by Sharon O | Jun 8, 2018 | Uncategorized
Today is a birthday to celebrate for our grand son Samuel.
Our son’s first son. He joined our family weighing in at 5 pounds and with dark hair.
He is our fourth grand child and the first boy to carry on the family name.
Today he turns 14. He is a teen now and growing tall, with braces and so much potential ahead of him.
His love of reading will help him go far in the world, as he learns more and experiences more.
Samuel, a gift from God. I remember they didn’t know what he was going to be at birth, surprises are nice.
I also remember my son coming out of the delivery room telling us he had a son.
It was so exciting and so special to be a part of the celebration.
1st Samuel 1:26 {I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for. And now I have dedicated him to God. He’s dedicated to God for life.}
In the bible Samuel was a mighty man of God and warrior and judge, he was a strong and special character.
I believe our grand son will be the same strong character through his life decisions and in his faith.
Our son is raising him to be respectful and honest, it will be such a blessing to see what the next four years will bring for him as he grows more and more into a young adult.
I can’t even imagine him driving, I know he will be but oh my vision still has him younger.
Time is moving quickly and the grand children are growing before our eyes.
I pray that we can be an influence to all of them.
I pray that they all know we love them, support them and will always be there for them.
To be grand parents is a role we do not take lightly. It is a calling and a privilege.
Samuel Wesley named after your very special grandpa, I pray you continue to love our God.
That you follow after him with all your heart, soul and mind.
That you listen to your parents for they know many things and they want the very best for you.
That you remember you are who your brothers look up to and are watching.
They are little shadows following, be a good example for them.
I pray for you and know in my heart you will go far. Keep striving and keep learning.
For life is one big huge long lesson and always walk alongside your father.
by Sharon O | Jun 6, 2018 | Uncategorized
The end of an era is coming up for our oldest grand daughter.
Faith Elizabeth our first born grand child, the one who changed our roles from parent to grandparent.
The precious bundle that not only blessed us immensely but helped heal our home.
Today, she will be walking across the stage and accept her graduation diploma.
It has been a long journey for her, one of hard work mentally and also learning who she is and growing into herself as a teen and then into an adult.
I am so very proud and the possibilities are many for her adult years.
I am praying for her to make decisions that are good and positive.
It has been one of my greatest joys watching her grow up from a tiny preemie baby to the beautiful young woman she is today.
She has a great little job, a nice boyfriend and a good perspective on life.
Her graduation party was fun with lot’s of people showing up to support her.
It will be a joy to watch as she moves into a new direction of change, as she makes new choices and new decisions.
Adulthood is not often fun and not really as easy as being a young teen.
As an adult one has to be responsible and follow the rules.
Soon she will be driving and this grandma will be praying for safety and calm.
Highschool is almost over, actually yesterday was her last day.
Today they practice and tomorrow is the real deal, graduation and the final exit.
The end of an era and the beginning of a new one.
Congratulations Faith, we are very proud of you.
by Sharon O | May 31, 2018 | Uncategorized
Graduation is coming up for four of our grand children.
Three are leaving middle school and heading to high school and one is leaving high school and heading to being an adult with a job and soon a car.
Life is passing us by so quickly, I can remember when each of them were tiny little bundles.
Then they grew up. Where did the years go?
This Sunday we are having graduation party for Faith, high school has been a journey of ups and downs, she will be very glad to leave this ‘time of her life’ behind.
She has a nice job at a auto part store and she has a nice boyfriend.
I am amazed at her maturity and her growing up in front of us, she started out so tiny.
Life will be different for her. The youth days are leaving and she is 19 now and navigating her way to adulthood.
What would I tell her now?
To not take life too seriously. To eat good and get enough sleep. Exercise is good for the body and spirit.
I would tell her to manage her money well and not get into the trap of debt.
Keep your faith for it is your foundation of your life. Don’t forget God, he has never forgotten you.
I would tell her to remember no one has the right to hurt you with words or with physical actions.
Be strong for yourself and remember who you are, never lose track of that.
Remember how far you have come and how hard you have worked to get there.
I would remind her of the sister’s who are watching her.
For the 8th graders, I would say to them almost the same things.
High school can be very positive and fun, make the most of it. Find one or two friends and keep them.
Stay out of ‘middle school’ drama you are not there anymore.
Find your niche, what you enjoy and what you are good at and create space for growth.
Remember it’s only four years and it will go by very quickly.
I would tell them to listen to your parents and don’t be afraid to talk to your grand parents, we might be old but we are wise in our knowledge and guidance.
I pray for all four of you. Faith, Hannah and Alexis and Samuel.
May God grant you good years full of life experiences and lessons to be learned.
Please know we will always be here for you. We will always love you no matter what you do or don’t do.
You are amazing and gifted. May you all use those gifts to be a better and kind person.
Congratulations… you made it. 
by Sharon O | May 28, 2018 | Uncategorized
This is memorial day weekend, a time for family, an extra day off of work for most and outings with friends.
The other part of this weekend is remembering the fallen.
Those who have gone to war, and not returned home.
Memorial, as in remembering. Also called Decoration Day. A day, May 30, set aside in most states of the U.S. for observances in memory of dead members of the armed forces of all wars: now officially observed on the last Monday in May. (from dictionary.com) Memorial: preserving the memory of a person or thing.
The first time I experienced a military memorial service for my best friend’s husband I was in awe of the uniformed military men who folded the flag ever so carefully. Then the gun salute… it was sobering and very sacred. The hush in the air made it almost an eerie silence.
We have a very large military national cemetery in the Portland area and when you go there you see the many stones with names on them. Each one were military or married to a military officer.
Those who served and those who lost the fight. I can’t imagine being a parent of a lost soldier. It’s hard to think about and imagine what it would be like to hear ‘they are not coming home’.
So often we minimize the sacred moments, the traditions, the flag which represents our freedom.
So often it becomes just another fun holiday to enjoy with each other, rather than a sobering remembering that freedom cost someone something.
When I sing God Bless America land that I love, I see freedom. I see patriotic moments. I see honor.
It is also a prayer request, God Bless America.
We need blessings, we have gone so far off in different directions. Yet I remind myself there are still good and honest people who are proud of our country and what our freedom’s stand for.
This is not just a weekend for fun and playing. It is a time for remembering and time to pause and say Thank You.
It is a weekend for patriotism and love for our country.
by Sharon O | May 25, 2018 | Uncategorized
Yesterday was a birthday to celebrate for us.
Our oldest grand daughter Faith Elizabeth turned 19. Now she is a full fledged adult and almost ready to drive. Ready to graduate from high school after a few little glitches. We are so proud. She has a nice little job and a nice boyfriend, too. Hard for me to realize she is grown up.
When she was born she arrived almost 8 weeks early weighing in at 2 pounds 11 ounces.
She was beautiful and very alert and strong. She was 17 inches long with very skinny legs. I was amazed at how tiny she was and in reality she was a pretty big baby in the NICU side where she slept.
I remember how we prayed over her and asking for her health to stay strong and her ability to eat good.
She was able to go home after 3 weeks weighing just over 3 pounds 9 ounces. So tiny and so precious.
I like this picture it shows her tiny hands.
At 5 1/2 months she weighed not quite 8 pounds. The normal size of most newborns.
I love this pre-school picture of her, it was one of my favorites.
I watched her for almost four years then she went to pre-school and a new babysitter who we trusted. It will forever be a special memory for me, the days and hours we spent together.
It is a great thing to be grandma and caretaker too.
.
She is grown now and she is beautiful 
Our Faith Elizabeth.
