Being a Grand Parent

Grandparents are a family's greatest treasure, the founders of a loving legacy, The greatest storytellers, the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family's strong foundation. Their very special love sets them apart. Through happiness and sorrow, through their special love and caring, grandparents keep a family close at heart. ~author unknown

My grand children are the joys in my life. When everything else seems a struggle, they make life so amazing. They have a way of making my world so much better.

How can one not look into these darling faces and feel joy. Being a grand parent is so amazing.

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do.  Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children. 

Its always a good day when you can spend time with these precious little ones.  

The excitement they have when they have something to share. Everything in their eyes is fun and exciting. I love the chance to read to them, laugh with them and play with them. 

 As I continue to be so thankful for these beautiful grand babies I have, I also have to be grateful to my children and parents of these beautiful babies. The love, patience and care they take with each of them. Children are a reflection of their parents and as I watch these beautiful babies, I see how they are so much a part of their parents. Thank you for the joy that has come into this life of retirement. The opportunity to be a kid with my grand babies all over again. Mind you I can’t run and play as hard as they do but they keep me young. Each of my children brings joy in my life. There will always be challenges as we are all so different in our personalities but you each bring me joy. Each of you makes my life special.

Count Your Blessings

This past couple of weeks I am counting my many blessings. I have been so blessed. Life is beautiful.

Well we have another new baby. Little Bria Nicole Hansen has come into our family. 

She weighed in at 6 lbs 8.4 ozs. and 19.5' long. She made sure to let everyone know it was on her schedule and not ours. It was another quick birth. 

My girls do well at having babies. Quick and easy. Just like their mamma  I went with Nikki to the doctors since she called me and told me she was having contractions. It was a regular appointment. any way. The doctor said it looked like we were having a baby today. To come to the hospital when the contractions became more regular. We called Rich and told him to get on the plane bound for home. He was in Arizona for spring training. He loves his Giants. We then went to lunch and walked around Babies R Us for about 20 min. Then off to the hospital we went. We arrived at the hospital at 2:45pm.

We called John and let him know we were staying and he came from work. We were now ready for this bundle of joy to come. She of course said on my time not yours. LOL 

Papa got to the hospital about 5:45 with pizza to eat for John and the girls. They loved their pizza.

Bria came at 6:59 pm tho the hospital says it was 6:54 pm. Nikki got to help with the delivery and John cut the cord. She came out so pretty. After about 45 min of getting Bria ready, the girls were able to see their sister. They were so excited.

 “A baby girl… one of the most beautiful miracles in life, one of the greatest joys we can ever know, and one of the reasons why there is a little extra sunshine, laughter and happiness in our world today.”

The Hansen Family

Retirement Oh How I Love That "R" Word

Retirement is the perfect time to become the person you would like to be and do the things you have always wanted to do.

So they say life gets easier when you retire. Really? To me life just gets busier. I haven't stopped since I decided to retire. I finished my last day at work in December. And I know that I will miss doing flowers and the people I worked with. But, I am so excited about what this new adventure has to offer. Right now life is just so busy. I see things coming and going and have to stop for just a second and take a deep breath. Then moved forward. 

Since I have retired. Love that "R" word!!! Rich reminds me weekly if not daily how he has never done this or that with a retired woman before. I've never gone here with a retired woman before. Lots of firsts for Rich with a retired woman. 

Let me just give you a little taste of how simple (((giggle))) life has become since I "retired". We have been to Phoenix to visit my grand son Austin and my daughter Alicia. Austin had his tonsils taken out so I was able to help take care of him as a "retired Tutu (grandma). Oh and another day just to fly in for the day for lunch. Cause we can as Rich puts it. The next day after lunch in Phoenix, we flew into San Diego to have lunch with my brother-in-law Gil and sister-in-law Eva. We went to Old Towne and had a wonderful lunch and time. Then it was time to get ready for Christmas. Decorating the house and the tree. Bunko at the house before Christmas. The ward Christmas party and doing photos for that. 

Now its a new year Jan 2013.Then is was time to take down the tree and decorations. The house looked so bare.  I had Bunko at the house again.. A baby shower for Nikki who is due Mach 17. A baby shower to go to for Amber who was due March 7. We went to California for a baptism. Spent time with my Summers family who mean the world to me. 

Having Amber and the kids come stay with us til April. Yay

February brought more fun things to do. Flowers and pictures for a wedding, a special visit from a friend from Colorado to celebrate her birthday. I got laryngitis and am still fighting to get my voice back. traveling to San Jose to help Rich pack up his office.  Did I miss doing flowers for Valentines? No not at all especially when I heard they worked til 3am. Do I miss the people yes.

 And of course the most exciting thing was seeing the birth of my grand son in my home.

 Oh I can't forget that Rich's step mom is coming this weekend to visit.

Have I had a moment to breathe? You tell me.And life seems to be just getting busier. In March we await the arrival of Nikki's baby girl. Nascar weekend with a houseful of guests which I can't wait to see.

 We will have about 15 people staying in our home that weekend. Then half of them will leave and head off to Phoenix for Spring Training. Then we will be going on a trip to Williamsburg Virginia for spring break.

We will spend a day in Washington DC so Rich can go to the Ford's theater. It has been closed the other times we were in DC. 

We are traveling because Rich flies so much I have a companion pass and fly for free wherever he goes. He flies so much he accumulates points so Danny flies on his points. Life is good. I don't have time to think. Whew!!!

Oh and in the midst of that we have joined the Y and so we go to the gym several times a week.

So....life as a retired person. I've never been retired before or lived as a "retired" person.

For a happy day, look for something bright and beautiful in nature.
Listen for a beautiful sound, speak a kind word to some person, and
do something nice for someone without their knowledge.

We have a new Grand Baby

What a wonderful couple of days this has been. It is amazing that such a tiny sweet baby can have such a huge impact one ones life.
Our oldest daughter Amber has come to stay with us through the first of April. She had decided to again have her baby at home. Up in Spring Creek where she lives, they have no midwives so she wouldn't be able to do that there. So home she came. Of course I was thrilled that she chose to come home. She has had high blood pressure issues with her pregnancies and so we have been watching that closely. You always worry about your children. That never goes away. Each of them are precious to me. Each brings joy and pride to my heart as I think of them. So, any extra time spent together once they are grown and on their own is a special bonus I cherish each and every moment.
Oh there I go rambling on. That's because each of my children bring joy to my heart and I can't help but express how much they mean to me.
So, back to my newest grand son.
On Monday Feb 25, 2013 Amber had her appointment with April. We were concerned about her blood pressure and if it was time for this little bundle to make his appearance. The swept her membranes knowing it could possibly put her into labor or just help her progress further along. I had the feeling inside this would actually start labor and we would have a baby today. Amber said she thought it would be another week. We then came home and went about normal routine. About 1pm Amber started having cramping and contractions began. We made a few calls and prepared for the arrival. Rich didn't believe we would have a baby today and had doubts. He kept asking if we were sure. Eric was called and he began his 7 hr drive down to try to be here in time for the birth knowing it was more unlikely he would be here on time but knowing he would be here soon after.

Amber, Nikki, the midwife's assistant Shayna and I sat down to play a game to help ease Amber's mind off the contractions. At just before 3pm Amber and Shayna went in to the bathroom to check the babies heart beat. Nikki left 10 min. later to go get Karli from school. Things went really fast from that point. Amber got into the tub and soon her water broke and with the next push our little man was born. He was born at 3:33 pm and weighed 6lbs 7ozs. and was 18.5" long. He came so fast the midwife missed the birth. Poor April.

Everything happened so quickly. Rich was shocked when I went out and said "We have a baby!" Nikki came in about 5 min. later and she too was surprised to hear that in the 20 min. she was gone we had a baby.
What an amazing thing it is to witness the birth of such a sweet spirit. A precious gift from Heaven above.I looked down at his tiny face, his eyes not yet ready to see. He made a whimpering cry and a rush of love came over me
As they placed this angelic form into my arms; his soft dark hair, little fingers and toes so perfect, My soul filled with joy. What a special blessing you are in my life already dear sweet boy.Here you have progressed to gain a sweet body on your way to life eternal. Here in my heart you will always be. Because I love you and you matter to me. I promise to be there whenever you need me. I promise to be in your life from day one and to learn what you are about. I promise to love you unconditionally. I promise to love you through eternity.

You have so many people who love you. So many who care about you. So many who will be here to help guide you.

 Auntie Nikki who is also expecting soon. She loves you and is so happy to get to meet you and love you.

 Here is your mommy taking you after you have been weighed and measured and dressed. How happy she is to have this baby in her arms.

 Here is Uncle Danny and your cousin Karli. Leila wasn't to sure about holding you. But she was excited to see you too.



And of course your brother Carson and sister Brooklyn. I have to laugh tho. When Carson saw that it was a boy, he cried and left the room. He was upset because he wanted a sister. He said, "I wanted a sister not a brother." After a few minutes he came back and was excited with his new baby brother. Brooklyn was so excited for her new baby  Neither of them has stopped trying to hold the baby.

Daddy made it a few hours after Curtis was born and was thrilled to be holding his son. I am so thankful he was being watched over as he was driving and arrived safely.

Here is Papa and Tutu. We couldn't be more happy. Spoiling our Grand Children is something we love to do. Each of our grand children are so special and have a special place in our heart. 

Every baby boy wants to grow strong like his dad. But first he will be as strong as his Papa.

We will cherish each moment we have with you Curtis. We look forward to seeing that precious smile that makes us smile in return. As I think of who you are and who you will become the joy is ten fold. I imagine you as having a radiant smile. Being intent on goals you set in your life. A soul so pure and gentle, blessed from above and filled with love. I see you in the outdoors with your dad and brother laughing and running. I see you energetic and cheerful,handsome yet strong. All these great traits and so much more. I see so many possibilities.

                                                    A boy is Truth with dirt on it's face,

                                                    Beauty with a cut on it's finger,

Wisdom with bubble gum in it's hair,

and the Hope of the future with a frog in it's pocket.