as many of y'all know, we have been caring for our little, and very amazing 6 year old granddaughter, laynee for quite some time now. we are in love with this little angel. not always the easiest thing to do, as you can imagine. there are moments we would love to have on the nana/papa hats and spoil her rotten, but, as the constant care-givers and proxy parents...we are the ones that do the duty of parenting. we feel so blessed to be able to have her in our lives. we have fallen into a good groove of how our days roll! she is in kindergarten, and it feels like another opportunity to enjoy the simplest of times. unrushed and less hectic as it sometimes can feel on the first go-around! we sat last night at her holiday program as proud as any parents could be. she sang or lip synced with passion and a smile as wide as texas! we giggled as we watched her figit on the front row with her tights constantly being tugged at and her twirling her little full skirted dress to and fro with the beat of 'jingle bells!' it was priceless, as they say!
we came home, fixed dinner a lot later than normal, went to bed a lot later than normal...and were completely tuckered out and ready for night-night quicker than you could blink! no time or energy for story-time or shadow puppets, in fact, she didn't even ask...she was out like a light in a split second! this morning was a slow go. she requires a lot more sleep, and we do, too!!! we made it downstairs to a cozy spot in front of the fireplace that papa got ready for us, and we slowly but, surely got ready for school. she has to be there by 7:15!!! too early...way too early to my notion! papa fixes her lunch while i get her dressed. that is usually the plan, though sometimes i pass along putting her shoes on to him if she is getting grouchy by this time...that is how it went this morning. i stayed home, and dan drove her to school...most of the time, we both go. we just love to see her excitement as she makes her way to the front door of the school building and sees her little friends, and classmates.
it's different raising a child on this second time around. things that would have not been allowed before, are now, not that big of a deal. we choose our 'battles!' i like that...she likes it, too, not that she knows any different! i do know my limits, and when i feel like i'm at the end of my rope (she is very headstrong, and i have not a clue where that comes from : ) !) papa comes to the rescue...and vise-versa! there are many evenings after she is fast asleep that he and i just look at one another and say...whew, we did it...another day of our little bundle of joy and high energy girlie taken well care of! we give ourselves a high five and hit the sack much earlier than i would imagine we would if it were just us. as i write that...it seems such a foriegn thought.
like i said...we are the lucky ones!
it's so true, barbara! it's as sweet as it gets! love you back!!!
Posted by: annie | December 10, 2013 at 08:16 PM
I know it's not how you expected to be spending your days at this age, but I also know you cherish the time you spend with her. Love you!
Posted by: Barbara Shallue | December 10, 2013 at 05:42 PM
thank you,sweetie! i appreciate your loving kindness and encouragement! always! love you!!!
Posted by: annie | December 10, 2013 at 10:12 AM
I know just a small piece of what you are going thru as we had my youngest granddaughter for about 4 months...and I thought that it could go longer. Thankfully the Lord intervened and she is back where she belongs. There were times that I thought.....I CAN'T DO THIS! I'M TOO OLD, I'VE ALREADY DONE THIS, THIS ISN'T FAIR!!!!! But we got in our routine and things took care of themselves.....Plus, I had a sitter once a week during the evenings so Keith and I could go out and get an adult dinner and spend some time together. That helped! I've told you before and I'll say it again...I know it's hard...But like in my case where God intervened...HE has done that here too and Laynee is right where she needs to be...for now! May God continue to give you all the things you need to get thru this Journey...Love, Patience, work that fills you up and gives back to you financially and may you know everynight when you (finally) lay your head on your pillow....that YOU ARE BLESSED!!! I love you sweet friend and I so admire you! XOXO
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=598838403 | December 10, 2013 at 09:13 AM