“I used to see new grandparents being over-the-top gushy and think ‘Please. It’s just a baby,’” chuckles Alta resident Dena Saunders. “But as soon as it happens to you everything changes. It is wonderful.”

Scott and Dena Saunders, along with many other local residents, will be celebrating National Grandparents’ Day for the very first time on Sunday.

For Scott and Dena Saunders this is a double celebration. They welcomed two grandsons this past spring.

“Ben and Chelsea were the first to find out they were expecting. We got a manila envelope in the mail and when we opened it up there was a pregnancy test that had a pink plus on it,” recounted Dena. “A month later we got another envelope with a pregnancy stick in it from Josh and Kristi.”

Scott Saunders, pastor at Sierra First Baptist Church in Alta, was on a mission trip to Montana when Dena received the first envelope.

“I called our friend, who was on the same trip, and asked her to pick up a baby item from the store, wrap it and give it to him in front of everyone. I didn’t want to tell anyone else the exciting news until he heard it first!” said Dena.

Noah Saunders was born on March 3 in Kentucky, where Ben is attending seminary.

Seven weeks later on April 21, Kristi Saunders went into labor at the couple’s home in Texas where Joshua was serving with the Navy.

In both cases Dena, who can’t wait to be called “Mimi,” was at the hospital within hours after the birth of her grandsons.

“We got the call that Chelsea had gone into labor early so Deb, Chelsea’s mom, and I booked an early flight for the next morning. There we were, two first time grandmas, getting on the plane. The whole way to Virginia we kept saying ‘baby, baby, baby!’

“It is so weird to see your baby with a baby. You expect the moms to be doting, but it was also neat to see my sons being so attentive and captivated. They will always be my kids, but there is a new respect to see them as parents.”

When asked what role she would like to play as a grandmother, Saunders responded, “I want them to know that when they have problems and concerns they can call and say ‘Mimi, can you pray about this for me?’ When they remember me, I want them to know I was a grandmother who loved them, prayed for them and passed on a spiritual heritage.”

A few months ago, Joshua relocated his family to Roseville.

When Ben graduates next May he hopes to move back to California as well.

“We are excited they are so close in age and hope that someday soon they can live closer to each other,” Dena said.

For now the Saunders rely on modern technology, such as Facebook and Web cams, to stay in touch.

“We can go online and see new pictures and videos or e-mail pictures taken from digital cameras. We used to have Instamatics,” said Dena. “By the time you got the pictures back from being developed and sent off to the grandparents, the baby was at least another four weeks old!”

Alta residents Sue and Del Gray, also new grandparents, look forward to daily updates on their three-month-old granddaughter, Olivia.

“It doesn’t feel like we are nine hours away. Today Dustin and Sarah sent a picture they took with their phone and texted me about Olivia going for a swim. I saw pictures of her in her bathing suit and little sunglasses!” laughed Sue, who was thankful that she, Del and their younger daughter, Terra, could be in Southern California when Olivia was born.

“I think it is great that Dustin went through all the doctor appointments and Lamaze classes with Sarah,” added Del. “When he walked through the double doors into the waiting room after Olivia was born he had the biggest grim on his face. It was pretty cool.

“You don’t realize how easy they are to spoil. We already have a floor puzzle and a high chair for when she comes to visit us!”

Sue adds, “For years I would tell others how happy I was for them when they had a new grand baby, but when you have one of your own, it is so different. It really is amazing.”

 

Marci Seither/Colfax Record