Special Features:

 

Get A Jump On The Holidays!
by Lois Breneman

Most of us are not finished with our Christmas shopping, and don’t get stressed about that! I’m not finished either, but that's okay! There are lots of other things we can do ahead of time to help get a “jump”
on the holidays. See more...

 

 

Discovering Bonus Storage Space Right in Your Own Home

All of us have probably said how we need more storage space in our
homes. First of all, getting rid of all those things we really don't need
will cut way down on the needed storage space. Then how about
investigating every available space in your home and putting it to good
use if you are still in need of more storage space? In many cases it is
available and just waiting to be found! Here are some clues as to where
you can discover extra bonus space right in your own home!

 

 

Unique Photography Ideas

Lois Breneman enjoys photography and has found some unique and effective ways of taking photos of the people you love.

Children at Play

Discover great tips from Lois Breneman about how activities that can be done with your children and grandchildren to help them learn and grow physically, mentally and spiritually.

 

Tasty recipe ideas

Discover bonus storage space, right in your own home!

 
Unique photography ideas

Here's our "Grandma" interview from last summer!

We’d like to feature one of our favorite “Grandmas” and her perspective on grand parenting. Please meet Anne Williams of Tucson, AZ. She’s a long time friend, successful business owner, and wife and mother of three grown children. Her hobbies include…being with her grandkids of course, walking, hiking, snow skiing, being with friends, and listening to country music. Please take the time to read this interview. You’ll definitely find some helpful insights, creative ideas, and hidden treasures!

How many grandkids do you have and what are their ages?
Our Grandson, Taylor, is 11. Our Granddaughters' names are Niki (5) & Nyah (2). Our son, Mike & his wife, Barbi, are their parents.

What is your favorite part about being “Grannie Annie?”
I always thought that the people who raved about being a grandmother were people who didn’t especially like the demanding responsibility of being a mom. I loved all those years with my own kids at home. I loved juggling all the schedules & the ups and downs of raising 3 kids. However, there is something magical about the title of Grannie Annie. It comes with respect, but not as much responsibility…It gives me an opportunity to share values that have taken me over half a century to practice… It gives me an excuse to play… It gives me a chance to sit still with a little one in my lap… It keeps me laughing, smiling & it brings joyful tears of pride to my heart.

What’s the funniest thing your grandkids have ever said?
When Niki was four years old, she was looking at the photo on my driver’s license. The photo is about 5 years old and in those 5 years, the photo has faded and so have I. After looking back & forth, from the photo to my face several times, she sweetly asked, “Grannie Annie, is this when you were new?”

Do you have a funny story to share about one of your grandkids?
We were getting ready to go swimming & I had squirted some sunscreen in my hand, rubbed my hands together & then rubbed the lotion all over Niki's little 4 year old body. When I finished, she asked if I wanted her to put lotion on me. After I put lotion in her tiny hand, she rubbed her hands together & then rubbed the lotion on a very small part of one of my legs. She was a little uncomfortable that she couldn’t seem to spread the lotion as far as I did, and said, “I need more…This is a REALLY BIG leg.”


What are some fun, relationship building indoor activities you’ve enjoyed with your grandkids?
Whatever we do, I try to make it memorable. I want my Grandkids to have special memories of their time with me. Fun in the kitchen includes teaching a 2 or 3 year old how to crack & scramble eggs. Reading Bible stories is especially fun when we sit in our makeshift tent, in the dark and read by flashlight.

Do you have any favorite outdoor activities you do with them?
I LOVE being outdoors… And I love to hike, walk, ski, roller blade. I take great pleasure in introducing my passion to my grandkids. Taylor is at an age where he can be a great buddy on these activities. A few months ago I took Taylor & one of his school friends on an outing to Sabino Canyon to hike, picnic & swim in the creek. At 11, friends are important and I like to encourage him to include friends in family outings. Just yesterday, I powered through my workday so I could leave early & take Taylor roller blading at a nearby park. It is important to me to have alone time with him… When I have all three grandkids at a time, the younger ones get most of the attention and Taylor ends up helping out a lot. I remember when he was the only grandchild and got ALL of the attention … kids need a place where they feel special.

Many grandparents are raising their grandchildren today. To what do you attribute this and how is it impacting the family?
Single parenting has become more acceptable in this day. Moms that would have, in the past, chosen adoption or even abortion, are choosing to raise their child themselves. However, it is a BIG challenge & often grandparents need to come to their rescue. I am a very active person, but at 58 years old, I certainly don’t have the energy that I had when my own kids were young. My heart goes out to the Grandparents that have taken on the responsibility of raising their grandkids. God promises us that he will equip us for whatever challenges he gives us, so I trust that if I were put in that position, I would be able to rise to the occasion… For now, I am extremely grateful that I have the wonderful “space” where I can renew myself & then give the grandkids my FULL attention each time I am with them.

Can you offer some advice to our young moms about how to relate best to their mother-n-law?
This would be a great question for my daughter-in law. I am blessed to have a great relationship with her. She always treats me with respect, shares her kids with me, trusts my judgment regarding discipline with her kids, and often thanks me for how I raised my son.

Sometimes grandparents feel more like babysitters than grandparents. How can parents help the grandparents feel more special and valued? Are there some guidelines you’d suggest so grandparents don’t feel…taken advantage of?
When our first grandchild came along, I asked my daughter-in law, Barbi, if I could have him one afternoon a week. I wanted a regular time each week for two reasons. First of all, even though they did not live far from us and we are a close family, I wanted to be sure I got some “alone” time with the baby. Secondly, I wanted Barbi to have some time that she could count on for herself. I wanted her to know that I valued time with her son and that I respected her need to have a little freedom. We have continued that tradition and now I have all three kids at a regular time each week.

What can a grandparent do to leave their legacy of faith or their passion for Christ with their grandkids?
We have been chosen by God to be the grandparents of Taylor, Niki & Nyah. When we adopted our son, Mike, we had no idea that God had this in mind for us. What a blessing it is when your 5 year old says “Look what God painted” about a sunset… Or your 11 year old proudly wears his “WWJD” bracelet. We have always talked about our faith and found ways to demonstrate it with our Grandkids. I always keep Mary Rice Hopkins music in my car. Whenever the kids are with me, one of those CD’s is playing. When Taylor was 7, he & I made aprons and sold them. He helped make a flyer that said “If you buy one of our aprons, we will go & buy presents for the kids who don’t have any toys.” We contacted Christian Family Care Agency and got a list of things a particular family needed. We shopped, wrapped & delivered the gifts. Taylor will never forget that experience. Kids understand “hand’s on” experiences. Doing God’s work together strengthens their faith and gives them self worth, while it builds memories.

What if your grandkids do not live in your city?
 Obviously, this changes the involvement drastically… However, it does not change the responsibility that we have as Grandparents to build & maintain relationships with the kids. Our Grandkids lived 600 miles away for 2 years. It was VERY difficult for us, but I visited them often. Before they left, I made a little photo book for them so they would remember what we looked like. I sent weekly notes, usually including a small item (a pencil, some stickers, a stick of gum) so they would be excited to hear from me. I kept a photocopy of each note so I could share them with the kids again in the future. Of course, I also kept each note I received from them. They enjoy looking at these treasures with me. Taylor enjoyed it when I sent him a roll of film and asked him to take photos of his sister, his Mom & Dad, his teacher, his room, his dog, his bedroom, etc. I told him to send me the roll of film & I would get it developed and he could tell me about the photos. I also subscribed to “Guideposts for Kids” for Taylor. I had the subscription sent to my house so I could look at the magazine & make little comments & sticky notes on interesting articles. Then I would mail the magazine off to him with a note. All in all, it takes a little creativity to maintain long distance relationships, but it is really worth the effort.

We decided to ask Grannie Annie’s grandkids what they think of her: “Taylor, Niki, Nyah, what do you like best about Grannie Annie?
Taylor: “Grannie Annie likes to play games with me. I like helping her make scrambled eggs & pancakes. I like it when she comes to my school for lunch.”
Niki: “I like going to her house and going to McDonald’s with her. I like it when she comes to cheerleading with me. I think she is the most important person in the world.”
Nyah: We’ll give Nyah a couple more years…