Prayers for Granny Grey

Hello my angel,

You remember what I told you about closing your eyes and talking to God? That's the conversation we usually end with "Amen". Well will you, and everyone who reads this please,join me in saying a very special prayer for Granny Grey who fell and broke her hip last week, as well as suffering a heart-attack on Friday night. Here goes:

"Dear Lord, please be with our Granny Grey during this trying time. I know she's feeling very ill, so please numb her from any pain she's in. Please let her know in her heart how much we love her and even though we can't be right there by her, that we are with her in spirit all the way. Please also be with granny, aunty Nettie and uncle Trevor so that their wings can be strong in supporting granny Grey. May we always rest in the knowledge that You know what is best and that Your love for us is endless. Always and always. Amen."

You really are a hooligan

Hello my big boy,

Well, did I see a side of you this weekend that I did not know existed!!! We were in "the bush" this weekend for Oom Koevoet's 60th birthday (Happy Birthday!!!).

There were rocks and splash-pools and all sorts of fun things. Now if I say you were a real "boskind", I mean it. You were naked most of the time (with lots of sunscrean) and just running around like a crazy person, laughing and exploring with dad...it was the most beautiful thing ever. You saw a real frog (which you were too scared to touch) and a crab, and touched a lot of dead insects! You were my biggest fan when I went down the foefie-slide (a wheeeeee, according to you), clapping and cheering all the way!

I loved seeing you take in every moment of fresh air, especially after the total mishap of a beach holiday we tried to have, lol. So we finally have the answer...you are not a beach-bum, you are a boskind.

O, and you finally started potty-training...my oh my do I have stories, none of which are really appropriate for publication, lol (I'll reveal all at your 21st :-)).

Anyway my angel, I'm so glad you got to enjoy this long weekend to the fullest and that we got to spend some time together...I'm already missing you sooooo much!

To end of with, here's something Ohpaw sent to me, written by Brad Anderson and adapted by Ohpaw, these are pretty much my feelings as you are growing up so quickly...

I guess that I can hold you
one more time before you grow.
And tell you that I love you
so that you'll always know.
Please let me tie your shoe again.
One day you'll tie your own.
And when you think back to this time
I hope it's love I've shown.
Can I help you put your coat on?
Can I please cut up your meat?
Can I pull you in the wagon?
Can I pick you out a treat?
One day you might just care for me,
so let me care for you.
I want to be a part of
everything you do.
Tonight could I wash your hair?
Can I put toys in the bath?
Can I help you count your small ten toes
before I teach you math?
Before you join a cricket team
can I throw you one more ball?
And one more time can I stand near
to make sure you don't fall?
Let's take another space-ship ride
Up to the Planet Zoor.
Before our Cardboard Rocket
doesn't fit us anymore.
Please let me help you up the hill.
while you're still too small to climb.
And let me read you stories
while you're young and have the time.
I know the day will come
when you will do these things alone.
Will you recall the shoulder rides
and all the balls we've thrown?
I want you to grow stronger
than your Dad could ever be.
And when you find success
there will be no soul more proud than me.
So will you let me carry you?
One day you'll walk alone.
I cannot bear to miss one day
from now until you've grown.

Love you plenty!

You seem happier

Hi my precious,

I'm sneaking a few minutes in work time to quickly write a little update. First, I took you out of school about a month ago, because it just seemed like you weren't getting use to the teacher. Now I don't know if the fact that your little brother got to stay at home had anything to do with it, but nonetheless, you seem much happier and Rose is now looking after you and your brother full time while Elsie does the cleaning.

Second, you had a bad bout of stomatitis that just passed = small sores in the mouth. I felt sooooo sorry for you, but you got over it unscathed, thank goodness.

Third, I started a new job and am now away from home a bit more, but it makes our weekends AWESOME!!! Now I treasure every minute I have with you and we make the best of it!

I'm so sorry my angel, but I have to go. Just know that I love you unconditionally and not a day goes by that I am not amazed by something stunning that you do!

I LOVE YOU!!!

When you thought I wasn't looking

Hey my angel, a friend sent this to me and it almost brought tears to my eyes, so I wanted to share it with you.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favourite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life..

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,’ Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking'

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend)
influences the life of a child.

Now, I know I'm not perfect, and I definitely know that I have a lot of habits that need to change (one in particular, lol) before you pick them up. But this made me realise, despite all the stuff that I do wrong, at least I can know I have a pure heart and that I try to be a good person. And as long as you know that a heart full of love is a good one, then no matter what you do, or what mistakes you make, you will be able to rest in the comfort of knowing you had good intentions.

On another note, we starting praying together at night, me and you, just before you go to bed. I just LOVE how you say "Amen", and surprisingly, you don't interrupt mewith twinkle star or some other song, you just keep quiet and liste,like you know. I waited until now because I want you to comprehend, and even though I don't think you do quite 100% yet, the seeds are being sewn. This is truly one of my highlights, and I love being able to share something that is usually so intimate with you.

Anyway my angel, love you lots and lots. You are my beautiful little star and you are growing into an amazing little man!

Love you dearly!
Mom

Happy Birthday!!!

To the best father and husband in the world: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
We hope that you have a wonderful day and year ahead.

Love you lots and lots!!!

Happy too you!

Well my little angel, as you would say to ohpaw Zak: Happy too you!!!

Hoop paw het 'n wonderlike dag en onthou: We LOVE you more!!!!
Dankie altyd vir paw se wyse woorde en mooi gedigte, dankie dat paw die "kreatiewe" kant van die lewe daarstel, sodat my seuns dit kan leer. Dankie vir paw se liefde vir musiek wat ek kan oordra na my kinders toe en 'n "ritueel" van soorte kan skep. Lief pa ongelooflik! En soos Caden sal se: Wuf you oupa!

Our family - by Loren Stow

I love you

Hi my beautiful big boy,

I'm sorry, I've been so bad, not writing as often as I should, but lately it's a miracle if I remember to put my shoes on before I walk out the door!

So what's been happening? Well, we went to Cape Town to come and steal you back ha-ha, and it was such a wonderful sight seeing you on the Saturday morning, coming into our room to greet us. The shocker however, was that you were most happy to see your brother and you couldn't stop kissing and hugging him. I think you are getting more use to him now, but it does come at a price, well, for me at least.

You are getting much closer to your dad (which definitely suits him I tell yu), and steadily gaining a lot of independence from me. I'd lie if I didn't tell you that I miss it. I miss it a lot actually, but I know it's just part of the growing-up process. You are at the age now where you want to play rough, wrestle, kick balls and get dirty, and who is a better partner in crime than your father? I think I have become a bit boring for you, understandably, but I know whenever you need advice, medicine or just a cuddle, I'll be right there, waiting in the sidelines.

So what else has been happening? Your teacher at school resigned and your new teacher is starting on Monday. This really broke our hearts as Tannie Tanya was an absolute gem and she ADORED you. But I'm sure you will creep into the new teacher's (Tannie Lizette) heart just as quickly. Aunt Lynette and Uncle Grant moved up here from Durban and that seems to be a real treat for you! You love them so much and get all excited when I tell you we are going to visit! You also got to go to Cole's 1st birthday party, which was stunning, full of the cutest sweets and decorations (nautical theme). Lisa really went to a lot of trouble and you had a ball! And last Sunday Loren came to do a family photo shoot for us! I absolutely cannot WAIT to see the pics. You were a real little poser/model...wait for the pics...you'll see!!! And I finally got some beautiful photos taken of me and you together! Yay!

What else? O yeah, in the mornings you can eat your own breakfast (porridge) which leaves me free to get all your stuff together for school. And you are also singing full songs now, not just words here and there. I think finally a person other than your mom and dad can understand your full sentences as you are communicating much clearer now.

I must say, I really really miss our quality time together, just you and me. I never get to see just you anymore. I miss just sitting by you by the swing or playing in the sandpit. I think you feel it too because your tantrums are getting worse and more severe. I'm definitely doing something wrong. When you grow older you'll probably hear a lot that parenting doesn't come with a manual, and my, how true that is. I have absolutely no idea how to deal with your tantrums. Once you start crying for something, there really is no stopping you. And it would be so much easier if I knew what you were crying for, but a lot of the times you just cry, for no apparent reason. Maybe one day when you're big you can tell me, but sho, you have really had your dad and I up nights trying to figure this one out. Most of the times it happens around 3h00 in the morning, then I wonder if it's not maybe a nightmare or something. But when the lights are on and it's been about an hour, so you are fully awake, and you still won't stop crying, I find myself at a loss as to what could possibly be bothering you.

Anyway, I suppose it's just another brick in the wall hey my angel? I'm sure we'll figure it out soon enough.

Till next time my precious big boy.
Mom

Wow, didn't know missing you could physically hurt so much

Hello my angel,

You should've been home by now, but hey, shoulda woulda coulda! Last week Thursday Granny phoned to inform us that you have MEASLES!!! Freakin measles my boy! Can you believe it! I want to say: "Why bother with the vaccinations then?", but then I see you on Skype and see that you don't look sick at all! You're still running around like the crazy little man that you are and nothing's changed, except you have a rash. So now I'm rather saying: "Thank goodness you had those vaccinations" otherwise you would've been very ill my baby and I would've cried my eyes out not being able to be there with you, to hold and love you.

Now, I'm still crying my eyes out because I miss you so much, but at least I know that you are well and healthy-ish. We had to postpone our flight tickets to this week Friday because measles is VERY contagious and you are not allowed to fly when you have it because you can infect those around you so easily. So now I have seriously been away from you for much longer than ever before. Truly though, I would much rather have my hectic, crazy, laughter-filled mornings than having it this quiet. I don't think we realised how much you "filled" the house with your giggles and cries.

Anyway my angel, just wanted to tell you how much I miss and love you and I think I'm gonna explode with joy when we get off the plane to fetch you!

Lots of love!

Guess who's coming?

Hey my angel,

You've been such a complete pleasure the past couple of days, and how very handy that came in just as your brother got sick. I've been quite busy with him and somehow, you've managed to keep yourself busy and happy all by yourself! I'm so proud of you, and it is an absolute joy to see your imagination take flight as you play!

On another note, your granny is coming to visit you tomorrow which I am sure is going to be a BIG treat, and as the schools are closing anyway, you'll get to stay at home with her for a bit. I had to make one of the toughest decisions of my life so far, but I know you're gonna love it, so I had to do it. Dad and I thought it would be nice for you to visit granny in Cape Town for a couple of days (4 to be exact), so next week Tuesday I am saying goodbye to you for the longest time ever!!! I'm not sure how I am going to manage, but at this stage with your brother being sick and with the schools closing, it seemed like the best time to send you for your first (of many) holidays down to Cape Town. Please please bear with me if I hold on to you for extended periods of time before you leave. I'm still not sure how on earth I'm gonna do it, but I have a week to prepare myself. At this stage I am just continuously focussing on holding you again when we go to Cape Town to fetch you. I can just see that beautiful smile of yours and being able to kiss and hug you all over again...so that'll remain my focus. I know I'm talking like you're gone already, but I'm just prepping so long.

Anyway my angel, just wanted to let you know how wonderful you are and what a pleasure it is seeing you learn every day!

Love you plenty!
Mom