One of the biggest blessings in the lives of my kids are their amazing grandparents. And, they are very, very blessed since they have more than the usual number!
When they were born, they actually were in the unusual position of having 4 great-grandparents still living. That's kind of a big deal.
Now, they have the following: (Names were chosen by Peyton when she was little)
Gabbie (my mom) and Devin - My mom and the girls have a pretty special relationship. When Syd was 6 months old, my mom moved to Boise. And in with us! She lived with us for 2 1/2 years. The girls loved having Gabbie with us. Probably partially because she completely spoiled them. Ha! They would get up on her day off and go snuggle in bed with her. She played with them in a way that I didn't always have patience for. She cooked and baked with them...another thing I didn't, and still don't, have patience for. When Syd was about 5 and Peyton 7-ish, Gabbie and Devin got married. Now, they had another grandparent to spoil them. Devin is a bit of a softie when it comes to the girls. When Mark and I are gone over-night, the girls stay with Gabbie and Devin. They have special "traditions" that must be observed. They stay up late watching movies, wake up late to special breakfast. Gabbie and Devin are the closest in proximity so generally try to make it to most school activities. Something my Grandma (aka "Bubba"...thank you Peyton) was also super good about.
Nanna and Boppy (Mark's parents) - Mark's parents live a couple hours from us. Boppy was an integral in Peyton learning to drive. He has so much patience with the girls! He didn't even mind when Peyton bumped him with the pick-up and nearly sent him in the ditch. Even when we went and had an April baby, and then later an August baby, smack dab in the middle of farming season, they have made it a point to come to every one of the girls' birthday parties. Nanna is so proud of the girls. She never misses a chance to brag to people about her red-headed granddaughters! One of the biggest blessings she has given ME, is reminding me that we are raising amazing girls. She makes a point to tell me how proud of us as parents she is. (Does that sentence sound like Yoda spoke it, or is that just me?)
G'pa B (my dad - apparently the girls decided that is his rapper name) and Gramma Jeanne - G'pa B might be the spoiliest of the spoilers. The girls spend a couple weeks in the Summer with these two. They have things like "breakfast dessert", which is basically just ice cream after your breakfast donuts. They go on cool adventures. However, the girls have been instructed to NEVER go on a nature hike with G'pa B. He is notorious for getting "lost-ish". You know how they went for a "three-hour tour" on Gilligan's Island? That's basically how nature hikes go. I remember at least twice being returned to our home base on vacation by Park Rangers when I was young. Gramma Jeanne teaches them a lot about nature. She was always catching bugs with them when they were little. Eeewww.... She has been such a good influence for the girls.
While a couple of these may not be related by blood, they are definitely true grandparents to the girls. Honestly, my kids feel no difference. They are just as excited to share things with my step-parents as they are with my parents. I feel like this is such a testament to the two people that love my kids because they want to, not because they have to. ;-) It's also really, really cool to look over at an event and see all 4 of my parents hanging out and chatting with each other. I think that is probably pretty rare.
Last year, when Peyton had a part in the school play, we had all 3 sets of grandparents attend. It was amazing. She was so proud to have them there. They've attended school plays, piano recitals, dance recitals, sporting events, concerts, graduations, birthdays, baptisms, first communions, confirmations, and more. I know that it can be a huge sacrifice for the grandparents to get to events. But they all make it a priority. They are all such a gift to our little family. And the relationship the girls have with each of them is so unique and special. Grandparents rock!
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