Greene Visit

As I was tucking kids in bed tonight, the phone rang. My in laws were calling to let me know that had made it back to Georgia, safe and sound. For the past week we had the pleasure of their company here in Texas.

Although at times my kids are too rambunctious for Faithie and Charlie, they adore the kids and it is obvious that the feeling is mutual. The kids and I always enjoy their visits.

Faithie & Charlie kept my little ones while Anna and I were at work and at school. That gave my mom a much needed break from watching them. Ella has just learned to ride her bike, so she was grateful that between Grandma and Grandpa, she was able to burn up the sidewalks. Brennan is still not too crazy about his big boy bike, but can tear up a sidewalk just the same with his big wheel.

Friday night I was able to talk Faithie & Charlie into letting me escape, I mean get away for awhile. As soon as I was done with work I raced, I mean I leisurely drove up to Houston to meet my good friend Mechiel for some scrapbooking and early Christmas shopping. Also, as Mechiel put it, she was able to twist my arm to get me to go see Twilight with her. No worries, she didn't have to twist too hard. Even though I was gone longer than I had planned, Faithie & Charlie and the kids survived without me. Saturday while I was doing my thing, Faithie & Charlie took the kids to Sea Center, Cactus Grill (the kids' favorite restaurant here in town) and then to Chuck E. Cheese (my most unfavorite restaurant/place in town). I'm not sure about the grandparents, but I KNOW the kids had a great day.


Monday night, Faithie & Charlie took us to eat at La Casona (another one of our favorites) and after that we had an early Christmas. The kids had fun opening their gifts except for Brennan who was having a difficult time breaking away from a DS game. Then my mom showed up with a special delivery, a custom made gift for my in laws that my sister has been working on for awhile now. My sister, Chelle, put together a quilt for my in laws, made from Jon's clothing. Pieces of Jon's t-shirts, boxers, shorts, and pajama bottoms sewn together into a gift too special for words. There were tears, many tears from each of us as we could each see Jon through every part of the quilt. On one square Chelle's husband, Mike, designed the wording. In a circular pattern were the words, "Wrapped in the warmth of Jon's love". Thanks Chelle and Mike. A better gift could not be bought.


Seeing that it is almost Thanksgiving, let me say that I am grateful for my in laws. In a world where raising children has its difficulties, they raised two of the best men I have ever been blessed to know. Their oldest, my Jon, and his younger brother Brad were and are the most wonderful sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, and friends that anyone could imagine. For that I am grateful.

Thank you, Faithie and Charlie, for the visit and for everything else that has trickled down from you.