~Interview Question #6~

Question # 6: Do you have any advice for gardening with toddlers who want to help?

"Toddlers in the garden can be fun if you're not too worried about the outcome! They like having their own little space to plant. I did more gardening with you, Patrick and Mary than with my own children. For one thing, I had more time and patience to enjoy the process! My first three were so close together that they were almost all babies at the same time. They were fun, but I didn't do many "picky" things with them until they were a wee bit older."

Boy, isn't that the truth! Every time I try to go weed, Little boy comes out and steps on all my plants (just going in a straight line to wherever I am). Big Boy tries to help, and is doing better. He will come out with me and help pull "Rumor Weeds" (it's a Veggietales thing). It is much easier to show him what to pull and what to let grow now that the plants are bigger. I love the look on his face when he picks something that grew from seed and realizes it is now food, ready to eat!

Just a note on grandparents and life: From my perspective, when I was little, I had this secure feeling that I was okay; that we were all okay. Life was a certain way, and would always be that way. Grammie and Grampie, well, they are always there. Mom and Dad are always there. As a family, we were all together and nothing would change that. Obviously, the older you get the more life just proves that theory wrong. Children grow up, go to college, move away, get married. You lose precious people. That particular feeling of security is thrown out the window. Your family will not always be there, will not always be the same. Change has always been difficult for me. I am thankful for the hope and promise of Heaven. Where we will be together again. Love your family, all your special people. Take time for them. Christ summed up the two most important commandments. Love God, love others. Relationships are the most important things in this life.