I like to think I am growing better with age.  I make better choices and think before I speak (most of the time).  My kids are grown and for the most part, escaped my parenting experiments relatively unscathed.  Paul and I are excited about the next phase of our life where we can travel more and not have to worry about college tuition.  It's a great feeling - this newly found freedom.  Enter into this conversation .... Kaya (below). 

Our life long friends recently became grandparents for the first time.  They are also in a similar stage of life - kids are through college and creating their own lives. When I heard that Kelsey was having a baby, my first thought was, "We are not old enough to have grand babies!" (Translate:  denial.)  After all, Brad, Jan, Paul and I went to college together.  We were married within a couple of years of each other.  We had our babies around the same time.  Certainly, I am not old enough to be a Gigi, Grandma, Grammie or Meme!!  Kaya most definitely proved me wrong.   It was a super special moment meeting this precious baby girl.  The old cliches were pulled out, "I remember when YOU were this big!"  Okay, now I am old.  

Kaya is a sweet reminder of how time flies so quickly and how we should make the most of every moment.  I had the GREAT privilege of taking her first baby pictures for which I am humbled and tickled.  It was surreal capturing this baby girl with her mother and grandmother.  I reflected on the prospect of having grandchildren and how excited I am that (God willing) someday I will be able to snuggle my grand babies.  So much for freedom and travel.  I will gladly trade seeing the world for spending precious time with little human beings like the one pictured here.   

Thank you for spending the morning with me, Kelsey and Janice.  Thank you for this special gift of capturing your next generation.   Be blessed, beautiful Kaya!