A week with Bobby and Hayden

Last Monday, Pap and Nan-Naw happily welcomed Kathy and Bobby and Hayden home from Cleveland for their Spring Break. After hugs and kisses, it was off to Hot Wheels and the Cartoonnetwork.com where Pap supervised two happy little boys playing games until bedtime. On Tuesday, we got up and went to the bowling lanes (the 3 year old loves this as well as big brother. Mommy, Nan-Naw, Bobby,and Hayden bowled two games each while Pap was the cheerleader. We ate lunch at Chick-Filet and went home and the boys took naps. After naps, it was baseball and swings in the backyard ,and before supper, we went in and played Uno Attack . After supper, a few minutes on the computer, then baths, then we watched parts of two movies and the boys were off to bed.
This was the type of schedule we were on from Tuesday through Friday capped off on Friday with going to Putt-Putt and playing arcade games. Friday was really special for Pap and Nan-Naw as we got to baby-sit them while Kathy went to meet some of her friends in Wake Forest. The boys were Angels and I got to put Hayden to bed which mommy says can be an experience at times. However, after I read him his stories, got him his milk, listened to his prayers, he lay down and told me how to arrange his "didi" (blanket for all who don't speak 3 year old) which I did . I covered him up and he went right to sleep without a beep. Nan-Naw had the same experience with Bobby.What a great night. Saturday was a great day because all of children and spouses were here except for Rob , back in Ohio, bless his heart. We sure missed him. It was a beautiful ,sunny day and everyone could stay outside and enjoy it. All four of my grandsons did ,even Wesley , going on six weeks old ,as he slept very well and when he was awake wasn't fussy at all. Kathy and the boys left Sunday morning and our house for some reason was very still. But the house will be here when they return again !

Counting my blessings on Easter

Beth's preacher this morning in church during the pastoral prayer asked members to say things they felt blessed with on this grand Easter morning. So I decided to make a list of my Blessings which come from God :( From the beginning of my life until now- not most important down)
1) My parents
2) My church growing up ( Finding God and Christ)
3) My education
4) Nancy, my wife
5) My job as a teacher
6) Beth, my first born
7) Kathy, my second born
8) Johnny,my third born
9) My children's graduations (High school and college-all of them)
10) Kathy's wedding to Rob
11) Johnny's wedding to Claire
12) The birth of Bobby, my first grandson
13) The birth of Hayden, my second grandson
14) The birth of Ryan, my third grandson
15) The wedding of Beth and Charlie
16) The birth of Wesley, my fourth grandson
17) The good health to see all these things

I have lived a very rich life . The Lord has indeed blessed me with his goodness. When I take time to look back at my life, I realize how much help the Good Lord has sent to me and I am eternally thankful.
15)

Pap and Nanaw

For most people ,"Pap and Nanaw" would be just names for grandparents. However, to Hayden Smart, grandson aged 3, "Pap and Nanaw" is one word like "Mommy". Hayden tells Kathy, his mommy, our middle daughter, "Let's go see Pap and Nanaw." She says he never says one without the other. His older brother ,Bobby, has the same habit . So sometime in the future when you open a Webster's Dictionary, and you get to the word pap, don't be surprised to the word "Pap and Nanaw"beside it.

And the greatest of these is Love

I have four grandsons: Bobby, Hayden, Ryan, and our newest addition,Wesley. I have been retired for one year now after teaching for thirty-eight years in the public schools. I will be married to the love of my life for forty years this August 17th. All these thoughts are connected by a single thread- love. It began with my love for my wife and her love for me which in turn produced three beautiful children-two girls and a son. Their eventual love for someone brought three wonderful people into our lives as their husbands and wife. Their love each brought our wonderful grandsons into our lives whom I love dearly . Now needless to say I love my retirement and am looking forward to Nanaw's retirement this summer. Of course, my son-in-law has promised that I might be able to help with a couple of projects around the house this summer. Guess what ? I'll love that ,also ! So you see, the greatest of all is love !