Friday, June 24, 2011

Grampy

We said a temporary goodbye to my Grampy.  After a life well lived, he is now home with the Lord.
A lovely church service in the evening and the following morning a grave side service.  I spoke at the church service, along with several others in the family.  Carter read the Beatitudes by the grave side.  The grave side service was breath taking.  Grampy served in the army so the flag ceremony and taps were done.  Then a friend of the family played the bag pipes, standing under a cross.  It was beautiful.

Below is what I shared at the church service.

I am the oldest of John’s three grandchildren. We call him Grampy.


Having a parents that are both only children comes with its certain qualities. One of which is that our family is very small. I did not realize this until a school assignment that required us to draw out our family tree of three generations. I finished mine in a half an hour while others spent hours. Up until that moment it did not occur to me what a unique family structure we had…it was just us. Holidays, actually all fitting around the dining room table. Quality time with each other. Quality time with our grandparents.


I knew Grampy as the cool grandfather that rode motorcycles, had a motor home, traveled with Grammy and enjoyed gospel music. My gentle caring Grampy loved us deeply. Being the only grandchildren, we did not lack from attention and love.


Rumor has it that Grampy was my first date but apparently not the best date because I fell asleep on the way home. Of course I was a little girl and perhaps the date was so exciting that I does off in the car, spending quality time with my Grampy.

Over the years we traveled to Indiana to visit and they to Maryland. And always saw them at Word of Life in the summer. When I was in college in Indiana, he came to our tennis matches and cheered us on. Always there looking dapper with a genuine smile.

During one college break, I stayed Grampy and Grammy. That weekend, Grampy gave me a little book, The Bible Promise Book. He wrote inside, “To Carrie from Grampy on his 70th birthday. Read it and enjoy every word.”

Last week, I was driving home with my three boys moments after a rain storm. My middle child declared, “A rainbow! I can see all the colors!” The older shouted, “I can see the beginning and the end!” This rainbow was magnificent, so bright you felt as though you could touch it. A rainbow that we could see the beginning arching all the way to an end.

 
I immediately thought about God’s promises and Grampy. Last week we had all been waiting, anxiously awaiting the phone call about Grampy. As I gazed upon this rainbow, it was a vibrant reminder of Grampy’s legacy. There was a beginning and end to his life here on earth but radiating with the promises of God.

As soon as I got home, I pulled out the little book Grampy gave me. I closed the doors to the study, plopped in the chair with a deep sigh and started to read.

Two verses immediately grabbed my attention.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalms 73:26


“We do not lose heart. Even though our outward man in perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For out light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor 4:16-18

Promises that Grampy lived by, passed on to the generations and is now celebrating with his Lord and Savior.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

All Star Tournament

Carter tried out for a U8 All Star Program for our county.  Over 110 players tried out and only 30 made it...Carter made it!

The program was in addition to the regular soccer season.  The All Stars practiced and played in a tournament.  Carter played really well...in control and great at defense...even got a goal.







Friday, June 17, 2011

Retirement for Great-Grandpa

 
At huge party thrown in honor of Great-Grandpa Jenkins' retirement, at the age of 87.

At the farm for lots of fun and food.

Brayden even got in on the action with a horse ride (although not too thrilled with the helmet).

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Last Day of School 2011

The last day of school!  Carter is done with 2nd grade, Luke conquered kindergarten and Brayden checked off one more year of preschool.


We had to start the day with a special breakfast (healthy things too).

Then onto to school for the final day Carnival.  Lots of games and treats...even get to toss pies at school staff and dunk teachers!
 
 




What a wonderful school year.  All the boys had wonderful teachers, that I adore.  The boys did great in school.  Luke's reading has taken off and he is enjoying it.  Carter's math skills are amazing.  They both worked hard and it worked!  Got off the school bus for the last time as my little kindergartner and 2nd grader...from a great school year.

Party Like Kindergartners

One night a party for all the kindergartners (only two classes at our little Waterford Elementary) at Pump it Up...a place filled with moon bounces!

Then morning of the last day of school, the afternooners (aka p.m. kindergarten) gather to play and eat before all getting on the bus together. 
 
What a sweet group of kids! Their tiny little voices, silly imagination and carefree ways are so precious.  Oh, how I will miss having Luke at home in the morning.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Those Jenkins' Fish Tales

We went fishing at the farm.


First a little cook-out at the adorable historic farm house, then head to the pond.

Reeled in A LOT of fish.  Carter caught the first big one.

  
Luke got a couple of big ones but the line broke (I guess it was big) and lots of little ones.  And he was reeling it in with his newly healed arm...he was pleased.





Carrie even caught one.  The fish tale about this one was that as I was reeling a little fish in, a big bass tried to eat the it...almost caught two fish!


Brayden was supervising.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Field Day 2011

The boys had field day at their school Waterford Elementary.  One of the local high schools sent lots of students over to led the games...all seemed to be water games.

Luke is afternoon kindergarten but on field day went in the morning.  Both a.m. and p.m. classes together, first finishing their African masks.

 



Then on to Field Day activities.





Carter was soaking wet after the first game.  This game he had to sit on a sponge to squeeze out the water, so the team could empty out as much water as possible from their bucket.