April 23, 2007 7:16 AM
What's going on behind the scenes
Here's a personal update:
Last week, my dear grandchildren were here while Kip and Samantha flew to Guatemala for the third time in their adoption journey (The first baby they went to meet died the day after Christmas; the second baby was fortunate to have had her mother change her mind and decide to keep her.)
One fun thing Tripp and I did while they were here was take them to see Meet the Robinsons. Because they have an aunt and uncles younger than they, my wonderful grandchildren are usually part of a larger bunch for outings. But since my kids were in school (yes, they're back in school, which I will explain in my next post), I took them to an 11:30 show and Tripp met us there.
Not too many people go to the movies in the morning, as witness the parking lot:
These are my wonderful grandchildren. Note that Samantha had four boys and a girl - just like Tripp's and my first five children together (I brought Samantha and Jasmine into my marriage when they were 14 and 7). Kind of cool, and being with them brings back lots of memories :)
Loved seeing Meet the Robinsons again. It was Tripp's first time and he cried too.
Samantha and Kip are back home now and so are the kids. I find I love being with them especially as they get older. I think different grandmas have different styles and favorite ages. I love having real conversations with kids and having them spend a few days on several different occasions over the last few months has given us lots of time to talk.
I am truly blessed that God gave me a second chance to have a family and then to watch my grandchildren being raised by moms who turned out from the get-go to be better than I.
My own grandmothers died when I was young - although I lived briefly with my dad's mom while my mom was working through her "stuff." But Nana worked all the time and I was only eight but left alone. She was tired and angry at me when she came home. That's all I've known about grandmas.
Tripp's mom set a wonderful example for me. Although she always pitched a fit when we announced we were expecting another baby, once they were born she was a devoted grandma who made sure to schedule time for outings. She died in 2002, which was very hard for her equally devoted grandchildren. Just yesterday Maddy cried remembering her Grandma - provoked because she found I'd packed my winter sweaters in Grandma's oriental cedar box with her wedding gown in the bottom and lots of space on top. I guess I just don't get some of the finer points of grief.
We still haven't had our family celebration for Maddy's birthday as Kip was sick when they came back from Guatemala. So we will celebrate next Sunday - with Justin, whose birthday is on the 27th.
The Downzers are steadily gaining independence skills. Here's Jesse's idea of making himself a snack:
Sophia is in rehearsal for Cheaper by the Dozen at Loudoun Valley High, which goes up this weekend. Maddy and Jonny are in rehearsal for Fiddler on the Roof at Harmony, which goes up the first weekend of May.
I am working on an article on Lisa Miller's case and spent five hours with her and Isabella on Saturday. Also working on an article on the response to attacks by the ACLU and their comrades on religious symbols in war memorials.
Also have been asked to speak at two pro-life events this fall (see my schedule).
Sophia, by the way, just had an article accepted at Brio magazine (Focus on the Family) about the Closer Moms/Daughters conference we attended. I contacted the editor and pitched the idea, but Sophia did the writing herself. So she will have her first big publishing credit at 17 (she had something in a small writers' magazine five years ago.)
The Downzers have all started Challenger Little League, which is made up of kids with disabilities. They love this time of year. Most of the seasonal wardrobe switcheroo has taken place, so everyone is in shorts today.
Nothing like beautiful spring weather to lighten the heart :)
Comments
Thanks for the update! I was just thinking about you a few minutes ago so I decided to check your blog; sorry to hear there has been no change on your situation with your daughter Jasmine (as stated in the post about personality type) and I'm curious to hear what has happened in the boys life as it relates to public school. Just yesterday I was relating to my husband the incident you had at school and wondering if you had started homeshcooling or if you had found a solution at the public school. Will be waiting for the update.
Meanwhile, I'm glad to hear you are busy with spring and enjoying time with your grandchildren; I'm still here, and still pregnant; hopefully we get to welcome our little one this week; due date is May fourth, but I'm really ready to deliver him and anxious to meet him and hold him close.
Keep up the good work dearest! I love hearing from you and your wonderful family.
Love,
Nilda Lovas
Posted by: LadyLovas | April 23, 2007 12:01 PM
I loved that movie! it's wonderful. i didn't know what it was about except a kid going to the future. soooo good!
Posted by: allena | April 23, 2007 10:18 PM
