Five on Friday

When I lose my blogging mojo, I find that a Five on Friday is a good way to just hop back into Blogland without a lot of explanations or fanfare. So here we go . . .

{one}
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Our oldest grandchild graduates from high school this weekend!

I can hardly believe that Gavin is old enough to graduate. Or maybe I should say: I can hardly believe that I am old enough to have a grandchild who is graduating! Since my youngest child graduated only a year ago, it feels like a quick turnaround. (The difference in Bekah's and Gavin's ages is only twenty months.)

But regardless, Gavin is graduating and we could not be more proud of this young man!

{two}

So while I'm talking about grandchildren, I'll go ahead and pop in a photo of my youngest grandchild Caleb. You're not surprised at all, are you?

By the way, we still haven't met this wee one in person, but plans are in the works . . .

{three}

About a month ago, I picked up a project that had been languishing for about four years. I set myself a ridiculously low goal to complete one penny (that's what the little circles are called) per day. Some days that's all I did, but some days I did more and now all of the pennies are done and I am stitching them onto the black wool mat.

{four} 

Is it even Five on Friday if I don't include a cat photo?

{five}

I have been loving this "30 Days of Hymns" calendar (Little Things Studio) that Kati and Andrew sent me for Mother's Day. The artwork is lovely, yes, but oh how I love the hymns! Most are familiar, but there are a few that are new to me, so each evening (that we remember), we find the day's hymn on YouTube and sing along or listen and learn.

I had forgotten how much I loved Day 18's hymn! I'll put it here as a bonus so that you can listen to it too!

Hard things . . . hard things . . . going on all around us. Life is never easy. Life's road is up-hill. But He has promised new mercies every morning. He has promised to be faithful.

These words from Scripture are speaking to my soul today . . .

This I recall to my mind,

Therefore I have hope. 

Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, 

Because His compassions fail not. 

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness. 

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,

"Therefore I hope in Him!"

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,

To the soul who seeks Him.

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly

For the salvation of the LORD. 

Lamentations 3:21-26

Welcome, Caleb!!

When you're on a (totally unplanned) blogging break, such BIG news may bring you back to Blogland. Our big news is this:

Little Caleb Mark has arrived safely! Praise the Lord!

When your baby has a baby, your heart grows. 💗

I love that photo of Kati holding her brand new dream-come-true!

And Andrew looks equally happy, doesn't he?

Caleb was a big little boy at 9 pounds, 13 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long! 

What a precious gift, this twelfth grandchild! We are so very grateful for him, and I can. not. wait. to have him in my arms! 

It is heart-wrenching for me to be so far away. Never could I have imagined that I would not be able to be with my own baby as she welcomed her first baby. When we learned that Kati and Andrew were expecting, I cleared the calendar for May and made plans to fly down for a visit within the first few days of Caleb's birth. I planned to stay and help for a few weeks. I had not been able to do that for my daughter Kristin or my daughter-in-law Sarah because I was still the mother of young children myself, but this time, I reasoned, the timing is perfect! I was so looking forward to bonding with my grandson while he was still red and new, and being a help to his parents. 

But then  . . . 

Well, you all know the "then."

Travel restrictions. No flights. "My" plans were not to be.

But this . . . 

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

And if I trust Him as I say I do, then it is good. 

(But I still can. not. wait. to have Caleb in my arms! Soon, soon!)