Mom, Ma, Grandma!

My mom came to visit this last week!  Prior to arriving she received great news that she was 1 year post stage 4 colon cancer treatment and surgery with no evidence of disease.  For those familiar with cancer and medicine, this is truly a miracle.  While doctors plan to keep close tabs on her, we continue to pray her recovery continues!  She still has so much life ahead of her, and we can't imagine not having her!

The simple joys in life often come from children, or puppies, things of such nature ... and my Lincoln didn't take more than a day to figure out who "Ma" was ... grandma is too complicated of a word still, and I am mom, so "Ma" it was from Tuesday - Saturday.  Who knew a two letter word could sound so sweet?  Of course it's not the first time he's spent time with her, however this time he really was able to grasp who she was to him!  It was beyond precious for sure!  After she left he was still walking around asking where's "Ma" and checking the guest room, despite the many attempts to explain she had left on the airplane.  Thank God for technology -- Skype, FaceTime, phones, etc, we are sure spoiled with how well we can keep in touch even when distance separates us.

Before arriving my mom had expressed interest in seeing the Grand Canyon.  When she first asked to go, I thought the drive sounded unpleasant with a toddler, however in hindsight, I am so glad she asked! Even though I live in Arizona, I had never experienced it myself.  What an amazing place with views full of so much beauty they take your breath away.  I now have a desire to hike rim to rim, or raft the Colorado to see it from a totally different perspective.  Kudos to mom for a great idea!  P.S ~ Lincoln was a great traveler!  Although I will admit, people who take their children to the Grand Canyon either have constant anxiety about the open edges, or keep their child locked in the stroller as I did unless we were taking a photo!  

We stopped both on the way to and from the Canyon in Flagstaff to eat lunch and on the way home I was able to show my mom where Jason (my husband) will be building some homes this coming year ~ projects we talk about but

sometimes it is nice to put a view/ location with 

the project.

The rest of our visit was spent running errands 

for my home, enjoying multiple coffee's in the sunshine while Lincoln attended therapy, swimming in our pool and playing at a local splash pad!  My mom seemed very happy and content while she visited and we were grateful to get to spend quality time with her!  We were very lucky to have wonderful 80 degree weather the entire time she was here ~ which allowed us to be outside more instead of being confined indoors.  

Not to mention Lincoln was quite enamored with potty training the first few days "Ma" was here!  Since then, he has been less than pleased over my attempt to make him sit and potty, however I appreciated my mom's effort and patience with my son the entire visit!   Sometimes it's just better with Grandma I guess!  

" Grandmothers create memories that the heart holds forever "