Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. ~Psalm 90:12
If I weren't already acutely aware of how fast time flies, these last days with Sarah, John and the kids cemented it in spades. Our much-anticipated visit with all of them came and went, it seems, in the proverbial blink of an eye. When they depart for home last Saturday, it seems like they had just only arrived.
Here they come!
I'm waiting expectantly outside, phone camera at the ready, to capture the first moments as they pile out of the rental car.
Alexandra is the first one to make a bee-line for the house.
Savannah's not far behind.
Danny chatting with Sarah, who is holding Finn, before she comes up the steps.
At long last, here comes Virginia!
And even though I've seen photos of Virginia in her new glasses, seeing her in person is a wake-up call to just how much of a young lady she is becoming. Wow! Where is that little girl I knew so well? She's still there, eager to have fun times with her Gammie and Papa, and predictably, beat us both at backgammon!
I will be reliving this amazing visit with our beloved family over the next several blogs. Will you join me in these joyful adventures?
Amen!
I most certainly will join you and can't wait to see more. To watch the girl's grow up (especially Virginia) has been a real treat through your eyes. You are a blessed woman.
ReplyDeleteI am so aware of how blessed I am, Bill. The three grands are such a joy to have around, and I already miss them beyond words.
DeleteLove and blessings!
They grow up so fast. My oldest grandson just caught up with his mother in height and is on his way to challenge dad.
ReplyDeleteThey do grow so fast, too fast, Glynn. I'm not surprised! We always thought Virginia would be tall like her mother, but she seems to have stopped growing at 5'1". We can always hope for another spurt!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Looking forward to reliving these precious memories with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine.
DeleteLove and blessings!
How lovely to have the family with you for a while. I am so pleased you had a great time together.
ReplyDeleteI am praying for you and your whole family, Martha.
God bless.
Thanks so much for your continued prayers, Victor! Yes, we had such a glorious time, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with all of you.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed the anticipation taking LONGER—than the actual visit!
Know that feeling too well when family would arrive...
And than the heavy—dreaded moment of saying goodbye!
But you are all living SO CLOSE to each other compared with our 8,000 km or 4,970 miles apart from any relative.
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh, yes, Mariette - there's no comparison when you get right down to the distances you all had to deal with. The experience of those happy vs. sad don't change, though.
DeleteLove and blessings!
That is true Martha Jane, but for making such a tremendous effort and at a costly price—the anticipation is FAR MORE INTENSE 💞
DeleteMartha Jane: I know you were thrilled to have your family with you for a few days. It's always nice to be able to have our families with us. Our son was here for part of Easter weekend. Peace and blessings to you an yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that your son was able to visit with you on Easter, Cecelia. There's nothing like family on the holidays!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Family visits and the good times they create always speed by us but the memories remain and are priceless.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Bill! Yes, those memories are perfect and priceless.
DeleteLove and blessings!
My goodness, Martha; I don't think I could have recognized Virginia! That little girl's blossomed into such a lovely young woman. Count me looking forward to hearing more about your joy-full week!
ReplyDeleteYes, Myra, Virginia has certainly gone through a transformation! Can you believe she will be 13 this July? No, I can't either. I can't wait to share more of our family time with my blogging buddies.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, I am SO happy you finally got to have that wonderful visit with your precious family! I know you cherished every single moment of it. Yes, it does come and go much too quickly. Therefore we need to make every minute count while we can. We are enjoying our grandson (after 5 long years) and his lovely fiancee' (for the first time) being here with us. God knew how much we needed this...and I believe our Noah needed it too. God is so good. I can't wait to hear more about your family adventures!!!
ReplyDeleteWe're so overjoyed to have had this time with them, Pamela, as I know you are having your grandson and his fiance with you, too. I think we know how blessed we are!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Virginia looks LOVELY in her new glasses. I know you lived it up while all the grands were with you! Looking forward to hearing about your adventures, which might give me some ideas for making memories with our girls (ages 6 and 10). We recently took them to a rock climbing center; they had a great time!
ReplyDeleteA rock climbing center sounds like a great place to take kids, especially if they are adventurous, Nancy. We actually have one right down the street from us; I don't know why I didn't think of taking the girls there, but we will next time.
DeleteAnd I think Virginia looks lovely, too!
Love and blessings!
thecontemplativecat here. Google is a harsh taskmaster. Grandkids are our reward. My gr-daughter asked me if I loved being a grandma. I told it was truly wonderful. She smiled and said that she would be a grandma too. when I mentioned that she has to be a mom first, she slammed the table and lay her head down. Noooo, that's too much work.
ReplyDeleteOh, Susan, that's one of the funniest stories I've ever heard! Yes, like it or not, there are some hurdles we have to cross first before we can become grandparents. As far as I'm concerned, being a grandparent is the best role I've ever played.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful young ladies. I love how it looks peaceful and quiet there. I could need that.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty peaceful and serene here a the Orlando Compound, Lux, at least when no family is here to liven things up. Give me my family any day of the week!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I am so happy for you all that you had such a good visit with your beautiful family!! I'm looking forward to hearing more about your adventures!! And yes, Virginia does indeed look like a young lady nearly grown up. Good golly, the time does fly.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're coming along for the ride, Terri! We all had such a marvelous time together - my only regret is that it passed by all to quickly.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a heartwarming post! Your love for your family shines through every word and picture. It's amazing how quickly time flies, but how wonderful to have captured these precious moments to cherish forever. Your grandkids are absolutely adorable and it's so heartwarming to see how much they enjoy spending time with you. Looking forward to reading more about your joyful adventures with your family! ❤️
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words, Aritha, and I do hope you'll stick around for more adventures to come. Yes, we sure made memories and enjoyed every single moment.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Loved sharing the visit with your family, Martha, and I'm impressed with your counter-cultural courage. You actually referred to Virginia as a "young lady"--really inspirational in the demonically influenced and motivated culture. The internet trolls have convulsions these days over designations like the familiar and cherished one you inserted. That crowd can't even determine whether Virginia is a female or not, much less recognize that she's a beautiful, self-assured young woman in the making. In any case, God bless you for the love and life you pour into your family. Confidence that God will multiply the fruit of those efforts adds fuel to my hope that He will respond to our prayers for revival and awakening in our beloved country.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Ron! It's not so much about showing courage, but a conviction that God's truth is the only one there is. I can't go back on that! He created us male and female - period! Fudging on and manipulating those facts doesn't change what is real, and has been for the ages.
DeleteI'm so honored, too, that you're along for the "ride." Hope to have another chapter out this Friday.
Love and blessings!
Oh I know that you enjoyed every moment with your precious grandchildren. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteWe most certainly did, Cindy! There are more photos of our time together coming up.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteLinda postagem, aproveitar esses momentos em família é precioso demais. Os seus netos são lindos, estou aguardando as aventuras, um forte abraço.
Thank you, Lucinalva! I think the girls are beautiful, too, but then again, I might be slightly biased in that department. :) Glad you will be sticking around for the adventures.
DeleteLove and blessings!
How wonderful. I'm sure it was a fabulous visit.
ReplyDeleteIt was absolutely over the top, Debby! I just can't help missing them.
DeleteLove and blessings!
oh these are the good old day, Martha! enjoy every second ... the years pass so quickly and before you know it the grandkids will be driving in on their own! bless you all with joyful memories.
ReplyDeleteI know we can both identify with the grands growing up too soon, Linda. These absolutely are the best days as we celebrate every moment that comes.
DeleteLove and blessings!
It's always such a joy to have our loved ones with us.
ReplyDeleteThe memories are priceless.
Hugs and blessings, Martha
Yes, they are, Veronica, and I'm treasuring each and every one.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Aw, I am so thankful you were able to have a precious visit with your loved ones. I hardly recognized Virginia! You're right, she is growing so fast and looks more like a woman than a little girl. It is sad to see how fast time flies by! God bless all you, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm eternally grateful for this time, too, Cheryl. God is so very good, and my hope is to celebrate that knowledge every day, even if I think the grands are growing up too fast.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, I cannot believe how grown up Virginia looks. She is becoming a lovely young lady and I love the new glasses. Mike always referenced Psalm 90:12 when he ministered at a funeral. God bless.
ReplyDeleteIt's as though we live vicariously through your photos. Thanks for sharing your joy with us ma'am.
ReplyDelete