Friday, January 1, 2010

Momma's new toy


I took a few days off of blogging.  I had a wonderful holiday and I hope you did, too.  I enjoyed looking at trees and gifts and decorations on your beautiful blogs.  Today, looking over my pictures, I selected this one to share with you because it's the one that I love the most.  Our 2 sons are in their 20's and both living on their own with the women they love.  I am enjoying watching them grow into wonderful young men and establish their own lives.  As I think back on holidays past, my mind is filled with memories of sitting on the living room floor all day on Christmas, playing games and putting toys together.  I especially enjoyed the Lego's and Brio trains. I used to make a big meal on Christmas Eve, and then we had leftovers on Christmas so I could spend the day playing with the boys.

This year, my son and daughter in law (Paul and Cady) bought me a fabulous garden cart to use in my lavender field.  Cady saw me harvesting last summer- walking from the field to the barn with arms full of lavender bundles.  She decided that I needed a wagon to lighten my load.  I love it because it was a thoughtful gift.  And I love it because it was a surprise.  And I love it because it's a really strong, versatile, cool-looking garden cart that I will use for years.

But here's the best part.  Take a look at the picture.  My sons spent THEIR Christmas day (or a little of it) putting MY gift together.  They were down on the floor.... putting MY toy together.  (And no, I've never been able to get them to take their hats off inside the house.  I give up.)  I look at the picture and I see 2 grown men.  But when I blink, I see 2 little boys playing with their new toys. 


Our other son and his fiancee (Steve and Emily) gave us a BBQ for the outdoor kitchen we're building. What a surprise!  We also got lots of other goodies.  But my greatest gift was having my family together- my husband, our sons, the women in their lives, my niece, and a house full of dogs!  We made memories.... good ones.  I hope you did, too.

9 comments:

Sarcastic Quilter said...

I love they were putting together your toys. As a 36yr young child of my parents, that's the look I love to see when we kids do something for our parents now a days. Just to show our appreciation and love.

Of course, I'm also thoroughly jealous of your lavendar field! :D
Beck

Sue said...

If you like lavender, look back and my posts last July--- lots and lots of photos and information about lavender. I also sell it on my website.

SewCalGal said...

Great example of life coming full circle. I love your new cart for gardening. I'd love one too, but I don't think my back yard garden is big enough!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

2miracles/Tove said...

It great when our children grow up, it seems so fast. It's great that your's are so great to there mom.Can't wait to hear how easy harvesting is this year.

Sue said...

HA! I don't think it will be easy, but I will certainly have a lot less trips up and down the hill from the field to the barn! I'm hoping (fingers crossed) to harvest 1,200 to 1,500 bundles this coming July. You know how they say, "Be careful what you ask for- you might get it"? Well... this stuff is growing like CRAZY!

Sarcastic Quilter said...

thanks Sue, I will. I plan to have my own personal lavender patch one year when the yard permits. Lavender and rose scent wafting in the evening air is my only goal! :D

Cheers.

quiltmom anna said...

Sue,
I certainly can relate to putting together things for our son. He is 22 and had Brio trains and lego too.
What a great gift for you- I am sure you will get many hours of pleasure from the wagon and the barbecue.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
Warmest regards,
Anna

free indeed said...

This brought tears Sue! A sort of role reversal; and when we see our children growing into wonderful people it makes all the years of training so worth it! I followed your story of harvesting lavender; that cart was truely a great idea and love gift!

Brenda said...

Add in the memory of jigsaw puzzles -- having one out on the table and just about no one can resist trying to find a piece or two everytime they walk by. I never had my own kids (a littly envy creeping in) but I spent 13 years helping to raise three whose parents went through a very ugly divorce; they ended up living with dad, and I was as much a parent as either dad or mom. But as they grew up and moved into their own lives, it's been hard to maintain contact. I must say that they turned out to be great kids, considering all they went through at a very very young age. I can feel sad but proud for whatever role I played -- a bit of the "Mary Poppins" feeling.

And I'll always have the memories.

B.