3 Things Friday - Grammy

   

    I am not sure if this is because its almost Christmas and I am extra sappy or what but this is my 3 things Friday.

1. I was adopted when I was 15 years old. I was born into this world as a Newton, and then turned into a Lehman and will finish up my life as a Brittingham! ! . But long before I was "officially" adopted, I was brought and accepted into this family. The Lehman's! They were a loud bunch, they always said what was on their mind and they yelled and talked over each other, but THEY LOVED EACH OTHER. I gained a new dad, 2 aunts an amazing uncle. And 2 LOVING grandparents. From the moment my parents got married I was treated as a biological granddaughter. And after a very long Christmas 13 years ago, where I spent 3 days leading up to Christmas in Redmond with my "Real Dad" My parents came to pick us up and drove us straight to Christmas Eve at the Lehman's. (it was on hold until the "whole" family could be here, we are not complete with out my girls- My Grammy said) And as we showed up late Christmas eve night we were greeted and we opened gifts and an extra gift was that my Gramp's and Grammy were going to pay for our adoption to make us official Lehman Girls! ! So 13 years ago I was given the best gift - the gift family.

My Daddy Giving me away June 12th 2010

2. Every Christmas I would learn a new treat to make from my Grammy, She would literally "Deck the Halls" she had this amazing way of decorating and making amazing things for people- she truly was the most giving person I have ever known. But YES every ounce of "desert / treats" comes from her. We would do peanut brittle, brownies,cheesecake, rice cakes, lemon bars, fudge, sugar cookies, Jam (in the summer time) ...and the list goes on. And each grand kid got to come over on their own day and make stuff for people in the church. And the older you got the hard the treat you got to make. My very last year we made peanut brittle and then sat and ate all of it and talked. And after all 7 of us would make a treat we would come over and wrap them up in a goodies sack and load in the car and take the treats to the people in the church and bless them.

Grammy Made all of our Stockings , and every year we got our Grandkids photo!

3. I was told a story by a woman who had known my Grammy for a long time. So I will tell you the story I heard;
" You know your Grammy was a very special lady in so many ways. She blessed my life beyond words. She prayed with me, encouraged me and helped in practical ways. Not only was she a blessing for me but for my daughter. Do you know, ever year she would ask me what I wanted for Christmas, and ever year I would say KITCHEN TOWELS. And every year she made me some, not only did she fill a need, she did it from her heart. And she would give my family a treat of some sort and on the tag it would say Love the Lehman Crew."
(I smiled knowing it was from me and my cousins- Hopping that they tasted good,and lord knowing there may be an egg shell or two in them) - (with tears rolling down her face) she said " I miss my kitchen towels I miss the treats, I miss your Grammy. BUT I started a tradition with my kids , and we make treats and hand them out because of you and your family."

This year I got a goodie bag from her, filled with yummy food...So even though the tradition does not live on in my family, someone else is doing it (and that makes my heart melt) 
*so what you should know about me to relate to this #3 is that I want and desire to be more like my Grammy. A caring and giving person that one day people will know me by my GOOD Actions. And to decorate my house and teach my children all the goodness of the Lord in this season and in life. To leave a legacy bigger then me, to touch generations for the Lord, and that one day my kids and grand kids will resemble my Grammy and still carry on her traditions. 

And this is who I get to start my Family with and our Traditions!

 Nic & Cole