Our Two New Grandchildren

Laying aside the main topic of health & wellness and reflexology here. Taking the moment to share and celebrate our growing family.

Introducing our two newest grandchildren:
Faith Meron Watson & Asher Melese Watson

These children are sister and brother. Their new parents are our son and daughter-in-law, Amy & David Watson. 2 yr old, Isaac, has been waiting for his new siblings, and will be excited to meet them, too.

Learn more about this family's adoption journey and view additional photos of these beautiful children at www.EthiopiasCalling.blogspot.com

As we prepare to welcome these two special blessings from Ethiopia, Africa, into our family in the next couple of months it seemed appropriate to share the video below. "You Raise Me Up" is one of my favorite songs. It is sung here by Josh Groban and the African Children's Choir. (Please ignore the "donate to American Idol" messages on the screen. This is not a promo for them.) Enjoy the video!

Blue Water - Blue Monday

Today is Labor Day. A day to rest from one's labors -- so they say. From "Alive!" that means no special health and wellness information in the post today, but be looking for a very special post for Ruby Tuesday tomorrow where you'll be able to learn much about highly prized Rose Essential Oil and its tremendous benefits for your well being.

We've been spending lots of time with the family this weekend. All three of the grandbabies together is a real treat. So, I'm keeping it simple and sharing a few photos of the swimming adventures on Saturday for this Labor Day Blue Monday over at Smiling Sally's blog. The water was blue and chilly. You may discover a blue lip or two in the photos as well.




Little Emerson has this opinion of the swimming pool most of the time. She also has a "shiner" from falling off the slide at Kids Day Out. Poor little Emmy.

Before the afternoon was over her Daddy convinced Emerson to come into the water with him. She wouldn't have any part of riding in this cute toy, but she thought it was a hoot to give the little guy kisses.

Isaac just enjoyed himself every way he could. Always exploring new points of interest. This bucket kept him busy for quite some time.

Bananas are one of his favorite treats. Do you suppose Isaac thinks this noodle is really a fruity treat. I'm not believing those bites he kept taking were very tasty. Don't you just love the size of those trunks on him?!?!

Mikah is three and a half. She taught herself to "swim on top of the water" this summer. She's checking out her goggles in this photo, I believe.

Just a perfect Kodak moment of Mikah and her Daddy!

Papa found a spot in the shade and fell asleep....

Be sure to leave your comment so I'll know you've been here. I would be pleased if you also checked out some of my other blog posts. Also, please be sure to visit many of the other bloggers posting for Smiling Sally's Blue Monday.

My Blues for Today

I've begun to make a habit of posting for Blue Monday over at Smiling Sally's blog. If you've read the few I've posted you know that blue is more of a challenge for me. Perhaps that is why I'm feeling an urge to continue to share with you in this venue.

This week I spent a few days in the Nashville area visiting my son and his family. Of course, that includes my very special (and only) grandson, Isaac. Please notice that in our photo moment here he is wearing blue, and you see just a hint of the blue and green design that decorated my white tee. Also, note this is a very relaxed and happy gramma, too. It was a privilege while there to swap reflexology sessions with a fellow practitioner -- oh such a blessing for my own health & wellness & tranquility. And you know that subject is one for which I am passionate.

Isaac's mom and dad have been diligently working to raise the funds needed for their adoption plans. You might enjoy reading (and following) their journey at Amy's blog: Ethiopia's Calling. This week we sorted children's clothing for one of two big garage sales they are having, we collaborated on a letter sharing their story and their financial and prayer needs with family and friends, learned more about a benefit cruise that a friend/travel agent is organizing on their behalf, and became even more excited about the Bracelets for Ethiopia that this Gramma has been creating for another fundraiser. Sharing a photo of a few of the blue ones here. They will soon be available in my Etsy shop.

When leaving on Saturday the weather was so beautiful. The thought of being cooped up in the car for 3+ hours just wasn't very appealing. Part of living a healthy lifestyle, however, is in taking whatever circumstances and finding the beauty in them. The Lord sure delivered with some very dramatic cloudscapes in the blue, blue sky. Thinking that my fellow travelers on I-40 in West Tennessee must have thought I was a little off driving and shooting photos at the same time. . . and must admit it was a bit scary, but worth capturing the moment!!!

Spending Very Special Time with a Very Special Little Girl

Robin at Around the Island hosts Summer Stock Sunday. Sharing my special morning with sweet little granddaughter, Mikah.

A pleasant summer day, Mikah and I enjoyed Thursday morning at the Memphis Zoo. Quite enlightening to take time to just "smell the roses" through the eyes of a child. Her 3 yr. old perspective always amazes and refreshes me!


Mikah was a bit leary of the standing too close to the flowers. There were a few bees.


The giant pandas were a must see. This one was taking a snooze while we visited him. What a rude host. Mikah doesn't seem to mind, though.


Always looking for a playground with "monkey hangers" -- or just old fashioned monkey bars -- is a challenge. Mikah loves them! She thought this single bar was almost a monkey hanger.


When asked her favorite part of our adventure, Mikah said she loved it when the sea lions splashed her. . . and splash her they did!


After walking to all corners of the zoo for 2 1/2 hours, Mikah quieried me, "Gramma, we are really walking long. Will we ever get back to your home?" In the parking lot she was sure, "Your car is hining (hiding) Gramma. Now I know we will never be able to get back to your home." So cute. We did find the car, of course, and we did find our way back home. In this photo she is resting her very tired little feet.

Special Joy In Blue!

Just for Blue Monday . . . we divert our attention for a moment from thoughts on health and wellness to precious people and things that grace my life. I believe that in the larger pic, faith, family, memories, and enjoyment of life are the greatest contributors to true health and wellness. So, here's my contribution today to Smiling Sally's Blue Monday.


Just love this pic of my mischievous little granddaughter in her pretty blue Easter dress . . . this would not be a complete story, though, without pics of our other two precious little ones. . . one is wearing a spot of blue. Well, the other is spinning in her matching (to her sister's) purple confection. (These dresses were a real joy to create adding to my personal wellness quotient.)



This little guy turned 1 on The Fourth of July. His family is on the adoption journey, and he will soon have siblings from Ethiopia. While visiting ALIVE!, look for more on their story.

Birds & Books with Lessons to Share

Bright little winter birds
coming to feed,
One takes a crumb,
another a seed.
Each takes a portion,
according to need.

Good little winter birds,
teach us your creed!

from MORNING IS A LITTLE CHILD by Joan Walsh Anglund

So many reasons to share this little poem with you today...copyright in 1969, 40 years later it speaks volumes to the conditions we have created for ourselves and our world. Each of us focusing on our needs rather than our greedy and gluttonous appetites for every dazzling trinket we behold would conserve incredible resources for the generations to come.

My daughter-in-law has recently blogged about "Children's Books as Heirlooms." She photographed several of our treasured volumes. Thinking about our conversations surrounding that topic, I remembered this book, which was one of my daughter's very favorite. She had every beautiful verse memorized. I remember our discussions of this particular one and how God does meet our needs. When he gives us even so much more, what blessings we receive. We choose to have hearts of gratitude for both our needs and the gifts beyond, and learn to be much contented with our true needs met.

Spending time together with your child discovering truths, values, ideas, stories that will encourage and inspire them for a life time must be another element in a life of health and wellness for the body, mind, and spirit! Another reason this just seemed to fit so well into thoughts and ideas offered to you. You will find great ideas for sharing books with your children on Amy's blog.

My daughter turns 33 in less than two weeks. This is still a cherished book on our family bookshelf. I'm looking forward to her 2 precious little girls loving it, too! Perhaps this would be best kept as a post for her birthday, but I'm eager to share today.


The photograph above:
In the Wood | photo page - everystockphoto

Posted using ShareThis

Thieves® -- Thankful Today for this Green Cleaner

The thought of sending my king size bedspread to the dry cleaner was distasteful for a couple of reasons. Only one (kinda large) corner needed cleaning. The dry cleaning solvents would be quite noxious to my way of thinking. Never the less, the whole bedspread would certainly not fit in my washing machine.

What happened? Our precious little 2 year old granddaughter was sleeping on our bed when an upset tummy presented itself in quite a yucky way. You probably get my drift here.

Carefully wiping it off and then allowing it to dry out gave me a bit of time to think this one through. Thieves™ in its many forms has come to my rescue before. One corner of the bedspread would easily fit in my oversize kitchen sink. So, with a bar of Thieves™ Soap and some cold water the spots were gently coaxed from the bedspread. Wrapped in towels to absorb the water, the bedspread is now clean and spread out to dry.

The greater benefit is the antibacterial properties of Thieves®, and essential oil blend from Young Living, and the fact that Thieves® products also are made without the toxic ingredients found in most household cleaners. This stuff will even remove mold (and it doesn't come back.) That's pretty powerful stuff. Check out my Young Living website where you will find Thieves® bar soap, Thieves® Household Cleaner, Thieves® essential oil blend, Thieves® tootpastes, Thieves® mouthwash, Thieves® hand sanitizers, and Thieves® personal sprays.

Theieves® products have proved to be great immunity builders and infection fighters for our family!

Earth Day -- Great Music Video

One of the comments made in response to this YOUTube video was to the effect that if each of us did one earth friendly thing each day, the earth would smile.

The music and the message are terrific! Be warned: There are many sad scenes between the many beautiful ones here. We could jump to the extreme conclusion that we would be wise to all go back to living like cave men. More realistically, however, I believe it is a call to all of us to be more selective about our perceived "needs," more responsible with the disposal of our discards, and more contemplative before we act about just how our actions will affect this earth for our children and our grancdhildren and theirs for the generations to come.

G'amma's Brag Moment

Emerson Grace is 2 weeks old today!

In the midst of a blog entitled ALIVE! I believe I'll take a moment for G'amma to brag (and show off a little too) about this NEW LIFE that is definitely ALIVE! This is the newest blessing for our family, and quite a sweet one, too! Big sister, Mikah, adores her. We all agree, she's a keeper!

Savor the Moments

It's Friday afternoon just a few days before Christmas. My shopping is complete, the gifts wrapped, and the house is almost ready for our family's Christmas festivities. To have today and tomorrow to relax a little has been wonderful. My thoughts (as they have so often the last few weeks) continue to turn to exactly how it is we should be celebrating this season. JESUS IS THE VERY BEST GIFT EVER. My gifts can in no way compare -- and they aren't even handmade this year as they have been so often in the past. The momentary pleasures and joys -- they're memories worth keeping. Like the one yesterday when my 2 year old granddaughter and I visited the Enchanted Forest.

This exhibit of elves and forest creatures having fun in the snow while busy preparing all the toys and fun Santa will soon deliver, features old, old motorized animals and elfs. The animals were all waving to the children as we wandered our way through the exhibit which now finds its home at The Pink Palace Museum in Memphis. It's had a few homes over the years, and has thrilled children for decades. Mikah was no exception. What a delight it was to watch her move from one scene to the next waving and shouting, "hello" to each character that was waving to her. The surprise that she registered that these characters were not talking back was such a treat.

I believe that the celebration of Jesus birth through worship and praise and sharing His love is the obvious first consideration in this season, which holds so much promise of JOY unending! Spending time with Mikah yesterday -- that was a gift from her to me -- and a gift of time and love shared. I was so thankful that my life was not so rushed, I was able to take the time to make a memory, and I believe Jesus smiled on us and our adventure.