“Grandchildren are the reward you get for keeping their parent alive.”

Some little girls dream of becoming a teacher or a veteranarian. From a very young age, all I wanted was to be a mom, and I believe God put me on this earth to do exactly that. I am the oldest of three girls, AND I’m the oldest grandchild, so I took care of my sisters and my cousins a lot. I’m not sure my sisters would say I did a good job of it, but I tried.

Ben and I have been married for 30 years now, and our three boys are grown. We are basically empty nesters.

Ian, our firstborn, is 29. He married his high school sweetheart, Katy, in 2015 and made us Lola and Lolo (grandparents) in September of 2020. They have two boys now, Henry will be 3 in a couple months and Hays is 8 months. I was so excited to have two grand boys!

Jacob, our middle, is 25. He found his true love Melissa, quite by accident. They got married in August 2022, and he instantly became Dad to two of the most beautiful and loving children I have ever known, Michael and Neely. Now, they’re expecting new baby Olivia in the next few weeks!

Owen, our youngest, is 22. He and the love of his life, Yai (pronounced jī..like pie), are expecting their first baby, Owen, Jr. or OJ for short.

Y’all. Ben and I are about to have SIX GRANDBABIES! It is so hard to express the joy that comes with being a grandparent. When you have your own children, the love you have for them is so overwhelming that you think there is no way you’re going to love anyone else that way.

Then you get grandbabies.❤️

“There’s nothing like a grandchild to put a smile on your face, a lump in your throat and a warm feeling in your heart.”

“Grandchildren fill a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.”

“If our children are a blessing, then our children’s children are a gift from God.”

“Your sons weren’t made to like you. That’s what grandchildren are for.”
– Jane Smiley

Grandbabies
2020 = 1
2022 = 3
2023 = 2

We’re on a roll! Wonder if there will be more?

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

Family photos were taken by Angel Pardue of Angel Pardue Photography!