the entertainment value of imagining my family’s excitement when I pull out some of the goodies. Hostess chocolate cupcakes! Chocolate-covered mini donuts! BBQ potato chips! Essentials! Family favorites we rarely indulge in, but this is our annual fishing trip and anything goes! So as not to cause you, veggie lovers, to implode – the bounty does include fruits and veggies. It takes precision and quality management to get these groceries home, unloaded, sorted and temporarily stored until we load up the cars and head out about 8 am!

This annual fishing trip is a tradition that started with Papa and me when we took the grands to a fishing location each summer. That tradition continues. We have carried on Papa’s love for fishing. We are serious fisher-people. We get to our favorite fishing spot by daybreak. A picture of heaven (at least in a fisherman's eyes) as we arrive at those quiet, calm, peaceful waters. The fish are jumping and saying (in our imagination) "Come get me!” We are fish-whisperers. They'll be greatly disappointed by the breakfast they’ll go after because tomorrow they'll be in our tummies!

I enjoy fishing but “somebody’s gotta’ be the chief cook and bottle washer. I know the rest of the diehard fisher-people would rather fish than eat so I think of myself as sustenance-provider. I love it. I’ll fish in the mornings, but I return to the cabin for my call-of-duty. Hopefully, this crew brings in lots of fish. It’s a staple: Beer-batter trout. Yum!

So what is my encouragement for today as we make our way to Beaver's Bend in Broken Bow, OK? This scripture comes to mind: John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I totally get it. The enemy of our souls wants our thoughts to be on everything but peace. He wants us all consumed about matters of the world and matters in our little worlds, rather than taking to the words of Christ to heart "I CAME to give you life and have it to the full". My life is full and running over with God's abundance and blessings. That's what I purpose to fix my mind on -- and NOT those things that the enemy purposes to use to steal, kill and destroy my good thoughts and good attitudes!

So, until next time, I’ll finish loading up all the cold rations into the coolers and get over to my kids’ home where they have all the fish tackle, poles, and everything needed for a few days of celebrating my grandson’s 19th birthday and living the abundant life Christ came to live us! I’m not sure what the wifi ability will be in this very remote spot…..so, just in case I have to be off the grid for a few days – be sure to come back on Saturday when I’ll be back home in My Peace Zone!

The Little Things Can Mean So Much

When itemizing those things we are grateful for, we'll often list things that money affords, like our home, car, food, clothes, electronics, and those things that add to our comfort. Since my washer and dryer are 25+ years old, I thank God each time I get my washing and drying done, But this Thanksgiving week, my gratitude goes way beyond the big “things”. I've come to realize that the little things, that money can't buy, mean so much!

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, and 2nd oldest grandson didn’t make it to Frisco this year and that’s okay. They were “home” where they were. I've realized "home" is WHERE I AM at the time. Home is Austin, Frisco, Tulsa and anything in between where I "light". Home is family, friends, church, the places where "the little things" are really the big things.

My Frisco family and I and an invited guest had our traditional Thanksgiving meal and celebration on Thursday. My "Austin" family, on their way to Muldrow, OK to celebrate Thanksgiving with Shawntel's family, detoured to Tulsa to see Granny for a couple of hours. Granny is my husband's Mom, and at 96, though she's still sharp-as-a-tack and moving about, we just don't know if it could be the last time, so spending time with her is so important. It’s the little things that mean so much.

Then they traveled to spend time with Shawntel's family where 54 family members gathered at her precious 90-year old grandmother’s home for their traditional Thanksgiving meal and celebration. The little things that are really huge things to a sweet grandmother. Then, they made their way to Frisco where I had Bryson's "traditional" scavenger hunt ready for his birthday that was on November 17th. The four cousins helped him decipher the clues and find the treasure. Yesterday’s hunt won treasures for all of them – including the wax lips. LOL! My traditional day-after-Thanksgiving Waikiki meatballs were on the menu. Today, we’re heading to the Wallace’s for breakfast of huevos rancheros then we'll go to a movie -- another family tradition. We'll have our traditional Mexican food for lunch. It’s the little things that mean so much.

Thanksgiving traditions always included my annual family photo being taken. It was a must do that everyone tolerated and because it meant so much to me -- they always complied. I was excited that my big milestone birthday in August meant I could let the family off the hook for another photo. But, my two sweet girls, without my usual need-to-plead, wrangled up everyone for a quick Thanksgiving photo. They know it’s the little things that mean so much to me.

It won't be long before all these grandkids will be grown up with families of their own, so I realize these little things, little traditions; little intentional, purposeful moments mean so much. Yes, I'm so grateful for the blessings of the simple, little things and family and friends that keep reminding me that the greatest blessings on earth come without a price tag.

How often is it that the BIG things are what stresses us out? Notice that the things that fill our hearts with warmth are things that we didn't have to look far to find. It means learning to live our lives as if everything were a miracle, and being aware 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 "little things".

We Aren’t Looking For a Party; We Are a Party, Just Looking For a Place to Land

Today is my granddaughter’s 17th birthday and, YIKES, she has her own big plans for this day with her friends after church! What happened to a carefully, meticulously, planned party with party favors, a theme-decorated cake, ice cream, and party games, and lots of guests showing up at their house for the party-of-the-year? This year, unlike any year before, she wanted her three closest girlfriends to have their own agenda. We understand that our girl IS the party and she’s sharing it with her besties.

Yesterday, on her birthday eve, was our “family” day of partying. For breakfast, we enjoyed her requests: huevos rancheros, chocolate gravy, biscuits, and bacon! My daughter has perfected the huevos rancheros and Denise has perfected the chocolate gravy. Then she opened her gifts, that were pre-empted by Buddy (their Australian Shepherd) who chased balloons around, barked, jumped up, and popped them. The party was followed by a trip to the Frisco Mercantile to find records for her new record player (from her brother). They chose two of Frank Sinatra’s albums. Gotta’ love those kids that know good music when they hear it! ;-)

Then it was on to her favorite annual tradition location for lunch: Mariposa’s in Neiman Marcus for their yummy chicken broth, egg popovers, and strawberry butter. We couldn’t leave Neiman’s without our photo opts with the mannequins (another annual tradition – with our perfect dates). None of our dates spoke a word to us, but we could talk as much as we wanted without any resistance or interference. LOL!

I look for the “God” messages in the every-day, ordinary of living for my blogs and posts. I’m pretty sure He shows us some of the most memorable times we can have are those centered on the laughter, the traditions, the “You are Special” plate, and the joy and memories we share together in silly little ways. Alexia is our on-site comedian so laughter is a huge benefit of partying with her. When she was getting ready to open the gift from her mom and dad, her mom said, “This is something that I’ve waited a while to give you until you were ready!” Alexia exclaimed, “So, it's a training bra?” Oh, me! Such is life with Lexi. The gift was a beautiful triangle, diamond pendant, and gold necklace. She beamed with excitement and asked, "Is it real gold because I never want to take it off?” It is.

This year changed from other years at Mariposa’s because, rather than a group of women mentors who typically join in for this occasion, Alexia chose her brother and her dad to join us. She wanted those of us who are her mainstay, her armor bearers, her greatest cheerleaders and her sounding boards to be her birthday participants. I love that. There are special friends who are dear to us, but there is nothing like those people that you count on at a moment’s notice, who love you unconditionally and are your rocks when others show up “just for the party”. We are her “lifers” because she knows we are the ones who pray daily for her and who believe God’s best for her.

Yesterday, I realized that “besties” are those who bring the party with them wherever they go. They laugh at your jokes that just maybe aren’t that funny; they listen to that story that you’ve told several times before; they tell you, you look good in spite of the crumbs on your face or stains on your shirt. They are your lifers. I tend to think that we are a lot like Jesus. In Jesus Christ, life is a party. In fact, He joins us at celebrations. He had many occasions where He showed up to party. He performed His first miracle by turning water into wine. He healed and raised people from the dead. At the parties he was at, He provided the food (loaves and fishes) AND the entertainment – He gave them keys to success. Just think of it, as His brothers and sisters, we will continue to party together with Him for all of eternity. But, in the meantime, because He lives in us, the party continues. This day Jesus is asking us all to trust Him and do as He says: “Love, give, be kind, share, be joyful, encourage, and be full of excitement for each day that He holds. He has a party in store for those of us who look for it. We can always live in the joy of Christ. May we always have the courage to celebrate and party in the good times and the tough times, and may we be the “party animals” that carry His love and give out His love wherever we go.

Merry Christmas and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

Merry Christmas and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

It’s the birthday of our Savior! A day of celebration and joy to the world on this beautiful Christmas Day. Yesterday, I was blessed to be a communion server at my church. It hit home to me that the baby boy sleeping in the manger came to die, so in serving His body and blood, I was giving the Savior of the world -- the conqueror -- not as a little baby. What a privilege!

My Frisco family and I celebrated Christmas Eve at my home for dinner, then a precious time of Payton playing the piano and Staci and Alexia leading us in singing and praising our Lord for His willingness to become one of us earthlings. They opened my gifts to them. Then we headed over to the Wallace’s for their Christmas Eve gifts-giving. It’s always been our Christmas Eve tradition to open gifts and on Christmas Day, we opened the filled stockings.

I kept our traditional Christmas Eve alive as I read our family’s favorite Christmas book “The First Christmas Story” that Papa read to the grandchildren from since the oldest grandsons were just little boys. I did my best to be in the “Papa-style-and-form” with the Austin Family on FaceTime with us. Technology can be such a blessing to us.

In a couple of hours, we’ll travel over the rivers and through the woods to our Austin family for a reunion that celebrates Jesus’ birthday, enjoy a great meal together, get my traditional family photo and embracing everything that Christmas is about – love coming down to earth. We’ll celebrate that love today.

Maybe, this Christmas morning you're having your traditional family breakfast and opening "Santa's" presents and seeing what he left everyone in their stockings.....no longer hung with care. Now they're on the floor, stuffed full of goodies and treasures. Santa's cookie plate only has a few crumbs left.

Oh, the joy of hearing children's laughter and excitement today -- and the thrill of Christmas in their eyes. If your children are grown, enjoy the sweet memories of past Christmases. If you are missing children and loved ones today, then spend Christmas with God's Son praising and thanking Him for coming to be one of us. And if your loved one is in heaven, like mine is, we can know with certainty that he or she is having the most joyful Christmas possible.

Christmas and the tangible gifts we received from friends and loved ones are temporary. But the gifts that heaven brings us are eternal. Just think of it. We know the end of the Christmas Story. Eventually, that sweet little baby boy would grow up and would ask for this "cup" to pass from Him, but it didn't and He pursued and prevailed to become EVERYTHING we would ever need, or want, wrapped in one package. That sweet little baby boy grew up to die for our sins on a cross, just like He said He would. Then, He rose from the grave on the third day, just like He said He would. So that’s not really the end of the story – it’s just the beginning of our future where we will spend eternity with Him, just like He said we would.

Let's spend today celebrating the fact that the baby in the manger was God's perfect gift to us. I hope you will receive all that Jesus was born to give. May your Christmas be blessed with faith, hope and love. God's greatest gift is love. "For God so loved you that He gave you and me His one and only son."

May God richly bless you and those you love, on this special day. From our family to yours.....MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

It ALL happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment. God became a man! Heaven opened up and placed her most precious ONE in a human womb that brought Him to this side of heaven. Yes, so many reasons for a GINORMOUS birthday celebration today!

It's 4 am on this Christmas morning, and I'm about to board my car to travel over the rivers and through the woods and prairies and hills to Austin. After a beautiful week with the Wallace's, complete with Christmas baking, parties, movies, programs, shopping, a yummy meal and celebrating the night when Christ was born. We ended our night by the Wallace's Christmas tradition of everyone opening their Christmas treasures. How blessed I am that I could be in Frisco yesterday and Austin today. BTW -- I noticed Santa visited the Wallace's last night. He left treasures in their stockings that had been hung by the chimney with care. ;-)

Maybe, this Christmas morning you're having your traditional family breakfast and opening Santa's presents and seeing what he left everyone in their stockings.....no longer hung with care. Now they're on the floor, stuffed full of goodies and treasures. Santa's cookie plate only has a few crumbs left. After all, he gets quite hungry on his exhausting journey.

Oh, the joy of hearing children's laughter and excitement today -- and the thrill of Christmas in their eyes. If your children are grown, enjoy the sweet memories of past Christmases. If you are missing children and loved ones today, then spend Christmas with God's Son praising and thanking Him for coming to be one of us. And if your loved one is in heaven, like mine is, we can know with certainty that he or she is having the most joyful Christmas possible.

Christmas is a day and the tangible gifts we received from friends and loved ones are temporary. But the gifts that heaven brings us are eternal. Let's spend today celebrating the fact that the baby in the manger was God's perfect gift to us. I hope you will receive all that Jesus was born to give. May your Christmas be blessed with faith, hope and love. God's greatest gift is love. "For God so loved you that He gave you and me His one and only son."

May God richly bless you and those you love, on this special day.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve!
My sweet Mama would always make her calls to each of her grown children on Christmas Eve morning, saying -- "Merry Christmas Eve". We expected that call. And I say that to all of my FB friends today -- MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! That little greeting and memory certainly does turn my heart to this day 2,000 years ago. Mary, in labor and fast approaching the birth of her baby boy, and Joseph scurrying to find a place for the big debut of the Son of God, knew what "last minute details" were all about.

We're getting closer to "Silent Night -- Holy Night", but until then...this day is probably filled with lots of activity for us all -- last minute shopping, wrapping the final packages, and getting some of our Christmas meal ready to go for tomorrow. After two more Christmas productions that Staci and the kids will perform in today, we'll settle down for our Christmas Eve traditions. Then, when these two grandkids wake up tomorrow morning, I will have arrived in Austin after an early morning drive to celebrate Christmas Day with my family there. I'll wave at Santa enroute, as he'll probably be delivering his last presents along the the way! ;-)

What a treat it was to see my sweet cousins, Mary Ellen Snow and Charles Snow and daughter and two of their grandchildren at the production. Of course, I had to have a quick photo opt. They live nearby here in Frisco. Lots of sweet family memories invade my mind when we're together. Our Mamas are sisters.

Tonight we will have our traditional "Wuerch/Wallace style" opening of all the presents -- except for what Santa brings in the stockings, of course which will be tomorrow morning. Sweet, hilarious time of making memories for another year.

Yes, the traditions and festivities are so enjoyable, but rolling out the red carpet and recognizing the Guest of Honor is what this awe-inspiring season is all about. And.....it's up to us to ensure the Honoree is positioned in His rightful place of distinction.

I love the story of St. Nicholas. He was a very kind man and had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who needed it. And that story inspires us all with a heart of giving. St. Nicholas is where "Santa Claus" came from. But, as sweet as those "treasured" photos of Santa Claus with our little ones are, and seeing their little eyes sparkling with wonder, and putting cookies out for this jolly old soul to pay us a visit, Santa ISN'T the "Guest of Honor".

The leading characters of the Christmas Story are Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the angels, and, of course, the Headliner, the main attraction and the Star of the Show is Jesus Christ. He is the REASON for the celebrations and He should be the Guest of Honor at each one. I love that we have a role to play in this great story, too. Perhaps we can be one of the shepherds. We don't need eloquent words and we don't need a place of prominence or status. We just need to be bearers and sharers of "the good news of great joy".

People expect pastors and priests to talk about Christmas being about Christ. But what people need are shepherds of the world to teach and preach that message.

You and I have the ability to amaze someone today with the message of Christmas. "For God so loved the world He GAVE His one and only Son."

Even Santa bows down to Him as the Guest of Honor.

I pray that the awesome richness of this gift is experienced in the lives of you and your precious families -- that makes this a Christmas to remember. Much love and MERRY CHRISTMAS, one and all!

Grandparenting Taken to a Whole New Level

My Dad's parents were already in heaven before I was sent from heaven to earth, but I had the most precious grandmother and grandfather (my Mom's Mom & Dad). My grandmother's claim-to-fame in my books, is that she introduced my husband and I when we were just 13 and 12 years old. Her words were "Ronnie Wuerch says he likes you". My reply was "Tell him I like him, too!" From that point forward, we were destined to be together forever. I loved my grandparents and they loved me so much -- their prayers for me are still working. Their love for God and His Word had such a tremendous impact on my life. As precious as they were in my eyes as a young child, I never knew that "hands on" grandparenting. . I didn't even realize I didn't have it, until years later when I became a grandparent. When our grandparenting time came, we knew we wanted an "up close and personal" relationship with our grandchildren. So from the get-go, we set out to be those doting, over-the-top in love in words and deeds. Way before my first grandson was born, I had a "Hope Chest" of toys, puzzles and books.....that would be at Papa & Nana's house. In fact, to this day, I still have the old Nintendo 64 controllers and games. I still have their favorite book "Barbapapa" and I still have the Lincoln Logs and Legos. They all know they'll find those "treasures" at Nana's house!

If grandparenting hasn't become a part of your world yet, before long, it just may be and my best recommendation to you is to get intimately involved in their lives. While moms and dads are no doubt the greatest influencers, grandparents can come in a close second. We always wanted our grandchildren to know that we pray for them, stand ready to be there for them, and to support them as best we could, given though the miles that may have separated us. I'm, by no means, wanting to be dishing out a guilt trip to anyone that doesn't have that "bent", but I assure you, there is nothing to compare with that precious love. There is nothing sweeter on this earth than to hear "Nana, I love you so much!"

This post today was actually inspired by a sweet grandmother that saw my post yesterday, where I was sharing about the treasure hunts I've provided since all of my grandchildren were little. It's been "Nana's tradition". The treasure hunts end at age 18, but I remember my oldest grandson's dismay when on his 18th birthday I didn't have the treasure hunt ready to go for him, and when I saw that pout, I went into "turbo charge" mode to get it together. LOL! That FB grandmother asked me about those treasure hunts for her grandkids, and rather than just telling her, I share it with you, too, .......just in case......

~ Nana's Treasure Hunts ~
What's Needed: creativity, some extra time, rhyming ability (use the internet -- great for helping us find words that rhyme -- like "Go to the Rose Garden where it smells so sweet; Did I tell you....you have smelly feet?"), pick out places to hide the clues -- the younger they are, the easier the places and when they're older, it really is about "search and rescue", a birthday card that starts the treasure hunt with a clue, notes that have the clue on them and put in a box or envelope -- oftentimes with a bow attached that makes it easier to find in a tree or behind a rock, etc.)
Let the Treasure Hunt Begin:
~ Child opens card -- if younger, an older sibling or parent reads the clue and the fun begins. Note: be careful to not let the older sibling help too much -- it's all about the birthday boy or girl to know it's THEIR Treasure Hunt to find. If they're having trouble with finding the clue, it's okay to provide extra verbal clues along the way.

~ I usually have about 6 to 8 locations with accompanying clues that lead to the final clue and the BIG TREASURE (really not all that big, but it's the birthday gift from the grandparents instead of that gift just being among the mix of all the other gifts the child is given on their birthday.)

~ Simple, but memorable and that's what I'm into. Memorable for them AND me. I sometimes spice it up by using a golf cart to drive them around (that was easy for me living in a 55+ community) to find their clues. Also, sometimes I start the hunt with a theme, like a couple of years ago on Bryson's birthday, the theme was "What does the fox say?" If it's raining -- treasure hunt is in the house. If it's dark, have clues stationed closer to home and use flashlights.

~ Here is a sample of the clues used at my oldest grandson's 9 year old birthday (14 years ago) -- yes, I'm an archiver -- gotta' hang on to the memories! LOL!

Braden, Braden, You’re Our Man
If you can’t find this, no one can!
Now that you’ve been fed --
Your next clue you’ll find in Payton’s baby bed!

One, two, three, four,
Braden’s birthdays have numbered more,
Five, six, seven, eight,
It’s time to celebrate.
Braden is a great big nine.
Oh my goodness, He’s so fine.
Go look inside the washing machine!
You’re next clue may be green!

Where oh where has our little boy gone?
Oh where oh where can he be?
With his eyes so big and his legs so long!
Oh where oh where is he?
And where is the next clue?
Try Papa’s closet - near his shoes!

Braden & Barrett sitting in a tree,
Counting apples - one, two, three,
Up comes the doctor, Up comes the
nurse, then comes the lady with the
alligator purse! Purse?????
Look in Nana’s closet by her purse!

I love you. You love me.
We’re a happy family.
With a great big hug and
a kiss from me to you
Look under the table where
you chew, chew, chew!

Braden Cole is so cool!
He’s the best when it comes to school!
He’s kind and sweet to everyone!
That’s why we think he’s so much fun!
Now look by the tree in the big backyard!
That’s where you’ll find the very last card!

NOW -- go out there and make a difference in your grandchildren's world. Be silly and energetic and bring wonder to their eyes and hearts with your love that makes them feel so happy you're in their lives. I promise you -- it will be worth the effort!