Lisa notes

Love One More – We’re Adding On!

By LisaNotes July 31, 2017 Community, One Word 2017: Story 62 Comments

Grinch's-Heart-Grows_video_clip

Family Math

I’ve been doing the family math lately.

  • Seven years ago, both my parents died, 7 months apart. Minus 2 here.
  • Six years ago, my oldest daughter Morgan got married. Plus 1.
  • Almost one year ago, my youngest daughter Jenna got married. Plus 1.

Although we never really lose the people we love when they die, our hearts do feel emptied by their absence.

And when we add in new people, our hearts expand to practice more love.

First Grandchild

We’re getting a new opportunity to love – our first grandchild is due in January!
A big plus 1.

Morgan and Fuller are expecting their first child. And we couldn’t be more excited for them and for us. (If you have good grandparent name suggestions, please share!)

baby-pic

Ultrasound pic, 4 weeks ago. Keepsake box, my Mother’s Day gift from Morgan.

When we decide to love someone new, the atmosphere shifts.

  • We move things around.
  • We clean out space.
  • We spruce things up.

(And we buy new toys. Jeff rescued this mechanical horse to restore for the new grandbaby. It needs a lot of work, but he can do it.)

horse

Before shot – July 28. After – tbd.

Regardless of age or situation, adding a new relationship to our lives gives our hearts reasons to change for the better.

Who’s New?

Who new needs your love?

  • Maybe a new co-worker.
  • Or a neighbor who moved in next door.
  • Or an in-law marrying into your family.

Or in our case, a growing baby inside our own daughter. (We hope to find out next week if it’s a boy or a girl!)

Wherever and whoever, may we each continue to find new people to love. Another person made in God’s image.

Every time we do, we glimpse God in a fresh way, see him from another angle.

And we experience a flush of new love—a breath of God—inside our own hearts.

Do the math. Count your blessings. They keep adding up.

* * *

Who have you most recently begun to love? Any grandparenting tips? Please share your thoughts.

sharing with Laura, Lyli, Jennifer,
Char, Kelly, Barbie, Terri, Anita

62 thoughts on “Love One More – We’re Adding On!”

  2. Kym

    How exciting!! Congratulations!! I’ve realized recently that my kids’ close friends become part of my family and I love them like my own. We’ve added a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter to our family and although my daughter and her boyfriend are still pretty young, I consider him part of my family already. By the way, my grandma name is “Nonnie”.

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Kym! One of my best friends also goes by Nonnie. So cute! How special that your family is continuing to grow in so many different ways. It’s fun to get to spend time with your kids’ friends, too; that’s one drawback to an empty nest—when the kids move out, you don’t see their friends as often.

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  3. Barbara H.

    Congratulations! When I saw the title, I thought that might be what you were announcing. 🙂 You will be a good Grandma.

    I wasn’t sure what to do with grandparent names. I didn’t like Nana – because that’s the dog in Peter Pan. 🙂 I do have good friends who use that, though. I definitely didn’t like Memaw – sounds to me like a donkey’s bray – no offense to those who go by that. I’ve recently heard Mimi for grandmother’s nicknames, but that didn’t seem to fit. I wanted to see what Timothy might come up with on his own – I think the best grandparent names comes that way – but that meant waiting til he could talk. So we went with Grandma, which I admit does sound “old.” Now when he says it, it sounds like Gamma, and I like that. My husband prefers Granddad to Grandpa, and if I had thought about it in time, I would have gone with Grandmom.

    I was thinking while reading your post that we get the most excited about adding to the family when someone marries or is expecting, and not so much the other examples you gave. But we should always welcome someone new to love.

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I waited as long as I could to make the announcement. 🙂 I’ve known for awhile but couldn’t spill the beans until Morgan told her employer. I am looking forward to being a grandmother. One set of my grandparents went by Mammaw and Pappaw and I’ve thought I never wanted anything that sounded that old. ha. Gamma is sweet; I like that! I’m thinking about Granna, but not sure yet. And Jeff doesn’t care at all, so he’ll like stay a traditional Granddaddy or Grandpa.

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  5. Pam

    Congrats, Lisa! You are in for the most amazing journey in this new season and role! Savor every moment because believe it or not, your grandchildren seem to grow up even faster than your children!! I blinked and suddenly we had none of our six as babies. I blinked again and there were stores at the Outlets I no longer visited (like Carter’s). I blinked again and they were graduating from college. I blinked again and the first had graduated from college and the second was a junior in college taking a semester abroad in Chile. If you are blessed, they will live not too far away. We needed to be creative since four live 350 miles away and 2 live 520 miles away. Trust me when I tell you we have put an amazing number of miles on our cars and gone without a lot of sleep when we were still working to do a crazy quick weekend trip because we missed them so much! Blessings on you in this exciting news!

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Oh my—it goes even faster with grandchildren? Thanks for the heads-up, Pam! I will try to do as you suggest and savor every moment. It still seems surreal at this point; we’re very excited. This grandbaby will live 3 hours away so that’s the only negative. 🙁 But at least that’s a trip we can make by car and even do in one day. I wish they lived closer, but I know it could be worse. I imagine we’re going to add some miles to our car too in 2018! 🙂

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  6. Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours

    Lisa, I am so happy for your family! Grandparenting is (not all rosy, but) absolutely wonderful. Our oldest grandson turns 8 this week (HOW so soon?!). He and his brother call us Poppa and Nonna, and there’s simply nothing better than hearing those angel voices say my name! You’re gonna love that!

    Prayers headed your way. Enjoy the waiting–and rest while you can. ?

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Susan! I love Poppa and Nonna—I’m glad there are so many cute names out there. I know it’ll be awhile before this one will be able to say anything, but I do like to think about it in advance. I appreciate your prayers and your advice to rest while we can! I know life will change once the little one is here. 🙂

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  8. Helene

    Grandparents are some of the world’s most important people! I know you’ll be treasuring the days. All of us need to add people (even tiny ones) to our circle of love!

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I wish I had spent more time with my own grandparents, but we lived in two different states and didn’t see each other that often. My husband, however, got to spend lots of time with his grandparents and I’ve seen what a blessing that was to him. After we got married, I also got to know his grandparents too and really enjoyed it. I’m hoping we’ll get to be an active presence in our own grandchildren’s lives because I agree with you that they are some important people! Thanks, Helene.

      Reply ↓
  9. Lynn Severance

    Adding in my joy, as well, Lisa in reading the news of your first grandchild ‘on the way’.

    I think your “grandparent” name somewhat evolves. At least that is what my friends have told me and there are lots of varieties of names used.

    It will be exciting for all and in all ways and I know you will keep us updated as this happy event draws nearer.

    Love, Lynn

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks for sharing in our joy, Lynn. We are excited for what will be a new season in our life. I’m not sure I have the parenting thing right yet, but ready to try grandparenting! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Debbie! Morgan gave me that box a few weeks before Mother’s Day. We didn’t know at the time when she would get pregnant, but shortly thereafter we got the good news.

      Reply ↓
  11. Debbie Putman

    Grandparenting is the very best. My grandkids are almost 16 (in September), 14, and 13. I have a cupboard where I keep things for whenever they visit. Obviously, it changed over the years. At first, it had blocks and board books. Now it has Phase 10, and lots of art supplies, some water guns. But the best part of that cupboard is sharing the activities with these precious people. Developing relationships. Enjoy every moment!

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      That’s a great idea, Debbie. I look forward to learning from you seasoned grandparents! We’ve already been clearing out Morgan’s old closet so we’ll have room for new fun things. 🙂

      Reply ↓
  12. June

    How exciting, Lisa! and I love the way you presented your good, good news! Congratulations! Feeling blessed to be able to share in your JOY 🙂

    Reply ↓
  13. Bill (cycleguy)

    Congrats Lisa! As they say, “Ain’t nothing like it!” But I use the well-worn phrase a lot: “If I had known grandchildren were this much fun I would have had him first.” May you know that is spades. I have this sneaking suspicion Morgan and Fuller will have to pay you to get him/her back. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I like the sound of that, Susan. 🙂 We’ve been in a sweet season of “in-between” since our kids left home and got married, but we’re definitely happy to shift gears into this new season soon!

      Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      That’s a valuable new addition to love, Andrew. I love your heart for dogs; it’s a special thing and it makes our world a better place that you give your whole heart to them.

      Reply ↓
  16. Carol Stafford

    Congratulations! Such exciting news! Being a grandparent is wonderful. My husband and I go by Nana and Papa. Those names sounded ‘younger’ to me than most of the others that I had heard. My friend, Barbara(above), referenced that Nana is the name of the dog in Peter Pan. That thought never crossed my mind when choosing…?? Oh, well. Ca

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I didn’t realize that Nana was the name of the dog in Peter Pan either until Barbara mentioned it. haha. My sister and sister-in-law are both going by Nana to their grandchildren; it is a special name in our family because that’s also what our kids called our mother, who passed in 2010. I’m glad you’re a Nana too, Carol!

      Reply ↓
  17. Bev @ Walking Well With God

    Lisa,
    CONGRATULATIONS!!! How exciting!! I know you’ll be a wonderful grandmother! Oh what joy! You have to check out the absolutely cutest baby blankets my friend and sister Board member for RCF, Inc. knits. You can find her small company on Facebook and Pinterest. It’s called The Sleepy Sheep Knitting Co. I’ve given (sent) several blankets as gifts and people LOVED them!! Sharing in your joy!!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks for telling me about The Sleepy Sheep Knitting Co., Bev. I looked them up on FB; their blankets are SO adorable! I’ll definitely bookmark their page! Thanks for sharing in our joy. We’re super excited. 🙂

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  18. Jean Wise

    wow, oh wow. I am so excited for you. I used to roll my eyes when other grandparents gushed until I became one. The love, the bond, the linking of generations, the discovering your child in their child, is amazing. Congrats. and look out your heart is about to be stolen in a new way!

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Right now I can relate to the eye-rolling but I know that is about to change! 🙂 And I welcome it. Thanks, Jean, for the beautiful warning about what is about to happen to us. We’re ready.

      Reply ↓
  19. bluecottonmemory

    Congratulations! We lost 2 family members last year – an aunt and my MIL. About a month ago, a new grandson was born – the first. Yesterday, they were all here – 2 granddaughters, the baby – all the boys and my DILs. It was a sweet day – a different kind of sweetness is added! What a blessing for you!

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Maryleigh. I’m sorry about your losses last year. 🙁 I know that new does not make up for old. But the new does bring fresh life again which is always welcomed. Congrats on getting a grandson! The year my mother and father died was also the year that their first great-grandchild was born. My dad never got to see him, but my mother at least got to meet him (although she wasn’t aware enough by that time to realize who he was). But the sweet baby sure was welcomed by all the rest of the family!

      Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thank you, Julia. We are looking forward to “seeing” the grandbaby soon on the next ultrasound and hopefully finding out the gender as well that day. 🙂

      Reply ↓
  21. Michele Morin

    Oh, how I love this post, Lisa! Congratulations on this glorious math that brings addition to a home that has been busy subtracting. We’re in the same space, and I love hauling 9 plates out of the cupboard, knowing that once the grandgirl (due in September) starts pulling up to the table it will be 10!
    As for names, the best laid plans . . .
    We were going to be Gram and Grampa, but on the lips of our little guy, this became Bam and Bamp, so we’ll see if that sticks.

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Michele. I’ve heard that’s often what happens—whatever the first grandchild says, sticks. 🙂 But those are cute names so you got lucky! 😉 I know you’ll be excited to see that little granddaughter soon.

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  22. floyd

    Wooo-Hooooo!!! Congratulations!!!

    I’m happy for you guys! If we tried to count or add up the value of our blessings the math equation would fall far short.

    The seasons of life are amazing to see and learn in. We just had our second grandson a week and a half ago. His big brother is in a little adjustment period.

    Your going to be a fantastic grandmother and I think you should let your new grand baby name his new grandma.

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      2 for you already? That’s great, Floyd! I only knew of one, so I’m glad to hear of more growth. And another little boy! Congratulations! And yes, I’m sure I’ll answer to whatever he/she wants to call me. 🙂

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  23. Betsy de Cruz

    Congratulations on your new grandbaby! What wonderful news. I like your application to always be open to love someone new. God often puts on my heart to love young people, whether by having a quality conversation while looking them in the eye for 10 minutes, or meeting someone for a coffee day, or taking them under my wing for a time.

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      That’s beautiful, Betsy. I especially love this, “looking them in the eye for 10 minutes” because we often undervalue the importance of little things (which are actually big things to the person behind those eyes!). Thanks, friend. We’re excited about the baby!

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    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Congratulations on #3, Jerralea! I can’t even imagine that yet. ha. I have friends’ children who call me Mimi, but Fuller’s parents are already Mimi on the other side, so it rules it out for me with the grandbaby. Still looking for that perfect name. 🙂

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  25. Anita Ojeda

    Woot! Woot! How exciting! I’m letting our first name me when he’s old enough to want to call me something ;). He’ll be a year old this week! Right now, his main word is ‘Bah!’

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, I hear that what we call ourselves and what the grands end up calling us may not be the same thing. 😉 But Nana seems easy enough to say, so maybe that will stick with you, Barbie. My mother was called Nana so it has special meaning to me.

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  28. Diana

    my 3 year old triplets finally got to meet their great grandparents last month. I had to travel 7000 miles for that and yes I made it safe and sane with the kids.

    I also got to see lot of my family members after a long time. So if were to count my math- they are just innumerable blessings.

    Congratulations Lisa! Children and grandchildren are indeed great blessings from above

    Diana

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Oh wow! Such a long journey with triplets! Good for you, Diana. I’m sure that was a trip you’ll always remember. How wonderful that the great-grandparents got to finally meet your triplets. Yes, many blessings!

      Reply ↓

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