The End of Our Fantastic Beginning

Our grandchildren have brought more happiness into our lives than we could ever have imagined. I'm sure you all know memories are very important to me. I have recorded in this blog many of the great times we have shared with Zach, Kara, Emily and Alex from the very day they came home to their forever families. I can not thank God enough for bringing these children to the parents they were destined to have love and cherish them forever. For some reason God needed another angel and chose our fifth grandchild, our sweet Amanda Lynn, who was born into Heaven. Amanda is Kristen and Corey's daughter and Guardian Angel to all our family. We will forever miss her. There have been many times I have felt Amanda on my left shoulder helping her Nana along the way. She does her job well.

This will be my last post to this blog. It is time to put it on paper and bound into a book of memories for each of our grandchildren. My hope is for them to read it and smile, remembering all the wonderful times we have shared with them. Like my Dad always said, "It is all about memories."

This blog will remain on the web forever. And there will be a second blog showing the latest developments in our grandchildren's lives. You can find it at: http://memoriesofgrandchildren.blogspot.com/

I hope you will continue following us and sharing in our memories. Thank you for spending time with us these last few years. I hope you have enjoyed it.
Hugs and kisses,

Emily Xian's Fifth Birthday

It seems all our grandchildren celebrate their yearly birthday at least twice. Emily is no exception. Miss Em celebrated her fifth birthday three times; once on the date of her birthday, once with her friends at The Tree Paad and once with her family. I, myself, find celebrating once a year quite sufficient.

The family birthday picnic has always been at her Grandma's and Grandpa's. They have a beautiful inground pool and every inflatable pool toy made. There was lots of food, cake, ice cream, swimming and laughs. The kids, big and small, had a wonderful time.

Hugs and kisses,

Emily's Reunion - 2010

Marcy and Scott from Merrick, New York were so gracious to hold this year's reunion for the children adopted from China in Emily's group and another group they spent their time with at The White Swan Hotel. Ken and I were invited to share this special day. It was awesome to see the twelve children and their families who were able to make the picnic. These girls had a great time swimming all afternoon and reacquainting themselves since their last year's picnic. All the families intermingled and just enjoyed the day. I got to meet Marcy's Mom and realized very soon we could be twin sisters. Hard to believe someone else could talk and act so much like Nana. Scary, isn't it.

Most the families stayed at the Marriott that night and the next morning met for a boat ride around the harbor. Our main attraction was the Statue of Liberty. Actually, this is the first time I have had the pleasure to meet this great lady. And that she is. She stands stately and proud and has met immigrants entering this wonderful country for many years. In 1906 she welcomed my grandparents to their new home from Ireland. And so she has done for millions of people. Thank you, France, for your gift of her to us.

I'm hoping to be part of another reunion next year. Thank you, Marcy and Scott, for a wonderful weekend.
Hugs and kisses,

Vacationing in Mystic

The week in Mystic was sunny and bright. Zack and Alex loved seeing all the naval ships, even visiting a submarine base. At Mystic Seaport Zack took part in a play and hammed it up, as usual. He even got his Dad involved. We had dinner in the famous Mystic Pizza restaurant. Julia Roberts was in a movie that was based on it. I particularly enjoyed watching Alex as a big boy, riding his bicycle and playing on the beach and listening to Zack playing his guitar while we sat by the campfire.

Hugs and kisses,

Vacation at the Cape

Most years all our grandchildren vacation together with us. This was one of the off years. It seemed strange to be having all this fun without Zack and Alex. But in August we will be vacationing in Mystic Seaport with them and having just as much fun. I suppose we'll have to adjust to this happening more often as the grandchildren grow and interests change. Life is full of changes.

Hugs and kisses,

Zack's Team - The Athletic's

The baseball season always seems to be a long one. This year the weather cooperated with sunshine and warmth. Zack did a good job playing second and third bases. He was catcher for the last four games, which I think he really enjoyed. He was excited about the games under the lights. The A's finished third for the season.

Hugs and kisses,

Remembering Our Sweet Angel Amanda

My blog was created for one reason: to provide a treasury of memories for our grandchildren to look back on and recall the happy times we celebrated with them. But as with most families, all our memories are not happy.

Our family endured a tragic loss when Amanda Lynn was born into Heaven January 16, 2008; one we will never understand. I have always wanted to design a layout for Amanda to make all who see it smile and never forget her. About a month ago Amanda’s Mom suggested I do just that. Most of you are seeing our Guardian Angel for the first time. I truly hope you are smiling. I believe Amanda has not left us. She is waiting for us in a better place.

Hugs and kisses,