Happy Grandparents' Day!

Three Generations of Box Girls
(Memaw Box in the center, of course)

I know that it's not really Grandparents' Day. In fact, I think we are a good four months away from that holiday... but I have grandparents on my mind nonetheless. Perhaps it's because we spent the weekend celebrating my grandmother Memaw's 95th birthday - or perhaps it's because I'm at that time in my life when I am so very grateful for all the examples of godly parenting (and godly living) which guide us on this mysterious journey we are on. Or maybe it's just because one can never be too grateful for the free babysitting that doting grandparents are sure to provide...

I think P and I would both agree that we have each been blessed to have terrific grandparents, men and women who have loved us and treated us to so many unique and wonderful memories throughout the years. We are both eager to ensure that our children have at least some memories of the three grandmothers who are still living and still loving us with all the power that grandmothers can muster.

However, if comparisons were being made, our own grandparents would look like absolute deadbeats when put up against our parents' realization of the role; Granddad, DD, Paps, & Gram have taken this grandparenting thing to a whole new level in spoiling being a vibrant and vital part of the lives of our little ones. And since neither of our parents' houses are down the street - but are each, in fact, a good three-hour-drive away - this is an especially impressive accomplishment. Add to that the fact that they each do have other kids and grandkids, and you start to wonder how they do it!

This spring, each set of grandparents made a special weekend trip to spend time with us. In early March, Granddad and DD made plans to stay over after Granddad finished a medical conference in Dallas. They got to experience with us Luke's very first soccer game, and we did our best to ride the Grapevine train (it didn't get very far before they had to turn us around because of an obstruction further down the track; on the bright side, we had the "train experience" AND got a full refund!). But best of all, Granddad and DD spent time with us, visiting, watching the kids play, being a part of the little lives we've carved out for ourselves here. (And we were able to tell them in person about the exciting news of the small addition we are expecting in September!)

This may have been the most interesting moment of the whole game.

Camp Chairs + Blankets = Soccer Families' Best Friends

Grapevine Train and Stockyards

Then later that month, we had a visit from Paps and Gram - only this time, they brought their Casita camper and met us out at Lake Mineral Wells State Park for a weekend camping trip. I must confess that the idea of sleeping on the ground at a small hike's distance from the bathrooms was none too appealing for me, especially at that stage of my pregnancy, but Paps made it much more bearable by giving up his spot in the camper so that Sarah and I (with our frequent restroom needs) could sleep more comfortably while all the boys toughed it out [in a screened shelter]. Paps and Gram spoiled us well, in fact, cooking for us and providing all the necessaries for enjoying our weekend. And although Mineral Wells has plenty to see and do, we spent most of our time planted firmly in the comfiest camp chairs while Luke and Sarah discovered the great joys of Playing in the Dirt. (You wouldn't believe how well that dirt entertained those two city kids!)

Luke throws the frisbee and plays in the dirt and rides his bike;
Sarah plays in the camper.
Somehow she still ended up the dirtier of the two......

Paps cooking one of the glorious meals while P and Sarah watch with approval.

Uncle Alan, Aunt Bobo, and Baby Ava also joined us for the day.
Get a load out of Sarah's fingernails! Yikes!

Thank you, Lord, for grandparents!