August 29/30 Emma

Saturday Night/Sunday:  After dropping Kaity off to Diana, I picked up Emma for the night. We watched 1917. I learned a lot about trench warfare that I wasn't aware of prior. Emma said that in one of her history classes, they acted out trench warfare as part of their learning experience. She knew quite a bit about it too!

We actually physically ATTENDED Calvary Sunday morning under all of the social distancing COVID rules and laws in the State of Michigan. It was odd, to put it mildly. Try singing while wearing a face mask. Try "fellowshiping" with masks on ... and the auditorium looked so empty because only 500 are allowed in for each service. We enjoyed the singing part, but we were seated way off to the side. We aren't sure when we will return, having had a better experience here with the livestream.

After we ate and did the story of ESTHER, we decided to go hunting for a possible senior picture photoshoot for Emma. She isn't sure who yet is going to be her photographer. She certainly doesn't have to choose me. I am far better taking landscapes than portraits--like by 100 times! But we decided that it's always better to at least do your homework and find out WHERE on earth you would want pictures taken.

It's been awhile since Emma and I have walked back in the woods here by Stoney Creek. Each time we have come in the past, it has been "magical."

I loved each and every minute with Emma out here ... we breathe freer ... our steps are lighter ... our thoughts are quieter ...

I love the woods so much ... the trees and flowers ... the rocks and streams ... I can hardly contain myself.

To share it with Emma is very precious to my heart.

 

I love these railroad tracks too ... 

There is a dam back here ... the sound is so wonderful.

Isn't it gorgeous?

I'm smiling from head to toe just looking at these pictures ...

My granddaughter ... she is so close to my heart ... God has blessed me through her in so many ways.

Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayer about today--for blessing our time together, for giving us freedom to be ourselves, to share life together. What a blessing.

August 29 with Kaity

Saturday:  This afternoon began very happily with Kaity and I at my house playing with our magnetic tiles, the dolls, and other toys. Kaity is an excellent builder!

This is Kaity's newest baby doll. She cries real tears if you know how to put the water in her and actually make that happen--but Kaity does!

I don't think I have ever met a little girl who loves dolls more than Kaity.

Kaity made a colorful tile home for Paco ...

... who was very pleased.

It was right about NOW that things began to go quickly downhill ...

Kaity announced she was tired of playing with the tiles and was "bored." 

I made this lovely church (!!), which Kaity smashed flat to the ground, along with the other things she had designed. Hmm. Time to switch up our game I think! So we ate a nice meal, and Kaity played with Matey-Bird while I got things ready to eat.

I suggested that we go to the playground for our last hour, and Kaity readily agreed; however, when we got there, she played for five minutes, ran from place to place, and announced that she didn't want to be there anymore. Rats.

I wasn't sure exactly how to direct Kaity. She was running pretty fast, so by the time I would get to the new place she had run to, she was already finished playing there and on to the next thing ... I don't keep up super well with this ... sigh.

Kaity's expression in this last picture kind of says it all. She was just out of sorts today! I love her right down to her toes ... 

She was quite annoyed with me at this point (because I couldn't keep up with her and had no further exciting ideas--having suggested a few and had them soundly rejected by our little girl already), and she told me I was a "weird old lady" ... 

I have to pray over a few things and see what God will tell me to do under these circumstances in the future. Clearly, Kaity is conflicted at everything that has occurred in her family over the last few months. I really cannot allow her to be disrespectful or disobedient--and primarily, I need to be able to keep her safe when we are together--so even though my heart aches for this dear little one, I won't give up! I WILL trust the Lord with her life. He will help me know what to do.

August 27 At my house

Thursday Evening:  It is a 55-minute drive from the parking lot at Pere Marquette to my little driveway in Belmont. Kaity does NOT like long road trips. We tried playing the ABC game as we drove along, but Kaity soon settled down, requested some "pretty music" and then drifted off to sleep ...

While I was preparing something for us to eat, Kaity got introduced to my magnetic tiles. She told me she had played with these before over at Calvary Church and that she LOVES them.

Yes, yes indeed! YAY!

Trust me, anything that Kaity will play with for a solid hour, smiling and creating and trying new things = 100% success! I am SO thankful!

Look at her concentration and JOY!

We had so much fun building together. I will always remember it!

We made little houses for our tiny magnetic stuffed animals, and vehicles for them too!

Good job, Kaity! You are an EXPERT builder!