One of the Many Incredible Moments (maybe one of the best)

There are days.  There are some bad days.  Then there are the incredible days.  Yesterday, the birth day of our third grandchild, Greyson, is one of those incredible days.  Today, we did not watch a miracle unfold as we did yesterday.  But it was still an incredible day.  To be present, to watch my grandchildren meet their sibling for the first time, to watch how my son and his loving wife orchestrated the first moment of that first meeting, was so moving, so profound, so special.  It was another incredible day.  I shed a few private tears of devout thankfulness yesterday.  Today, the tears flowed publicly with thankfulness, pride and admiration.

Cailyn is on the mend.  She looked much more vital today.  She is so strong, such a trooper, and such a loving mother.  Still, she is recovering from the C section and Nathan had to take on the role of the orchestrator today.

We knew the Gkids were approaching and Nathan swaddled Greyson and laid him in the middle of the bed.  He met the Gkids at the door as they were delivered to the hospital  by Alton and Marti Ann, Cailyn's parents.  The Gkids had one thing on their mind.  They wanted to see Mom and the baby.  What unfolded was pure love, familial interaction at the deepest level. What  Jane and Jensen communicated through their actions were, "Hey, this is my brother.  I want to get to know this guy.  It is going to be different but I want to let him know right now, I love this guy. And, Mom, I love you.  How are you?  I miss you."

There are moments in our lives that we hopefully never forget. That one hour today is one of those times.  The rest I cannot describe.  There are many pictures.  Here are a few:

Such a loving mom and such a strong lady.

swaddling as the sibs arrive

Hi Dad, were's the baby and my mom?

I'm on a mission.  Where's Mom?  Where's the baby?

This is Greyson and he is a boy.

Hey, bro

Are you sure he is a brother?  I wanted a sister.

If we are going to share a bedroom, I want you to stop this crying stuff.

proud Grandmas

It Never Ceases to be a Miracle

Greyson Benjamin Aune arrived today around 3 p.m.  At 9 lbs 1 oz (21 inches) he is a big baby and he really did not cooperate by getting into the right position so they delivered him via C section.  Dad and Greyson are fine.  Mom is a  bit under the weather due to the meds.  All will be fine and exciting when we are there tomorrow to see Jane and Jensen meet their new brother.

I am so proud of Cailyn and Nathan.  They are wonderful parents and are so prepared to take on the challenges of adding a third child to their family.  The C section option was a set back for them but it was very necessary in this situation.

Dad's Day

It is my favorite title, “DAD”, right there next to “Papa”.  It hasn’t been easy.  I’ve been guilty of sins of omission (not doing enough or not doing the right thing ) and sins of commission (doing too much or doing the wrong thing) but all in all it has been a great ride.   I have been blessed with a capable partner in this journey.  But I also understand that one's status may change in an instant, on a dime, at any time, without foresight and it may be completely beyond your control as a parent or partner.  But you pray that in that time of success or crisis that the fundamentals that you lived and taught your children may live for them in that time of joy or peril.  Taking your children through the experiences of the world is fundamental.  Sheltering them is hiding them from reality and is an invite to destruction.

Today we gathered at our home.  Ben called from Atlanta, graciously inquiring about our next trip to their lake house, our comfortable home away from home on Lake Oconee.   Our times there have been so special. Cathartic

Nathan, Cailyn, Jane, Jensen, and Kari spent the afternoon with us.  There was some work on refurbishing Kari’s playhouse for the grandkids and time watching the US Open.    Cailyn, trying not to be miserably pregnant, made efforts to serve the dads.  She will be induced within the week. Another grandchild is in the offing and I so pray for Cailyn and a comfortable and healthy delivery.  On Wednesday Kari leaves for her eighth trip to the Philippines.  The weeks ahead show great risk but great rewards.  Another grandchild is at hand and Kari’s efforts will hopefully enrich many in the teachings of the Christ.   Thoughts of love and appreciation were abundant on this Fathers’ Day.  God Speed to Kari in her venture.  God speed to you Cailyn.  Thank you, God, for the joy of being a DAD, as difficult and complicated that it is.  I Love  it.  And I am so blessed by that experience.

Mom's Day

Our 8 days with the gkids was utterly delightful.  Each day brought new discoveries and insights.  We kept a few home projects going and actually got quite a bit of work done.  On the nicest day of the year so far, sister Corinne and LeRoy visited for lunch.   Fun.

Janie working on the Vball skills

shootin hoop on the patio

Nathan and Cailyn returned from their trip on Wednesday and on Sunday we were at their home to celebrate Jensen's second birthday and Mothers' Day.    Fun.

Easter and Beyond

How can Easter be cold and dreary (most in my memory are) with the Message that is received at the break of that day?   Nathan, Cailyn, gkids, and Alton and Marti Ann (Cailyn's parents) joined us at church which was then followed by gathering at our home.  Jess, Amanda, and Henry (friends of Nathan and Cailyn)  and Kari and Eric (Kari's friend) joined us for the day.  It rained, hailed, and it was sunny and  gloomy.  We, at several times, redirected Jensen on his command to " go outside"  We were warm, comfortable, and well fed by food, the camaraderie of friends and family,  and the Easter message.

On Thursday, Nathan and Cailyn flew out to Arizona to help lead a Christian conference in the Phoenix area.  They will tack on a few extra days of relaxing in the sun.  We will have the grandkids for 8 days.  So far, after two days, it has been sheer joy.  Last night I set the DVR to record the royal wedding.  This morning, Jane and Barb ate their breakfast near the TV, with their bonnets and gloves.  Jensen wanted his hat on as well.

By mid morning we were at our city library for some story telling ( I am proud of our city as the most impressive building in town, other than the hospital, is the library)  which is located at our central park.  In the afternoon Janie, Barb and I worked on a "sand box" which will actually be filled with more friendly pea gravel.   The evening found us at a carnival, sponsored by a deaf and hard of hearing group, of which Kari plays a pivotal roll.  On arrival home, we noted Loki's second birthday, gourmet canned dog food and a candle.  Fun day.  Celebration,  education, some work, and some sharing.  A day of balance.

Need a sand box full of pea gravel.

future engineer?

We won these as prizes at Kari's carnival.

Happy birthday to Loki, he is 2.

2 Weeks?

Wow, it has been almost two weeks since I last posted.  The weather has been awfully cold and wet, the grand kids and kids continue to brighten our days, and we have been incredibly busy for a couple of old retirees.

We've had the gkids overnight twice.  It is so much fun.  They have grown and developed over the last few months and it seems that each day brings new discoveries and insights.  As Janie has now begun to understand and reason more, we have to be careful what we say.  Jensen has changed from a "toddler" to a little "man with a mission."  We now, after 15 years of not doing so, lock our bathroom doors.  The gkids are on the move and we now have to watch our step.

We "need" some Rice Crispy squares

follow the "mother goose"

Great Expectations.  Time to lower the hoop.

But there has been a lot of work to do as well, inside and out.  Our acre, lined with trees, takes a lot of our time.  A large maple died last summer and on our return home we found that it had dropped several large branches.  The fall was tricky and it lodged into a nearby fir tree.  After several attempts at dislodging it, our last resort was to back up the RV to it, attach a large chain, and pull it down.  Barb takes credit for pulling it down.  Yes, I know.  Sometimes the best man for the job is a woman.

Life is good!

dangerous problem

Barb pulls it down

Now the hard part.