Cousin Time

Content copyright © 2016 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

 With these kids growing up fast, I'm glad I can sort of capture them in time for a weekend.
There's lots of friendship and fun in this group. 

 Cousins are the best!

Content copyright © 2016 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

There Is Always Something To Miss

“There is always something to miss, no matter where you are."  
-Patricia MacLachlan


So true.
I miss my children being little, miss former homes where we made memories, miss loved ones who've passed on, miss my youth.

It's easy to reminisce and think life was more precious elsewhere....back in some particular time or place of life where in hindsight, it all looks perfectly rosy.

My youngest daughter recently spoke of the song 'The House That Built Me' and how it made her sad and missing our old home.
 I pointed out that her oldest brothers and sister would think of and miss a different home, the one they spent more time at in their youth.
 I personally would think of several of my own childhood homes.  It's all about perspective, I told her. 

And darn it, life is not a song.  Life is a symphony of songs, being composed and altered day by day. 

I read an article about George Strait, the country singer, and how he and his wife had lost their young and only daughter years ago.  How their marriage and family stayed strong.  How he stayed completely true to his wife while being in the music industry.  He said he always remembered that life was not a country song and it kept him grounded.

 Marriage and family can't be pinned down that way and don't fit in tidy little compartments.
Certain lyrics or tunes can capture a moment, make us feel regret/pain/longing/contentment/joy...but they are only moments in a life. 

Life is never perfect and home is where your family is.  The imperfectness of life is what makes it so lovely. 

Grandma's Flowers Blooming

Content copyright © 2016 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

My little Mallory came to see the fruits of our labor.
Last fall we planted my grandmother's flower bulbs and over the past few weeks, they've been blooming. 

Dear Grandma, you are not forgotten.

One on One

Every now and then, we invite a single grandchild over to spend the night at our house.  It's a special time with just that child and they eagerly look forward to their day.
Most of the time we don't do anything special, just the regular chores and cooking together, etc.  They love it all and remind us when it's their turn.

This time it was Brig's turn.  At three years old-

going on four, he loves to check the nests for chicken eggs, pretend to drive the lawn mower, get rides on the 4-wheeler and help make pancakes.  He also loves following his Papa wherever he goes, asking us lots of questions and just doing general boy things outdoors.

Content copyright © 2016 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

Birthday Time

In our extended family from January 29 thru March 6, we have a lot of birthdays.  
Ten total.  
It's a busy time to say the least.

Five of those include The Man of the House, two of our sons, our daughter-in-love and our grandson. 

Wonderful, grand human beings.

 I'm so thankful for them all!

 



 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas...that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance.  It may weave a spell of nostalgia.  Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance...a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.  
~Augusta E. Rundell

 

Baby Jesse

New arrival in our family- in the form of our grandson, Jesse.

A special Christmas delivery!

A Grateful Heart

Life is beautiful and strong; precious and fragile.

We are filled with gratitude all through the year and especially at Thanksgiving; but have even more reason than usual this November. 

Our beautiful, lovely girl- who recently went to her first homecoming dance- has come away from a severe car accident with a concussion, sore body and a fresh perspective on the fragileness of life. We know she was watched over, and for some reason our girl was saved from dangerous injuries or worse. 

Content copyright © 2015 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

It's hard to describe the humble gratitude we feel.  Our minds are still reeling from this experience and we are sober and quiet much of the time as we try to make sense of all we saw and have felt.
  Our depth of gratitude is great.

Life is precious- please drive safe.

Pumpkins

We had a great time at the pumpkin patch....taking our little 'punkins' to choose their own.
(Hot chocolate after!)

October at its finest.

Content copyright © 2015 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

Scarecrow

Content copyright © 2015 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

 

Content copyright © 2015 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

Happy Halloween!

Five Generations

Content copyright © 2015 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

 I am a fifth-generation Oregonian on my mother's side.  Say that fives times fast!  

My Great-great grandfather, Morgan, traveled west to Oregon- following his Uncle William, who was an indian agent. 
We have deep Oregon roots.

So when I gathered my girls and my niece for a spontaneous trip to visit our loved ones there, I was happily surprised to have everything fall into place.  Like we were meant to go.  

Seven women, ages 67 down to 4, traveling together.  Singing together.  Grumbling here and there but always enjoying eachother's company.  It was grand!

I crossed something major off my 'bucket list.'  A five-generation  photo with my grandmother, mother, oldest daughter and granddaughter.   (And me, of course)  

Not a perfect, studio portrait.  None of us as thin or fit or young as we'd like to be.  (With the exception of the 4-year old.)  All of us slightly hot and sweaty on an August day.  

It was wonderful.  So we took a few more.

And one of the granddaughters with their great-grandparents:

It was a memorable trip and one that I will cherish forever.