Fun Time but no pictures

I was waiting to up date until I could add pictures to help tell my stories but in the process of moving pictures from the desktop to an external hard drive and then plugging that into my laptop I managed to break off a couple of prongs on the power cable because I couldn't see well enough to plug the TINY plugs into the side of the laptop. Of course no one seems to carry that power cable. What good is it to safely back them up on an external hard drive when I can't use that either AUGGGG! I guess I need to go to the Dollar Store and get myself some stronger glasses. I hate needing reading glasses, when did I get old. I digress. . .
The week end was great. Grandpap actually looked better than he did in December. He was more worried about Wyatt, Jack & Ella getting germs from visiting the hospital. We wanted to show them off but they didn't even need to do anything but to be there and he thought they were "just beautiful". He's such a different man now than he was when I first met him. He thought I was a bad influence on his 16 year old son and I thought HE was the bad influence. He needed to sober up and I needed to become a mother-in-law before we truly understood each other. I digress AGAIN but I guess it's just a grandmother's ramblings. The week end. We've always taken Ella for the nights but have never taken Jack before. He was wonderful AND he even got his first tooth while on the way. We didn't have any problem finding him food wherever we went and everyone noticed "what a good eater" he is. He was cracking everyone up with the way he'll stare at you and raise his eyebrows (just like Dadddy). Cute now, maybe not so much when he's a teen ager. Uncle Matt actually had Stare Down contests with him! He didn't like his pack and play too much but as long as he could lay with PaPa he slept just fine. Ella & I had the other bed. She fell out of the bed well maybe fall out isn't right. When we got up to go pee (grandmother's need to get up and pee in the middle of the night) I was "helping" her get back into bed with the light off and we missed and she ended up stuck between the bed and the wall. Once I realized she was ok I couldn't stop laughing. I tried, but laying there in bed with her the giggles just kept popping out. She said it wasn't funny but then she started laughing too. We stayed at Uncle Matt & Aunt Sue Ann's house, Uncle Mark & Aunt Sue were there when we got there so we were able to show Wyatt off to everyone. They have a hot tub outside and Ella thinks it's a swimming pool. Uncle Matt and her spent an hour out there in the snow (not a decision I would have probably made as a mother). They had a great time squirting each other and putting snow on each other's head. We also got a chance to visit with my niece, Erin, and her two kids (1 1/2 & 6) at Aunt Cookie's house. Charlie, Michele & Wyatt came too. What fun & great food too. My sister is a wonderful host. Erin's mom (my sister Kim) showed up later on and it was nice to sit at the table with my two sisters that are now my friends. We never got to know each other when our parents were alive & healthy. My mom would be glad to know that we finally like each other.

Week End in Ohio with the Grandkids

A side note before I start, I'm going to make a link with a family tree of sorts so that when I mention someone you can go to the link and see who they are and how they are related.

ELLA & JACK

We found out this morning that Grandpap is in the hospital again. He has a lot of damage to his heart and it looks like his time is limited but it could be tomorrow or years from tomorrow. We've been through this twice already, with my parents. It's hard to know what to do when someone calls and says your parent is in the hospital and you are 6 hours away and have other responsibilities. I'm sure I'll touch on these feelings again since the experience was so major in my life. I know everyone looses their parents but that doesn't make it any easier. Anyway back to this week end, since Monday is President's Day and a day off for Pops we decided to take the drive to Ohio and check things out for ourselves AND since Ella's parent's are going away for the week end and we were going to take care of her anyway we will be taking her with us. She LOVES to go to Ohio. She loves to go anywhere and for now we take her whenever the opportunity arises. The bigger deal though is Jack's parents are going to let us take HIM too! As sad as it is to watch your parents die somehow having your grandchildren with you makes it more bearable. HE is looking forward to seeing them and we're looking forward to showing them off. Some people think we are crazy for taking the kids without their parents. We just feel lucky! These kids have touched our hearts more than we thought anything could. We spend enough time with them on a day to day basis that we know their likes and dislikes and their habits well enough not to stress over having them on our own. We are very grateful to their parents for letting us have so much to do with their lives.

Charlie & Michele are anxious to show off Wyatt so they are already on their way to Ohio. look for some good family pictures when we get back. Here's a link to Wyatt and his parents first professional pictures http://www.printroom.com/ViewGallery.asp?evgroupid=0&userid=tfraer&gallery_id=1402931

OK, so you can see how this whole thing gets emotions so conflicted. We're excited yet we're worried about Grandpap & Ruth too. We're not ready to let go of another parent just yet. When it's his time we know he's ready, he's made his peace with God and knows there is a place for him in heaven. I don't think it's his time but it has made us realize it's time for a visit and we're going to make it a good one.

The Meaning of Life?

I'm starting this blog as a journal for my grandchildren. I've been trying to come to terms with the purpose of my life. What was the purpose of my time here on earth? What did I accomplish? What's my claim to fame? Up to this point I've been a daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother and I think I have progressively gotten better as I approach each one but I don't feel I've been successful at any of them YET. I feel like these things are what I WANT to be my claim to fame. Charlie teases me that I am the matriarch of the family, He doesn't realize how much of a compliment that is.