Masthead header

Santa Bears and Ski’s

Go ahead.  Ask anyone that knows my parents and they will totally back me up.  I have the best parents ever.  And my kids have the best grandparents ever.  I literally struggle for words when it comes to describing how awesome they are.  And not, ‘awesome’, like, “Wow, that chocolate donut was awesome!” but rather ‘awesome’ like the-most-stunning-mountainous-scene-with-snow-capped-mountains,-a-breath-taking-lake-nestled-at-the-foothill-and-the-sun-hovering-on-the-majestic-peaks,-exemplifying-God’s-awesome-glory kind of ‘awesome’. 

When I was younger, I can remember my school friends being envious of me for how my parents spoiled me and my two older brothers.  For example, for Christmas one year, they bought us new downhill skis.  But, they didn’t just buy them, wrap them, and tuck them under the tree.  That would never do.  Instead, they bought 3 fluffy white Santa Bears (remember those?) and placed our new ski goggles on each bear, and tucked the bears paws through new ski poles, and rested them lovingly by each of our shiny new skis, so that on Christmas morning we would delight in this adorable little scene.

 And our vacations, albeit, jammed in-between my two brothers in our family’s Oldsmobile (ugh), were 3 week cross country adventures that took us through 47 states.  Talk about quality family time! 

And when we were all college bound, my parents never blinked an eye about the expense of putting three kids through college.  They had planned and saved, always considering their kids’ future above all else.    Looking back, every decision my parents made was for the betterment of their family.  Their dedication to each other and to their kids, their loyalty, their commitment, and their love blows me away to this day.

I’m laughing to myself right now, because as I re-read what I’ve written, I can hear my mom say, “Of all the examples you have to blog about, you pick Santa Bears and ski’s, something that happened 25 years ago?”  Yes, I pick that, because that small gesture of setting up that memorable Christmas scene just perfectly, so that it invoked the greatest level of joy and delight in their children showed exactly the care and attention my parents put into every decision they made.

I can easily ramble on about different examples of how amazing they are, how they’ve taught me so much about marriage and family, and how they are the best grandparents to their grandchildren, hand’s-down uncontested, and how they reach out and pitch in and volunteer when they see need, but I’ll save that for a future blog.    In the meantime, I’ll be keepin’ it real. 

Blessings,
jenn
xo

 

 

BACK TO TOP ^
  • Regan miller - March 1, 2012 - 9:19 pm

    This. Is. So beautiful I tears up:) completely true. They are indeed the most wonderful grandparents ever. Thy would do anything for us.
    Peace and blessing.
    Peace, and blessings <3ReplyCancel

    • Jennifer Bates - March 1, 2012 - 10:04 pm

      Thank you Regan-noodle! xo

  • Chris - March 1, 2012 - 9:56 pm

    Jen, John and I had brown bears. You had the Santa bear. Sorry. But that’s the fact Jack. Great pics!!ReplyCancel

    • Jennifer Bates - March 1, 2012 - 10:04 pm

      Don’t wreck my memory!! Just kiddin’. Love you bro. xo

  • Dad and mom - March 9, 2012 - 11:42 am

    We wish we could put into words what we felt while reading this, Jennifer. Unfortunately, you did not get your writing abilities from us. We can only hope that, as a parent, you know your heartfelt words touched us beyond belief. Your kind words will live in our hearts for the rest of our lives. You are, and always have been, a thoughtful, loving daughter.ReplyCancel

  • Dana - August 2, 2012 - 4:38 pm

    Okay Jenn, so if the post wasn’t enough to evoke some tears, the pictures surely do!! I’ve never personally met either of your parents, but over the years of our friendship, I’ve heard SO much about them. These pictures are such a beautiful way to show all they’ve been through together as a couple, as parents, as grandparents, and as friends. You can see the love in their eyes, and that’s priceless. Great job capturing the emotion and story in each shot…it’s what so many strive to do in this business, but often fall short of.ReplyCancel

    • Jennifer Bates - August 3, 2012 - 10:52 am

      Awww, thanks Dana!! xoxo That means so much to me!