Meeting Our New Grandson in Michigan!

Happy January, 2024, Everyone!  It certainly has been a busy and happy year for us so far!

We just returned from faraway Michigan (an 11.5 hour drive plus stops from Virginia!) where we visited Hannah and Christopher and their new baby boy! He was two weeks and two days old when we arrived, and it was wonderful to see him at this newborn stage!

While we were there, we settled in for several days of some cuddling, cooking, cleaning, and celebrating!

Here's Grandpa in the nursery with Psalm 1:3 calligraphed by Hannah on his wall:

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

Hannah seemed so excited to be a mom! So very thankful for a healthy baby!

I love being a Granny! This is grandchild #9, eighth boy!

The very grateful and proud parents--such a delightful family of three:

One of the days we were there, we celebrated Hannah's 40th birthday!! We planned to take her out on a lunch date, even though the roads were icy and snowy; and we weren't sure we wanted to tackle taking a newborn out on such a messy day!

But...we decided to think (and drive!) like a Michigander and headed out to the pizza restaurant she had chosen.

Here's the birthday girl with baby tucked away in a corner, sleeping the entire time! Success!

Hannah and I shared a Chicago Deep Dish--a masterpiece! Chicken BBQ:

We enjoyed the outing very much and were so happy that we could celebrate with Hannah on her special day!

Once we returned home (praise the Lord for safety on the roads and no accidents!), I started making Hannah's birthday meal for that evening. Here are her choices:

I had never made Chicken Tikka Masala before, but it turned out to be a very easy recipe to prepare and was delicious:

One of Hannah's favorite cakes is Hummingbird Cake...but since that's quite involved, she picked an easier substitute that was quite tasty...Easy Moist Pineapple Cake.

She's ready to blow out her birthday candles--the baby stayed content and was nursing away:

Both Hannah and Sarah decorate their homes with seasonal quilts, and Hannah had long ago asked for a Valentine's quilt. After supper, she opened her birthday gifts...and tada...I can finally post what I worked on last February now that it's gifted:

I think she was quite surprised actually and loved it! Success!

This quilt pattern is called Woven Hearts by The Pattern Basket.

 

Since I haven't posted since Christmas, I need to post a photo of the seasonal quilt I also gifted to Sarah when they visited for the holidays. She had asked for a patriotic quilt. This one is called Stars and Stripes by Thimble Blossoms.

Since I forgot to take a photo while they were here, here's Sarah in her home displaying her quilt:

While we were visiting in Michigan, we grabbed a chance to see Christopher's family. They invited us over for a very delicious meal and a sweet time of fellowship. Here are the Michigan Grandaddy and the Virginia Grandpa during the hymn singing time:

The baby's first outing over to the grandparents' house:

The Aunties:

The Uncles:

The Michigan Grandma and the Virginia Granny....hot chocolate and hymn time:

What a wonderful trip...seeing Hannah and Christopher again...and especially our newest grandson, the best gift this Christmas!

It was a privilege to be able to pitch in and help with taking down the Christmas decorations, various household tasks, and treating Hannah to some at-home girly spa activities. 

Celebrating Hannah's birthday was also a great highlight of the trip! And renewing our friendship with the in-laws was, as usual, a fun, fun time!

One last snuggling session before leaving:

Thankfully, we made it safely home before this happened the next day! That's just windblown drifts against the glass door...but still!

Thank you Hannah and Christopher! We loved being there!

~Deb

Comments

[Cathy]

As always, loved reading your update. Still can’t understand/get into the quilting, but you did a fine job on both quilts.

We may never meet each other on earth, but, as brothers and sisters-in-the-faith, we rejoice over what the Lord has done for Hannah—in his provision of a Godly husband—and in the gift of a baby. May he come to know and love Jesus at an early age.

Someday, the Lord will return for His own, and we’ll have eternity to worship Christ together. Maranatha!

[victoira]

Oh my, all that snow!! Your newest grandson is such a cutie. So happy for Hannah and Christopher.
Loved the beautiful quilts too! Wonderful way to start your new year!

[Tammy]

So sweet!

[Holly]

The quilts are beautiful...but the grandson is the best! I'm glad you had a good trip. I don't know Cathy but I share her sentiments! What a gift it is to know that we will be reunited or meet fellow believers someday. Of course, it also reminds me of the command to share the Good News.

[Dorus]

Praise the Lord for a healthy precious son for Christopher and Hannah....and another grandson for you and Tom. He is sooooo cute.
I know Hannah and Christopher are elated and so thankful for him.
I am so glad y'all got to go and spend time with the family. I think the quilts are so pretty. You do a good job. Wishing everyone a blessed New Year.

[Doris]

Sorry, I hit post and didn't realized I spelled my name wrong

[Sharon]

Praising God for a healthy and adorable grandson! So very happy for Hannah and Christopher ! Such beautiful pictures, and those quilts! So very pretty! I’ve been waiting for this post ; ) Happy and healthy new year to you and yours .

[Tammy C]

Very nice to see Hannah as a mom for l remember when she was born.

Looks like a fun time with Christopher's family.

Gorgeous quilts.

Tammy

[Bobbi in Virginia]

I love this post! I was waiting for pictures of the new addition. What a wonderful trip, you got to see the new grandson and celebrate Hannah's birthday and you left before the snow storm! I am so happy for all of you. Blessings to all!

[Carolyn]

I LOVE this post! My heart is so thankful for this precious little Christmas gift from God! I'm also so happy for Hannah and her husband!! She looks so happy! She will be the best Mommy ever! "Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Hannah did just this, and God kept His promise! Maybe he'll be another Jonathan Edwards or George Whitfield! I might not be around to see it, but I'll be leaning over the portals of heaven watching to see!!

[Jill]

I don't know how I missed this post, but wow. So excited to see the baby! He is beautiful and what a joy to see Hannah so happy and content. God's blessings for all.