We are so blessed to have a large family. Between my husband and I, we have six children and nine grandchildren. Although they are spread our all over the United States, we try to see them at least once a year. It was pointed out to me that by the time the youngest grandchild turns 13, I will be 75. I hope I still have the energy.
July 2013
When our first grandchild was turning thirteen, we decided that it would be fun to give each child a 13th birthday present as a trip to spend a week with us . . . without Mom and Dad or brothers and sisters. That was seven years ago. This year we had the third grandchild with us for a week. What a joy it is to share some alone time with them, especially at this age. They are past the needing a lot of hand holding – but still kids to the core when you give them a chance to just be a kid.
Do you have any special traditions with your family? Either ones past down from previous generations or have you created a new tradition like we have? I’d love to hear what they are.
June 2012
August 2006
Writing Under Fire 
Hi, Joanne,
Your post from heart to heart made me think about what traditions we have with the kids. Even if I have adult kids, and two of them are married for a few years now, I’m not a grandmother yet. I can’t wait to have the grandkids. Meanwhile, we do Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day like everybody else. Once a month we have the family lunch/ dinner at my son’s and my daughter-in-love’s place – I learned from a friend to call her daughter-in-love. We all live about 20 minute ride from each other. This year we started a new tradition: our annually family get away. We went to Yosemite for 4 days and it was so good. We already are planning the one for next yea, God’s willing: Colorado and Great Canyon. We live in California. We also have “girls’ day out” with my two daughters and my daughter-in-love, going to Balboa Island, pedicures, restaurants by the beach. God is good.
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Yes, we certainly are. Even with them far away, they are each the light of my life.
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nothing like family time. I love my small family 🙂 We always make time for each-other several times a year with MANY phone calls during the week.
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