At the Zoo

Although a couple of weeks have gone by, this is a post still begging to be recorded in this forum . . . if you want to peek in, you are most welcome!

The Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle takes you through numerous themed,
wooded gardens or conservatories, allowing for the feel of a Borneo jungle,
 a tropical rain forest or an African Savanna . . . to name just a few.

I found the toucan birds and the weaver bird entertaining.
The one at the bottom left came right up to the glass as if to
show off his best side when he saw my camera.
The weaver bird was a busy little guy weaving his pear shaped nests
to show off to potential female partners.



Keeping us all on the same path was taken care of
by everyone looking out for each other

and some very eager map checkers in the group.

I think the favorite spot for the littlest ones was the penguin tank.

I can almost feel the excited shivers going through them as
they observed them, up close, though the glass.

Like I said . . . we had to keep going.

There were lots of big animals to look for . . .

jaguars, elephants, zebras, ostriches, grizzly bears, hippos, gorillas, orangutans . . .
to name some.

Usually not hard to spot.



The zebras were playing a silly game!
And I wonder . . . just how would you paint those stripes?

The path kept going . . .

A bug's world opened up to us . . .

and sometimes it just felt best to be on daddy's shoulders.

Nature themed playgrounds abounded . . .
there were "let's be crazy for Grammy" photos and "let's be nice" photos . . .
I chose the nice, but it was hard to choose.

  
We joined the grands for a pose.
Later, looking at the photo I kept checking . . .
and realized one little monkey is missing.

So here's one last shot
 . . . all accounted for . . .
 for the summer of  2013! 

Grandma's Prayers

  

I was going through my book shelves, looking for something, when I came across this book hidden in a back row. I decided it was high time to give it a more prominent place, so that I might actually pick it up and read it.

Citing real life stories, grandmothers, Quin Sherrer and Ruthanne Garlock, highlight the treasure of a grandmother's influence and how grandparents, in general, have the connection between the past and present, that can so easily be forgotten. These authors set out to show how prayer is one of the greatest and most lasting gifts a grandparent can give.

Something that a number of the stories brought out is that prayer is something a grandparent can give no matter the distance that separates them and no matter how desperate a situation may look. One grandmother began reading Bible verses, that pertained to a certain blessing, to her grandson over the phone and it did not take many phone calls, and he was asking, "aren't you going to bless me today?"

So what can a grandparent pray for? One author refers to Scripture where "Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature and favor with God and man" and how to apply this to children by asking for the gift of discernment, making wise choices, learning to care for their bodies, seeking God's heart, obeying parents, respecting authority and exhibiting compassion . . . to name a few. We can see where their strengths and weaknesses lie and pray specifically for something that may look like a hardship to be used for good. In a world that is changing so much, our prayers can be the one constant in their lives to help them face pain or joy, knowing we care deeply for them no matter what.

There have been times, when I've put the grandchildren to bed and asked them to say their bed time prayer, only to realize they wanted me to pray. My first instinct was that they should say their own prayer, but after thinking about what I've read, I came to realize that my example and my words are important. If they want me to pray, I want to take the opportunity to bless them with my words spoken on their behalf to our Heavenly Father. The next time I have this opportunity I want to take it a step further and ask them what they would like me to pray for. Developing a relationship in which they can trust me to pray for them in any circumstance is a privilege I do not want to miss.

I think that every grandmother, in fact anyone caring for children, can glean something from the pages in this little book. It is through faith and prayer we gain access to the riches of God's grace and mercy, which He extends to every generation.

 

Bench Stories

Do you have a bench story?
I was about five years old when, one day, I stretched out on my grandmother's bench
and found out the length fit me from head to toe.
How amazing was that?
For some time after that I was known to try to impress others
by telling them, "Ich bin so gross wie Oma Ihre Bank!"
(I'm as big as Oma's bench!)



This photo, taken by Beatriz Photography for the Celebrations cookbook,
shows a beautifully set table with a bench.
 The bench was made by my father-in-law,
the kind of bench he would have made to flank their family kitchen table -
a table around which many a simple meal was shared.
To me a bench says,
"We can make room . . . you are welcome!"

To be honest, my heart is not always as big as Oma's bench -
it does not stretch unending -
but I'm thankful for family and friends who understand
and to God who knows just how to meet me where I'm at.
  
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

(verse from hymn - He Giveth Grace, by Annie J. Flint)

Take me out to the Ball Game

Hugs and teary goodbyes are behind us once more . . .
the cameras are tucked away into the drawer
as the photos have been reviewed and enjoyed over and over on my computer.
One of the highlights of our time together was a one-nighter across the line
to see a Mariners game and to take in a visit to the zoo.
Driving caravan style, as much as possible, with all of our kids and grandkids . . .
some taking turns coming in our vehicle . . . is a feeling that can hardly be real!




This was my first time to Safeco Field and, as such, a great time to see things
from the perspective of a child. Everything was new to me!

The whole family bustling into the building and up the stairs along with the crowds,
made for lots of holding hands while still trying to capture the novelty . . . such as
the baseball bat chandelier hanging in the entry above the stairway.

Finally reaching the level where our seats were
and getting our first view of the field was breathtaking!
Something a photo really can't capture . . .
the feel of the open air, the perfectly manicured field,
 

the excitement of everyone finding their seats . . .
and don't try to figure out who everyone belongs to.
The people behind us admitted to trying . . .
it took them through a good part of the game.
 

But here is a pretty good representation.
A view captured for my own memory as is the whole post . . . really.

Food was picked up pretty quick and kept especially the little ones occupied.

We rose for the Star Spangled Banner

the national anthem evoking a special tug for some in the family.



Shaun and Kristal got up to get caps for their kids and
it did not take long . . . all of the kids had them . . .
(Grandma Kathy in CA, this photo is for you)

And here is the little Miss who I can't find  on the family shoot earlier.

Where were we? Oh, yes! The game . . .
Felix Hernandez (King Felix) a four time all-star, was pitching for the Mariners.

It seemed the Angels did not have a chance. 

Here is the scoreboard at the top of the seventh . . . and it only got better.

Like I said, the hat buying was contagious,
even when one 5-year-old decided to just get up and follow a nice uncle and auntie . . .
coming back all smiles for matching with her cousin.

From the oldest to the youngest . . .
there was a style to suit each one.

A memory to keep.
I have my own special memory . . . unforgettable and priceless.
Funny, it has nothing to do with the Mariners big win.

Not an Ordinary Night

It was just an evening of mini golfing . . .



the girls enjoying their team



and the boys theirs . . .

 

 But the evening had an unexpected outcome when Paet
went to fetch a ball out of a flower bed for someone . . . and got stung by a wasp.
The group finished the game . . . but as we watched the progression of welts,
swelling and coughing . . . the hospital was the next place he visited.

When the  nurse explained the procedure, and how it could affect his heart,
his mom wanted to talk to his dad . . . but the nurse said,
"there is no decision to make here."

It hit me . . . no decision . . . but there was!
The decision to save his life was there.

Our kind, precious boy is with us today
because the right decisions were made as the evening progressed.
As adults prayed and sympathising cousins gathered around a table to make cards  . . .
 the Lord gave the gift of life.

Oh, that we would take note of
the miracles of even ordinary nights!
 

A Summer Evening by the Ocean

A 40 minute drive from home brings us into the whimsical seaside community of White Rock,
the perfect place for a summer evening date . . . whether it be a walk along Marine Drive to poke into the little touristy shops or out on the pier with ice cream in hand.



One night, because it was a special night, we had supper on the rooftop patio of the Boathouse
and I so enjoyed my crispy shrimp tacos with jalapeno and mango salsa!
Made me want to take everyone I love to come taste and see . . .
but being with the one I love the most was most perfect.

The view from our table included the pier

paddle surfers . . . and a sailboat here and there
 

a passenger train going by . . . and a little later a freight train loaded with coal

We considered picking up ice cream, but did not want to leave our glorious setting too soon
so we enjoyed our apple cranberry crisp with coffee . . . asking for extra ice cream after the pretty presentation was photographed. We were sharing, after all!

Finally making our way down to the rail tracks



and onto the promenade . . .

we passed an accordion player
and later some young gals, trying their country tunes on the audience walking by.
I zoomed in on the flower baskets adorning the street up top.

We passed the pier on the right . . .



the water lapping at gnarled tree trunks and rocks



and seagulls who were not afraid of us.

Just a perfect calm summer night along the walkway.

A time to shed all cares and just enjoy the evening light of a fading day,
while holding onto promises of more to come.