Dear Bonnie,

You are the biggest surprise anyone in the Hassell family has ever been able to pull off--and such a wonderful surprise! You added to the surprise by being born on Papa's and my wedding anniversary! Having two parents and three teenage siblings has likely resulted in you being the most well-cared for child on the planet. You might not always like having so many "adults" in charge, but hopefully you will also know that you are loved like no other!

You have already charmed the members of your extended family with your rendition of "Popcorn Popping", knowing all the colors (well, maybe not azure) and letters, your penchant for wearing hats and your pink boots. We love your "chocolate drop" eyes. Never let anyone say you are not your own person! That is a good thing, and it will be fun to see who you will eventually become.

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite toys was pop beads. I can still smell them and feel them in my hands. You seem to like them too, so it makes your next birthday present easy! I also loved my "Betsy Wetsy" doll. I think that was one of the first dolls that could drink and wet. Somehow we lose track of those favorite toys over the years so if I could I would tell you to hold on to the things you treasure (within reason, of course) and someday you can share them with your children and grandchildren. They will love that you did that.

The most important thing I can tell you is to love and honor your parents and your Heavenly Father. They love you more than anyone, anywhere. I know the church is true and I know that if we keep Heavenly Father's commandments and remember to say our prayers and read our scriptures we can be happy no matter what else happens in life, even hard things. Know that Papa and I love you too. Every one of our grandchildren are very special and important to us and we pray for you every day. We are so glad Heavenly Father sent you to our family!

Tons of love,

Mama

Dear Sadie,

What a beautiful girl you are getting to be! You have been such a great big sister to Abi, and soon you will have a new baby sister! I know you will be a big help to your mom with your new sister and a good example to her as she gets older. Heavenly Father sent you to a father and mother who love the Lord, each other and all of their children including you! In a world where many children live with only one parent, you are a very lucky girl!

When I was growing up, I had the same position in my family as you do. I was the second oldest with one older brother and six younger siblings. You have fewer younger siblings, but being the oldest girl I think means that Heavenly Father trusted you to be a big help and a good example. When I was a teenager, I noticed that my mom had a hard time keeping up with the ironing and sometimes my dad didn't have an ironed shirt to wear to work. My mom was a hard worker so I knew she sometimes just didn't have enough time to get everything done, but I felt bad for my dad when he had to iron his own shirt before work. So I decided to start ironing his shirts and handkerchiefs on Saturdays so he would have enough for the coming week. Do you know that when I got married my sisters' biggest worry was knowing who would iron my dad's shirts?! But I loved my parents and it made me feel good that there was something I could do for them after all they had done for me. I have seen you be kind to your siblings and cousins so I think you will know when you need to help members of your family as you get older. Heavenly Father loves it when we serve others.

Sadie, I am glad I have been able to live long enough to know you and be your grandma. I think Heavenly Father must love Grampa and I very much to send us so many wonderful grandchildren. I hope you will stay close to Heavenly Father by speaking to Him often in prayers and by reading and learning to love the scriptures. If you do that and keep the commandments you will be happy and have a good life, even if hard things happen to you.

I love you SO much!

Gramma

Dear Ezra,

You're one year old today! What a big boy you are! We are so glad you came to your family. They love you so much and you have been a blessing to your parents in ways I'm sure they will explain to you someday.

We don't have much of a history, but I can tell you that Heavenly Father promised you to your mother through the priesthood before she even met your dad. You are named after your paternal grandfather and share that middle name with two cousins, Glenn and Wyatt. Your grandpa Alan is a wonderful man and I hope you will get to know him well in your lifetime. I hope you will always be as happy as you look in this picture! You have a wonderful father and mother and I think you will have a wonderful childhood as they share with you their love for the outdoors, good literature and good food! What more could a boy want?!

I look forward to getting to know you as you grow Ezra and hope we will have some good memories of time together as extended family at reunions and other times we get together. I love that you are part of the Hassell family and that Heavenly Father blessed us with another special spirit.

I love you,

Gramma

Dear Talmage,

I love this picture of you because it is an example of what an amazing young man you are! You are never afraid to take on a challenge or learn something new! I think ideas and conversations are buzzing around in your head every waking minute--and maybe even when you are sleeping! Heavenly Father has blessed you with an amazing mother and father who have worked very hard to help you develop your talents in a way that will bless your life and your family. No matter which side of the veil I am on when you become a man and choose what to do with your life, I will be watching! I am very excited to see who and what you will become! I hope that you will serve a mission and then stay very close to your Heavenly Father so He can guide you to be the best husband, father, provider and priesthood holder you can possibly be! Be a good example to your younger siblings, especially Wyatt. They will be watching you and what you choose to do will be important to them. I still look up to my big brother and I am 60! Follow the example of your earthly and Heavenly fathers and you will be that good example to your siblings.

We have had a special relationship through letters. That began when you lived far away in South Carolina and I wanted to be sure you knew who your grandma was, even though we only saw each other once a year. In those letters I have most often been able to see how intelligent and loving you are. I didn't know my grandmothers very well and I wish I had even one letter from them. I do have a letter from a grandfather that I treasure.

I love you Talmage. Life can sometimes be hard, but when we know that we have a Heavenly Father and family that love us and would do anything for us, it helps us get through difficult times. Talk to your Heavenly Father and your parents and grandparents often. They care about what happens to you and want to help in any way they can because they love you and care about you so much. I am SO thankful Heavenly Father sent you to be a part of our family!

Lots and lots and lots of love,

Gramma

Dear LaRee,

I was going to write this on your birthday, but as you see, that plan didn't quite materialize.

What a lovely young woman your are becoming. What I love is that you are lovely on the inside too. You are developing your talents and your love of reading has developed your mind and intellect in wonderful ways! You trust your parents to know what is best for you and your relationship with your dad must be the envy of every girl who wishes she had the same. You're not afraid to be yourself and you are confident in the things you like to do and not afraid to learn things in which most girls have no interest. You love your brother and sisters and are just the kind of big sister they can look up to and admire.

When my parents divorced, I didn't get to see my dad very often and even though my mother had other men in her life, none of them took the place of my dad. By the time I went to live with my dad and my stepmother, I had missed some years during which we might have developed a closer relationship and I was always afraid to be too affectionate with him for fear he might not like it. I guess that is why I am so happy that you and many of my grandchildren have good relationships with their dads. Be thankful every day that Heavenly Father gave you such a great earthly father and mother! Not every child is so fortunate, but I think the children in our family all have wonderful parents!

You are entering a time of life when Satan's influences will be more obvious and you will have to make many decisions between good and bad, right and wrong. Trust the counsel you've been given by your parents and church leaders. They love you and always want what is best for you even though you may occasionally question that at the time they are giving you that counsel. When in doubt, let the Holy Ghost guide you and you will always be safe and happy.

I am so grateful to be one of your grandmothers. I think Heavenly Father must love me very much to have sent me so many amazing children and grandchildren. Thank you for being one of them!

I love you a ton, LaRee.

Mama