Soldier Boys: A Rite of Passage

It is almost a tradition for every little boy to play with a package of little green plastic army men. I can clearly remember hours spent as a kid myself at this pursuit, strategically lining up my soldiers to annihilate the approaching enemy, and laughing giddily as I did so by sweeping them down onto the floor with my hands, only to line them up and start all over again. Well, I promised my grandson Braydon that I would get him his first bag of soldiers. To my delight, he went crazy over them! We played with them in the hospital room when Makenna was born and had the time of our life! Even Kenney got in on the action, as you can see in the photo above. Three generations of soldier boys in action! What traditions have been handed down to you from your parents that you have already passed down to your children, or intend to? I would love to hear about them. Right now, I think I will go and play soldiers with Braydon, who just walked in the door!

She's Here!

Here is our little doll!
Big brother Braydon holds her (with help from Daddy!)
A very proud Papa with his grandchildren!
The happy family!

Our 4th grandchild, Makenna Rae Elise, made her grand entrance into the world today at 7:32 a.m., weighing in at 7 lb. 6 oz. and measuring 19 1/2 inches long. Makenna kept the promise she made to me before I left for England to wait until I got back to be born. So now I guess I have to pay her the $20 I promised for waiting (just kidding!)
We are so thankful that we could be here for her birth!

All Good Gifts

The title for today's blog is actually the title of one of my favorite songs with the same name from the musical GODSPELL. The song lyrics powerfully point the listener to the root of all blessings in our lives: our merciful Heavenly Father. As I wrap up my time in London with Rachel, Michal, Noah, and Chloe Grace, I am keenly aware of the undeserved and bountiful gifts I have unwrapped this Christmas season: the thrill of holding my newborn granddaughter, the joy of playing with my best boys (this is my special name for my grandsons), the pleasure of spending quality time with my daughters and their husbands, the excitement of traveling abroad, the knowledge that God the Restorer has made all things new in my family...the list goes on and on.

This Christmas has been so extraordinary to me because I have seen God work so powerfully in my children and grandchildren's lives to bring them together in the families as He has, and to reassure me that He truly is the giver of all that is and can be good in this life. He has allowed me the privilege of living long enough to see so much beauty from former ashes. For any former LCS Drama students who know this show from when we did it , I urge you to find this song and enjoy it again. As you listen, think about just how deeply good God is. I would love to hear from you when you do. Tell me how good He has been to you. We can never say it enough....

Christmas in London

Merry Christmas from the UK! As they say in the South, I "just about fell out" when I opened a present from my daughter and son-in-law that contained a digital camera! Just in time for my new-found obsession-blogging! I immediately began snapping shots like a kid in a candy shop. This morning was so wonderful, with Janice, Rachel, Michal, Noah, and Chloe Grace. Again, today was a lifetime memory in the making (I seem to have them a lot when I am over here). The joy of seeing my daughter celebrating Christmas with her family is too deep to put into words, so I won't try. What I will do is maybe let some photos speak for me....

Noah plays with his brand new camera!

Ama enjoys a laugh with Chloe Grace as we celebrate Christmas!

Michal tries to show off in his new bathrobe.....(ask no questions, and we will tell you no lies)

My best boy plays with his new race track!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Thank you to everyone who took the time to welcome me into the world of Blogdom! Your comments made me feel so good! Well, here it is- Christmas Eve. I have so many things to be thankful for- my wonderful family and friends, my church, my school (yes, I said, school, Rachel & Michal!) and my faith. Of all of the things I am thankful for, it never ceases to amaze me just how much it costs God to surrender the most cherished of all gifts to give us humans redemption that we could never earn or deserve. As I see my grandchildren around me, I am overwhelemed with an avalanche of love. How God could surrender this for me is unthinkable, yet is undeniable. O Holy Night. Many blessings to you all. All my love to our family, especially Christy, Kenney, Braydon, and Makenna!

Should People My Age Blog?

Well, I finally took the plunge and joined the electronic age by having my daughter set me up with my very own blog! I was unreasonably nervous about starting this to begin with as I obsessed with thoughts along the lines of "What if my entries are stupid???" and "Who would even care???" Then it dawned on me that, like everything else in my life, I really don't lose sleep at night worrying about the opinions of others. Not to sound rude. Just too tired to filter all of the stuff that people like to offer (unsolicited, of course. And I ought to know about offering unsolicited advice. Just ask my daughters and son-in-laws....)


Today, I went into London with my wife, daughter-son-in-law, and grandchildren to see Santa Claus (or Father Christmas, as he is known in the UK) at Harrods. Harrods has got to be the ultimate Christmas shopping experience available to modern man. Afterwards, we took the Tube to Covent Gardens (amazingly beautiful and thrilling) and then wrapped up our day at Trafalgar Square. It was one of those times in your life when you realize so strongly that you are making lifetime memories, that it almost takes your breath away. The time I get with my UK family is so precious to me that I try to imbed it all in my memory as much as I can. Of course, photos help, too. Here is one of Covent Gardens decorated for the Holidays.

Here is my daughter Rachel holding our new granddaughter, Chloe, in Harrods.

My grandson Noah, my wife, and I are enjoying a ride on Thomas the Train!

My daughter Rachel took this spectacular shot of Trafalgar Square lit up- just beautiful!

So there! I finished my first-ever blog and actually enjoyed it! So easy even a grandfather can do it (with a lot of help from my daughter....) So maybe I'll write another one tomorrow-even if no one reads it!