Every Good Thing

WOW! That is the only way I know how to describe this past week. I am so grateful for God’s blessings that He continues to shower on me and on my family!

• A new baby boy joined our family last Thursday morning! Mom and baby are healthy and doing well. So far, he is very chill unless you try to change his diaper. 🙂 My husband and I got some grandparent snuggle time for a while when he came home from the hospital. Joy abounds!
• I got to spend some fun, heartwarming and amazing moments with my 2-year-old granddaughter while her mommy and daddy were at the hospital. She kept me in stitches as she remembered funny sayings she had heard and then interjected them into conversations at just the right moment to crack us up! She also amazed me with her courage and skill when I took her to her swim class. My daughter had prepared me by explaining all the skills they had learned and how to do them. But, when the teen swim instructor explained that they were going to simulate a toddler or baby falling into the pool to see if they could pull themselves out on their own, my heart dropped into my stomach! What?! You want me to plunge my sweet grandbaby under water, let go, watch her float up by herself, flip over and kick her legs to the edge of the pool and then pull herself out??? I didn’t want to inflict that trauma on my sweet granddaughter! Then, the reality hit me. If she ever fell into my swimming pool, this practice could save her life! I had to do it. My granddaughter looked at me with her little chin quivering and said, “All done? Towel?” Then, I had to say, “No, sweetie. We have to do one more thing. Look at me, 1-2-3!” I pulled her under the water and let go. She floated to the top, coughing and sputtering. I helped her flip over onto her back. Then, she kicked towards the edge of the pool. I let go about a foot before the edge. She kept going and grabbed onto the ledge and then climbed out on her own! I was so proud of her!!! I kept yelling, “YOU DID IT, ALL BY YOURSELF!” Then, she smiled and said, “I DID IT!” She was so happy, that she climbed back into the pool and said, “One more time.” This little girl continues to inspire and amaze me!
• My husband and I celebrated our anniversary on Saturday…39 years! We were both so exhausted that we decided to postpone our fancy dinner until next week. Instead, we ate our favorite foods for breakfast and lunch while lying on the couch and watching old movies from the 80’s and 90’s all day long. Some days you just need to rest.
• Blessing to come: My daughter and son-in-law are flying in from Iowa in two days! They will stay with us for a week to enjoy family and see their new nephew. Can’t wait to hug them!
• We’re having our family 4th of July BBQ this Saturday! Love spending time with my family! There will be yummy food (including homemade ice cream), awesome people (including a bunch of kids squealing while jumping in the pool), and a birthday celebration for my brother. Even though he is on hospice care, he will try to make it in his wheelchair.

Those are the big events, but God continues to sprinkle little bits of joy in each day as well. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

https://youtu.be/FY2ycrpbOlw?si=eF5SxHeG_qpPhdTT

A welcome mat for the new baby and the mom. The two will be seated here for a brief ritual before entering the home for the first time.

(May 11, 2026 #Bengaluru)

#tradition #India #birth #ritual #photography #amateur

Renaissance...

#photography #birth

The Frog That Gives Birth Through Its Skin

https://tube.blueben.net/w/iTk5UDzeK3JCcTeqiQiVxu