So November was an exciting, busy month this year. We started it out with Carter's baptism on the 5th. There is no joy like watching your grandchildren grow and blossom... watching them learn and display the integrity and character that will carry them into adulthood.
After Carter was baptized we all went and watched him play basketball, then back to share lunch and celebrate this awesome little man. He is so full of zest for life! He has such a funny personality and yet has depth beyond his years. He is also a little artist- always drawing. It was a wonderful weekend for this gramma!
During that trip to SE Idaho, I got to see other grandkids... Heather's family; Jonathon's; Justin's, and Brady's. I'm trying to make my trips so that I take turns seeing the kids - I haven't done very good at that in the past and I hate to think I may have hurt any feelings.... so look out kids when Gramma comes "whirling" through!
On the 18th & 20th the Boise Philharmonic Choir and Boise Baroque Orchestra put on a Mozart/Back concert. It was some of the hardest music I've ever sung, yet some of the most beautiful too! It was exhausting, yet totally filled my soul. I love classical music so much... the beauty of it is so inspired and just fills the heart and soul.
Then for Thanksgiving, Donnie & Katie came here for the weekend and Brooke was here for a few days. We had lots of fun and got to celebrate Blake's birthday a little early. We went to Red Robin (his choice) to eat. While we were sitting he noticed some of the RR staff singing to another birthday patron and he looked at us all and said "oh no- don't you do it!" Which of course we ignored! It was so funny- they tried to get him to stand up on his chair but he is so tall now that he was bumping into an overhanging blimp thingy- so he had to just kneel on his chair. They put balloons around his neck and oh did his little cheeks turn rosy as they announced his birthday to the whole restaurant and then sing to him! (I can't believe he is 11!)
Blake is so much fun! He is so tall! He will soon be taller than his parents and Gramma! He is a hard working kid who loves, loves to read! In fact his mom has to get after him to put down his books once in a while. But how wonderful is that?! He has such a special place in my heart... I remember when they lived her in Nampa, he and I would go on these special "dates".. to the movie or McDonald's or dollar store (or all three!). I once told him that when he got to be a teenager and started dating girls his age, he should tell them his first "date" was with his Gramma! His reaction was pretty funny!
Granny Toomer was in Boise at my niece Jesse's house so we got to go in and see her. Brooke was so happy to see her! She loved and kissed on her and made Granny sit right down by her and rub her back. Granny Toomer was happy to see Donnie and his family too! She is getting frail and it is a bit frightening... but she did look better than she has for a while (even though she needed help getting down the stairs). I love my mom so very much- it is heartbreaking to see her getting frail with age.
Brooke with her Granny
Carter, Blake & Granny
It was so cold! But she wasn't about to let him go without her!
Playing with her beloved "koosh"
Oh! I almost forgot- the boys and I had a "slumber party" in the living room on Friday night! It has become one of my traditions when grandkids come here or when I stay with them to try to have a night where we watch movies, stay up late and sleep out together!
No- I did not stay on the floor all night- moved to my recliner after they all fell asleep.
All in all it was a wonderful month! I am so blessed to have the family I have--- and to have the joy in my life that comes through sharing and learning and growing always in the gospel and in all areas of this amazing journey we call mortality.
Posted with love and humble gratitude to Heavenly Father for all these blessings.
