About Me

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I have been married to my childhood sweetheart for 42 wonderful years. I have been blessed with one daughter who is grown and gone! She and her hubby have blessed us with a precious grandchild, Darbee Rae. She is eight years old and the sunshine in our days. I have always been a stay at home maid, cook, doctor, babysitter, taxi, wife, mother, and grandmother. I enjoy crafting. My interests include primitives, vintage and colonial styles. I love decorating my home. I enjoy traveling with my hubby and friends, reading, and trying different recipes. I am a Christian and enjoy activities within my church. I hope you enjoy reading about my daily adventures in crafting, shopping, and enjoying life thru the eyes of my darling grand daughter.

Friday, December 28, 2012

My Best Christmas GIft Ever

Did I get your attention with that title??? Well You have to read along.  You all know my Darbee Rae and how special she is to her Nana.  Could be that it's because she is my one and only grandchild but then those of you who are so fortunate to have many little bundles of joy and grown big bundles of joy must know they are all so special.  Sorry, back to my post. 

Darbee Rae turned 5 in October.  She thinks she is a big girl now.  Well, you also know that she would NEVER spend the night with her Nana.  Yes, she had tried several times but at bedtime Mommy would have to drive out and take her home.  Oh, the "I want to, but just can't " look on her little face would break my heart.  But I would tell her when she was ready it would happen and off she would go to her house with her Mama and Daddy,

Well, she decided just before Christmas break she was now a BIG girl and old enough to stay over with Nana.  Really, I didn't think it would happen, but played it up and deep down was so excited that we were going to try it yet one more time.

Last night her Mommy and Daddy had a dinner engagement with their Sunday School class at church so the perfect time for us to give overnight a try. She came in around 4 in the afternoon and golly she looked like she was moving.  She had her "big girl hotel luggage" as she calls it and her new baby, Cuddles her bear, another cartoon character Santa brought and a caterpillar to sleep with. There were games, Ipod, legos, dress up clothes,,,,, and the list goes on and on. 

She was so excited to be staying over and so was I.  We got all dressed up and Papa took us out to eat at her favorite restaurant.  Here she is getting all pretty for Papa.

 
We ate at Red Robin because Darbee Rae loves their spaghetti. Afterward did a little shopping.  Something she loves to do.
 
When we came in we played with her Matching Dominoes. That's a favorite game of mine as my Daddy had a domino group that met at the house when I was growing up.  They would let me join in and I love the game.   Betty Crowe you better watch out.  She loves the dominoes,.  We are going to start with the real ones soon.  You might just have competition one day. Who knows she may have her own domino group one day. 
 
From that she entertained us by dressing up.  She danced, sang, you name it she did it.  I kept looking at the clock and was wondering how long this would last.  She had Papa busy helping to build her a house with a pink roof.
 
 
Yes building a house still in her dance costume,  Before that house was done Papa was ready to stomp Santa.  Way to complicated for a 5 year old.  Hear that Mommy???
 
Before long it was time for bed.  We were going to have a slumber party just us girls in the guest room upstairs.  Now I will tell you what really won her over and made her decide to stay.  Don't all little girls love to RAMBLE through drawers and plunder??? Well I had told her we would do just that in the guest room if she decided to stay overnight.  This Nana was true to her word.
 
 
 I had a drawer fixed with old happy meal toys that I had saved from Holly's youth.  What child could have been more excited.  From there we looked at old pictures and read lots of Mommy's books she enjoyed when she was little.  All the time pretending we were in a hotel in the mountains.
 
When she finally got ready to go to sleep, she had to plan her day for when she woke up .  She has a wonderful imagination. She said we were going Primitive Shopping at The Hen and see Betty Crowe and play with Andrew and Molly.  Betty, she even ask if Andrew's Mommy had her hair back from the cancer.  Wasn't that too sweet?  We said our good nights, I got some wonderful loving and she said she bet Mommy and Daddy were snoozing already. 
YES, YES, YES,  my baby girl stayed all night.  No tears, phone calls, just a big girl sleeping and making memories with her Nana.  The best present anyone could want.  I had smiles in my heart all day long. 
'
She was so proud of herself when I woke her after 9 this morning.  What did we do??  Went to Mac Donald's and bought her a chicken biscuit, her favorite and there she met her Mommy.
 
 
 
How did Mommy sleep with Darbee Rae gone, and Daddy too for that matter??  Don't think they did as well.  Was still waiting on a phone call to come get her and I think deep down hoping the phone would ring.  Not this time Holly.  Your baby is growing up  Thanks for allowing your daddy and me the joy that Darbee's visit brought to our hearts.  We love all of you.
 
And thanks to all of you that let me be the proud Nana that I am today and share this special day with all of  you.  Time is passing so quickly and we are not promised tomorrow.  Take time to enjoy the little things in life.  Nothing more precious than a memory.
Until next time
 

29 comments:

  1. Way to go Darbee!!! Angela, she is certainly growing up so fast! I am so happy for you and Jamie that she stayed all night! I loved reading this post! Love ya'll!!

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  2. Oh Angela that is the SWEETEST sweetest story.
    My grands loved to stay here when they were little but now I have to beg them to spend the night now that they are older. Glad I had the precious time that i did.I will have wonderful memories in my heart forever!
    Darbee is so adorable...love your details.
    Hugs and Hugs for the smile.
    Earlene

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  3. OH Angela I know your heart is just busting with joy

    Darbee Rae will want to spend more nights with her Nana and Papa now!! What fun you had, and so many memories

    A great gift indeed

    Hugs
    Brenda

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  4. That is the BEST Gift, Angela! Brought tears to my eyes..I have a drawer as yours, now I know what to do with all that "stuff" and to definitely hang on to it all. Have a great New Year and many blessings with many more sleep overs with your Darbee Rae:) Hugs...K

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  5. So happy for you Both!!! yea!!!

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  6. That's great, sounds like you had a wonderful time. I'm sure now there will be lots more sleep overs!

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  7. Congratulations! There isn't anything better! I had Abbey and Lucy last night and you should see our room when they both stay! We set up a cot for Abbey and Lucy thinks she has to still set up the pack and play for her - plus our bed. You can't even walk in there, but it is so worth it! They both tell me they are coming for a campout! We have 8 grandchildren and they all want to take turns coming to stay. Whew!!! Enjoy every minute of it! Happy New Year, Dawn

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  8. I am so proud of her and so happy for you. I know how long you have wsited for that night to happen. It makes my heart happy to know the relationship she is able to have with you. Love you both.

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  9. How exciting... I am so happy for you. I have five Grands and I must admit after they have all been here for several days... I am pretty much exhausted...lol.. Blessings!

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  10. Angela what a wonderful story!So proud of Darbee Rae and happy for all of you.Big hugs,Jen

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  11. I remember those days with my granddaughter and am waiting for when my little grandson can spend the night with us. I have to tell you a little story about him. Our niece had a baby on the 17th of December, so we got to see little baby Abby on Christmas Eve. Well...my sweet little grandson went over to her and sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to her. No one told him too...he just did this all on his own and it is a memory that I will always cherish!! This little boy just melts my heart!!
    Have a Happy New Year.
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  12. Such a sweet post :) Grands are the best.
    We will have 2 of ours tomorrow afternoon
    so mom and dad can have an afternoon date.
    Blessings for more of your sweet memories ~Sara

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  13. Yay for Darbee Rae! I'm sure you girls had the best time ever.Warm Blessings!~Amy

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  14. Oh how sweet! I used to love to "prowl" through my grandmothers dresser drawers. Amanda was just like me.(the only one of my 8, that did) My heart just about burst for you because I know how bad you wanted this. I will gladly play dominoes with that girl. How about her? Asking about AManda's hair.She heard prayers for her and if I remember correctly, said some herself. we will get them together one day. Amanda and Holly would love one another, I know they would. Wish you could come primitive shopping at the Speckled Hen. I am not there much(working) as Johnny retired and has been able to help her. Give her a hug for me. You gotta' love a girl that goes prepared!

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  15. How wonderful! I bet you just had oddles of fun and will never forget that night. This is the first of many nights over, I am sure.
    Happy New Year!

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  16. Awwww, yea!!!!!! boy, I want to come over now!

    I was like Darbee Rae- my parents picked me up each time from my grandparents. But, they just gave up... I am so glad that you had the gift of that special time. Drawer rummaging would have kept me for sure... ;)

    So happy for you!!! Blessings and hugs to you and your "big girl"!
    Heather

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  17. Oh, how sweet! Please tell that sweet girl I am doing well & have all of my hair back now & Andrew & Mollie are waiting on a play date! That just melted my heart!!!

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  18. How wonderful for you! You know I love those sleepovers. I was just thinking of you the other day, had the boys here and in Christmas the girls were begging to stay. I am really happy for you, hope there are many more to come!
    Cathy

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  19. So beautiful that Darbee Rae spent the entire night with her Nana! I remember those days when Mikayla cried and my own daughter had to pick her up. What a joy it is to have them finally stay over..She truly is becoming a big girl now. Janice

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  20. What a sweet post, Angela!
    Yay, for Darbee Rae!
    Sounds like you two had a wonderful time

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  21. Ahh, what a sweet, sweet story! Must confess I did tear up while reading it. I am such a cry baby LOL ! I hope your sweet granddaughter will make it a monthly spend the night with Nana day!
    Happy New Year!
    Hugs,
    Lynn

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  22. This post made me cry. She is so sweet and has so much love given to her. What a great grandmother you are!!! Thanks. -Steph-

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  23. How perfectly wonderful. A true gift for sure.
    Darbee is such a sweetie. Loved every bit of your post friend.
    She is soo smart too.
    Yes treasure very bit of everyday.
    Woolie love & a happy new year to you sister friend
    Trace

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  24. Oh how lovely. I know the feeling well....trying to keep them occupied and happy and all the time on an internal balance in case it all changes! I'm so happy or you that she stayed. Well done Nana! Joan

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  25. What a wonderful gift and a precious memory. Thank you for sharing it with us through this post.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  26. Ohhh, that's wonderful news that Darby got to stay at your house!!! We usually have Monica tonight, but since going to school, we now have BFF's and she's staying there tonight!!!!!
    Happy New Year Angela!!!
    Lois

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  27. How precious!!! That will be a special memory for you and for her and the beginning of many more nights with you. I haven't had internet the last few days while we moved in our "new to us" house. I have to catch up with you and Holly the next few days!! Hope you all had a good Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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  28. Oh Angela, this sounds like everyone of my kids. My parents live next door and my kids were the same! I'm so glad Darbee Rae stayed and I can tell how much fun you all had. What a great grandma and grandpa you two are! I hope this is the first of many sleepovers! :)

    Hugs,
    Tammy

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