life lately with the GRANDS! our journey through JANUARY!
- Our Grand Lives
- 34 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Thursday, February 5, 2026
January always feels like the start of a new journey!
It’s a month that invites us to slow down a bit
and one that is filled with familiar rhythms as we begin once again!
As we traveled through these early days of 2026,
we found joys and challenges woven into our daily lives.
Through it all, we kept walking,
reminded once again to hold space for gratitude, grace and growth through it all!
It feels like a loooong time since we last posted a Life Lately update!
In many ways, January was a month of
regrouping, reenergizing, remembering and, above all, reflecting!
Early in the month, the two of us
- Laurie and Laura -
met up for one of our mega-planning/gab sessions!
We regrouped, we were reenergized and we reflected
as we made future plans for this blog!
HAPPY 2026 to Our Grand Lives!
Since we first met in early January, a lot has happened in our state of Minnesota and, if we are being completely honest, this has been a hard post to write. It feels a bit frivolous and trivial to be recounting our own pockets of joy in the wake of all that’s happening in our communities. Our hearts have been heavy. Yet, we keep moving, trusting that even these uneven steps are part of the journey!
We’ll begin this recap with a look back at both of our lives this past month
as well as a review of what’s been happening at Our Grand Lives.
Then, we’ll end today’s post by sharing our thoughts
on the Minnesota we love so dearly
and our dreams for the future…
For our Littles, our state, our country and our world!
January has been a tough month!
It has been a time of reflection, prayer and sadness
as I worry about friends, neighbors, former kindergarten families
and the good people of Minnesota.
I found comfort in connecting with family and close friends.
I attended basketball games of our beloved Littles,
and I spent time on a favorite winter project.
Thinking of “simpler times” brought a smile
as I cleaned out boxes and albums of old photos!
I’ve found support in my church community.
And, of course, time spent with Little D and Little P
always brightens my day!
I wish for a world where these sweet Littles can grow up
strong, safe and happy!
I wish for peace in Minnesota.
My January was bookended by visits with our Littles
and then a lot of renovation prep and wellness care in between!
2026 began with our Little 4-year-old celebrating her birthday
on New Year’s Day!
We were able to celebrate Little L’s special day with her,
beginning with a yummy breakfast!
Happy Birthday, sweet girl!
We love you so! 🩷 🩷 🩷
Before we headed home a few days later,
we enjoyed a special fly-over!
Our SIL was piloting this plane (can you see it)
and he made a quick detour and flew over their house!
Of course, we all headed outside to say “Hi”!
Once Hubby and I returned home,
we needed to get serious about making decisions
for our upcoming bathroom projects!
We spent countless hours choosing tile, fixtures, countertops and paint!
Decisions! Decisions!
Demolition of Bathroom #1 is scheduled to begin next week!
I’m a bit nervous (why do I always second guess my choices…) but also very excited!
It's been a long time coming!
Bring on the mess!
I also spent January taking care of several routine health appointments…
I had lab work done and my wellness check
(my first since becoming a Medicare patient last year)
as well as my annual eye exam.
Can you tell from this photo what else I took care of?
With my heart condition, my colonoscopy prep was a week long
to insure that my electrolytes would not deplete too rapidly!
Then the procedure took place at the hospital for added insurance.
Thankfully, all went well!
Since early January,
we, too, have lit a candle in our window each night.
For us, it has served as a needed reminder of Micah 6:8,
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
This past weekend, we traveled to Minocqua, Wisconsin,
for a fun weekend with our oldest, her husband, our Littles
and our SIL’s parents at their cabin.
We had the best time! Since they don't typically sleep in the same room, our Little L and Little P provided early morning wake up calls for us all! Just imagine the giggles that were taking place!.
Look who had child care duty at 6 a.m. each day!
This was the scene I walked into one morning!
🩷 🩷 🩷
Way to go to our two grandpas!!!
The grandmas then had babysitting duty
while the others went snowmobiling later that morning.
As you can see, we caught up with each other at lunchtime.
It was Hubby’s first time on a snowmobile and it was a success
UNTIL he rolled it
and he and the snowmobile landed in a snowbank!
Uh-oh! (No photo, though!)
Thankfully, Hubby walked away with a few bruised ribs
and probably a bruised ego, too!
While he's definitely sore, we both know that it could have been so much worse!
Two sets of grandparents,
two Littles and their mommy and a daddy!
No doubt about it… the weekend was GRAND
and the perfect ending to our January!
January was a busy month for us at Our Grand Lives!
We had 7 new posts this month!
Our first two posts of the month were our December recaps from Laurie and Laura
We had so much to share, we had to split our recap into two separate posts!
Our focus soon turned to winter and all its wonders!
Find the links to each post below if you’d like more details!
Then, we ended the month with 2 posts devoted to Valentine’s Day!
Here’s a sampling of Valentine fun!
We invite you to follow us on either platform!
Special THANKS for reading, commenting, and/or emailing!
We always welcome your comments
and we’re always amazed by how much we learn from this community!
Ever since we were children, we both have called Minnesota,
and specifically the western suburbs of Minneapolis,
OUR HOME!
Minnesota is the place that has shaped us! It’s where we grew up and learned so many life lessons, it’s where we fell in love and raised our own Littles. And, it’s where we spent careers we loved! More than anything, what we love most about our state is the people. There’s a steady kindness here, often quiet and unassuming, but deeply rooted.
As many of you know, Minnesota has made heartbreaking headlines, one after another, in recent weeks. Our hearts are weary! We can't help but recall the faces of so many of the children we taught and the parents we partnered with over the years… Many of them were families of color, who brought so much gratitude, respect and determination to every encounter. It’s impossible for us to view these recent events as mere news stories; in many instances, they are personal to us and each reflects real families, real pain, and real questions about who we are meant to be!
In these past few weeks, we’ve felt fear and sadness, but we’ve also found hope in meaningful ways, too. We’ve witnessed first hand resilience, generosity, and a shared understanding that we’re here to look out for one another and that we’re all in this together. These realities make all the difference. This is the real Minnesota, the one we know and love!
In kindergarten, we each taught a lesson every January
celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream for our world.
It was always one of our favorite days of the year!
Five-year-olds love being helpers, love sharing and love their friends!
Our world could learn a lot from them!
With that said, here are our dreams for our Littles, our state, our country and our world…
❤️ May we each choose kindness! ❤️
Beginning close to home and rippling outward,
may we listen more, judge less, and remember our shared humanity.
❤️ May our communities and leaders choose courage and compassion! ❤️
Rather than deepening division, may those who are leading,
work for justice that protects the vulnerable and restores trust.
❤️ May our next generation inherit a world shaped by hope! ❤️
What a gift it would be to leave our Littles a world where
peace is pursued, differences are honored,
and love is practiced in everyday, real ways!
Our journey through January has proven to be a season for walking gently.
We cherished our moments of joy
and found our faith stretched during these uncertain times
as we strived to trust that meaning would come to us along the way!
Through it all, we continue to light a candle each evening,
because HOPE matters!
We are called to be reflections of God’s light in a world that often feels dark.
Whether it’s as a reminder, in remembrance or as a reflection,
each candle becomes a quiet testimony that love still shines,
hope still flickers,
and God’s light is constant…
near enough to warm our hearts, strong enough to guide our way!
💗 We are delighted to join the following link up parties and blog hops! 💗
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