Welcome To My Blog

With my precious Abigail

I have been called by numerous names and titles in my life, however, none gives me the same feeling as when my grand kids call me GRANDDADDY. Some have even mispronounced it, saying  DRANGADDY.   I still get goose bumps when I hear that.  If you are a grandparent, I’m sure you can relate.

It is my hope that this blog will be a community site, where everyone can come to share thoughts, stories and experiences, whether you are a grandparent or a grandchild.  That should be everyone, right? I am excited to share my experiences as a grandfather and I hope they will be inspiring, informative or just plain entertaining.

To submit your own stories and experiences, send them to theycallmegranddaddy@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you. I hope that you will enjoy this site and visit it often.

Tommy Johnson

The 12 Days After Christmas – A Time to Remember

First Day After Christmas: Our precious granddaughter, Turner was born – Grandchild number 11

Second Day After Christmas: A lot of excitement in the family over Turner. First hint that there might be a health issue.

Third Day After Christmas: Twisted intestine diagnosed. Turner taken to Children’s Hospital. Surgery that night. Much anxiety and nervousness in the family.

Fourth Day After Christmas: Doctors are very please with outcome of surgery. First full day in Neonatal Intensive Care begins.

Fifth Day After Christmas: Lots of tubes and sensors, but Turner begins to get better. Day 2 in NICU. Family is pretty stressed.

Sixth Day After Christmas: All medical personnel are very pleased with her progress.  We are able to hold her some in NICU.

Seventh Day After Christmas: A long day for the family at the hospital. Turner is progressing nicely.

Eighth Day After Christmas: Turner’s dad has to begin his last semester in college preparing to student teach.  This was a very stressful day for him as it was very difficult to focus on school with his first daughter in NICU.  He got through it and Turner continues to improve.

Ninth Day After Christmas: Turner is improving so much that we begin to question when she might be able to go home.  The medical personnel are very guarded and unwilling to guess a date.  Combination of fatigue and anxiety prevail.

Tenth Day After Christmas: Turner’s mom has really gotten into the Mommy mode.  She is doing a great job of nurturing her and doing all the small things needed.  There is still more improvement.

Eleventh Day After Christmas: For the first time, medical personnel say she should be able to go home within a couple of days.  All the family is getting excited.

Twelfth Day After Christmas: Hallelujah. Turner goes home.  The family has a party and everyone is excited.

What a twelve days we have had.  Praise God everything is well!!

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Turner Shea – #11

Last night at 11:43 p.m., our 11th grandchild came into this world.  She is Turner Shea and she is healthy and beautiful.  Every grandchild is very special to me and Turner is no different.  We have been anxiously awaiting her arrival and there is no greater joy than holding that bundle of joy and listening to her as she makes those special newborn noises.  Memories flood back as I remember holding our children (including Turner’s daddy) shortly after birth as well as the other grandchildren.  There is nothing more fulfilling than rocking and singing to a precious little baby.

Here is a prayer that I adapted to commemorate Turner’s birth:

 

 

 

 

The Lord has richly blessed me

In this little life He’s given

My precious little grandchild

Is a wonderful new addition

This precious little bundle

Is a gift of God’s grace

And has a wonderful heritage

A family with Godly faith

Grandparents have a special place

In their grandchildren’s lives

For they can share the love of God

And their faith in Jesus Christ

Adapted (original by M.S. Lowndes)

Turner, my prayer is that you will grow to be a wonderful young lady who will honor God in your life.  I can’t wait until the first time that I hear you say, “Granddaddy”!!

Wish I Had Landon’s Energy

Landon at his school's Christmas party.

I have never seen a child with more energy than our little “Wild Guy” Landon.  On Thursday, PatPat and I went to his pre-school Christmas party.  It was a fun time for all and especially for us as we watched him  interacting with his classmates and teacher.  One of the highlights was helping him decorate a gingerbread house with cake icing, pretzels and various candies.  The teacher was very smart to have them “taste test” each new item to be placed on the house before doing it.

After the party we took him to lunch and then to our log house.  My wife really goes all out with Christmas decorations.  There are all kinds of small shiny things in every room and they were a magnet for those tiny little hands.  We laughingly said that, before he left, he probably touched every single decoration in the house.

On Friday, he and I visited Home Depot for a little “Granddaddy-Landon” time.  Our mission was to get a hand truck (dolly).  After walking through the store, we found them outside in the “flowers” area.  The one we chose was, of course, very cold to the touch.  He was a trooper though and “helped” me roll it all the way through the store to the cash register and then to the car.  He never complained at all about it being cold.

That afternoon we took Landon to the movies to see “Arthur Christmas”.  He did remarkably well watching the movie.  That evening we drove around looking at Christmas lights and seeing Santa Claus.  For the entire time he was with us, he was a bundle of energy and a lot of fun.  His mom said that he was asleep in her car before she got to the end of our street.  PatPat and I had no trouble sleeping that night either.  Oh to have even half his energy. What a fun time, though.

A Gentle Giant of a Man

Papaw with my cousin, Nancy.

One of the most influential people in my early years was my maternal grandfather.  We called him Papaw.  He was a gentle, quiet man who at over six feet tall was an imposing figure to a young boy.  He was a carpenter and some of my most prized possessions are a hand made tool box and nail box that he made.  I also have some of his vintage hand tools.

Is was always a highlight for me to spend a week or two in the summer with my grandparents.  I can still see Papaw sitting at the kitchen table reading his bible each morning.  He loved to watch wrestling on TV and loved Southern Gospel quartet singing.  In our wedding photos, I can see Papaw sitting next to my grandmother in the church pew.  Sadly, he only lived a few months after that.

I can only hope that I have the positive influence on my grandchildren that Papaw had on me.  Even after 40+ years, I still miss him.

Papaw, Mamaw and Aunt Clara

Great Gift Idea For a Young Child

Here is a great gift idea for a young child.  Disney has a series of products called, “Baby Einstein”.  The discovery kits come with a DVD, Discovery Cards, A Music CD and a Parent’s Guide.  These kits invite little eyes and little ears to delight in the bright colors, real world objects, silly puppet shows and great music.  Check these out at Amazon.com using the links below:

Baby Einstein: Animals Around Me Discovery Kit ( DVD + CD and Discovery Cards) $14.99

Baby Einstein: Baby Mozart Discovery Kit (DVD + CD and Picture Book) $17.99

Baby Einstein: Neptune’s Oceans Discovery Kit (One-Disc DVD + CD + Discovery Cards) $16.99

Baby Einstein: World of Colors Discovery Kit (DVD/CD/Board Book) $17.99

Baby Einstein: World Of Rhythm Discovery Kit (DVD/ CD/ Board Book) $14.99

For an example of the excellent quality of these products, check out this video:

It Doesn’t Get Better Than This

Every time I hear one of my grandchildren call me Granddaddy, it gives me a charge.  To have my one year old granddaughter from Uganda to say it is astonishing.  I can’t watch this video too many times.  Hope you enjoy it as well.

Taryn’s School Thanksgiving Program

Taryn at her school's Thanksgiving program

Yesterday was one of those special days.  Taryn’s first grade class presented a Thanksgiving program for parents and grandparents.  I swelled with pride as I watched her give her speaking part, singing the songs and leading the whole group in sign language.  Taryn has danced in numerous competitions and recitals in front of very large audiences.  She has also appeared in TV commercials for Blue/Cross Blue/Shield.  Her poise in front of an audience is evident.  After the program another student’s grandmother came up to Taryn and said, ” You were so good.  You are just a little actress.”  I couldn’t help but think to myself, “Lady, you have no idea what this little girl has done”.  I never get tired of going to events that my grandchildren are in.

 

With Thanksgiving just two day away, we are reminded to count our blessings.  I can’t even begin to express my joy and thanks for all 10 of my grandchildren.

We Missed Grandparents Day – Bummer

Last Thursday was “Grandparents Day” at Taryn and Kaelin’s school.  Pat Pat and I were out of town and we had to miss this very important event.  That evening, Pat Pat called the girls to say that we were so sad that we missed this special day.  Taryn, in her sweet, loving way said, “That’s okay, there were 4 other kids with no grandparents there, too”.  She was trying to comfort her grandmother, but that just made her feel even worse.  But, never fear.  When we get back home, we will have our own special “Grandparents Day” for these two beautiful girls.

A Little Boy and His Dog

This three minute video shows an amazing bond between a little boy and a patient, loving dog.  Enjoy it.

They Call Her Pat Pat

Today is my wife’s birthday.  I am way too smart to say her age or post a picture.  I can tell you that she is a remarkable woman.  She has an unbelievable love and passion for everyone in our family.  As with any large family, there is never a lack of drama.  No matter what is going on, she is always there to listen, counsel and do whatever is needed at the time.

Our grand children call her Pat Pat.  She adores all 10 of them.  It doesn’t matter how tired or busy she may be, there is always enough energy and time for the grand kids.  Hardly a day goes by without her talking on the phone, texting, skyping or video chatting with them.  There should be no doubt.  Pat Pat is a sweet sound to her ears.  Happy Birthday, wifey.  You are an awesome grandmother.