SHE'S HERE!!!!......I'M A GRANDMA.

On March 19th, I became a Grandma for the first time. Wow, how my world has changed. Scout Emerson Ace has arrived into this world. She was very alert right after birth, looking around as if to say, "Who are all these people?" or maybe she was thinking, "So.....these are the faces of the voices I've been hearing for the last 9 months. I had no idea what they looked like, but their voices and touch are very familiar. Nice to meet you." She is adorable beyond words. She arrived bigger than we expected and I had to exchange the last outfit I bought her because of that, but she is perfect in every way. Not only is it neat to see and hold her, but I delight in watching my daughter become a mom. She immediately knew Scout's smell, she soothes her, talks to her, cuddles her, kisses her like she just can't get enough of her and checks her out from head to toe. The tenderness she shows Scout does my heart good. As a parent, I often wondered if I had done a decent job of raising my children. It's like God reaffirming to me......see....you taught her how to love unconditionally like this. She has learned from her own Mom & Dad and now she is responsible to bring this child up to love God first and to be there for Scout like you were for her. May she love and cherish the joys of parenting.

When Tif & James had the reality of being totally responsible for Scout, I told them -- she didn't arrive with a pen and notebook checking off whether Mom & Dad are doing their job right. To Scout, they are the only parents she has known. To her, everything they do is the way it is supposed to be done. She came with no manual and no expectations. She loves you just as you are the same way you love her just as she is. She thinks you are the best! Just love her!

I've been busy enjoying Scout's arrival and posting on my blog hasn't been a priority. She is adorable and we are so glad she is a part of our family. Welcome to earth Scout! May you always know how much we love you. Already you are changing and growing. I am honored to be your Grandma!

Could Tomorrow Be THE Day?

Here I sit in my sewing room wondering if tomorrow is the day I get promoted to the rank of Grandmother. I still don't know what I want to be called. I'm sure she'll come up with something. I should go to bed early tonight so that I'll be rested to wait for her arrival. Realistically, I wonder if I'll sleep at all! I just pray the labor & delivery goes smoothly, everyone is safe and she's a healthly baby. Hard to even fathom how much our world is going to change with her arrival. So..........I'll wait for the phone call from my daughter tomorrow morning to see if there is "room at the inn" for her to be induced. Pray for our entire family as we await the miracle of the birth of our first grandchild. Till then...........

Make New Friends....

Today was a very inspiring day for me. I feel like I've made new quilting friends without even trying. See...today I got to go to a quilt show with my husband and I didn't even ask him to take me! We were going because he had a commitment to be there. Remember me talking about his new book? Just a Quilt? Today he was a guest of the quilt shop The Village Quilter at the Love Apples Quilt Guild Show in NJ, for a book signing. We met some wonderful people, felt very welcomed and had a wonderful time. Of course, I got to shop, view lots of beautiful quilts and came home so inspired I want to go to my sewing room to create something wonderful and never come out. I love fabric! I love seeing how others put fabrics together....color choices, patterns chosen, using a simple block in a new way to make it all seem new again, seeing new gadgets demonstrated, etc. At the entrance to the show, was the most beautiful tribute to a member of their guild who had passed away. I only read a few of the notes, but I would love to have known this woman. She truly had the heart of a quilter.....shared her knowledge freely; wore many hats in life, such as mother, nurse, quilter among many others; seemed so in tune with those in need and ALWAYS willing to give of her time, talents, skills, words of encouragement. She definitely left a legacy and imprint on those she came in contact with. Many thanks to this guild for honoring this woman's memory in such a beautiful way. That display touched me in a very deep, moving way. It inspires me to always be to others what I would like them to be to me. We never know how much we have helped someone just by speaking a word of encouragement to them. As I've always tried to teach my children, be a friend to the new student in class. EVERYONE could use a friend! Ask them to be your partner in gym class or any other class where you need a partner. They don't want the rejection of asking you and wondering if you will turn them down. Ask them and let them have the opportunity to accept your offer or decline. They will appreciate that more than you know. So next time you have the opportunity to make new friends, take the chance.

Still Waiting......

My calendar is clear and I, like the rest of my family, am waiting for the birth of our first grandchild. It's like she's playing Hide & Seek with us. We are all so anxious to meet her. She knows our touch (We've all had our hands on Mommy's tummy!) and our voices (yes, we talk to her too), but we are ready for a personal introduction. I know God is watching over her and growing her daily and He knows her actual "birthday". It's the anticipation of knowing it's going to happen....we just don't know when.

The waiting has been filled with some wonderful times though. I called Tif before I went on quilt guild retreat because I suddenly realized she might not be pregnant the next time I saw her. I had to see her pregnant one more time. She is so cute! My other daughter Hannah is home for Spring Break from college and we have had some wonderful times together at Jazzercise, Bible Study, lunches out just to spend time together and talk and she even joined me for my quilt group meeting and helped us stretch quilts. I am so thankful for these times together. Both my girls have grown into amazing, Christ-centered women. Thank you Lord for my girls!

Lest he fill left out, I have a wonderful son too. He is quiet, yet very caring. I can't wait to see him holding his niece. Thank you Lord for him too!

We are all trying not to become impatient with each other. We are all anticipating how this little girl is going to change our lives. She is going to be so loved. Actually, she already is very loved. Thank you Lord for the miracle of birth. Until that day......we will try to patiently wait!

Home From A Wonderful Quilt Retreat

What a blessed weekend I've had. Got to go away to a quilt guild retreat for a few days. It's only my second time I ever remember being away from my family to just spend time for me. It's a time where we sit and sew, snack on delicious treats other members have brought, ask for new recipes for these wonderful treats, swap ideas of where to shop, discover new projects we want to make, work on a mystery quilt and know that at the end of the weekend we will have another project to finish, but it will always remind me of a great weekend getting to know friends and acquaintances from the guild that we only see once a month and realize we really don't take the time to get to know them. By the end of the weekend, we are so inspired, missing our family (at least a little bit) and know without a doubt that we want to sign up again for next year just so we can do it all again.....