Say Hi to Eli.

Our family is proud to announce our latest addition: our third grandchild (and first grandson!) Elias Franks.

Eli is my second-born’s second-born, making Skylar a big sister and unseating Haddie Nell as the baby of the family, after only holding that title for five months.

Our little guy decided that his birthday was going to come a week early, no matter what. But for our sake, he kept it concise: the span of time from “we’re inducing you today” to “it’s a boy” was barely eight hours. (For what it’s worth, any grandkid who is born in enough time to allow us to leave the hospital before dark, eat a leisurely dinner, and get to bed at a decent hour is okay in my book.)

I am only now a three-time veteran of this grandparenting gig (soon to be four in just a few months), but I never cease to be amazed at how amazing all of it is. I can barely wrap my head around the joy of having one…am just beginning to see the interactive playfulness of having two…

…and this third showed up so quickly, it’s still a surreal, is-he-actually-already-here? situation.

Who is this strange little foreigner that has invaded our family? Who is this loved tiny creation who has immediately imprinted himself onto our hearts and our souls?

Strange, too, is the knowledge that after getting so accustomed to granddaughters, we are likely in for the rough-and-tumble years of a grandson. Heavier than his big sister was at her birth yet a wee bit shorter, I can’t help but imagine that Eli might be a bit like his daddy: the shortest kid in his class through middle school, yet making up for it with lightning speed on the basketball court and over-the-top self-confidence in every other moment of life.

But as with all of my grandchildren, my primary prayer is that he will soon find his confidence in Jesus. This world has much to offer a child born in 2024, but it also has much it can take away. I pray that as he grows, he does so with wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men. I pray that he’ll be a servant to all, a fierce little protector of his mama and his sister, and a one-on-one hoops contender with his daddy.

Most of all, I pray that Eli will be a wonder-filled worshipper, making the most of his creaturehood and the surrounding creation, giving thanks to his Creator for this life that has been loaned to him.

Eli, your Mimi and Pops love you like crazy. We’re glad you’re here!