October 10, 1999

Dear Sarah Beth, 

When you were born everyone said you looked like a little china doll. You had the thickest brown hair with blond highlights. You arrived 5 weeks early but you were perfect in every way and it was an instant love affair. You my dear grandchild were the answer to many prayers – a gift from above.

The day you were born was one of the happiest days of my life! I will remember the love and excitement of that day always. I look forward to all the times we will share together!

When you came home from the hospital I was blessed to get to spend a few days with you. I came to help your mommy, but the very best part of my visit was getting to hold you. I spent many hours just holding you and praying for you. You made the sweetest little sounds and you would stretch and stretch. You cried very little which told me you were warm, content, secure and full. You were a beautiful little angel. It didn’t take long for you to steal my heart. I didn’t want to leave you to go home. 

Love,
Granna

March 1, 2009

Dear Matthew,

I can’t even begin to tell you what a blessing and joy you are to me. You are my one and only grandson and I love you even more than I could have ever imagined. You are such a bright and beautiful boy and so full of energy. Every one in the family adores you and we all treasure our time with you – although that time can be very tiring. You are so fun and always so very active! You make us smile and laugh and enjoy the present moment. You are truly a gift from God to this Granna and I thank Him daily for you.

I was blessed to be in the delivery room when you were born. I witnessed you come into this world. I saw your daddy look up with tears and say “thank you Jesus” for the son he had prayed for. Your daddy even delivered you and this time he didn’t need much coaching for it was his fourth time to do it.

It was not an easy pregnancy for your mother. There were complications and she was confined to bed those last weeks and you came five weeks early. We all prayed for you; but your daddy prayed specifically for a son this time.

God placed you in the perfect home. Your parents love and serve the Lord so faithfully and each other. Your sisters are all precious and they adore you. However, that didn’t come easy for Abby. She had real problems adjusting to her baby brother and for the first 18 months or so we had to protect you from her as she would physically abuse you by pinching you, hitting you, and knocking you down. Once she even jumped on you. Thankfully that all ended and now it is a joy to see you play together. I can see you being the very best of friends forever. I pray for that.

Since you were just a few months old you have loved all kinds of balls. Before you were just a year old you would eye the big basketball goal at our house. You would take all of your strength and arm span and lift a big basket ball while eyeing the goal and try to toss it in. Of course it would only go a few inches into the air. We just all know you will be a basketball star one day; perhaps for the University of Kentucky. I think that is one of the reasons your daddy prayed for a son.

You love to tease. You will proudly announce whose boy you are. Most of the time it’s mommy’s or daddy’s. Sometimes you say Granna’s or Pa’s and sometimes you come to me and announce with a twinkle in your eye “I’m not your boy Granna!” Then, of course, I chase you.

Just the other day your mommy dialed our number and you were on the telephone. You talked to me, and talked to me, and talked to me. Your mommy said you wanted to call me and I was thrilled!

You are so loving and affectionate. You give the best slow kisses while holding both cheeks. You are so loud and rambunctious – yet so very good. You are everything a little boy is made of and more. You fill my heart and complete my life. I smile when I think of you and I always will. One of my greatest joys will be watching you grow into the man God has planned. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

I pray you always listen to the Lord and live a life pleasing to Him. Then you will truly be blessed and continue blessing others. I am so thankful and blessed to be your Granna. You hold a large part of my heart! Love, Granna

August 2, 1999

Dear Madeline,

Tomorrow you are two months old. You have brought me so much joy in two short months! It is 75 miles from my house to yours, and when I’m traveling to see you it seems I’ll never get there. The trip home seems shorter as I relive the visit in my mind and think of all the future holds in store watching you grow into a young lady. Though I am in no hurry.

Today I brought your great grandmother Emily with me to visit you. We came so your mother could finish writing all of her thank-you notes. I believe you received more gifts than any baby ever welcomed into this world. Our real reason for coming was to enjoy some Madeline time; and helping with you is certainly a joyous job.

Though I was just with you four days ago I believe you had changed more than between any other visits. You were so content, alert and observing. You smiled and babbled. You stood on your feet when being held. You laid on your dressing table for one hour and watched your red and black clown mobile. I spent seven hours with you and you only cried once. It was time for a feeding. You didn’t warm up; you immediately went into high gear. No one but mama will do when it’s time to eat!

You own a large part of my heart dear little one and I have gladly given it to you.

Love, 
Granna

January 1, 2001

My Dear Kate Bradley, 
You just left with your Mommy and Daddy and big sister Madeline. You came for New Years weekend to celebrate Christmas with the family. You will be three weeks old tomorrow and it was your first visit to our house. What a beautiful, precious baby you are. You are the very best Christmas gift of all – besides Jesus, of course.

I have spent several days with you at your house helping your mommy. I loved every minute of it; especially the time we spent rocking. You are such a good baby. Madeline loves to pat you and kiss you on the top of the head as she says “Baby Kate.”

You are so blessed to have such a wonderful mommy and daddy and sister and they are blessed to have you! I know you will grow into a fine young lady; for you are loved and prayed for by so many. I look forward to watching you grow and sharing many special times as we did this weekend.

I am so blessed to be your grandmother. I will love you forever!

Granna

January 31, 2002

Dear Little Emily,

You just came with your family this afternoon for a visit. Your Great Grandmother Lewis and your Great Aunt Marilyn were visiting from West Frankfort, Illinois; and it was their first time to meet you. They instantly fell in love with you.

You are nine months old now and you are ready to walk. You raise to a standing position from a sitting one and you don't even use your hands. We've never seen another baby do this.

Grandmother Lewis thinks you look just like your Daddy; in fact, everyone
thinks you look just like him. I think you look alot like your Aunt Marilyn's baby pictures 

You are such an adorable baby; always so happy and playful. You giggled and laughed out loud when we would play with you. Everyone is happier when you are around. You are such a blessing to our family and we will all love you forever and ever. I pray for God to keep you safe. I also pray that you grow to love God and that you will always listen to Him.

Love,
Granna

March 31, 2004

My Dear Precious Abby,

I am so blessed to have another granddaughter to love. I just returned from spending a week helping your mommy with you and your sisters. There is so much love in your home and I got to experience and share in it. You are a beautiful baby and you look so much like Madeline did as a newborn.

The day of your birth was one filled with excitement and joy. Your daddy delivered you; the same as he did your sisters. I must admit I’ve always been a little nervous about that. As with both of your sisters, your parents chose to wait and be surprised at the time of the birth to learn if they had a boy or girl. Everyone was guessing what you would be and that was videotaped. We all were surprised and thrilled. All of your cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and Aunt Elizabeth (whom you were named for) were anxiously waiting the announcement of your birth.

Granddaddy was in Frankfort meeting in the General Assembly for he is a state senator, but Grandmommy kept him posted before and when you arrived. Your birth was announced on the senate floor. They announced: “Abby Elizabeth Rhoads is the newest citizen of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.” That was followed with cheers. March 25, 2004 was indeed a day for celebration . God blessed our family with another beautiful, healthy baby girl, and again it was an instant love affair. 
I will love you forever beautiful Abby.

Love,
Granna

4-30-09

My Dear Matthew,

You are undoubtedly the most loving yet rambunctious soon-to-be three year old boy yet born. You can run and knock me down, and hug my neck and give me your hard kisses (as you call them), and be gone in a few seconds, for only a few seconds, and be back for more loving and rough housing. You can be gentle and rough all at the same time.

You love to tease and play, jump off the furniture, dive onto the furniture, run and hide, chase a ball, kick a ball, and throw a ball. You immediately search for all the balls when you come to our house, and you always want to go outside and try to shoot them in the big goal. You can’t get them far in the air, but no one can stop you from trying.

You are so good and mostly obedient. You go down for a nap at bedtime with no fuss. You choose the books you want read and the songs you want me to sing. You are the only person that chooses songs for me to sing!

You are such a handsome little guy and you look so much like your daddy and it is no accident that you act like him too; for he has worked over time seeing to it that you are loud and boisterous, all boy, and a big tease. He said he doesn’t want any boring children. He believes that children should be heard as well as seen!

You seem fearless and my prayer is that God tames that fearlessness and protects you. I also pray that someday your fearlessness meets with passion for Christ. Your Daddy is certainly sold out for God and you have a great role model.

I love you Matthew Rhoads and I smile when I think of you. I smile more when I am with you . . . and I thank God for those special times.

Love,
Granna