Family Time

This week, Grandma and PaPaw came to visit as one of their last stops in the US before returning to Sierra Leone. We all so look forward to these times as they don't come often but are filled with reading books, singing songs, playing cards, and hours of conversation. 

This visit has had the added joy of watching our two daughters interact with their grandparents in new ways. It seems like at this age each week that passes their abilities multiply and they are able to interact in new, different, and joyous ways. 

Some of my favorites memories from this trip have been:

-Olive saying her first words, "Yes Momma" (debatable, but it sure sounded good) followed by the families applause!

-Aspen accusing Grandma of tooting

-Finding handfuls of shark teeth at Onslow Beach and listening to Aspen's cute way of saying "Sharrrk Tooooth"

-Sharing our Sabbath meal and our dream to share it with others, such a blessing to have that meal with three generations. We anxiously await the day we share it with four or even five. 

-Dinner at Mike's farm and wondering where all that food was hiding inside of Olive as it continuously disappeared without slowing down throughout dinner, only to find her belly popping out of her dresses buttons at the end of dinner. Aspen also kept calling our Waitress "Reindeer" anytime she left as she was wearing festive antlers.  

-Mom and I sneaking away in the morning to play a couple matches of Tennis. 

-Every Spades game we played it seems like Meg and I started in the negative and always made a comeback due to the Arnolds conservative bets and accumulation of sandbags. It became a running joke!

-Watching a powerpoint of the work Mom and Bill are doing in Sierra Leone and sharing it with Aspen. I think she could start to understand and make sense of the pictures and videos. 

-There was ALWAYS hot coffee in the pot, and somehow it always seemed to disappear!

-We had a great conversation about us exiting the military and our reasons, reservations, hopes, and fears. I think its the first time Meghan and I have shared all of our thoughts in that regard, and it was great to air them out as well as hear feedback on our decisions from a trusted and respected source in my parents. 

There have been many more memories, but at the time of writing this these are the ones that most readily come to mind. We will have our last full day with the Arnold's today, and as I type, Mom is finishing a breakfast of bacon and biscuits that smell wonderful. I look forward to the day I can return the favor and visit them, but until that day we so enjoy when they are able to spend time in our home and we can watch them love on their grandchildren.