Snow!

We woke to big fluffy snowflakes yesterday!

It lasted about 30 minutes.

It was pretty while it lasted.

Little Old Lady

I shared this on Facebook and Instagram last week but wanted to share here also.

January 7, 2016
After work today I had to go to the grocery store to pick up some cheese i had forgotten for dinner. I was rushing through the store because I was so ready to get home out of the cold, into some pjs. I got in the express line and a little old lady was in front of me. She was hunched over and moving ever so slowly chatting to the cashier. I kind of sighed because I always seem to get in a slow line, even if it's the express line, but as I stood there, I saw myself as that little lady. Sooner than I think I will be that little old lady, and I would hope a younger person would have patience with me. As she paid for her groceries she asked the cashier if someone could help her load her groceries in the car. The cashier said she would help and shut her light off. She finished my items since she had already started and asked the person behind me if they would mind going to another line. That person caught an attitude and got loud. I told the cashier not to worry about it, I would help her. So off we went, very slowly to her car. She chatted the whole way. Once I loaded the groceries she thanked me. I took her wrinkled hand, gave it a squeeze, and told her she was a blessing to me and reminded me to be patient and slow down. That one day, I too will be older and slower and I hope people will be patient with me also. She squeezed my hand back, gave me a smile, got in her car and drove off. I hope someone was home to help her bring her groceries in.

The Birth of Samantha Isaida - my namesake!

Happy 2016!

We are well into the New Year and even though I had good intentions of posting before now, it just didn't happen. But I'm here now!

The holidays were great. We took a road trip to Texas and I got a late Christmas present. Another Grandbaby! She was named after my oldest son who passed away and myself! She was due December 20, but held on for me to arrive in Texas and was born on December 27th.

Miss Samantha Isaida
My son and his girlfriend, Kaily


Having a baby is hard work!


Samantha's first breath!


Samantha and her other Grandma


Hi Daddy :)


Our first selfie!


It was such an amazing experience being there for Samantha's birth. I wasn't there for my other 2 grandbabies birth. It happened to be our last day in Texas and one of the coldest days with freezing rain and snow.

As I watched Manuel comb Kaily's hair, hold her hand, and comfort her during contractions, I remembered the baby he once was. It was so hard to believe he was having his 3rd baby! I wanted to capture every moment. Watching Samantha come into the world and take her first breathe took my breathe away. Watching someone give birth is so different from experiencing it yourself. I will never forget it. And to be at the birth of a grandbaby who has my name, makes it even more special. I hated we had to leave the next morning.

Welcome to the world Miss Samantha Isaida! We love you so much already!

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Sidenote: A few years ago when I first got my DSLR camera I came across birth photographer blogs and thought to myself "I would LOVE to do that!" To be there when this miracle of life happened. I was slightly obsessed and would read blog after blog of birth photography. The pictures were always so amazing! On this visit to Texas I forgot my big camera at home. My son and I couldn't believe I didn't have it for this event. Thank God for iPhones! All the pictures were taken with my iPhone. Being there, witnessing this miracle bought back the desire to be a birth photographer. To bear witness to this all the time. I can't even put into words how amazing that would be.