Who My Grandchildren Are, In My Eyes

As the kids get older we see more and more of their personalities. Jamie and I have have talked lately of "ten years from now" and wonder if we'll be right about who they might be as young adults. So here's my take on them based on what I know today.

EMILY - "The Professor"
I am almost convinced that Emily was reading a book in-utero. She reads almost like she breathes and tells me about how tornados and volacanos happen...about the U.S. Presidents...about how a dragonfly lays its eggs underwater...and more. Recently Emily was reading on the couch while Allyson was asking Jamie what ladybugs eat. Jamie said, I don't know, I think maybe grass? Without looking up, Emily said in a monotone voice, "Aphids," and kept reading. Mike looked at Jamie and said, "She's right." Ha! I pretty much trust Emily's opinion on those things over my own. Her mind moves faster than her tongue can talk and her imagination is amazing. Oh the stories that girl has thought up over the years, and she lived in a mermaid's world as Ariel (minus the red hair) for the longest time, lol! She's also very good at the role of "teacher," and has helped other kids memorize verses in AWANA, and she's a great goalie/defense soccer player too. Overall, Emily is a steady and true friend in her friendships and is never critical of others (well, except maybe her sisters on occasion). I see a lot of compassion, curiosity and imagination in Emily, she just amazes me! I see her as a teacher or professor someday.


ALLYSON - "The Sports Star"
While Allyson feels that school is her fairweather friend and is already living for summer vacation, this girl loves all things sporty. She gets goal after goal in soccer, she's the one who could ride her bike about as far as I can, and asks about playing baseball. Yet she's all girl. She lives in her favored skirts, detests wearing pants, and is still into anything princess. Ally is going to be our family's prayer warrior, she already prays with compassion and has heartfelt requests on the behalf of others. She adores her friends and is very social. Allyson plays soccer, reads her books, shows us new things she can do with a big smile on her face. Seriously, that girl grins all the way through her soccer games, she's so cute to watch! I think she'll be everyone's friend, great in her faith in Christ and prayer, and I'm predicting she'll be an attorney because when she asks for something, if the answer is no, she'll ask "why not" 50 different ways until you just see it her way to get it over with! She is sweet, bright, loves to sing with music in the car, my kind of girl!


DEVON - "The First Honest Politician?"
Devon has a sweet, gentle spirit most of the time and seems to make friends with everyone around him. He loves to help whether it's cooking with me in the kitchen or helping Steve with "tool time" stuff around the house. He is at his best when he's one-on-one with adults and is pretty fun, and funny at times, to talk to. He has had a passion for super heroes since he was old enough to have an opinion and I have run out of super hero gift options for him. ;) Kids at his pre-school are drawn to him and he seems well-loved by his friends - probably because he is the same way toward them. He can be a bit of an informer, but he's diplomatic about it, not a "tattler," maybe some politician in him? He and his daddy read the Bible together every night they're together and daddy says he loves it. As for prediction for his future, he's more of an unknown. So far he's not super sport driven although he's starting to shine in soccer lately, he is smart and very well spoken (he is Josh's son after all), and he does well in school. I think he's so well-rounded and easy-going that there's not one thing that stands out to tell me what he might be as an adult - unless you can be a super hero in real life, ha! But he is one of our more huggy, lovey grandchildren when it comes to affection and time together, maybe the makings of a super husband someday? So my description of Devon is content within himself, loving, and a truly great friend.


RYLEE - "The World Explorer"
Rylee truly has no fear of living life to its fullest! Last summer just before her 3rd birthday, in a matter of a handful of seconds while the adults were packing up to leave the beach in SoCal, Ryleee "slipped away" from mommy, daddy and Aunt Tricia and made it a loooong way down the beach before a lady found her and took her to a lifeguard. When daddy found her with them, they thought she was 5 because she talked and handled herself so well. She had told them her name was RyRy (we call her that) instead of Rylee and when they asked Mike her name/age to be sure it was his child, they almost didn't believe Mike that she was actually not even 3 years old (silly since she's so tiny!). As they walked back towards the family Mike asked if she was scared that she was lost and she said, "I wasn't lost, I was walking!!" That's Rylee and the way she views life! She is 3 going on 30, can hang with the big girls and if she asked for the car keys I wouldn't be surprised if she knew how to drive! She is silly, super loving and huggy, and waaaay too cute for her own good. Her best talent is waiting for her opportunities quietly and then slipping away to do her thing - and it isn't always what she should be doing! She will probably never have trouble handling herself in life, and will always make the most of life. Overall, she is fearless, yet sweet and loving!


NATHAN - "The Family Chef"
Nathan is the first child that has forced Jamie and Mike to put child locks on their cupboards. If he can reach it, he will. If he can't reach it, he will find something to stand on to reach it. Jamie came downstairs to find him on the floor, surrounded by (don't gasp) all sizes of knives. Steak knives, dicing knives, you name it (thus more child locks at their house). I'm starting to think he can get to anything. He, like Allyson, has his own language. We used to call Allyson's "Allynese," so I guess Nate's is "Nathanese." He has a full conversation with you and if you answer him with anything, he nods his head, says a few more things, says yes and moves on. Pretty funny! He is all boy which is nice for mommy and daddy after three sisters before him. He is a climber and has had a few bad goose eggs on his head for it. He will probably be the first to have stitches or a broken bone. It's too early to tell at 18 months where he's headed in his personality, but so far he's stubborn but sweet, busy but funny, and loves him some mommy!! If I had to guess based on his short 18 months, I'd say someday he'll be a car dismantler, and he'll do it by hand! Haha! But seriously, I'd say Chef because he is fascinated by everything you do in the kitchen, and loves to play with the knives, measuring cups, etc. (Don't worry, Jamie doesn't intentionally let him play with the knives, he's just talented that way on his own!)