Congrats and many blessings!

Thank You! I believe I have received so very many blessings I can't even express my gratitude sufficiently!
Life and love and new healthy births are such precious gifts and my cup runneth over in fortunate happenings!
I hope the same can be experienced by all life who tread this world!

how many grandchildren do you have now?

Just the two; Vanessa, who's 16 months and her baby sister Rachael. I have only one child and of course my son-in-law, who I love dearly and who is a fabulous husband and father - my daughter is a lucky girl and their family, the life they are building together gives me warm feelings all over almost everyday!

That is so beautiful. I have imagined there is no greater reward than being a grandparent. Such is bliss!

Truly it is !
Read my conversation with pixelpyro in these discussions (view all replies) - you'll catch a glimpse of the world of proud grandparents!!

will do

much   blessings  for sure..

many   congrats 

  sundogs  are     for sure  announcements to  joyful things..

hugs!!

thank you!
Isn't it fun when nature can connect so well with us? I love synchronicities like this - they remind me of how intimate my link with the world around me is!

Congrats Cheryl!

Thanks Lee! Hope all's going well with you!

Me too! *giggle*

They are fairly rare too, showing up on super cold days like that morning was!
How old is Serenity? If you get time to spend with her I bet she opens up all sorts of magic in your life! They are truly blessings! As exciting and important being a parent was, being a grandparent comes with some of the best gifts I've encountered in my life!
My first grandaughter was born on Michaelmass and we liken her to the angel she is! (She's such a little mommy already and is enjoying big sister status!) She has two young cousins (her dad's sister has two boys) so is quite familiar with babies already in her young years! I anticipate great fun as these kids grow and we arrange family get togethers - I'm glad I live next to a school yard with a huge playground area - I may have to put it to good use in years to come!

Serenity was 1 on Dec. 8th. After her birthday, my sister asked if she was walking yet. Walking? She can kick a soccer ball in full stride. She was walking at 9 months. She's become proficient at various instruments, like, tambourine, maracas, drums and is learning guitar (I'm not kidding), and she's an amazing singer and dancer. As soon as any music starts, she starts grooving. Her aunt Savannah plays sax and French horn, Marissa is a flautist, Uncle Jesse (her nanny) plays 6-string and he and I are music fanatics (I worship the band Yes)... so she's had plenty of influence. The only thing I play well is the stereo. I can't concentrate on learning to make music because I'm distracted with, "I could be spending all this time painting or writing."

Her mother, Amy is 20 and works with me at the print shop. I print pizza labels for Jack's, Tombstone, Tony's, Bertanelles, Mama Cozzi's, etc., for the whole Midwest, and Amy chops the labels.

Serenity is the highlight of life on earth. Not sure how it's going to go with me when Amy gets her own place.

Oh how absolutely precious! Such a universal image in our corner of the world isn't it? Now I do recall seeing other shots you've highlighted here from time to time and I do recall you seemed to have a real affinity for the joyful abandon that children naturally experience. Do encourage her to explore music - children are music - it is a given with youngsters! A language they "speak" long before words begin to form!
She seems to have a spark in her eye similar to the one you almost hide in your own pic... he! he!
I've gotten two keyboards for Vanessa so far - one a simple little handheld thing that's slightly off key but very fun and portable that she just loves and a progressive one that has several octaves, games and even teaches written music - it's a tad advanced to use other than to make sounds for now but she'll enjoy that one for years to come!
Got her a harmonica too, come to think of it - But I haven't been able to part with it yet - it makes my dog Keisha and her friend Buddy sing up a storm - so I hesitate! Besides, Grandma's gotta have fun too! I used to play acoustic guitar...well guess I still do - it's kinda like riding a bike... I have a sweet 6 string Yamaha that's been gathering dust, well the case has! I keep meaning to drag it out. My daughter remembers all the old folk songs I used to sing and play for her as she grew up and she hopes I'll do the same for her little ones! (Puff the Magic Dragon is her favourite golden oldie!)
  Maybe once I finally tackle this nagging depression that's afflicted me for several years now I will get to it! Perhaps once I feel secure enough doing what I've been doing these past two years - not bringing in the big bucks anymore (I had a very well paid job 2 years ago!) even though I write and do my photos and art - it makes no money and we're scrimping by and sometimes I feel guilty even though I know what I'm employed with now brings me far more joy as well as how it's helping others. Plus I get to be super supportive of my partner in his work and hopefully it will  help him enough that we may eventually not really need a second steady income. (If I felt better about it I would be even more motivated than I am now I think if that makes sense! Think I've only barely tapped the keg in that realm!) I also look after the needs of my elderly parents, laundry, cleaning, fetching heavy items, shoveling snow and tending the garden etc... It seems though divine will blocks any attempts I've made to be employed outside the home other than in short stints of helpful moments through temp agencies. My bliss truly is doing what I'm doing right now - if I can justify it ...then just maybe I'll feel more settled and confident I'm on the right path! Wish me luck there!
And keep making "de music" - if they get out to their own place I hope it's close by so you can still be such a lovely influence and inspiration to Serenity - at least as much as she is for you!
Hurrahhh for grandparents! Did you realize when you had your family just how beautiful this stage of your life would be? I didn't then, I was a single mom, so busy with "life" and the thought never really entered my mind! But boy do I see the utter blessings now! Whooo Hoooo!