Excursion to the U.S. Open Tennis in NYC

I've mentioned that I like watching tennis. In fact, Steve and I have actually taken quite a few vacations where we attended professional tennis tournaments. We've been to Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut to watch the ladies tour; Washington, DC for the men's tour and to Villanova University in Philadelphia several times. I've gone with other friends as well and taken Megan with me a couple of times too, to these tournaments.

If you are an American tennis fan, the granddaddy of all tennis is the US Open. This is located in Queens, NY and is one of the four grand slams of tennis. I LOVE the US Open and have been there quite often. For years, Bob Neff Tours offered an overnight bus trip to this event and it was very easy to attend. You simply showed up at the scheduled pick-up point in the morning and the bus took you to the Billie Jean Tennis Center and dropped you off.  You returned to the bus at the end of the day and it took you back to your motel and in the morning back to tennis. At the end of that day it took you home again. It was fun and relaxing and I got to enjoy a lot of tennis matches.

Unfortunately, a few years back, Bob Neff discontinued this bus trip and I had not been to the Open since. I was really wanting to go again, but the thought of driving was intimidating. The New York traffic scares me, plus the tennis center is located right next door to the Mets baseball stadium and if the Mets have a game, it can be an absolute nightmare trying to navigate through the city to a motel, late at night after the last match. Steve and I did consider it, but the timing this year wasn't that great for Steve to go so I started looked for an alternative way to get there.

The US Open website encourages people to use mass transit to get to the tournament. Now that was really frightening to me. The last time I was on a NY subway I was 12 years old and on a school trip. Well, I may have ridden it a time or two since, but never when I paid any attention to how they operated. I just followed someone else's leading. I knew I would need help if I was going to take the mass transit route. I decided to recruit my friend Becky. She is much braver than I am, and she was a little more familiar with the subway system, having a brother-in-law and sister-in-law that live in NY and also having used the mass transit system in Europe when she was there as a college student. She also enjoys tennis so I asked her if she would want to go with me to the US Open and handle the transportation end of things. She was up for the challenge and so the two of us set off early Monday morning.

We arrived at the Lancaster train station and boarded the Keystone Line headed to Penn Station, NY and enjoyed a leisurely and uneventful ride. At Penn Station we disembarked and walked up the steps to the huge open floor building. There were a lot of people mulling around, but since it was the middle of the day it wasn't too bad, and Becky (I was following) found the exit for 8th and 34th Street and we walked out of the building onto the sidewalk. Crossing several busy intersections we followed the signs for the subway and walked down the steps into the underground transit system. The first order of business was to purchase a Metro Card so you could ride the subway. That mission finished, we (well, Becky) found the E Train and we boarded it and headed west toward Flushing, NY. The subway wasn't full and it was actually pretty pleasant riding in it. I soon got used to the man's recorded voice saying, "stand clear of the closing door" as the train stopped often and picked up and dropped off passengers. It didn't pause long and if you weren't ready to board you missed it and had to wait for the next one. Nobody gave the two of us a second glance and most people were either sleeping, on their phones, or looking off into space.

We got off the E train at Jackson Height-Roosevelt Avenue and followed signs to the 7 train and boarded it toward Flushing Meadow and the Tennis Center. This train was not as nice as the E Train and there were no red, flashing ticker tape, letting you know what stop you were at, and what the next plaza would be. You actually had to watch out the window to read the signs for yourself. No recorded voice told you the name of the plaza or where you were headed. Nevertheless, Becky had done her research well and when the train pulled into the Mets-Willets Point station, we stepped off onto the platform and found ourselves within walking distance of the gigantic US Open Tennis Complex. We had arrived!

We had a great day watching tennis and even got to see the match of the day where American Sloane Stephens was able to prevail in a third-set tiebreak. We also saw Serena Williams and several others. Roger Federer was scheduled for the evening on Arthur Ashe stadium but got cancelled because of rain. At around 10:00 we headed for our motel. We got back on the 7 train and rode it eastward one more stop to Flushing. This is actually the end of the line for the 7 train and where it turns around to go back to Manhattan. When we came up the steps out of the subway, we paused to try to figure out which direction to walk. We had a map and knew that our motel was only 2 blocks away but we were unsure which way to go. We started walking one way and then I made the comment, that I could probably use the GPS on my Smartphone to guide us. This seemed like a really intelligent idea however one has to know how to operate it for it to be useful. I fumbled around and never did find the Navigation icon (which somehow mysteriously disappeared from my phone). After a few minutes we gave up and kept walking. As it turned out, we had gone the wrong way but we turned around and retraced our steps and were able to walk to the motel without any more difficulty.

After a good night's sleep we headed out the next morning to enjoy another day of tennis. When we were about a block away from the subway station, we noticed that there was a lot of people on the sidewalk. As we got closer to the subway, the crowds increased until they took up the entire sidewalk and spilled out into the street. Buses that said "subway shuttle" were everywhere. We soon realized that the subway was not operating and buses were shuttling people out of the area instead. It was bedlam. People were frantic to get on a bus and when one would pull up, they pounded on the door for the driver to open it up and let them in. The drivers were mad because the people stood in the street and wouldn't let them pull up to the sidewalk, so they blasted their horns and made angry motions with their hands for the people to move back. Policeman stood in the street and hollered to the crowd to "get off the street and onto the sidewalk." The line of people trying to get on buses was a block long and 8 or 10 people deep. The buses tried to pull up to the end of the line to load passengers and people kept running up to the front and pushing their way through in the hope of getting on one. Those of us that were halfway back the line had little hope of getting picked up. I figured we would be there for quite a while. In the middle of all this commotion, an ambulance tried to get through with lights flashing, siren screaming and horn beeping. The buses had the street so jammed that it could barely get through and people were crossing the street trying to get to buses on the other side so the ambulance had to navigate through buses, cars and people. It was a miracle that it finally got through. Becky and I were standing at the edge of the sidewalk, in the middle of this crowd not really knowing what to do, when suddenly a bus pulled up right beside me and opened its door. I jumped into the bus with Becky right behind me and we sat together on a seat. People surged into the bus. Once the seats were full, they just stood wherever they could. It was so full that the driver couldn't shut the door. He kept saying, "move away from the door. I can't drive the bus until the door is closed." Somehow, the person in front of the door managed to shift a little bit, so the driver could secure it properly and away we went. The man in the seat in front of us said, "I have no idea where this bus is going, but I'm going with it!" Becky and I nodded agreement and waited to see where it would take us. As it turns out, it drove us to the next subway station which was where we wanted to go anyway, and was right at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

After that exciting beginning to our Tuesday, we enjoyed a great day of tennis.  We were there early enough to secure coveted seats in the shade in the Grandstand Stadium and we stayed there all day watching whatever matches were being played. We got to see the number one American John Isner and several other big names. We left the tennis complex around 4:30 so we would have plenty of time to make it back to Penn Station to get the 6:30 Keystone train to Lancaster.

We found seats on the 7 train that was headed to Manhattan and Becky said to watch for the Jackson-Roosevelt Station where we would make the transfer to the E Train. Unfortunately, Becky had been looking at station stops for the E train instead of the 7 train, so we rode for a little while blissfully unaware that our plaza stop was never going to appear. Finally, we realized that something was wrong and Becky went to investigate (remember this was the train that doesn't tell you anything about what stop you are at or where you are going). She found a map and soon realized what had happened. We had already stayed on the train 3 stops too far. This didn't seem like too big a deal because we only had to get off at the next plaza and take the east train back 3 stops to 74th Street which was where we needed to be to make the transfer. What we didn't think about was that it was now rush hour and everyone was coming from Manhattan on their way home from work. To say that the train was full would be an understatement. When it stopped, I went to try to step on the already over-crowded train and a man said, "Get back. There are some people that have to get off."  Several people pushed their way through the mass and out on to the platform. Then some of us tried to board again. There was absolutely no room and the train does not wait for anyone. I wiggled and shoved and managed to get on and Becky was trying to come right behind me. She got her feet in and most of her body. As she tried to push her body forward, the door was closing behind her. It banged her on the head as it closed but she made it! I was very relieved, because I'm not sure if I would have panicked or not if we had gotten separated. That was a ridiculous ride back to our missed stop. We were packed like sardines. I certainly didn't have to worry about losing my balance, because I couldn't have moved an inch if I would have wanted to. We suffered through the next couple stops, where people again tried to board or get off. People didn't want to step off the train to let others disembark because there was the fear that you wouldn't get back on again. Finally, the train pulled up to the 74th Street station and Becky and I pushed and shoved our way off the train and on to the platform. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. The thing I can't believe is that people put up with that everyday. No thanks for this country girl!

We walked over to the Jackson-Roosevelt Station and soon boarded the E Train toward Manhattan. We had plenty of space and we were both glad to sit and relax a little bit. We exited the subway system at 34th Street and walked the short distance to Penn Station. It was a lot busier than the last time we were there. The large open room was full of people and most of them were just standing and staring at the big departure board high up on the ceiling in the center of the room. The board tells you whether your scheduled train is on time, but it does not give you the track number until about 10 minutes before departure. The public address system announces the train and track number and as soon as people hear what track their train will be departing from they make a beeline for that exit. When they announced the track for a train going to New Jersey, about 3/4 of the people in Penn Station all tried to cram into one little escalator that would take them to the track. I was glad we were not taking that train. Periodically you would see someone running frantically through the station in an all-out sprint, trying desperately to make a departing train. We had to wait about 40 minutes but eventually our train and track number was called and flashed on the departure board and we were able to make our way to the correct exit and board the Keystone Line toward good old Lancaster. Fortunately not too many people were making this connection so we did not feel hurried.

I was glad to sink into the seat of the train that would take me back to all that is familiar. I've decided that traveling to New York is not for the faint of heart! I owe a huge thank-you to Becky for getting us there and back. I would not have embarked on this journey by myself. There is not too much that fazes Becky and even through our ordeal of a broken subway system and missed connection, she remained calm and acted like this was ordinary (which it probably is for New York).

Would I do it again? I think so. Once you understand the system, the mass transit is probably the easiest way to get to the tennis venue. Since I love the US Open,  I'm sure I will want to go again. That is why I wrote everything down in detail so that the next time, if I need to I can navigate the way. Here's to being brave and learning new things when you are over fifty!


This is a video of the number one American John Isner. He is 6' 10" and has an incredible serve. Watch closely when he is serving. He bounces the ball between his legs from back to front before he starts his serve motion.

I Do

Thirty-three years ago today, as a 20 year-old, I married a young man who was barely 19 1/2 years-old! Some might ask "what were you thinking?!?!" I know many people question the wisdom of getting married so young and while it is true that we were naïve and definitely lacking maturity when we embarked on our marital journey, we were able to make it work and I don't regret it. Would it have been better to be older before we took such a huge step? Possibly. Possibly not. One never knows the path not traveled. I believe what is right for one person/couple may not be right for another and that doesn't necessarily make one way "right" and the other way "wrong." (Now that I've given my mini-sermon, I'll get on with my blog.)

It is with a great deal of pride that I can say that I have been married to the same man for 33 years. Together, we have weathered the bumps and curves that life threw at us. Together, we have shared innumerable joys as well as countless disappointments. Together, we have raised four amazing children to adulthood and together we have welcomed two lovely daughters-in-law and four adorable grandchildren into our family.

Trust me, there were plenty of times that we struggled mightily--financially, spiritually, emotionally, etc. There were times when we were so mad at each other that we couldn't even find words to express our anger. There were times when we didn't even like each other at all. There were times when we felt like walking away from each other. Thankfully, there were also times when we were so happy with each other that we couldn't find words to express our happiness. There were times when we liked each other a lot. There were times when we just wanted to be alone together and spend time with each other.

We learned what makes the other person happy and what makes them sad. We learned to appreciate each others gifts and talents. We learned to compliment and encourage each other in our strong points and not to focus on each others weaknesses. We learned to give a little and compromise even when we didn't feel like it. We learned to put God first in our own lives and in our marriage. We learned to trust God's leading and to trust each other. We matured individually and as a couple.

Life has taught us a lot of lessons and I hope we are the wiser because of them. When we are going through tough situations they seem so difficult and discouraging. However, I realize these hard times along with the good times have shaped and molded us into the people we are today. I can't honestly say that I am glad for hardships but I can say that I appreciate what they teach us. I have learned that you can't always control what life throws at you but you can control how you react to what is thrown at you.

When I think of all the memories Steve and I have created together, it makes me smile. There have been so many good times we have shared together with each other, family and friends. For many years the house was busy and active as our children were growing up. Now we are entering the "empty nest" phase of our life. Although this is not without its sadness, we are enjoying doing some things that we didn't do when we were younger. We play more golf, travel a little bit more and buy a few more luxuries. We also love spending time with our little grandchildren.

Thirty-three years is a long time to live with one person. We both have changed so much since we said "I do" in that country church so long ago, but I like who we have become and am looking forward to sharing many more years with the man I love. Happy anniversary to us!

Dear Megan

Happy 19th birthday!! How do I even start when writing a letter to my one and only daughter? I guess at the beginning.

After three boys, I desperately wanted to know what gender I was carrying during my fourth pregnancy. My boys are the greatest guys on earth and another male child would have been fantastic, but I just wanted to know ahead of time to take the anxiety out of the birth. Some people love to be surprised, but I was never like that. I wanted to prepare my mind ahead of time as to whether we would be welcoming a boy or a girl into our family.  However, during my sonogram, the technician claimed that you were turned the wrong way and it was impossible to tell what sex you were. I was very disappointed, but decided to set my mind in preparation for a boy as I figured that was the most likely. Dad, however, kept insisting that you were definitely a girl and he had all the boys convinced too.  Whenever anyone asked the boys whether they wanted a brother or sister they all replied "sister", because that was what Dad had coached them to do. I was skeptical but deep in my heart, I hoped they were right.

Your due date passed with no signs of you making an entrance into the world. Finally, five days later the big day arrived. After a long night of very little sleep for me (Dad dozed off and on) you were born at 9:03 on Sunday morning. I held my breath in the few seconds after you were born waiting the announcement, and then someone said, "it's a girl!"  Seriously, I could not believe it. Dad and I were absolutely ecstatic! We were crying and laughing at the same time. You, however, were not happy. As soon as you got your lungs working, you made good use of them. You just cried and cried. We tried everything. The nurses held you, I held you, Dad held you, but you would not be consoled. I tried to nurse you, but you were too busy crying to even think about sucking. I remember thinking, "Well, you got your girl, but now what? Is she going to be this impossible to please?" After trying unsuccessfully for a long while to get you to calm down, a nurse thankfully offered to take you to the nursery and she disappeared from our room with you still wailing. When she brought you back several hours later you were as calm as could be. You were very agreeable to nursing and you were contended to stay with us.  I don't know what she did to you, but it worked!

We couldn't wait to share our good news with family and friends. Since everyone was at church, and it was before cell phones, we were not able to get hold of Grandpa and Grandma Lehman and the boys (who were staying with them) to let them know.  I did, however call the phone at River Corner (our church) around 10:00 and someone answered so the news of your birth was announced during Sharing Time.  I am told that everyone clapped and that there was great excitement over this special announcement. Dad was able to leave and get to Grandpa & Grandma Lehman's house before they and the boys got home from church, so he was able to tell them personally that their little sister had arrived.

Thankfully, those first hours after your birth were not a harbinger of your personality.  You were a happy, contented child and all of us enjoyed you immensely. Grandma Denlinger was recovering from a stroke and you were a much needed joy in her life. You and I would make the walk up to their house almost every day and visit with her and Grandpa.

You were soon talking and jabbering away and were totally oblivious to the amusement you caused everyone. I remember one time you were telling Shawn and me about something and we were almost doubled over in laughter with the way you were expressing yourself and the words you were using. You happily kept on talking and were completely unaware that we were getting so much entertainment at your expense.

There are way too many memories to write in one short blog, but here are some of the things I remember from your preschool years:

After an accident while learning to use the potty, you disgustedly and emphatically stated, "me not never do that again!"

While traveling we stopped at a motel room and explained to you that we would be sleeping there. You ran through the two adjoining rooms and then came back to question me with "aren't the people home?"

We took a trip to South Carolina to visit Grandpa and Grandma Lehman who were helping with Habitat for Humanity there. We spent a day at the ocean and you were so excited over the water and the beach that you exclaimed, "when I get big and have a little girl, I am going to take her to the ocean!"

As the little sister following three brothers, you tried so hard to keep up with those big boys. When Josh ran over to the neighbors to swim in their pool you were right behind him. Never mind that you couldn't swim and the water was too deep for you.  You survived by learning how to tread water and to this day you still tread water better than you swim. It was literally sink or swim and you were determined not to be left out of the fun.

Because you were so many years behind your brothers, you and I spent a lot of time together just by ourselves. Wherever I went, you went. We were rarely separated during the first four years of your life and I think that is partly the reason that you didn't believe that I would actually leave you at preschool that first day. I can still picture you clinging to the steering wheel of the car as I tried to drag you out of it to go into the church. Your cries followed me down the hall as I left you in the charge of your teacher. It took every ounce of willpower that I had not to turn around and run into that room and hug you and take you back home with me.

Even though it was a rocky start to your school years, it soon got a lot better. You loved school and were an excellent student. I always enjoyed hearing about your days. The one big difference between you and the boys was that you liked to tell me what happened at school, whereas with the boys I usually just got "good" when I asked them how their day was.

I have always appreciated your optimistic outlook on life. You were never one to bemoan your circumstances or try to get sympathy when you were hurt or things didn't go your way. When you were little and skinned your knee or elbow or injured yourself some other way you always insisted "I'm okay!" On that fateful Christmas day when you and Josh and Jay were involved in the accident that left a nasty scar on your forehead, you were so brave and didn't complain. I never once heard you say, "I hate this scar." You just accepted it. When you lost the tip of your finger in another accident, you were such a trooper with everything. Throughout the whole ordeal---the Vicodin that kept you awake, the surgery, the rehab--you accepted whatever you had to deal with. The one and only time that I thought you were going to faint, was when they took the stitches out of your finger. I can still see the beads of perspiration on your head and your clenched teeth as you tried to endure the pain. Still, you persevered and I was so proud of you, although actually it was killing me just watching you suffer.

I am thankful that you always chose good friends. Although you had plenty of school friends it was always interesting to see how the five of you girls from River Corner stuck together throughout your childhood and teen years. You were so blessed to have these girls in your life and I was blessed to hear and witness all the giggling and laughter and crazy antics that followed the five of you when you were together.

I have so many good memories of us doing things together...singing loudly and in perfect unison in the car on the way home from piano lessons....shopping at Goodwill....Pine View ice cream cones....traveling to Philadelphia to watch tennis....birthday overnight outings and back-to-school shopping....critiquing wedding dresses....playing Scrabble....laughing at and with each other (cutting off the Excedrin lid!)...dissecting what went right and what went wrong with your softball games....and much, much more.  However, probably some of the best memories of time spent together are from Bible quizzing. It was a passion that we both shared and loved. I can still see us in the basement during those winter evenings as we studied the material together. I would sit on the chair and ask you questions and you would lay on the sofa. As I quizzed you, you constantly moved. Sometimes, I would look over and you were rolling on the floor and sometimes you were hanging over the back of the sofa and sometimes you were perched precariously on the top of the sofa. Once in a while, you fell off and we both laughed hysterically. Through it all, you put all the information in your brain and by the time Sunday arrived you were ready to quiz.  And quiz you did. To say you were a good quizzer would be an understatement. You were an awesome quizzer!!! I always loved our teams and everyone tried their best and I was always proud of each and every team. You and I really wanted to win a trophy but as the years passed we wondered if it would ever happen. Then came the magical year of 2011. The River Corner Fabulous Five and Jasmine nailed a second place finish and earned a plaque and trophy!! I don't think you and I stopped smiling for several days. What a great memory!!

I really appreciate the way you have dedicated yourself to living a Christian and godly life. At a young age you accepted Christ as your Savior and I have continued to see you grow spiritually year by year. You don't automatically follow the crowd and aren't afraid to speak up for what you believe. When you entered the secular college world, you covered your folders, notebooks and backpack with Bible verses. What a great way to let others know that you are a Christian and that you are willing to share your faith with others. It is wonderful to see you using your talents to bless others. Your musical talents are a blessing to all of us at church as you lead us through singing. Being willing to give up every 2nd and 4th Saturday evening to work with the Kids Club shows your commitment to sharing Christ to the community and so does your involvement with the Good News Club at the Conestoga Elementary School.

You are also a good worker! Household chores are definitely not your favorite but you certainly live up to the title of "Farmer's Daughter." If it is agricultural, you are interested. It has made me tired watching you this summer working four jobs, but I am also immensely proud of the responsible person you have become.

Having a daughter is special and I just want to thank you for being an amazing and loving person. I know that right now you are uncertain about the future and at times you question the wisdom of continuing on in college but I want to encourage you to persevere (as I know you will). God has a plan and it will unfold before you in ways that you cannot dream or imagine. I pray for you every day and I am so excited to see what His plans are for you.  In the meantime try not to be impatient and enjoy the journey!

Megan Elizabeth Lehman, I am so fortunate and blessed to call you my daughter. If I had to choose from all the daughters in the world, I would choose you each and every time! I love you!

Love,

Mom

So Cute: Part 2

 

 

 

Last Friday, Jay and Kristen and the girls spent the day at Knoebel's Amusement Park and we had the pleasure of keeping nine month old Mark for most of the day. It was special to be able to give him some undivided attention. He is such a pleasant and cute little fellow and we had a great time with him. Of course I got my camera out and snapped some pictures and videos.

 

 

He likes anything with wheels. He enjoys making them spin around.

In the evening we took him back to his house and he played happily in his familiar surroundings for quite some time. He found Grandpa's face especially fascinating.

Dear Alexis

Oh my! I can't believe you are 4 years old already!  You are such a beautiful and intelligent little girl and I am so thankful that you are my granddaughter. Your enthusiasm for life, bright smile and sunny disposition make you a joy to be around.

I remember the day you were born. Grandpa and I were so excited when your daddy called to tell us that you had arrived. We hurried into the hospital to meet you. Thanks to you, we had now entered into the fun stage of life called grand parenting that everyone had told us was so great. They were right! Grand parenting is one of the most special stages of life.

I remember you as a contented baby, and fairly active at a young age. I don't think you were much more than seven months old when you learned to zip around in the walker all over the house. I was amazed that someone so tiny could navigate her way so easily from the kitchen to the living room by whirling around in that vehicle that gave you the freedom to go where you wanted to. From an early age you loved books and you still do to this day. I love to sit with you and read a book together.

And those big brown eyes!  How I love them. When you were small, you would just stare at people for awhile before you warmed up to them. I remember one family reunion at Great Grandpa and Grandma Lehman's when you were probably around a year old. There was a lot of people there and a lot of commotion. Your daddy carried you in and you just STARED at everyone. If someone tried to talk to you, you just stared at them and didn't crack a smile. I think this went on for at least fifteen minutes before you relaxed and left me take you to the toy box. It was SO cute!

You were soon walking and talking. Quickly you learned how to push a chair to wherever you wanted to go so you could use it as a stepstool to get up onto the table or counter. The kitchen sink was one of your favorite places. You loved to help wash dishes and you would play in the water for a long time. From a very early age you loved to be a helper. Your mommy is so wonderful at encouraging you to help in any way that you can. She patiently lets you participate in whatever she is doing--washing, cooking, baking, gardening, or whatever. Several times when I kept you, we would make chocolate chip cookies together and we had a great time and I was always amazed at your knowledge of baking.

I love the way you talk!  You are such a conversationalist and your vocabulary is absolutely amazing. From early on, you used big words and you used them accurately. I wish I would have written down some of our telephone conversations because they were so funny and entertaining. You would go on and on about what you were doing and what everyone else was doing and you would just go from one topic to another without hardly even taking a breath. You used big words like "considering," and "absolutely," with ease. One of your favorite phrases is "Well, I was thinking...."

I love the way you laugh! When you get silly you just laugh and laugh and laugh. It is a deep laugh that comes from way down inside you and comes spilling out your lungs and I laugh just watching and hearing you laugh!

I love the way you sing! You have such a beautiful voice and I enjoy listening to it. One of your favorite activities at my house is watching the Silly Songs DVD. You learned the songs quickly and you like to sing them over and over again. I hope you continue to sing and enjoy music all of your life.

I love your imagination! When we play together I am astounded at the way you can pretend and make-believe. We play store and house and you continually come up with things and ideas that are wonderfully imaginative. What a gift! I think a child with a big imagination is a child who learns to be creative and who knows where your creativity will take you in your life!

You also know how to express your feelings and put them into words. One of my favorite conversations was one you had with Grandpa when you were still really young--maybe around 2 years old. At times you were a little afraid of Grandpa and you felt safer with me. This changed as you got older and now you happily love to go along with him in the truck and tractor but when you were smaller, you just weren't quite sure about it. Once you and Grandpa were talking on the phone and Grandpa asked you if it would be alright if he and Grandma came to visit you that evening. You thought for a little and then you said, "Grandma come. You stay home!" Grandpa got such a good laugh out of it and when he shared it with me, we laughed about it together for a long time.

You are such a loving and accepting little girl. When Lydia and Mark joined your family, you were so happy to welcome them. You are a great big sister and when I keep all three of you, I depend on you to answer my questions about what your siblings like and need. As the oldest, it will always fall on you to be an example for your siblings and I know that you will handle that responsibility well. I remember when I kept you over the times when Lydia and Mark were born. You missed your mommy and daddy and especially at night you would say, "I want my mommy and daddy" but you tried so hard to be brave and you would choke back the tears and I would lay with you until you fell asleep.  I loved the feel of your little hand in mine as I held it until sleep gently overtook you.

I have to mention your beautiful hair. It is so long and absolutely gorgeous and hangs so smoothly down to the middle of your back. I love the way your ponytail bounces when you jump up and down and I love the way you look like a sophisticated little lady when it is pinned in a neat bun on the top of your head.

Grandparents like to know that  they are loved and appreciated by their grandchildren. That is why I will always treasure your words from one time when Grandpa and I were visiting with you and your family. Grandpa and Daddy were talking outside on the porch and the rest of us had gone into the house. I told you that Grandpa and I needed to get ready to go home. You ran to the sofa and laid on it and tears ran down your cheeks. When your mommy asked you what was wrong you said, "I'm sad that Grandma  has to go home." Ahhhh, those words just melted my heart.

I love you Alexis Grace Lehman and am so blessed to be your grandma.

Love,

Grandma

Here is a video of you and Lydia helping me water the flowers.



Here is a video of you blowing out the candles on your cake. You can hear Lydia crying in the background and then you explain that she thought it was her birthday and that is why she is crying.