My grandniece, Zoey Iverson is her mommy, Kassi Franklin’s mini-me and right-hand girl. Over her few years of life, Zoey has been basically a little grown up, of her own making. Some kids are like that. They just have a maturity beyond their years early on in life. Much of the time those are girls, eager to be a mom. At first, of course, they are just emulating their own moms, but before long the mother instinct develops in them in earnest. If they have younger siblings, or as in Zoey’s case, an older sibling with Down Syndrome, that mothering instinct kicks in earlier than many other kids. The babies of the family don’t usually get that instinct as early, but in Zoey’s case, her brother, Lucas needed encouragement and Zoey loved him with all her heart. He struggled with different things in life, and Zoey was very protective of him. She also wanted to help him grow. That made 
her instrumental in Lucas’ development, and at 15, he is doing quite well.
Zoey is also her mom’s best helper with her younger sister, Alicen Burr. Zoey truly loves kids, and having a baby sister was great. Alicen isn’t a baby now, of course. At 3 years old, she is a bust toddler, and sometimes it all Zoey and Lucas can do to keep up with Alicen. Thankfully Alicen’s daddy, Wes Burr and their mommy, Kassi are there to help too. It’s not that Zoey has full responsibility for her siblings, but more that she has always taken responsibility for them. Not in the “being the mom” kind of way, but more just being a best friend to her siblings. Zoey’s love her family 
runs deep, and her loyalty just as deep.
Zoey is a good student, but she also loves summertime and the freedom it brings too. The family like to go camping, and their is always the garden to help with. Zoey’s mom loves flowers and plants, and growing food for the family, and at eleven years old, Zoey likes to do things with her mom. They are very close and very much alike. Today is Zoey’s 11th birthday. Happy birthday Zoey!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
