“Sanks”

“Melcome”

“I love you”

“Excuse me”

“What’s happenin?”

“What’s that sound?”

Toddler phrases. Short little sentences. Curious minds. Conversations that have many mystery words while continued development takes place. Such is part of my world right now and I love it.

I remember a time when I wondered if I’d become a grandmother? I was watching other people cross over this tender threshold in life…making room in their hearts to welcome a new member to their families! And I wanted that so bad for myself. And then it happened. By 2015 we welcomed our first grandchild, a girl…along came a grandson in 2018, a second boy in 2019 and our last grand was another girl in 2020. The longings I once held in a tight heart are now replaced with beautiful healthy children–each very unique and made perfect in God’s image.

Soon, as speech began my “mom” title was replaced by “Ga”…my husband was “Da”. Our oldest grandson called us gramma/grampa as though we are one entity; the youngest boy calls us “Ah-ma” and “Ah-pa”. It’s our littlest gal who has always called us grandpa and gramma with clarity in her husky voice!

We love any amount of time spent with our grandchildren, especially as they are growing and learning faster than we keep up with them! Macklynn is 8 now and loves softball and basketball. Her brother Coby is into vehicles of any kind and remembers each one by description. How he does that amazes me considering he is now four. Jacks knows his “bugs” and has never met a stranger. I love watching him talk to people wherever he goes. Mylah is very independent and a take-charge kind of gal–she loves Disney and is a good climber on the equipment at playgrounds. 

Although all of those things above are wonderful, the best part of their four lives is they are being taught about God. Our adult children take their family to church quite consistently and at home bibles are read and hands are folded to pray. During fair week recently, four year old Jacks learned that a horse had “tummy issues” and he told the girl who would be “showing” the horse “I will pray for his tummy to feel better when I take my nap”.

Macklynn–who was not ready a couple years ago  to be “bathmatized” made the decision to do just that in October 2022. Prayers that she develops a strong heart, a wise mind, and be tender have proven to be evident. She excels at math and cares deeply about others–winning the Kindness Award two times from her teachers.

We’ve prayed that Jacks would be healthy, smart and happy. His smile lights up a room and he enjoys making others laugh! Jacoby is our hesitant one, he takes a while to process change but prayers for him to have a strong mind show in some stubbornness that keeps getting harnessed…he is cuddly by nature on his own terms, too, quick to offer “I love you” when least expected. Mylah is indeed a “warrior” and gracious…two qualities her parents have asked God to instill in her. She’s quick to help others with anything around her, turning many day-to-day chores into a chance to “learn” and “do”.

Four little people have changed my life and world. It’s been pure joy so far and I know there’s a lot more ahead–ready or not–here I sit waiting for the next conversation or adventure through a young mind.