GranSunday Celebration

I stole my blog title from my sister's blog (henkehappenings.blogspot.com)---"GranSunday Celebration #1".

Yesterday was the first of many monthly get-togethers for our family at my Dad and Kay's house. They had the genius idea of setting a specific Sunday apart once a month to gather together at their house for a day of family fun. As ridiculous as it sounds, with our family being spread across the metroplex, it has become almost necessary to schedule a time to hang out...so we're thankful that Dad came up with this great idea. Each time we get together, we will have a big meal featuring some of my dad's finest foods (he and Kay both are awesome cooks), and we will celebrate that month's birthdays, anniversaries, and special accomplishments. Yesterday was the greatest kick-off for these fun days to come! (except for the fact that Cassie was gone--we missed you, Cas.)

Kendyll and Carlie got the best surprise when we arrived...a kid-sized Gator that they can drive all by themselves! Kendyll wasn't sure that was really okay, and kept asking me "Are you sure I can do it by myself?" She is used to the Gator at Gammy and Papa Ron's ranch, which is adult-sized where she drives in Gammy's lap. So, she was shocked that this one was driveable without adult help required! I don't think she got off that thing for longer than a few minutes to scarf down some of the yummy lunch we had. (Her favorite was the canteloupe and the cupcakes, while Carlie's was the tomatoes, pork, and homemade ice cream!)
After lunch, Carlie crashed upstairs and Grandad and Kendyll started a project in the backyard. While all of us enjoyed the air conditioning and visiting time inside, they were busy outside for hours. It was so fun to watch them playing, as they scooped up rocks in the Gator to build a "patio" and "hopscotch". Then, as we watched from inside, they started to build a child-sized tee pee from old twigs and brush my dad had collected from their huge and beautiful trees.
As we watched the tee pee come to life, complete with flooring (brown fabric) and buffalo hide (a yellow sheet), I couldn't help but think of how thankful I am for the relationships my children have with each of their grandparents and for the memories they will have for years to come of special times just like these. I sat there thinking about how each one of our parents bring something different and special to our lives---Grandad, Grankay, Gammy, Papa Ron, Pops, and Grandma all represent something unique to each of their grandchildren, and what a treasure that is! My girls being with Grandad reminds me of my own childhood in so many ways. Building a tee pee is something that comes so easily for my dad, although Mark and I both would have struggled for days to figure out how to make those sticks stand up! My dad's hands can form playhouses out of twigs with no effort whatsoever, and, all the while, make a four year old girl believe that she was the one creating it. As I listened to dad ask "Now, where do you think we should put the door?" and Kendyll answer "How about right here?", I was so proud that, in her mind, it was her creation from start to finish. She was so proud and so happy. And, SO cute!
After Grandad and Kendyll put together the tee-pee, she had to show each of us how cool it was. She then had to have a snack inside and enjoyed her ice water and orange slices with Grandad too. She begged to stay and sleep outside that night, and we have promised her that she can do that very soon. (but maybe in a bigger tent!) She said all her tee-pee was missing was "a flashlight and a radio", so I guess she has grand ideas for her next visit to Grandad and Grankay's!

Our time with family yesterday was so much fun, so relaxed, and so "homey". Mark and I both talked on the way home, how incredibly fortunate we are for the families we have and who we treasure so much.

It's always amazing to me to watch as God blesses our lives in the "little things" and the moments with family that you don't always notice or expect. As many of my sweet friends and family know who read this blog, our family has been blessed in many ways by the changes we have gone through over the years. Although the sadness and discomfort of divorce accompanied some of our years before now, and even tries to come back from time to time, it is awesome to see how much more richly God has blessed us today because of it. Our family has grown to appreciate and love each other even more. And, we have double the grandparents and double the love. Double the memories and double the blessings. And, for that, I am doubly thankful. As Amy Grant said long ago, "Thank the Lord, He's been doubly good to me!"

Thanks for a great day, Grandad and Grankay. We look forward to many more!