The Bonus Grands

     "How did our boy do?" That was a text that I received from Ms. Marie the afternoon of Jacob's first archery tournament. As I've shared before, Luke's parents have taken on active roles as grandparents to my youngest two children, Ella and Jacob. They've not gotten to meet Lindsey and Gabriel in person, yet, but I'm certain they'd happily welcome them into their hearts, if allowed, too. 

    This has been one of the most significantly prodigious things to happen to my youngest children and I, within this last year. Along with my sweet Luke, his parents have loved us incredibly well and I'm simply obliged. The fact that God gifted us with these people who want/love to be with my babies as often as possible, and ask about them on an almost daily basis...that means so much more than I could ever articulate. They have each taught my children a great deal in such a short amount of time. Their benevolence, plethora of knowledge/life skills, and their arms-wide-open willingness to be proud and loving grandparents to children, who don't even share the same bloodline as they, have transcended anything I could have ever imagined for Ella and Jacob, beforehand. 

    Mr. Larry, the one my babies lovingly refer to as their "Pops" never misses an opportunity to answer Jacobs unending feat with curiosity. He answers EVERY SINGLE question that Jacob throws at him (that child is the most curious boy I know and I love this about him!), with florid and invaluable responses, that leave Jacob satiable. Until curiosity strikes again, of course. He took my babies fishing for their very first time, and taught them how to bait a hook and remove the fish. He's taught them a great deal about farming cattle, as well as planting/harvesting fruits and vegetables. They've started an impressive garden together, in fact. He's teaching them to drive his truck on the farm, gun safety/shooting, and how to operate his zero turn mower. He gifts them both with so much love, patience, as much time as he can possibly give to them and he does so with a smile on his face. Each time he sees them again, he greets them with sincere excitement at their presence. These things are something that I, as their mother, feel a tremendous amount of gratitude for. And this is just a fraction of things he's done for and with them. Jacob adores every minute that he gets to spend with his Pops and cannot wait until we're back at the farm again. My animal loving Ella got to experience a small dose of what being a vet (her dream job) looks like when she got to assist Pops in bull castration, vaccinations, and tagging. She was beaming as she told me all about that day with her Pops! My babies needed these precious souls just as much as I did.

    Ms. Marie, the one we call "Mama Re" has a brilliant and creative mind. Her creativity can easily be seen in the beautiful things she's created and in the two precious souls she's raised. Quilts, paintings, drawings, homemade napkins, embroideries, etc. She has a tendency to speak evocatively, painting a picture in the mind of the person she's speaking to. I have thoroughly enjoyed our long talks, as have the kids. We especially love the stories she shares from her childhood. Even before meeting my babies, she wanted to know as much as she could about them. Upon finding out about Ella's Selective Mutism, she began researching it to get a better understanding of what it was and how to best cater to Ella's needs, once they were finally able to meet. She bonded with Ella and Jacob immediately and made them feel instantly at ease and welcome in her home as well as in her presence. She has inspired Ella to be creative and Ella is quick to send Mama Re pictures of art projects that she's completed. She smiles from ear-to-ear when her Mama Re sends praises in return for a job well done. That means so much, to my girl, coming from someone with such talent. In this past year, I've observed her give her son the most precious hugs and greet him with "There's my sweet boy." It's evident that she has loved her children well and that they adore her just the same. She is easily the heart of that home and I'm blessed to call her my mother-in-love and my children's bonus grandmother. I wouldn't trade her for any other. 

    You know that saying, "It takes a village to raise a child."? This is what a steady portion of that village looks like for me. 

 "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." -Proverbs 22:6

    To you two big-hearted souls, 

    I know that I've told you both, many times, but thank you for loving us so well. I didn't realize how deep the hole was, in my heart, until you all filled it slap up with love in such epic enormity. It's an honor to be a part of your family and a blessing to be loved by you both. Thank you for embracing my babies as your own. Words aren't enough to express the amount of gratitude that I have, for you both, for that alone. Thank you for raising your boy to be the man that he is today. He's a good one and I'm blessed to call him mine!!! I am thankful for every hug from you both, every family prayer said together around your dining table, every text, every big belly laugh, every tear shed, and every long talk. You both, along with our Luke, are absolute gifts from God. We love you truly and always. 

Relishing in HIS goodness...

Christy