Let's Grandparent on Purpose!

I had a conversation with a friend of mine at church recently who also is a grandma (she has 11 grandchildren!) We were talking about how important it is for grandparents to hand down a heritage of faith and she shared with me an old Arabic saying; which I’m delighted to share with you today! It goes like this . . . “If you do not have a grandparent in your home; go buy one!”

Here in the USA, we do not tend to value grandparents as they are in other places around the world. And, here in the USA grandparents often do not understand the value they have to offer when it comes to handing down a heritage of faith to their grandchildren. Many grandparents even have the attitude their “job” is “finished”, their children are adults and now they can just retire, relax and enjoy life.

The truth, however; is our job is not “finished”. We have a very important job to do. The average age of the first-time grandparent is 47 and most of us live to be at least 78 years old – our lives are not over! We have much to offer and can not just toss away these years by focusing on ourselves and not being intentional about passing on a heritage of faith.

Think about it. Which matters more? Taking another trip or seeing your grandchildren love, know and walk with Jesus? Clearly the trip is not even in the same, “ballpark” when it comes to importance.

We have to grandparent on purpose. We have to be engaged. Some of the most important and most precious people in our lives need to see an example of people who faithfully love and follow Jesus and who will point them to how to do the same. We want to keep Jesus and knowing and following Him in the forefront of our grandchildren's "view", so they do not forget Him, but instead remember all He does for them and experience the joy of following Him themselves.

Being a grandparent who faithfully hands down a heritage of faith is not only important and essential for us to do; it will be something which is fulfilling and one of the biggest sources of joy for us as well – far outshining retiring and traveling! Let’s be the grandparents who grandparent on purpose!

It is National South Carolina Day!

Today is National South Carolina Day - so if you, or someone you know, lives there, it is a day to celebrate! Of course I'm going to share some of their silly laws and fun facts with you - please share with the ones you love - did you know . . .

Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day!

Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day! Clearly roasting a marshmallow over an open flame, getting it the perfect toasted brown color, putting it on a piece of chocolate between two graham crackers is the typical way we picture enjoying toasted marshmallows - and it is absolutely a wonderful way to do so, but before you gather your supplies for making smores, take a look at these fun marshmallow facts - did you know . . .

A Cool, Must-Do Science Project Your Grandchildren Will Love!

When my grandsons were younger we often worked on science projects - even when they were as young as four years old they found them them interesting and fun! Today I am happy to share with you one of our favorites . . . all you need is peroxide, dish soap, and yeast . . . the result are sure to get a wonderful response from the children you love.

crafting with grandma - Make Some Minions!

I made Minion hats and Crazy Minion stuffed toys for my grandsons when they were younger. The boys were soooo cute in their hats. All of the  Despicable Me  movies are favorites around here, for good reason, as they are funny!

So, today I'm sharing a link for a pattern for making Minions, I thought with the new movie out now, it would be fun to share it with you!

Tomorrow is International Whale Shark Day

If any fish deserves a day for the entire world to celebrate it, then most certainly the Whale Shark does as it is the largest shark in the ocean! This is enough of a reason to celebrate this amazing fish, but since it is now also on the endangered species list due to over fishing of these amazing creatures, it is important for us to stop and think about them and what we are able to do to help preserve the incredible whale shark. Please share the following fun facts with the children you love, and then consider helping whale sharks - did you know . . .

Get Ready to Make a Difference in Your Family with Generations Quest!

When you look at the world in which we live, do you wonder how the children you love will be able to maneuver around and through the many, “land-mines” which surround them? Do you wonder how they will be able to grow up as children, then teens, and eventually adults who love, know and walk with God, when everything around them seems to be focused upon keeping them from doing so? Do you feel concerned when you think about how these children, who you love with all your heart, will ever make the choice to turn their backs on the values and temptations of the world and instead make the choice to hold firmly to God?

grandma's cookbook - Popcorn! Popcorn! Popcorn!

My grandsons spend almost every Saturday night at my house for a sleepover and after supper my oldest grandson (almost 16) nearly always asks if I would mind fixing him popcorn . . . which of course, the answer always is, I am very happy to do so! His two brothers and poppa join in on the wanting popcorn, so it is popcorn for everyone. I usually make kettle corn for my youngest grandson, butter popcorn for my middle grandson, and then my oldest grandson and husband have my popped in olive oil and sprinkled with Himalayan pink salt popcorn. 

The "Receiver" of "Treasure"!

I have been the "receiver" of great "treasures"! When my grandsons were little, they often brought me these "treasures" - flowers (or, since they often were dandelions, as they are more often classified, weeds!), enormous, dry, dead, brown Sycamore tree leaves ("Grandma, these leaves are dead, but they are SO cool!!!") and little green leaves ("These are leaves, grandma!!!"). I also received the "treasure" of hearing jokes, riddles, and stories (all told with a big smile and a twinkle in the eyes!!!). And, of course, hugs, kisses, raspberries, and snuggles!

From One Generation to the Next

I have always found a reading of the Old Testament to be exciting . . . and heartbreaking. You have real people and how their real lives were impacted and changed when they came to know and walk with God; such as David. He went from being a lowly shepherd boy to being the King of Israel. Yes, there were a lot of years between the two, but he knew and walked with God; even as a young teen . . . so much so he was able to trust God to fight for him when facing a giant none of the older soldiers in the army were willing to fight . . . they just ran and hid! He knew, walked with and trusted God to keep him through the years when he was being chased by Saul. Yes, he made some really horrible choices over the years, but when faced with his sin he turned from it and asked God for forgiveness and grace. He wrote the Psalms and modeled for us, even today – how to talk with God as well as how to worship and praise Him!Yet, in spite of the amazing way David knew and walked with God, his children did not follow and share in his love for God. This is the heartbreaking part. If you spend time looking at the kings of Israel and Judah, some followed God and then in a generation or two they turned their backs on God. If you read Psalm 78 you see how over and over the Israelites walked with God and then forgot Him. Something bad happened and they turned back to God and then in a generation or two they forgot Him again.

crafting with grandma - Crocheted Purse!

I like purses and I enjoy crocheting, so from time to time I decide to crochet myself a new purse! I have a number of purses, but since I crochet them - often from yarn I have left over from other projects - this is something I do to "treat" myself!

I thought I'd share with you one of these purses today. I browsed on Pinterest looking for ideas. I knew I wanted to make a purse with a "quilt-like" look and ended up making a log cabin square, pinwheel square and patchwork square! I crocheted a simple lining and used one square for the front of the purse, another for the back and then the third for the flap. I'm very happy with the finished purse!

Today is Just Because Day!

You may be wondering, "So, what is 'Just Because Day'?" National Today dot com says, "On August 27, you won’t need a reason to celebrate. All you need is National Just Because Day. Why? Well, just because. If you want to make spaghetti for breakfast wearing last year’s Halloween costume, more power to you. If you want to climb a tree as an adult, take the risk. It’s a day to stop worrying about the whys." Sounds fantastic to me - not the spaghetti for breakfast or climbing a tree, but I am thinking of things I might do - just because!

On Just Because Day, feel free to do something without any rhyme or reason - such as . . .

Today is National Dog Day!

Today is National Dog Day, most of my married life we had dogs - mostly basset hounds, which are SUCH a wonderful breed of dog! My grandsons have two dogs, and until last year my daughter had a sweet basset as well, so in this family, every day is "Dog Day"! But since today is a special day to celebrate, let's look at some fun dog facts - did you know . . .

crafting with grandma . . . Granny Square Cat!

I was browsing on Pinterest and saw a very cute pattern for a granny square cat! If I had a granddaughter, I'd make one for her . . . I might modify it and make a dog or monster for my grandsons . . . if I do, I'll post photos and the modified pattern for you! But for now, I'll share this pattern so if you want to make one, you'll have the links! (If you follow the links you'll find a photo tutorial to help you make your own granny square cat!)