12/13/10 7:45AM
Some really cute 3 month photos of my grandbaby at sunshinelove05! : ) Lord willing, I get to hold that sweet girl in one week!!
Update
I am so tired of my former post, and keep wishing someone would update it!
I'll try. I'm in chilly Chicago visiting a plump and darling Gwendolyn Anne Bingham (my first grandchild), and her dear parents. God's gifts are beyond measure. She is thoroughly perfect in every way, and I am enjoying my every moment. So happy for the chance to come. Joseph has been blessed with a job in Houston, TX, which will begin next year when he finishes his law school. He'll be clerking for a judge, whatever that means, and he's very pleased and grateful.
Our Micah gave his sweetheart a diamond last night. We are thrilled with the prospect of another daughter, and of their happy future together serving our creator. She's a wonderful girl. Many years ago I lost a baby during pregnancy, and just a few months later - Micah was conceived. I've always thanked God for knowing what was best for us, even when we couldn't see it for ourselves. What would we do without MIcah? He and Kathryn are both scheduled to finish school December, 2011, but we plan a wedding before that.
Benjamin, Emma, and Jesse continue their studies and enjoy life and learning. Benjamin has formed an attachment to a girl named Cara, whom I hope to meet at Christmas time. (Actually, I have met her - but before I knew how important she was!) Emma's in her first year at FC, and thriving there, as we all knew she would. Although we moved a ton of clothes into her dorm closet in August, she has on someone else's clothes every time I see her, and I have to introduce myself to the girls I see wearing hers! Jesse started high school (!?!?), and we're home schooling. He is very tall and deep-voiced. I can't seem to get any of them to stay little for me. . . .
My mother has moved into an apartment in an assisted living facility near my house. This has turned out to be a great blessing in very many ways. She is much better physically and mentally since she moved there, and it's a huge help to my sister and me.
My dad is still in southern IL and seems to manage on his own okay for the time being. I do have frequent concern for him.
Mark's parents have bought a FL house near us, and they plan to be in FL by the end of November; that is, though, before the TN house sells, so we will have to go back there for more work and a sale before they are firmly settled in FL.
We were fortunate to enjoy a lovely Pennsylvania vacation this summer, along with side trips to IN, IL, and TN. I am now hoping for PA again next summer, since that is where the upcoming wedding will probably take place. : )
Life is rich. May I be wise enough to appreciate it (and its Giver) fully.
My love and best wishes to you and yours.
Melanie
I'll try. I'm in chilly Chicago visiting a plump and darling Gwendolyn Anne Bingham (my first grandchild), and her dear parents. God's gifts are beyond measure. She is thoroughly perfect in every way, and I am enjoying my every moment. So happy for the chance to come. Joseph has been blessed with a job in Houston, TX, which will begin next year when he finishes his law school. He'll be clerking for a judge, whatever that means, and he's very pleased and grateful.
Our Micah gave his sweetheart a diamond last night. We are thrilled with the prospect of another daughter, and of their happy future together serving our creator. She's a wonderful girl. Many years ago I lost a baby during pregnancy, and just a few months later - Micah was conceived. I've always thanked God for knowing what was best for us, even when we couldn't see it for ourselves. What would we do without MIcah? He and Kathryn are both scheduled to finish school December, 2011, but we plan a wedding before that.
Benjamin, Emma, and Jesse continue their studies and enjoy life and learning. Benjamin has formed an attachment to a girl named Cara, whom I hope to meet at Christmas time. (Actually, I have met her - but before I knew how important she was!) Emma's in her first year at FC, and thriving there, as we all knew she would. Although we moved a ton of clothes into her dorm closet in August, she has on someone else's clothes every time I see her, and I have to introduce myself to the girls I see wearing hers! Jesse started high school (!?!?), and we're home schooling. He is very tall and deep-voiced. I can't seem to get any of them to stay little for me. . . .
My mother has moved into an apartment in an assisted living facility near my house. This has turned out to be a great blessing in very many ways. She is much better physically and mentally since she moved there, and it's a huge help to my sister and me.
My dad is still in southern IL and seems to manage on his own okay for the time being. I do have frequent concern for him.
Mark's parents have bought a FL house near us, and they plan to be in FL by the end of November; that is, though, before the TN house sells, so we will have to go back there for more work and a sale before they are firmly settled in FL.
We were fortunate to enjoy a lovely Pennsylvania vacation this summer, along with side trips to IN, IL, and TN. I am now hoping for PA again next summer, since that is where the upcoming wedding will probably take place. : )
Life is rich. May I be wise enough to appreciate it (and its Giver) fully.
My love and best wishes to you and yours.
Melanie
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So glad to read about how everyone is doing! God does know how to give great gives :) And your grandbaby is SO cute! -
Such happy things. It was a pleasure to read this blog. :-) -
What a great update! I´m so happy you are getting time with your grandbaby (and her parents!). Being a grandma is such a blessing. I am happy for all the good things happening in your family. -
Thanks for the update. Now a bit of an update for our family-my sister Susie (who divorced her husband 2 years ago for infidelity) met a very nice man about a year ago on a blind date. We met him (Tom) in July when they came out for my mom & dad's 50th Anniversary celebration. Well, last week they drove to Niagara Falls and were married this past Friday. Susie sounds very happy and we are happy for her. -
This is such a happy blog! I love it! -
Lots of good news! Hope all is well there. -
It sounds like you've been immensely blessed. :) -
Ohh! This post made me happy for lots of different reasons. I'm so glad that things are going so splendidly for you and yours! :) -
the first line of this post really made me laugh. -
So much to be thankful for -- I "ditto" what Alyssa said! -
Glad to see all is going well. -
:) -
It makes me SO happy to read about all the major changes as well as blessings happening in your life right now. I certainly do thank God for your family (as well as the fact that you take care of Jon a little for us while he is down there!). You are so grately loved by we Wickersheims. :) May our God continue to provide for all your needs! Have a wonderful day, Momma B! -
It seems like so much has been going on in your life as of late. It is so important to see every situation as a blessing and oppurtunity. So many people just look at the negative effects of what is happening that they fail to notice it really is a gift from God. -
It was so nice to meet you at FC.
I'm sure we'll see more of each other! -
That lesson of utter dependency is part of the poignancy of motherhood, isn't it. And it continues in altered ways as they grow...
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What a fun update! Your granddaughter really is just precious! She is perfect in the pictures. Can't imagine how much more perfect she is in person! -
It was great to see you tonight. I am so happy to hear all of your wonderful news, a sweet new grandbaby, a new daughter-in-law (well, almost) and coming up soon a family reunion of sorts. Best wishes to you and your whole family!
P.S. I thought that if I sent you this note, it would make it easier for you to find me. -
I am going to try to come to your book sale Friday night. This is a terribly busy week. If it rains, it pours, as the saying goes. I will try to get everything that is pressing done tomorrow and early Friday, so I can come. Do you have an atlas for sale? We desperately need one on Stephen’s level. If so, which one is it and what’s the price? I have one of your books. So sorry that I didn’t get it back to you sooner. Actually, I’ve had it in the car to give to you the next time I saw you or Mark.
Advice from Lee Pitts, via Paul Harvey
(This was written by Lee Pitts, popularized by Paul Harvey's readings of it in his famous "PH News and Comment" radio show. Some great stuff here. I certainly failed mine on some counts. . . .)
We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.
I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches.. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.
When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her..
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as un-cool as your Mom.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.
I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it..
And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your
Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.
May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.
I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.
Written with a pen.. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you.
We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.
I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches.. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.
When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her..
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as un-cool as your Mom.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.
I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it..
And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your
Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.
May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.
I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.
Written with a pen.. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you.
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These are some great thoughts. Thanks for sharing! I am going to copy it and give it to my kids!
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Thanks, Jonathan! I corrected the credits. : ) -
:) I like this.
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Are you coming my way anytime? I could meet you somewhere if you can't come by.
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Oh, I JUST now saw your comment on my blog!
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This made me cry mostly because I'm living in the moment and these wishes are so close to my own.
Nobody told me that mothering children would be so heart wrenching . My hope is that one day they'll understand my tears and be moved to change.
Love and miss you!
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appreciate the entry, my love to your family.
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I'm home but leaving soon for FL. I hope to arrive Tues. evening. Can't wait to see Brian! I was hanging out in McD's waiting for a family we worship with who lives in the town I was stranded to pick me up on the way to our meeting. How fortunate for that! I will take Alex to the car as I head south and he'll drive it home. I wasn't very comfortable leaving it overnight with the keys in the ignition but if someone really wants to steal a car with almost 250,000 miles, what have we lost??
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I look forward to seeing you!
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Thanks for the helpful tips. I've actually been thinking about you too. Basically it goes like this: " she did this 5 times!!!!" we'll be lucky if I do it even one more. Hopefully my attitude will change when the baby is actually here. :) -
Melanie, I understand you spoke for the women at the FC lectures this year? Is it possible to send this girl in Africa a copy of your outline? I would loved to have met you/heard your talk. jbeckley@telkomsa.net -
You all count as PA people. :) -
I really enjoyed getting to visit with you this weekend! You always make me feel cared about when I am with you! Hope you had safe travels. -
CONGRATULATIONS GRAMMA !
New Challenges
Our dear friend Joycelyn is in the hospital with newly diagnosed Diabetes type 1. They are trying to get the sugar regulated and teach her all about the disease and her new needles before sending her home : (
Please pray for her and her sweet Mom as they adjust.
As Joycely says, "God will take care of me."
We love you, Broaduses!
Please pray for her and her sweet Mom as they adjust.
As Joycely says, "God will take care of me."
We love you, Broaduses!
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We love them, too! Praying for quick adjustment to the new lifestyle and a happy healthy return to FC for Joycelyn!
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Rachael can help take care of her!
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We don't have any pictures yet, but it's flat! So weird. -
Nope...I'm not smarter than any Bingham...however our "remembering" half-birthdays is just that...we remember them...(Tho Joycelyn was the only one that remembered her Dad's! ha) Tia's is in 12 days! ~grin~ Mine's July 29, in case you want to send me a present!
Have a Terrific Thursday!
Happy Day!
Just for your information,
I am going to be a grandma.
My talk is over.
Tomorrow I turn 50, and I don't even mind.
It's a wonderful day.
Thank you Lord, and dear people everywhere.
Love and best wishes to you all.
Aging Melanie
I am going to be a grandma.
My talk is over.
Tomorrow I turn 50, and I don't even mind.
It's a wonderful day.
Thank you Lord, and dear people everywhere.
Love and best wishes to you all.
Aging Melanie
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Happy Birthday! We are home. We flew home last night. That went well. We went to the coast with Brian and Alex for a little while before we went to the airport. I had lots of beauties of nature to be aware of and thankful for there! Brian found a huge mollusk, maybe 9 inches with barnacles and some kind of plants, like lots of intertwining dried twigs attached to him. We were enjoying studying him then he snapped shut. He was only open about an eighth to a quarter of an inch. We all jumped; he scared us so!! We had a good laugh at that. I thought of Lauren and Joe's wedding site, the sand was so pretty and white where we were. It was Indian Shores, I think. I just went for a walk and there is some snow but not everywhere. Sand one day, snow the next. What a feast we had in Florida at lectures. Now to come home and reap the benefit of what we learned.
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I'm just so missing having been there... I've been praying about you for this steadily since we last talked and I wanted to be there so much. And I miss you guys. But HAPPY BIRTHDAY with LOTS of love :) and hugs to being a grandma!
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You're just beginning the good years. Enjoy that grandchild when it comes, and thanks for being so nice to my sister's family! -
Congrats! AND Happy Birthday!
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Happy birthday, friend and fellow grandma: ) Can't say I've hit 50 yet, though. Just a few more years... -
I became a grandma at 50....Happy Birthday to a great lady .....You will understand why they are called Grand...Love being a grandma...Know you will enjoy it....So will Aunt Emma....lol
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Happy Birthday, Mrs. Bingham. -
Seems fitting that you become 50 and a grandmother in the same year. I think it's perfect!! Happy Birthday!!!
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Fifty is an EXCELLENT year in which to become a grandma! Blessings be upon you in heaps, my dear one.
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Already told you, your presentation was wonderful and told you congratulations on becoming a grandma, but didn't know it was going to be your birthday! Happy birthday - my birthday is coming up soon, and I will be at least 50! :) -
Happy Birthday wishes and much happiness for your growing family, from Guatemala. -
Happy late birthday, Mrs. Bingham! This is Andrew Yeater. -
I missed your birthday! Hope you had a lovely celebration.
Obviously I'm late congratulating you on the news of your first grandbaby too!
You'll be the bestest Grandma in the whole world!
Love you!
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I must say, you have aged quite gracefully and I would have been none the wiser to know that you were turning/turned fifty. :) I love you and your family so much! You have raised such good children. I certainly hope to be like you when I "grow up"! Have a good day!
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The bag with your package in it was the one which got lost, but it has now been recovered. Laura and I went ahead and opened the package without Meghan, though we saved the tissue paper, and quite enjoyed looking through the books :). Thank you!
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Thank you so much! -
Just wanted to pass along something - I love you. I love your family. I love your kids. Thank you so much for being part of our lives :)
also - ^ - we re-wrapped it and it is on M's bed awaiting fun after she returns on the 23rd. :) We laughed and laughed and laughed some more! -
really? If you don't mind me asking, what are they?
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i did enjoy it! it was great! i do want to see it on Broadway though. i really want to see it done by professionals but it was still fantastic! -
He will be coming home, and we are going to be glad to see him! But I am sure that he would be just as grateful to hear such a generous offer from you in person! :) And thank you for your prayers!! That means more to us than you can possibly imagine...well, maybe you can. :) I love you tremendously!!
Joseph
Micah
Lauren L
jadyc
tonyh
Benjamin
Laura Ruth
Emma Louise
Alyssa
Lauren H
Tonya S
humankumquat
Jennifer C
essie
jennking
Lynn
jmetzger
heidiw
Jennie J
Meghan
diminished_seventh
brauna
kare_n_huggs
Irlene
John Trimble
jabberwock
joy2u
tia
joes_wife
Allison M
jollyhollyday
Natalie B
motherduck
Renita
Lori B
Catherine Bishop
Carolyn L
daddio6
Bertina
Charlotte H
mamap
Brianne S
frances
Kramer H
Carla L
Lorrene R
tabycat
Holly H
Sue M
celticgirl1787
kread
tucksmom
debnray
ktay
jkmram
hmjmom
sarahtidwell
metzgermom
phyllisophical_mom
disastermaster
center_stage
crazy_mama
back_stage_mom
beunsung
aprilstarr
shanda
engelishgentleman
pjalford
herebedragons
auntiem
beckdobbins
aikenape
mandagirl
bubba_louigi
bethels
ktembry
wifelet
mebing
ramjclaxton
tic_tac
frega
thejoyoftom
Will **11** candles be enough! Hope your day was enjoyable and you got to do all the things you love! (Maybe a virtual hug to your granddaughter?)