Life Goes On...

Yes, I'm still here. It's been an extremely hot week, and I've spent most of it indoors enjoying the air conditioning! The heat index has been high all week, and I've only left the house once!

As for the grandkids...they have been attending Vacation Bible School! Caden's church is hosting it this week, and Madison has been going to classes with him and his mama in the evenings. About all I know about VBS is what Maddie ate for supper! She can always remember what she ate, but not a whole lot more details.

It seems so strange that the two grandbabies should be old enough to be attending classes (of any kind) already! Where did the time go?

I haven't seen Caden all week. He seems to grow an inch from week to week. He's such a busy boy these days...and he says that the new baby can't stay at his house! Let's hope he has a change of heart within the next five months :)

Speaking of babies...Maddie has a new baby cousin! Yesterday, Madison's Uncle Matt (her dad's brother) became the father of a new baby girl, named Gabriella. Now Maddie has two cousins--one on each side of the family, with another to arrive in five months.

It won't be long before we know what it's going to be...and life goes on!

Future Farmers of America...Not!

Father and son...playing on "E's" tractor...

Way back in the olden days, when my husband and I were in high school, there used to be a club called "The Future Farmers of America". Most boys in our area belonged to this club, because most boys around here were sons of farmers. My hubby was no exception.

My husband spent many afternoons and summers on his daddy's tractor, helping tend whatever crops were growing in the family fields. He probably grumbled at the time, but if the truth be told, he probably enjoyed it. He must have, because years later, he decided to purchase a tractor! These days, one of his favorite things is riding his tractor!

By the time our oldest son, Brett, became a teenager, farming was quickly being phase out. The high costs of farming were driving the little farmers out of the business. However, our closest neighbor, and family friend, still farmed. At our insistence, our son spent a summer, or maybe two, working for the neighbor harvesting tobacco. Those are not among our son's favorite summertime memories, I can assure you! Brett had no desire to do anything outside in the heat and insects back then--and he hasn't changed much over the years!

Then along comes little Caden, and what is among his favorite of all things??? Riding "E-pa's" tractor! You can bet if Caden hears the sound of that tractor anywhere near his house, his back door will open and he'll be ready for a ride! Caden usually hitches a ride while my husband is mowing or watering the pecan trees with the water trailer.

If the tractor is just parked, Caden seems to get almost as big of a thrill by just sitting on it! Our son, Brett, frequently gets the chore of watching Caden play on the tractor while it's parked. The other day, we convinced Brett to take Caden for a ride! He wasn't too sure about that idea at first, perhaps it conjured up those tobacco memories that he'd just as soon keep forgotten! It was a Kodak moment, but I missed it! However, I did get a couple of photos another day, of the two of them just sitting.

Hmmm...our neighbor and friend, still farms a little these days...I wonder if he could use a helper or two?!

Catching Up...

Let's see...it's been a while since I blogged. I believe the last post I wrote concerned Madison learning how to swim. A lot has happened since then--some of it not so much fun!

About 3 days after finishing up with her swimming lessons, Madison developed "swimmer's ear". Not fun! Actually she spent part of the long Fourth of July weekend with the earache. Her mom got sick with some kind of "throat funk" and was sick part of the weekend, as well...It wasn't a fun time at Maddie's house. Tuesday, following the holiday, found both mother and daughter at the doctor's office! Both are still recovering...

Meanwhile, Caden and his family went on vacation during the long holiday weekend. They spent several days in northern Georgia near a lake. They were not alone, they vacationed with Christina's family, including many of Caden's cousins--most of whom are little boys. I'm sure he enjoyed himself immensely. I haven't seen them much since they returned.

It's been sort of quiet around our house during the past week, with half of the family sick, and the other half out-of-town. Fortunately, we still had "newlyweds", Brad and Jennifer, and granddog, "Newbie" to keep us us entertained some of the time. There's never a dull moment with those three around--especially Newbie!

Speaking of Newbie, Ed and I took care of her while her parents were on their honeymoon. She looked forward to coming to visit with us for a few hours each afternoon, but oh how she hated to go back home to her kennel! She would leave us a souvenier hole in our yard each day when she visited! So thoughtful of her, don't you think? Now, each time she gets a chance to get out of her kennel, guess where she comes??? To MiMi's house!

Ah those "grands"...ya' just gotta' love 'em!

Guess Who's Learned To Swim?!

While I was growing up I experienced several "episodes" concerning water. I can remember at least three different, scarey, incidents whenever I thought I was going to drown. As a result, I grew into an adult who has a fear of water.

Eventually, I conquered some of my fears concerning water, but not all. I learned how to swim a bit after we put in our swimming pool, but swimming is not something that comes natural to me, and I don't like to get my head under the water! My daughter, Brandy, is somewhat like me concerning water. She swims a bit, but hates to get her head wet as well.

Granddaughter, Madison, has no fear of water at all, and loves it. Madison's mama thought it would be a good idea to enroll her in swimming lessons before she developed the fear. I'm so glad she did!

Madison attended swimming lessons all last week, and she appears to be a "natural". She was diving off the diving board, and swimming across the pool by the last day of lessons. She loves swimming under the water! It was definately time and money "well-spent".

Madison will be enjoying her newly acquired swimming skills on their family vacation in a couple of weeks. Go, Maddie! The cycle has been broken...this MiMi is very proud!

I Think She Likes What She Sees...

My daughter snapped this candid shot of Madison on Saturday while she was admiring herself in the mirror...From the look on her face, I think she likes what she sees!

Madison had the honor of being the flower girl at her Uncle Brad's wedding. Since she'd already had some practice at being a flower girl, she did a wonderful job! She dropped those rose petals like a real "pro".

Madison had gotten sick with strep throat earlier in the week, and wasn't feeling her best, but she did a great job anyway! Now MiMi owes Maddie and Cade a trip to "Chuck E Cheese"!

Simple Pleasures...

When I saw this photograph of Caden on his mom's facebook page, I just had to borrow it!

That's the biggest grin I've ever seen on his little face--and it's there because he's getting to ride in the back of his E-pa's old pickup truck! Remember those days???

Don't worry...we don't go very fast or very far, and we don't ride on the highway.

It's nice to know that sometimes life's simplest pleasures still bring the biggest rewards--like a great big grin!

Guess What?! Caden Has Some News...

Caden and his parents spent most of yesterday afternoon at our house, along with Maddie and her family. We were eating rehearsal dinner left-overs, and sitting around watching video of our youngest son's wedding. It was a relaxing time, following the hectic wedding events of the past two days.

Everyone went home about mid-afternoon, but on Sunday evening Caden's family returned. As Caden was rambling around my kitchen, I noticed that he had on a new-looking t-shirt. I always enjoy reading the front of his shirts, so I called him over to let me see his shirt.

I nearly fell off the chair when I read the front of his shirt! I love surprises like this one!

Caden's mom has been sitting on this wonderful news for eight long weeks! She didn't want to distract from the wedding preparation and excitement, so she waited until after the wedding to make the announcement. I admire her for being so thoughtful of Brad and Jennifer.

So...sometime around New Year's Day, little Caden will have a big brother or sister--and this old MiMi can brush the dust off of her rocking chair! I am absolutely thrilled!!!