Meema and Doodle

Jeff’s parents were just in for a visit. Being Jeff's parents, that makes them my “in-laws”. Because of who they are and the choices they make, “in-laws” is a really nice word around here. They are ever gracious and completely supportive of anything we have done or presently do….from “helping” the car coast from the light to our mailbox to cheering their son on in uncharted ministry opportunities. THAT makes me ever so thankful. It is a joy to have them here. Just like anyone else’s week, we had a few things going on. Even the kid’s schedules were potentially busy. As we tried to weed out some “negotiable” items on the calendar, one in particular affected Julia. It was a birthday party, but as Jeff explained to her how she didn’t get to see her grandparents very often, she chose her Meema and Doodle without any whining or pouting. As Julia and Brighton get older, the buzz around the coming visits of Meema and Doodle are growing with intensity. The anticipation is almost more than they can bear. We count down days, bedtimes, naptimes and then minutes until, from our dining room window, Julia and Brighton see the Sanders' “sick of I-20” car pull into our cul de sac. This visit I was at Walgreens when they arrived but called shortly after they walked through the door. I heard familiar sounds of my excited children and, for a few minutes, hated being at work. Before I left home that afternoon, Julia made a simple coconut sheet cake for them and I could hear her already begging Daddy to get it out of the refrigerator to offer them some. In true grandparent style, they sat and ate a piece whether they wanted it or not!

As the short visit went on, I barely saw my kids. I don’t think Julia or Brighton let them out of their sight for a moment—maybe except for the bathroom and even then, solitude was sometimes unsuccessful. They were just right up under them, on their heels—especially Julia with Meema. One afternoon, we were all getting ready to go out and I realized the children weren’t in OUR bathroom where they usually are when we are getting ready, but upstairs, once again. I went to the bottom of the stairs to see if they were allowing any privacy at all and this is what I heard: water from the sink and Julia saying rather loudly, over the water, “Meema, why do you brush your tongue?” How is that for crowding? Obviously, Julia loves to watch Meema do her hair, put on her makeup and apparently, brush her teeth. Somehow, Meema always has makeup that she “never" uses and somehow, it lands in one of Julia’s purses which then calls out to her begging to be used or rather, smeared. However, I would have a hard time picking a more elegant and classy lady for Julia to watch get ready and to see femininity at its best, up close and personal. (Another thing for which I am thankful)

Fortunately for us, we get lots of work out of Doodle (yes, there is a story behind the name) when he comes. Maybe that is why they don’t come very often? There always seems to be some sort of project Jeff is trying to finish and Lowes trips that have to be made. Brighton made one trip with them but B’s main concern was not Lowes or the Dollar Store (underwritten by Meema) or if Doodle would play with him, but if Doodle was going to eat breakfast with him and sit by him. “Is Doodle going to eat ‘wiffus’? Can I sit by Doodle?” This is the ultimate for Brighton—a good “company” breakfast (that being something other than cereal, cheese toast or frozen flax seed waffles) and a grandparent by which to sit. Doodle. As Meema often says, “Those two have something special going on.” (And as the picture shows, it started early.)

I have to say God has taken care of these 1000 miles I used to be so concerned about. I don’t think 2 kids could be more crazy about their grandparents—BOTH sets. It is His handiwork. He grafted 2 infants perfectly into our family leaving no person untouched in the process. No one is more thankful than me that our kids have such sweet grandparents and have all four eager to make memories with them. A recurring prayer from day one of the adoption process was that God would knit our hearts together in a special way—all of our hearts. He has shown Himself faithful………. as usual.