On Practicing my Grandparenting Skills

I have officially been separated from my grandson for 40 hours. My ready-made, 15-year old has been taken away. I know, it sounds really bad, but no worry. His mom came to pick him up after 2 weeks at Nana and Pop's house. I have listened to my friends brag about their time with the grandchildren. They told me there was nothing any better, but I secretly thought they were just exaggerating. WOW...or Oi Tey...as Dennis would say it. I have not had so much fun in a long time.



Let's see. We went to the museum to view the dead people, and were both amazed at how great, magnificent, and smart our God is! Then we went to a water park and had a blast. I love water parks, and riding down those slides with my grandson? There are no words to describe it!



He read books while I worked at summer school. I am so proud of him. He read one complete book and started two others!



Pops and I took him fishing and had a hot-dog cookout. I was stunned when he insisted on cleaning two fish. I usually catch and release. He cooked them over the open fire after he had seasoned them with salt, pepper, and mustard (the only seasonings he had with him). It was hard for me to taste it because I knew I had caught one of them, but I will admit it was very tasty!



When we weren't going on a "field trip," we played Zelda on the WII. I say "we," but all I did was translate some of the instructions (did I say that Dennis was from a foreign country?), and read the story lines when he completed a section. But I sat right there with him to keep him company. Dennis also has had experience with growing plants, and he shared some of his wisdom with me. He was very concerned that I continue to care for the plants after he left, and I am going to try to do that even though I'm not very good at growing stuff.



On Friday, we got up and went to dig for diamonds at Murfreesboro. No diamonds, but I was able to count all of the diamonds I have as I walked up and down the furrows, counting all of my blessings.



On Saturday after we cleaned the house in record time, we went to see Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D. With popcorn, drink, and 3D glasses, Pops, Dennis, and I just jumped right in to the action!



After church on Sunday, we just had to rest, but we managed to get in a little bike riding too.



Pops and Dennis batched it on Monday and Tuesday while I went to a professional development workshop. While I was gone, they went horseback riding and watch the ferrier shoe the horses. They also began a backyard project building sidewalk connecting our two patios. Then when I returned, we went fishing, and completed the backyard project.



You know, God works in mysterious ways. He does not limit himself to doing things the way we would think of doing them. In our "wisdom" we would not have adopted a teenager from another country, but in God's will, Em and Jon did just that, and I know Dennis is jsut as much Pop's and my grandson. I enjoyed spoiling hime, bragging on him, laughing with him, and talking with him on more serious issues.



I just hope he wants to come back really soon!