It was a quick trip to Grand Junction several weeks ago – left at 2:00 PM on Friday and spent the night in Durango – then up early Saturday morning, arriving at Matthew’s in Grand Junction a little before noon. Maddie’s birthday party started at 2:00. Then we were up early Sunday morning and drove back to Belen. I’m so glad we went. Maddie is just starting to try to take steps. She has those big bright eyes and the red hair from her mom. There is so much to take in to the mind watching a one-year old. She has grown and changed so much since birth – Maddie seems so healthy and it is a delight to just watch her take in and respond to a barrage of things going on all around her. It was a joy being there that Saturday afternoon.
Matthew had gotten up at 4:00 AM and put 2 pork butts in his Traeger Grill to slow cook – taking them out just before the party goers arrived. He let me help pull and shred the pork for sandwiches – had a little trouble keeping from eating too much of the bark that was so good. It was a good size group of people who came to be with Maddie on this first birthday – I didn’t count but am sure there were 20 or more. It was a happy afternoon – everyone in good spirits.
One-year old’s often struggle with their 1st birthday party. Lots of people and noise and carrying on wear them out and crankiness sets in. Maddie held up to it all so well. There was a huge stack of presents – she sat with her mom and helped open them – and was happy the whole time – her mom is strong – I think Maddie takes after her in that.
We had to have the 1st birthday cake ritual of course – poor kid – lol.
Maddie won’t remember much about her 1st birthday. Her great-grandfather will, though – the images are stuck in my head – along with memories of those first years of our eight grandchildren and there are still memories there of the first years of our own children also. God inserts hope into our minds as we watch these little ones – in a world where horror stories and angry tweets get so much attention a 1-year-old birthday party of a great-grandchild is a welcome diversion. Somewhere along the way as 70 years go by inside a head full of memories you come to realize that it is these simple memories of the children that are the best memories of all.
"...and there was evening, and there was morning - the first day." 
Maddie is a cute one, and the red hair! Reminds me of mom. Freya is improving and Amanda and Justin have both gotten to hold her. We’re all anxious for her to come home. I hope you and Darlene are doing well. It’s a blessing to be able to visit with your kids, especially the greats and the grands!
We watch for Lonnie’s posts about Freya and saw a picture a day or so ago with Amanda and Justin holding her. We continue to pray. Darlene and I continue to do well.