Today we had the pleasure of welcoming Rich’s Mom and Stepdad here to our home, along with their two daughters….Rich’s little sisters, Laura and Marissa.

They arrived at lunch time and we had a sandwich platter ready, and a shrimp platter, along with chips and brownies.  The food was good, but it was even better having the opportunity to talk and visit with our family.  We don’t get to see them as often as we would like.

They gave us an air hockey game table for Christmas.  Len and Rich had it put together in no time and the children have already had a lot of fun with it.  It’s downstairs in the boy’s “dorm” room.

David had a great time playing a game with his Dad……Len is sitting and watching them.  Len has a heart of gold, he is a loving and special man and the children adore him (we all do).  He is steady and kind, with just the right amount of humor in him, to keep us all smiling. 

Marissa and Grace are just about the same age (born in the same year)…and I think they could pass as sisters.  They spent all day together, and Grace cried when they had to leave.

Don’t you think they look alike? 

I think Jacob is Laura’s favorite pal.  They are also the same age, born just a few months apart.  I have many pictures of them through the years, standing side by side.  Laura taught Jacob how to ride a big four-wheeler.

Both Laura and Marissa have horses, and spend a lot of their time taking care of them, and showing them.

Laura and Jacob get along like brother and sister.  I love to see them talk and laugh together.

Rich’s Mom, Esther, is one of the hardest workers I know.  We had a great time talking together today, about all sorts of things.  She can’t wait to have the children go visit her when I have the baby in June. 

She told me about the hundreds of cans of vegetables, fruits, and meats that she preserved this fall.  I made her give me a high five.  She has the energy of three of me, I think.  She’s raised four sons already, and now she has the girls still at home, along with their niece, Audrey, who they adopted years ago, and is now a teenager.  She is a cake decorator, is involved in the horses with her girls and is currently planning to have a horse arena built on their property.  She has also been an EMT, and probably still goes on calls.  She’s worked at a diner in the past, and Grace has fond memories of hanging out with Grandma, helping her at the diner.  She’s also very involved in her church.  She always has plans and goals.  I could go on and on…….she’s a very interesting and accomplished woman, to say the least, and she is making the most out of LIFE.  That’s what I learn whenever I get a chance to spend some time with her.  Her example makes me remember that life is fun, full, and interesting, and there is lots to do and work for, if I just get going and do it.

When she was talking to me about her canning this summer, she said that she was given boxes and boxes of pears….little pears off someone’s tree in the backyard.  She spent 7 and a half hours peeling all those pears, and when she wanted to give up she thought, “No, God would not want me to waste these pears”.  She peeled and canned THEM ALL……it was hard work, but she said she was proud when she was done.  I thought that was a great story to remember, and tell the children again later, about not giving up—-finishing a hard task, and the wholesome pride that comes in a job well done.

The kids love to go to her house, and they all cry at the end of their times together.  We leave the children with her, and Rich and I usually get lots of emails updating us about what the children are eating each day.  And they always go to Chuck E Cheese.  Lately Caleb has been asking me two questions over and over…one of which is, “When can we go to Grandma’s house again?”

She’s an amazing lady.

They came for the day and left at about 5:30.  It was a nice time, and we’re so glad they drove all this way to spend time with us.

Well, David and Caleb are going nuts as I sit here and type this.  Caleb is sobbing because he just fell all the way down the stairs (he’s not crying because he’s hurt, I just checked, he’s sitting right by me).  It’s been a very busy day and we are all ready to crash in front of the TV.  A new Veggietales video came from Netflix today so I think we will put that on and relax (?)…..I hope.