Does Grandparenting Live Up to the Hype?

I have to admit I was skeptical about how “grand” grandparenting would be. I mean, there was a whole lotta hype involved in describing grandparenting. “Way better than parenting!” they would proclaim with all their enthusiasm. “You can just love those kids and then give them back to their parents when they cry!” they touted, with a little knowing wink.

But I was skeptical. How could anything compare to parenting? That job that is incredibly demanding and sometimes demeaning and that brings you to your knees and humbles you like nothing else. But that job that I looked forward with stars in my eyes for since I can remember. The job that rewards you so grandly. In parenting you learn and grow in ways you never thought you could. The love you pour out fills you up as much as it does your children. I know I needed my children as much or more than they needed me.

Could grandparenting be that grand??

And I’m here to say it IS grand. It is the most incredibly sacred opportunity to be a grandma. There is nothing quite like those hugs from Murphy and smiles from Ada, and watching your own son and your daughter-in-law expand into parenting in such an incredible ways. To me it’s grand in a whole different avenue from parenting and I can’t even compare it. But OH! It is a little piece of heaven quite parallel to parenting.

So, those people hyping up grandparenting were right. I never knew how much pure JOY could come with this job.

Hanging out with “my” babies in Utah

Because we stayed in Utah for a bit trying to be sure Lucy was settled into college ok, we got to see our grandbabies a bunch. And we ate up every minute.

I got to snuggle them up while Dave went back for some work.

He got to snuggle them up when he got there. Can you see Dave’s face in this first picture?

And Muprhy’s in the second?

That girl cannot get enough of “Coach,” (Dave’s grandpa name.)

Murphy’s Personality Spilling Out

This girl has personality oozing out of her very pores I tell you.

Her latest…

The peace sign:

Thumbs up:

The “funny face” just like Claire used to do:

This little hands open and close thing Claire taught her that cracks her right up.

There is nothing quite like Murphy snuggles.

Ada’s Huge Smiles

And let’s not forget Miss Ada who, even if you so much as look in her direction she smiles so big it takes her whole body into action.

Ok, not so much in that first one, but check out this darlingness…

Cannot get enough of that baby who just turned six months and is the best baby known to man.

First NiNi (Grandma) Cookie Baking

Since baking cookies is my love language, it’s only fitting I should start teaching Murphy, don’t you think? I’m glad Abby was around to document our first cookie baking together.

Love her.

A Little Photo Shoot

I know I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, my heart gets all mushy when I think about how grateful I am for how much Abby shares Murph. She sent these pictures in our family group text the other day and we all just melted.

Love them forever.

So yes, I do believe grandparenting is quite exactly living up to all the hype.

And I’m the luckiest to have these two little wonders.

Thanks Max and Abby for sharing them with me so generously.
XOXO