Ev's Post

This past Tuesday, my Sweet Grandson Everett John, turned 3.
THREE!
I remember the morning he was born.  We sat and waited ~ anxious to finally see and hear this little guy!  What great joy it was when my sister-in-law Ingrid came up from the OR to our little glassed in waiting place, and brought some pictures.  (Ingrid works in heart surgery, and was on a break, and was allowed to be in the operating room for the c-section.  She was great support to our kids, who, along with us were very anxious for a safe delivery.

Everett John.  John after Great Grandpa Klassen.  Dad would have been so proud!  Mom K. sure was!

So it was that on Tuesday morning, I called Ev and wished him a Happy Birthday.  He was already pumped that finally his much anticipated and talked about special day was THERE!! He told me that he was going to the airport for pancakes.  That is one of his favorite things - to eat chocolate chip pancakes at Stella's at the airport - and watch planes come in.  SO they did this.  And then proceeded on to a fun filled day - an afternoon nap - and a birthday party with the Klassen side.

I had great fun in preparing his gift - Leah and Josh encourage his imagination, and this boy HAS imagination.  I love watching as the toys become much bigger and much more fun than they were originally packaged for.  Who says the silo that comes with the Fisher Price barn isn't a ROCKET!
Often we have to be a part of the play "Okay Granny, you and I are the fire station, and we are sleeping, and (then he gets out of his "bed" and presses the fire alarm on his "fire engine" ride on toy ...
Oh Granny, we have to go to the fire!"  You got it.

So since about October, I have been thinking/collecting/buying some play clothes.  A doctor's outfit and the doctor supplies, a construction outfit with hammer/saw/goggles, a firefighter outfit (turn out gear, coat, two hats - one if he is a captain (different color) and then I asked an amazing seamstress Cathy Wiebe, if she would be able to make me a little blue shirt that was like the guys work shirt - and if she could put crests off Alvin's shirt, onto the sleeves of this one.  She asked if I could bring Alvin's shirt as a pattern to copy from and my goodness, she sewed a shirt that was identical to the guys uniform except this one has velcro under the buttons!


 And the last outfit that went in was a "WOODY" (from Toy Story) outfit complete with a vest that a lady donor from CBS made for me. WELL what joy to see him love the outfits and he had to get into the Woody one, and then get on his horse and "Ev the boy" (as he says) was now "Woody the cowboy".  What fun.

You know, I am learning so much from my little grandson - my THREE year old Grandson.  My Sweet Heart as I call him.  I am learning about embracing life fully.  He loves life.  He plays hard.  I love watching him as he is thinking.  (He is quite the little thinker - nothing passes him by).  I love it when he tells me "Granny - that is so beautiful".  I love it when he laughs!  I love it when he comes and sits on my lap so that I can read.  I love that he already has such a sensitive heart toward things of God.
I love that he is his own little person, and asks "why?" sometimes.  I love that his eyes light up when he sees us and my heart stirs when I hear him yell "Granny".

I am learning how to look at life - and to enjoy the wonder, enjoy the beauty, ask the questions.  I am seeing life through the eyes of my grandchildren and one day will be learning from all of them even more as they begin to talk too!

Everett John - you have taught me so much!  And I am so happy, so incredibly blessed to have you as my grandson.  I remember the days when I prayed for you day after day after day leading up to your birth.  I walked the land in Anola - me and Oreo my dog - and talked out loud to the Lord - asking him to make you strong and healthy.  I remember asking God to give you a tender heart towards him, and to raise you to be a mighty man of God!  I have prayed for your mommy and daddy as they raise you - that they would raise you with incredible love, grace, wisdom and oh sweet one - I see that!  Everett - you melt my heart with your laughter, and your thoughts, and your questions, and your cuddles, and your hugs, and especially when I feel your arms around my neck and hear you say, "Granny I love you so much!"  (melt my hearts over and over).  I love that we can experience life with you - and that soon you will live right close to me.  I love watching you as you sleep - and praying over you.  I love seeing how God is growing you strong, healthy but also spiritually strong too.

You and I have gotten a little thing that we do.  I put my fingers just a little bit apart and say
"How much do I love you?
Do I love you this much? (my fingers just a little apart) to which you say NO and shake your heart and have a huge smile.
Do I love you this much?  (a little bigger gap between) and you reply the same way.
What about this much? (now my hands are about a foot apart)  You shake your head - NO and smile and you are anticipating the rest I can tell)
DO I love you this much?  (by now my hands are stretched out as far as my arms can go) and then you usually smile so big and I say 
HOW MUCH DO I LOVE YOU?
and you say "to the back of the moon!!"
I always say to the moon and back - but I love your interpretation!

One more thing that has become "ours" is when I read the book LOVE YOU FOREVER to you and sing you the song as we read.  Some of the story is a little crazy - so I adapt - and one day when you read it yourself - you will see where.  But the best part is holding you - reading it - and rocking you and singing
I love you Forever, I'll Love you For Always ....

Oh Sweet one!  How I do!! Forever.  For Always.  I will always be your Granny.
ALWAYS.
To the moon and Back.
So Sweet One, this is belated - but heartfelt none the less!  Happy Birthday Everett John.
May God give you an amazing year ahead leading to being 4.
I love you So much!

 ~ love Granny