Holding Down the Fort

Grandma is adding a few words regarding those who are "holding down the fort" awaiting the arrival of their new sister...niece and granddaughter.

The adventure started out to be that...an exciting and expecting adventure. As the days turned into weeks...and weeks...the exciting began turning into a slowed down NEW routine, which with Grandpa and Grandma manning the fort wasn't quite as fun as when Dad and Mom are around. Ahh-h, but then a new troop...Tia Evy arrived from Chicago and she DID "step it up a notch" with a more ideas and a lot more fun stuff...foods and activities.

And yet, the boys and Miranda are hanging in there...getting a bit quieter...needing those special arms to cuddle them, to reassure them, to give that peace that only Mom and Dad have to give. They are true troopers, however, and great at helping the temporary authority figures...keeping us on our toes.

How PATIENT Ty has been in teaching Grandma PlayStation...okay, it finally got him to the point where HE wanted to put it up...mission accomplished. Grandma's made from scratch macaroni and cheese did not get rave reviews, however, Ty ate most of it along with lots of carrots and dipping sauce (salad dressing.) What a bright guy Ty is...he is always in deep thought and figures things out extremely precise...and when you explain anything to him, he wants it down to the smallest detail or he'll ask you about what you've left out. Ty is a source of joy...he keeps us smiling that's for sure.

Tahner tells it like it is...he doesn't let us get by with anything! If he notices things aren't JUST like they should be, we'll hear about it from Tahner. And, he WON'T eat his macaroni and cheese if it doesn't taste good. He lets Grandma know that she isn't playing the PlayStation right but when I give the controller to him, he'll run my football player the opposite way and make a touchdown for the opposing team! Thanks a lot buddy... Tahner tells me how Mommy puts him to bed at night and gives him kisses and loves...and his little face just squints up w/the greatest smile. I hope and am sure Mom is storing up those kisses and loves because he'll be ready to collect them all...and then some.

Miranda...what can I say...she is something MORE than special. What a blessing to have her in our lives, especially at this time...knows the household routine as if she's established it...keeps us running smoothly. Her head must be tired with all the additional thinking for us she has been doing. She would have loved to have been in Ukraine, welcoming her new sister along with Ariana, but she is wanting everything at home to be special for when Natasha arrives. BLESSINGS TO YOU MIRANDA...over and over again. Your reward is coming...for this God, now and eternally, has blessings ready and waiting for you. We thank God for you and we thank you for being the joy you are to us!

And, yes, we all look forward to when Mom, Dad and Ariana return bringing w/them our new family member...sister, niece, and granddaughter, Natasha Joy Carrizales. We are SO ready to welcome you Natasha!

We thank God for adding ANOTHER precious child to our family...first Cole Matthew, now Natasha Joy. Wow...when God builds, He does a perfect job. Thank you God!