Learning how to LOVE.

I'm starting to really feel the grasp of my girls' emotions directly impacting my own.  If you look VERY closely at Ms. K's sweet little face in the picture below ... you can see her first reaction to seeing "Nama" when she arrived at the airport last week.

It' was a sweetness like no other.  

We'd been discussing Nama's upcoming visit for a whole week so the girls were pretty aware she may appear at some point.  Daddy was out of town for the big "deer hunt" back home ... and so it was Nama to the RESCUE!!

It's impossible to describe, in words, the girls' reaction when they saw her.  It's been since mid-August since they've seen her ... which would definitely be the longest we've ever been apart.

To say they JUMPED out of the stroller is pretty suitable.  She didn't know we'd be waiting INSIDE the airport ... and so this was a real treat for all of us.

One on either side of her .... strolling through the airport in their jammies and boots!

I don't know who was more thrilled.

All SMILES!

This was just the beginning of our 5 day adventure with Nama.  And .. although it may surprise most ... she spent MOST of her time simply playing with the girls.  She is well known for her constant cooking, cleaning, organizing and the like ... and although she did some of this -- much of her time was spent reading and playing and dancing and giggling.  And -- snuggling, of course!

Somewhere along the line ... the three of them started having "reading parties" on the big SOFT white blanket in the living room.  The girls were all ears!

These next photos are what the hubs calls .... timeless.  Let's face it -- Nama is "known" for her banana bread.  She really should retire and just sell the stuff.  People would pay a lot of cash for this melt in your mouth treat.

Of course our freezer supply had diminished ... so you better believe I bought bananas for Nama to bake away while she was here.

While she was baking ... she took special time to show the girls what she was up to.  They were very interested as you can see.  It helps me realize I need to be better at slowing down and showing girls the process of things.

Here is Ms. R .... very focused...

And Ms. K ... wondering if she can get her hands into that batter! :)

We had so many fun outings ... but on Sunday morning we decided to take the girls to church.  It was a special time.  Ms. R feeling a little under the weather clung to Nama for the entire service.  Ms. K ... was pretty angelic, but had a few bouts of wandering into the isle to make her cuteness known ... ;)

Afterward ... a very kind lady sitting behind us complimented the girls on their behavior.  She went on to say .... it was just a "blink" ago when she had little girls sitting with her in church.  And ... she reminded me of a wonderful saying in regard to child rearing ...

"The days may seem long, but the years .... they go so fast".

How true it is.

After church we headed to a local bagel shop for lunch.  You won't see any pics of this event!! Between ... Ms. K spilling raspberry lemonade across the table and Ms. R dropping her bagel on the floor -- Nama and I had our hands full.  I have no doubt we were the center of attention at a place where many were coming for a nice cup of coffee and a bagel following church.  Oh well!! As we walked out ... we giggled.  One babe without a coat or socks ... one without PANTS (not kidding) ... and both happily, merrily walking down the sidewalk on a beautiful Sunday morning.  Priceless.

Back home ... it was time for more books to be read ...

And ... pictures to be colored.

Ms. R wakes up from her nap before Ms. K .. and so while mama was usually napping ... Ms. R and Nama had some fun one on one time together.  I would listen from upstairs as they would play.

Very happy sounds.

Very happy girl.  Very happy Nama.

If you look closely in the next picture -- Nama's pants are soaked! She was able to take part in the fun of bath time.  Pretty much each night after baths ... the bath "giver" is as wet as the girls.  Nama didn't mind!

This was Nama's last night ... more stores in our jammies.  

LOVE.

A few times throughout her visit ... Nama mentioned ... "I am so rich" .... meaning richly blessed with the love of her children and grandchildren.  

As we know .... being rich has nothing to do with money.  A lesson my mom has taught me over the years and is now teaching my girls.  

It goes without saying ... WE are equally as "rich" to have her in our lives.  Love never wavering ... always encouraging.... sometimes too much worrying, but only out of LOVE.

Below ... the girls clung to Nama on the morning of her departure.  

We always have a hard time saying goodbye.

And as Nama got ready to say goodbye at the airport ... again .... my girls' emotions taking over my own.  Of course I didn't want her to go -- but, seeing and hearing the sadness in my girls as she had to walk away ... very difficult on this mama.  

After a few tears shed ... we were headed back down the highway and I decided to look at it like this ...

The LOVE my girls have for Nama (and our entire families) is truly beautiful.  It must mean ... we are doing something right.  It must mean ... they are learning the meaning of loving someone else ... just as much as they are loved.

So instead of letting my sadness set in ... I decided to see it as a wonderful sign that our girls are truly soaking in the love we show them -- and equally as important -- learning how to give love in return.

Part of loving someone is letting go, at times .... but only until we see you again...... which we know -- will only make the heart grow fonder.

Thanks for the memories, Nama!

With love,

Cuz I'm the mama!