Family Blessings: Friday's Fave Five

Friday January 7, 2011


Thanks to Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for hosting Friday’s Fave Five. It’s a great opportunity to share our favorites of the week. If you’d like to join in, just visit Susanne and get the details.

Here are my week's blessings:

1. Being here! I'm ever-so-glad to be back. I can't wait to hear from all of you and visit you, too. I wrote about that earlier this week, and things still haven't slowed down enough for me so I can take a leisurely visit with you -- but I'm hoping for some time this weekend.

I really have wondered and thought about and prayed for so many of you. I'd hear on the news what was happening somewhere and think, "That's near my blog friend!"

2. A wonderful family time. This holiday was a little different than we'd planned (you can read about that here), but it was wonderful in its own way. Someone had other plans than mine, and I was reminded that where He guides, He provides.

3. Little Aiden. Oh, the precious times with that little grandson! We got him one of those recordable storybooks and I recorded Grandmom reading to him. He just listened, big-eyed, when I held him and played it. My son and sweet daughter-in-law were so flexible, too, about bedtimes and Grandmom cuddling time and everything. This is where I should insert a picture, but we're a bit technologically challenged right now... I promise to get one up soon.

4. Uncles and brothers. So neat to see the brother bond between my boys. There are great pictures of three of them clustered around their oldest brother who is holding his son Aiden. They'd sit and watch him (and comment on the amount of drool a baby generates), they'd steal him from me or his Grandad from time to time, and they even took some crazy brother / uncle pictures with him. (They look crazy and silly; he looks a little stunned and a lot entertained.)

5. A precious quote. I do love a good quote, and there was no better one in the last few weeks than this one, from my mom. If you read my earlier post, you know she began our visit in the hospital and came home a few days later. She wasn't feeling up to hostessing as she usually does, so guess who took over? Actually, everyone pitched in, from grabbing the phone for her to filling her car up to running to the store for her to wrapping gifts for her...you name it. Our last night there, we all gathered around the big oval table and grabbed hands as we usually do as one of us voices the blessing. At my mom's, we usually alternate and she always tells us who she wants to pray. As we're waiting for her to name someone, my mom just dips her head, so we do, too. That's when we hear her say:

"Father, if I were to count all my blessings tonight, these children would go hungry."

I swallowed past the lump in my throat as I added my own silent thanks for such a mom.

So good to have you here again and I can't wait to hear from you and reciprocate. Here's hoping your last several weeks have been filled with joy.

27 comments:

Melissa said...

Sometimes the unexpected turns in the road bring the greatest blessings. I'm glad that you got to spend time with everyone, including baby Aiden, and I'm glad you're back!

Heidi @ Decor & More said...

I love that you were all together-- what a precious family time!! Your mom...what can I say? She's shaped who you are, my friend. :)

Glad you're back; you were missed!

Jennifer said...

I'm so glad that you had a week filled with joy. Thanks for linking up today!

Diane said...

Glad you're back. Hope you have a great weekend!!! :O)

Ang said...

Love your mom's poignant message. We all need that reminder in the hustle & bustle that is life! :) Welcome home.

Michelle DeRusha said...

So glad you are back and that your mom is now doing better. Take some time to unwind in these next few days -- it sounds like life has been a whirwind for you lately!

Unknown said...

That quote from your mom is so wonderful, wise words from a truly blessed woman. Thanks for sharing, can't wait to see the pictures.

Anonymous said...

Awww do love your mom's prayers. Family can mean so much during tough times. It sounds like you are LOVING that sweet grandbaby of yours. How fun. What a special blessing. It does sound like a very busy, and hectic holiday, but blessed in so many ways.

My Captivating Life said...

Wow! Your Mom's quote is very powerful!

Amy Sullivan said...

Laura's back, Laura's back...picture me clapping!

Jill said...

What a beautiful quote.

Karen said...

A beautiful quote from your mom. I'm sure this is a Christmas you'll all remember. The unexpected so often brings out the love in everyone in heaps. It sounds like you have a great family.

Happy New Year, Laura.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes the "different" Christmases are the most memorable. I'm glad you were all able to be there and pitch in and help your Mom over the holidays -- and glad she's doing better.

I can't wait to see my sons as dads and uncles! That must be so sweet and fun.

Good to have you back!

Faith said...

wow...sometimes the Lord blesses us in such unexpected ways! Glad your mom is out of the hospital! How awesome that you have such a family.....and glad you're back!

Lisa notes... said...

I think about my blog friends through the week too. Such a special blessing that I didn’t even knew existed a few years ago! Glad you had such sweet times with Aiden. You make me excited about the years ahead when I can have my own grandchildren (Lord willing). A great quote from your mom. What a treasure she must be.

Cindy said...

I often think of others as well from time to time. I'm glad you got to have grandma time it is so valuable.

Glad to hear from you

Karen said...

Laura, that brought tears to my eyes. Happy Friday!

ellen b. said...

Love the quote from your mom! What a blessing indeed. Oh how sweet to enjoy your new grandson. Have a geat weekend.

Willow said...

Wow, what a crazy holiday you ended up having, but you saw the wonderful blessing in being a blessing to your mom. I love the 'pictures' you wrote about the brother/daddy/uncle times! Have a happy weekend!

Susanne said...

Love, love, love that story of your mom!

The brother/uncle/grandparent time sounds like it was extra special with lots of lovely memories made.

Clella said...

LOVE YOUR MOM and YOU. Clella

Gattina said...

I am a first time grandma since November and can't still not believe that I am grandma, lol ! We spend a very nice Christmas together he was just a little more than a month.

Lisa Spence said...

Hey! I'm a mom of four sons as well! I look forward to reading the encouragement and exhortation of one who's "been there and done that"!

Thanks for your recent visit and comment on my site. Blessings! Lisa

Karyn said...

What a wonderful quote - especially considering its source.

Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas with your family - in spite of the 'hitch'. I'm glad your mom is fine.

And it doesn't get any easier to say goodbye to those grandbabies.

Anonymous said...

I always love reading about your family, especially little Aiden. It's a happy read :)

Hazel

Jessica Heights said...

It sounds like you had a fantastic week! :)

Johnnie Alexander said...

Such a precious memory . . . and, I imagine, a new Groves' family quote that will be repeated in years to come.

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