When are you too old to serve?

Never.  That would be the answer you get from most ambitious Grandmas no matter how old they are.  My mom is no exception.  I wanted to feature my mom, Colleen Taylor, in this blog post.  She is my hero.  This lady has been through more adversity than I can list here.  She has survived 4 children who weren't the easiest to raise, a car accident leaving her almost disabled when it came to walking without assistance, and most recently the loss of her sister-in-law, brother, two sons and her husband all within a two year period.

She still lives alone in her own home with help from my sister Shana.  In all the adversity, I can honestly say I have never heard her complain or ask "Why me?".  She is my example for livng a life of service. 

Not only does she not complain, but she is constantly serving her family with her sewing skills and baking.  She is creative and has created several revenue streams from her crafts and cooking through the years.

I wanted to feature her latest service which I think is commendable.  She saw an opportunity in the local newspaper in Pocatello, ID to help a church (of which we do not belong) sew sundresses for African children who are poor and/or in orphanges.  These are a sample of a few of the latest dresses.  She has now sewed over 20 dresses in a very short time.  She goes to garage sales and the Deseret Industries looking for material that will allow her to make the most dresses possible for these young girls. If you would like to do this or know someone who would, please leave your email in the comment section and I will get a copy of the pattern and information to you.

I am so proud of you mom! You are almost 84 years old and still serving.  What a great example you are to your daughters, granddaughters and all who know you.  And isn't she just the cutest, classiest grandma? 
Love ya mom!

Grandma's Wall of Fame

Doesn't every grandma in every large city and small town have a Grandma wall?  Sometimes the photos of their loved ones are professionally arranged, balanced, matching frames and equally proportioned in spacing.  Others you may find will include pictures with old frames, no frames, and just hanging with nails or tape where there is a vacant space.

These are truly walls that speak.  They speak of hours of teaching, cooking, cleaning, dressing, and hours of sacrifice.  They speak of feelings of pride, accomplishment, and maybe some heartache or personal growth.  They speak of joy, happiness and memories which will never fade with the photographs.

This is  my mother's "wall of fame" which is in the entrance to her home and despite all the other lovely furnishings, it is the space in her home where family and friends congregate every time they come.  No matter how many times they see the same pictures, they will return here.  Pictures and walls are a grandparent/parents showcase.

What a treasured spot!

My Two Granddaughters

After having three daughters and now three additional daughters from my new marriage, we know how much fun girls can be!  Papa Steve brought with him 3 grandsons (Jayden, Kyle and Jeremiah)  and my first grandbaby was a boy (Titan). See wedding picture in prior post).  I had no idea how to play with trucks, cars and dinosaurs.  Girls are easy! Ok...maybe they aren't easy but it was what we are used to.  I can't wait to see all the shopping trips and girls nights out we will have as they two beautiful granddaughters grow up.  I love how their mothers are tracking every little move they make and I want to enjoy every little moment myself.  Here are my two granddaughters.

First, Hadli who is the daughter of my first born.  She is full of energy and personality.  She is always happy and busy and just brings so much energy to a room.  She is just starting to form words and its adorable!

Then comes our youngest grandchild which is Laikynn Kay Hatch.  She is also a very happy baby and very much like her mother in the fact that she is very independent so far.  No need to rock her to sleep, just lay her down and she will put herself to sleep.  She is a cutie and loves to giggle when she sees her baby brother.  Her smile melts your heart!

Again, I love how they are documenting everything.  I tried to do the same when they were little but just as in every part of being a mother, they are so much better at it than me.  I love that! 

Back To School

Here is a fun idea as a gift to your grandchildren/children for back to school. I believe the more excited you are about being educated, the more they will enjoy school. I am a firm believer that children who see you "cherish" their artwork and papers will have a greater self image. They are so darling to personalize.  They have nine (9) dividers so you can have a couple of years of preschool, Kindergarten, and 1-6th grade.  It's a keepsake!

They can be found at on Amazon at:
 http://www.amazon.com/Lakeshore-Learning-Materials-Childrens-Portfolio/dp/B004ZAKXIU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1347505728&sr=8-4&keywords=personalized+keepsake+folder

My Introduction

Just a brief introduction of myself and the reasons I wanted to blog about my experiences in being a Nana/Grandma.  I love my grandchildren! Period!  I love children as well but the ones that call me Grandma are always going to be my favorite and can melt my heart faster than anything.  Here is a picture of a few of my grandchildren.  After recently remarrying (August 11, 2011) I have inherited three grandsons and have had two more born.  I will do a brief introduction of each of them and then I promise to limit the amount of pictures I post of my little "bugs" because I know that as cute as other grandchildren are...no one cares like you do about them.  I get it!  Most of this blog will share tutorials, ideas and content about what we can do to enhance the lives of the children around us. 

Here is a picture from my wedding of my first grandson and my three NEW grandsons:

I will post more tomorrow to introduce my two granddaughters and then let's start sharing ideas!

Grandma's Quilts

What did the quilt at your grandma's house look like? Colorful cotton fabric or crocheted yarn?  Did it look similar to this blog?  Mine sure did. The quilts that the grandmas used to stitch and probably even some make today are made with hours of time and lots of love.  It makes sense then that the homemade quilt becomes a symbol of creative talent and workmanship by the creator and a symbol of love to those who have the privilege of cuddling and snuggling in it.  The fragrance of my grandma's quilts always reminded me of two things:  1) the smell of her home and 2) the smell of fresh laundry that had been drying on the old fashioned clothesline.  It has to be a proven fact that those homemade quilts helped keep you warmer and healed anything that ailed you.  I wish more of us would learn the art and take the time to leave such a legacy for our own children.  Maybe we do with other crafts and projects which express our talents.  However, I believe that the sickest child or the most heartbroken soul can heal in "grandma's quilt".  That is why I chose this blog pattern to set the stage of what I hope will be a resource for all of us busy grandparents and parents who want to be that "warming blanket of comfort" to our children and who want to leave a strong legacy which speaks to them the way each square of a quilt speaks a story.

In line with Sunday, September 9, 2012 and Grandparent's Day, I would like to begin my quest in connecting with other grandma's through this blog. I also would like to invite all who have small children in their lives or those who would like to help foster the relationship that their children have with their grandparents.

I have been pre-planning this for months and have so many ideas to share that I hope you will chose to follow this blog and contribute with your ideas and comments. All of the ideas can be used as grandparents, parents, or any adult who wants to make a difference in the life of the children they are close to.

I haven't found anything that compares to the pure love and joy of being a grandparent! I am grateful every day for those darling "snuggle bugs" in my life.

Let's begin this journey together!