The Ones who call me “NaNa”

Today is all about Squeak and Buster. (above picture from 2017)

AKA: Lilly and Jack, my niece and my nephew.

(Note 😊: The name NaNa was given to me, as I mentioned before, by a little girl who I was blessed to be apart and continue to be apart of her life. This name is super special to me – my “life” role with her and her brothers, and with my niece and nephew are different, but both roles are my heart’s delight and joy!)

First, let me explain the Squeak and Buster names 😂 Squeak, is what her dad (my brother) would always call her when she was a baby, she was always making some kind of noise! Whether happy, sad, tired, mad, she loved making noise to entertain herself and others! Now Buster, well, Jack just announced in the car to my mom, dad, Lilly, and I, “my name is now BUSTER!” We don’t know why or how or what made this come to be, but it’s been his nickname ever since, or at least when he wants to be funny 😂

I absolutely LOVE being an aunt! Let me make this clear, being a Mommy to Lucy will forever be my absolute most favorite calling this side of eternity! There is no better feeling! And I love children period. Children are my heart. But after the role of being Mommy, is the role of being an aunt! For sure!

They are my buddies. They know what pulls at my heartstrings. They know NaNa’s boundaries and in what areas I trust them. They have seen my good, bad, happy, sad. They have experienced my migraine attacks of varying ranges – which breaks my heart – and also are some of the best snuggle buddies during these times.

They teach me in so many ways!

Remind me that the simple things are important and are remembered. Example: we were reminiscing about when Lilly was younger, before Jack was born, and Lilly said, “remember NaNa you would bring me marshmallows?” A simple cup of mini marshmallows, these times remind me that even the smallest gesture can leave a mark on a child’s heart.

Mail. I love sending them mail, and oh my goodness, Jackman loves to make mail and “deliver” mail! I don’t know about you but I LOVED getting mail when I was a kid, who am I kidding, I never stopped loving getting mail! 😂 A couple years ago I found a mailbox and mailbag set to have at our house. And I bought some blank notecards and envelopes for both of them to make mail. We made some labels with family and friends addresses on them, just in case they wanted to really mail something😊 And I love experiencing playing “Post Office” or “Box Truck” (what Jack likes to call a Mail Truck), with them. At one point Jack and my mom, “Swingie,” would find coins and wrap them up and deliver them(within the house). A note slipped under my door not too long ago, in Jack’s handwriting read, “I love you Mommy! Lucy” Oh my heart!

They both anticipated and prayed for Lucy. They both loved her so well while she was here with us. And they both continue to talk about her. Lilly was Lucy’s safe place – she just knew. And Jack was Lucy’s Applesauce King 😊 he fed her her first apples and she loved them! He was impressed with how messy she was, but he will forever be her Applesauce King!

I LOVE picking them up at school! There is something about the anticipation, the sight of them coming to the car, hearing about their day or whatever they need to get out 😊 somedays they talk and some days they just need to be close and rest their head. Some days they want chicken and pizza, and other days they want salad and butter noodles. We color, draw, do hidden pictures, activity books, spy kit fun, conversation questions, would you rather, trivia, read aloud, just about anything that can fit into NaNa’s backpack, and can be done in a restaurant, that’s what the afternoon consists of 😊 and a little homework 😔.

You will hear more stories and lessons that these two treasures have taught me and continue to teach me. But for today, the biggest lesson I have really been soaking in lately is this, being present. Showing up when you can. Being FULLY in the moment. The world around us is chaotic. The voices around us are all screaming. I am so guilty of thinking about what’s next, that I forget the now. But lately I have been so overwhelmed by the outside chaos and noise, that I have fallen on my knees and cried, “Jesus, where, what, how do I go from this moment?” And I have felt nudged to simply look into the ocean blue eyes of my niece and the green bean green eyes of my nephew, and be all there. Be all in a 11 and 7 year old world. Enjoy the same joys and celebrations, and hurt with the same hurts that are troubling their hearts. And lean faster when I feel weak and weary, on my Heavenly Father. Because He celebrates with us, He hurts with us, and most of all He longs for us to lean immediately and be present continually with Him.

Until next week, I will leave you with one of our favorite “games” to play: Would you Rather?

Would you rather sharpen 100 pencils by hand or write a 100 page paper? 😁