Rest and Relaxation

 

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." ~Mark 6:31

Oh, what a joyful and celebratory week we spend with daughter, Sarah, her husband, John, and our three beautiful granddaughters, Virginia, Savannah and Alexandra!  They arrive here on Saturday, June 30th, and depart a week later.  We wish the visit could be longer, but we make the most of the time we have and treasure every moment.

Because we have limited space at our house, we book a hotel room for John and Sarah; Alexandra, being the youngest, decides she would rather stay with her parents than with Gammie and Papa, but that's okay.  Virginia and Savannah are in full summer mode, sleeping in until mid-morning, which gives me more quiet time than I could have imagined possible.  When their parents, their sister and the family dog, Finn, come over each day, they are all ready to indulge in the thoughtfully planned lunch that Danny prepares for all of us.

Our dinners, too, are designed for deliciousness.  I can't believe I never snapped a photo of Danny in the kitchen, but take my word for it - no one goes hungry at the Orlando Cafe!

Conversations abound as do our many games of backgammon played each day.  Even Alexandra is learning how to play and is doing quite well.

Although, she definitely has her moments of silliness!

Perhaps you are wondering about the birthday balloons featured in the header photos.  That's to honor Savannah's birthday in April and Virginia's and Alexandra's in July.  Since we can't be there in person, Papa and I decide to recognize their special days while they are here with us.  All three of them seem delighted by these unexpected gifts.

The girls are also thrilled by visit from their Uncle Daniel and Uncle Nicco, both of whom bring birthday gifts.

Virginia is elated with the pen/pencil set, sketch pad and the satchel to hold them all from Daniel.

Here's Nicco showing something to Virginia on Danny's computer.

Opening their gifts from him.

Most of all, we want Sarah and John to get some much-needed rest and relaxation.  They both work so hard and truly deserve this break from the daily routine.  They assure us that they are, indeed, feeling refreshed and renewed by week's end.

Our home, so recently full of the good-natured, boisterous chaos, is now oddly silent as I write this post on the day they leave for home.  We miss all of them already and, as always, we wish they lived closer to us.  Still, we are so grateful for any and all time God gives us to be together.  He is the joyous source of every blessing.

Amen!