THE WAY WE ARE: MY GRANDCHILDREN

Never did I expect that having grandchildren would the blessing that it has been. Don't get me wrong, I had looked forward to them, and knew that they would be little extensions of my own kids that I love beyond reason; and they are that, and yet soo much more. The joy they add to my life is indescribable, and my heart swells with such a love for them, it is hard to express. I look forward to seeing them grow and turning into the people that they are meant to be, but in the meantime, I enjoy every little minute of their young lives and smile when I know that their "difficult" moments are not mine to handle. God gave them to me just to bless me, and that it exactly what they do.

My oldest grandchild is Leah's son Evan who is 15 years old. He was 8 years old when I first met him and one of the cutest little boys I had ever seen. He has big green eyes, blonde hair, and a smile that is adorable. Evan is a giving and sweet natured guy and is just a good kid. He has a fun sense of humor and enjoys the typical things most teen-aged boys do such as video games and sports. I have come to love Evan very much and look forward to watching him grow and mature. In looking through my pictures I noticed that I don't have many of Evan. Probably too busy snapping pictures of the babies when he is around, but I intend to change this in the future, haha..

My next grandchild is Joe's daughter Annabel that he brought to the marriage as well. She is 13 years old and I just love her to pieces. She is a typical 13 year old girl who does very well in school and enjoys music, sports, clothes, and boys. And probably not in that order either, haha. Annabel lives with her other grandparents and spends every other week-end at her dad's house, and a few weeks in the summertime, so I don't get to see her as much as I would like too. But when we do get together she will talk to me about almost anything and we enjoy going to the "girly" movies together and shopping together as well. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see her live full time with her dad as she should. We all pray about it everyday. In the meantime, I enjoy her every single chance I am given.

My next granddaughter is Lindsey who is 9 years old. She too is Leah's daughter, but she came into the marriage at only 2 years old, so I don't remember much of a time where she wasn't part of our lives. Such a pretty, sweet little girl Lindsey is. She is tiny and petite, and does soo well in school that they are moving her next year to the "GATE" program at school. Lindsey loves all girly things and clothes and sparkly nail polish and music. She is full of life and helpful to me whenever she is around. How I love her.

My next oldest grandchild is Jeffie who just turned 6 years old. He is Joe & Leah's son together and is in Kindergarten this year. How I love this little boy is hard to put into words. He and I enjoy a special bond and hang out together whenever I can work it. He loves animals of all sorts and talks already about maybe being a vet, or possibly own a zoo Grandma, haha. We see most of the new "kiddie" movies together as Joe and his family only live about 8 min. from our house. I tell him everytime I see him that I love him up to the sky and forever and ever, and it just couldn't be more true. He has the most contagious smile you may have ever seen, and is almost always on his darling little face.

My next granddaughter is Jimmy and Larissa's oldest daughter Capri. She is 5 years old and possibly one of the prettiest little girls you may ever see. She has HUGE blue eyes, a dusting of darling little freckles across her nose, and a just the sweetest little lips. She has an imagination the likes of which I have seldom ever seen, and loves to play dress up while she acts out the games she comes up with. She is cooperative and wanting to please. She is a little on the shy side, but every once in a while I have managed to catch a smile on her face while I am taking her picture. Her mother does a better job of that than I do, so I have stolen a few of her pictures. I am looking forward to the day when she is old enough to come and spend the week-end with us and we can get LOTS of that one on one time with her I would love to have. I love this little girl beyond reason.

My next grandson is JD. who is 3 years and is seriously cute enough to be on a cover of a magazine. He is Jimmy and Larissa's middle child and only son. His HUGE green eyes and adorable dimples and grin are going to no doubt make him a true heart breaker some day. But it isn't just his darling little looks that makes this little guy so special. He is ALL boy, and ALL personality. He is sweet and sensitive though as well. His love of football is already apparent and I think we all pretty much see him on the field someday, haha...He reminds me soo much of his daddy growing up, that it's almost like watching Jimmy all over again. How I love this little guy, and thank God everyday that He blessed us with him.

My next grandson is Joe & Leah's most recent (and final) addition to their little family...Cody, who is 14 months old. He is just flat out adorable, and this Grandma loves him to pieces. He is soo active and is just all over the place, but is always happy it seems and soo easily entertained. I love that when he hears my voice he just comes running. He climbs up into my arms and lays his sweet little head on my shoulder and hums until I begin to sing to him. He calls me "MA" quite plainly and I am pretty much toast when it comes to giving him what he wants. I enjoy him soo much and look forward to watching him grow into all God has for him. I love him more than I can explain.

My last (for now anyway) grandchild is Jimmy & Larissa's youngest and also final daughter, little Donatella Valentina who was born on Valentine's Day. She is also 14 months old. She is just soo sweet, and sooo adorable, and soo precious I am not quite sure how to explain it. She has THE prettiest light blue eyes fringed in dark black lashes you have ever seen. She has just about everybody wrapped around her tiny little finger. She is busy, and happy, and loves to be held and cuddled. She gives kisses and is already saying several words. She truly makes my cup run over.

As you can PLAINLY see, I have been blessed in the grandchild department much more than I could ever deserve. How I praise God for everyone of them...