Monday Morning Musings. Baby's First Christmas

I know it's the new year and Christmas is over but I couldn't let it pass without at least one post about our sweet little Amelia's first Christmas.

Was she spoiled? Of course she was! But this grandma bought the best kinds of presents, ones that never get old . . . books! Morgan and Kim have been warned. Milly's going to have a bazillion pictures taken of her and her room is going to fill up with books. And what's not to love about that??

We all had a great time watching her 'open' her presents and Jada, who loves opening presents, was standing by, ready to offer assistance if needed. Morgan even got to play Santa courtesy of Jesse's new Santa hat complete with flowing white beard.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Day Amelia was Born.

It was 6 am. As one does, I grabbed my phone to see what might have gone on during the night.

 A text from Morgan, and I had missed it!

 Kim's water had broken and they were on the way to the hospital. I texted him back and discovered  they were already checked in.

I threw some clothes on and asked if I could bring them anything. "Coffee and oatmeal from Tim Horton's please!"

Off I went, filled with excitement and joy. My first grandchild was on the way! I prayed all the way to the hospital.

After a quick hello to Morgan and Kim as I dropped things off, I went downstairs to sit with my father-in-law for a while before I went back home. He had been waking up less and less over the last few days. Henry's youngest brother Colin was already there, keeping his dad company. We chatted quietly while his dad slept on.

Time to head home. I needed to pick my mother-in-law up from her quarterly chemo treatment. I packed my bag with the quilt I was working on, a book, some snacks and . . . at the last minute . . . my small point and shoot camera. I didn't expect anything with the baby any time soon, things were in the very early stages. But, something said, take a camera.

 I picked up Henry's mom and brought her home. We had a lovely, peaceful lunch and sat out on the deck until we were ready to get back to the hospital to sit with dad for the afternoon. Just before leaving the house I got another text from Morgan. Things were moving fast! It looked as though the baby might be born that afternoon.

Mom and I quilted and knitted while dad slept, both of us excited at the thought that a new baby was about to join the family.

And then the text . . . .'Amelia Rose had been born at 1:30 that afternoon.'

Such joy.

I had to go home, but came back to sit with mom and dad. (And hoped I might be able to sneak a peak at my new granddaughter . . .)  Colin had come while I was out and his dad had woken a bit when he got there. While he slept again, Colin, his mom and I visited.

A nurse pulled aside the curtain hiding the hallway from view.

There was Morgan with baby Amelia!

He took her out of the bassinet and put her in his grandma's arms.

"Cor! Wake up! The baby's here! Morgan's baby is here!"

As mom leaned over his bed with the baby, dad woke up. And he was there. Truly present in that moment. With a big smile he reached out and touched that sweet, new life. His ninth great grandchild. After a few words to mom and then Morgan, making sure that both Kim and the baby were alright, he fell back asleep, still smiling.

There were tears that day. Tears of sorrow, yes, but mostly tears of joy as we witnessed this beautiful meeting. One of God's children came into the world as another was preparing to leave it.

God is good.

 John 14:1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

 We are thrilled to welcome Amelia Rose Veldkamp into our family. She is a rich blessing from the Lord.

Henry and I went back later that evening for a proper visit with Morgan, Kim and Amelia. And this time I brought my big camera! 

 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb…my frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place” (Psalm 139: 13, 15).
 

Exciting News!

It's been nearly a month since I told everyone on Facebook that I had some very exciting news to share.

News that had something to do with this guy . . .

A few of you remembered that this was Morgan's tattoo, which meant that the exciting news must be about my third child. The one who more and more reminds me of his dad. Except when he reminds me of me. Or of himself . . . . ;D

A few of you even guessed the news. (Being family has it's advantages!)

Yes indeed people. One of my babies is getting married!

We had a lovely dinner to celebrate the engagement and the girls and I get to go dress shopping with his lovely fiance Kim tomorrow night.

We are beyond excited for Morgan and Kim. Congratulations you two!

As you can see, Jesse is too . . .

Christmas Traditions. . . A Tree Decorating Party.

Ever since the kids were small, the first Saturday in December was set aside to decorate the tree.

As I have a bit of a problem with keeping things simple, I would combine this activity with the chance to have various family and friends over at the same time, giving me the opportunity to start the holiday season out right.

In the early days, before I amassed an ornament collection well able to decorate three trees, we would start the evening off by creating decorations with the kids and our guests.

 We fashioned garlands of froot loops and paper then crafted ornaments of clay and painted paper doodads galore.

Well do I remember the the happy exclamation made by one of Henry's younger brothers at one of these marathon sessions. . .

"This is awesome! It's so tacky!"

To be fair he was only 17 at the time. . . but still. . .  Tacky???  Not quite what I was going for. . .

For the last several years we have had the same family over and it has become our way of getting in a good visit before the holiday season gets crazy.

We have known Lorne, Nicole and their boys  for over 20 years and, while our kids have all for the most part grown up, (ahem) my kids still insist on upholding tradition.

This year we added Rebecca and her husband Evan in the mix.

Oddly. . .

 When they moved to Alberta, they moved two doors down from Lorne and Nicole!

For the first time ever, we old people did nothing more than supervise and we had a fabulous time.

The kids did a great job!

 Which is likely because they are not actually kids anymore. . .

Check out our evening . . .

Holly and Morgan thought they would start a new tradition and hit Value Village in search of ugly Christmas sweaters.

Morgan lucked out and found an entire Mr. Rodgers outfit right down to the loafers. Not exactly what he went for but. . . he is my son and improvised.

Holly looked for the ugliest sweater she could find, but, unfortunately for her, everybody thought she looked fabulous in it!

Jada loves Lorne  and Nicole. Nicole was the first person she met after we brought her home from the SPCA.

   Dinner was simple. two of the lasagna's my sister Lisa made when she was up before my surgery, french bread, ceasar salad and a good red wine.

Evan and Rebecca. If you want to have lights hung right. . . get an engineer to do it. . . If you want a tree fluffed up. . .get a girl to do it. (Evan's contribution to the fluffing was respectable as well. . .)

In one of my Christmas magazines, a family had a hot chocolate station for the season. I thought that sounded fun, so we set one  up for the evening. Hot chocolate made with milk, mini marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles and, for the grown ups who were so inclined. . . a little Baileys.

 Crystal loves her funky pajama pants!

Supervising.

 Jada keeps her eyes peeled for any accidental droppage. . .

What is is with boys and their inability to tuck garland?

Jesse loves a good cup of hot chocolate!

Mr. Rodgers is doing a great job..

These guys keep me entertained daily. . .

Our finished tree. Didn't they do a great job?

Morgan of course, had to add his string of Yoda lights. . .

Jesse feels every tree needs a face. . .

And,  for the 17th year in a row, Morgan's kindergarten lamb tops the tree. . .

A bonus to having a tree decorating party?  Sometimes people bring you beautiful ornaments.

Why not have a tree decorating party of your own?

A good time will be had by all.