Saturday, May 12, 2012

A Gift of Self Portraits

Six Grandchildren, and I am doing OK.

Raising children is hard work, but having grandchildren is perfection.

I have been blessed.



  I have four great kids that have made me very proud, and six wonderful grandchildren who fill my heart with joy.

When I first met Madison (my first granddaughter), I thought my chest would split open from the happiness I felt. She was perfect in every way, and time has not changed that.  She is now thirteen years old, and blessed with a kind heart and a very sly sense of humor. (Of course, she is so like me.)  She takes the maternal role with her sisters and cousins and is the one they all go to when they need a hug.  She is the daughter and granddaughter that everyone would love to have.

















Michael, my only grandson is 12.  He was born during a difficult time in our lives and with his birth, things turned around. A terrible car accident had put my hubby in critical care and times were grim.  Michael came into our family a month later, just when all the news started to look brighter.  And bright he is.  He is the leader of the cousins and when he comes into the room, things start happening (so much like me). The girls get all excited, and run to him.  Within minutes, they are all laughing and acting silly and a good time is had by all.   How lucky I am to have him in my life.  He is a love!














Emma is the middle child. She expresses herself in so many ways.  At 11 years old, she is a talented artist, crafts person, guitar player, athlete, and expert on all things of nature.  Since the age of five, she has told us all that when she grows up, she wants to be an entomologist.  She looks at all things with a curious eye, and questions everything (so like me).  Her sense of humor is so quick, and I am always surprised at how clever she is. We see great things in her future. 
















Ruby at 8 is the youngest of 3 girls, and the clown in the family.  She relishes in this role and is full of fun.  She is into physical comedy and if slapstick ever comes back, she could make her mark on the stage.  She has me laughing all the time and keeps me on my toes.  Her stories are hysterical and I have often told her mother that we must write them all down. In this regard, she is so like her mom, Molly, who always cracked me up and made many unforgettable statements when she was growing up herself.  Ruby loves to express herself and when it comes to affection towards her family, she had no equal.  She will tell you how much she loves you every chance she gets.  Ruby just melts my heart. 

Right from the start, who stole my heart,
Ruby it's you.

I think it is because she is so like me.















Sophie and Poppy are the California girls.  They are 7 and 5 and the youngest of my grandchildren.  Of course, in keeping with the California culture, they both began to learn to surf before starting kindergarten.  



Sophie, a clone of her mom,  is inquisitive and has the most wonderful imagination.  She is never bored and could play 18 hours out of the day.  However, she will stop what she is doing to watch a football game, as this is her passion.  It might have to do with the fact that her parents are football fanatics.  However, I think Sophie will soon surpass them in her devotion to the sport.  Two weeks ago, she asked to stay up late to listen to who the teams were drafting this year.  Not your typical 7 year old, she is so bright and happy, and a joy to us all.




Little Poppy came into this world not much bigger than a peanut.  Small in stature (until this year), she steals your heart all the time.  She is her own person, has strong opinions, and is a dancing queen.  She loves her sister and the closeness of these two girls is wonderful to see.  As the baby in the family, she will always have a special place in all of our hearts. 

Yes,  both these girls are so like me.

My life has taken me down many roads, but being a grandparent has been the best journey of all. 


            
Happy Mother's Day to all the worn, weary, rushed, tired, proud and happy moms and grandma's out there.



22 comments:

  1. Yep, you got yourself some good ones. Happy Mother's Day to you, too.

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  2. I agree with every word (about mine, of course); aren't we lucky. Happy Mother's Day..... I'm not sure when it is over here, but someone will let me know!

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  3. Such beautiful portraits and commentary. Thank you for sharing them with us. Happy Mother's Day.

    PS: I love the blossom in your header. Prunus?

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  4. Happy Happy Mothers Day.

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  5. Those are lovely pictures. What a talented bunch you have! Happy Mothers Day to you!

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  6. Happy Mother's Day and Grandma's day as well. Six lovely grandchildren to be so proud of.

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  7. You are a very lucky woman, your grandchildren sound lovely and their portraits are delightful - I am green with envy!

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  8. Kids are wonderful and grands are super wonderful.
    HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
    I love your header photo.
    Love, sandie

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  9. Arleen, The portraits are wonderful and your grandchildren sound delightful. How fortunate you are. I agree, they all sound just like you I've come to know. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Bonnie

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  10. I agree so much about how grandchildren can lift you when you're down - they are the best medicine! It's not Mother's Day in the UK. Our's, known as Mothering Sunday, is always on the fourth Sunday of Lent and was the first such day in the world starting in the 16th century.
    There should be a Grandmother's Day!
    Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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  11. Oh my goodness- this is the best Mother's Day post that I have ever seen. The pictures are priceless as are the stories. You are SO blessed. Without a doubt- being a grandparent is the best part of getting older. There are no words to describe the way they make your heart feel---

    Love
    Vicki

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  12. So much talent in one family!

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  13. What a beautiful post. I love the portraits.

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  14. Amen! There is NOTHING quite as over-the-top wonderful as grandchildren. You have a wonderful bouquet of 'em, too, and how neat that you can see your own traits in them. It's comforting to realize we don't have to live forever; our families will carry parts of us forward.

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  15. You are so blessed! What great self portraits.

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  16. oh I love love love the portraits and picture! You make being a grandparent sound like such a blessing...thank you!!

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  17. what a joyful post
    made me smile
    ta muchly
    x

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  18. Now if that's not the cutest Mother's Day presents ever!!! Your grands are just precious treasures sweetie!

    God bless ya and have a wonderful Wednesday!!! :o)

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  19. Dear Arleen, . . . this was a wonderfully delightful and enchanting posting. I so loved learning about your six grandchildren--five girls and one boy--who are so like you! And what a thoughtful and fun-loving grandmother they have.

    I'm wondering--did the children each draw their own picture? Those add to the joy of this posting.

    Peace.

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    1. Thank you Dee, and yes, I asked them to draw a picture of themselves for me for mother's day. The one of my two granddaughters from California is not by them as their's did not get here on time. However, I did add the one of Poppy that I received afte I had posted.

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    2. This is such a dear post! I love to see children's art and these are wonderful! What a special gift to you - self portraits! I don't have any grandchildren yet but my oldest daughter is getting married in September. I can't wait - and I will remember this beautiful idea!

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  20. Just popped back to look at your grandkids and their drawings. My drawings are on the wall behind me; nothing better than a child's view of the world and themselves.

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