It is so important to me, as I know it is to you, that my children love one another.
I’ve already given them the “someday-when-we-aren’t- here-anymore-you-will-be-so-thankful-you-have-each-other” spiel and they’re only five, three, and two years old.
I was not raised with any siblings and while there are some bonuses to being the “lonely only” I will say that it is, well…lonely.
I marvel at the relationships I see forming between my children – the best of friends one moment and arch rivals the next. Wonderful playmates and the biggest of foes. Devoted defenders of one another and tattletales a moment later.
In other words, brothers and sisters.
Tonight I was finishing up dinner and my older two discovered that they could independently play a Wii game together.
Their giggles reached in and touched my mama heart like a warm cup of cocoa after playing in the snow.
The kids are alright.
Despite my sometimes horrible parenting or because of it, they seem to be forming a bond of friendship I fervently pray follows them throughout their lives.
They share a common history – a history we are in the process of creating.
No pressure.
In the end, they will have each other. Yes. But in the end, they will have more for if I raise them up the way I want them to go. They will also have Jesus.
Neither will leave their side.
On this Multitude Monday, my list of 1,000 gifts continues…I am so very thankful for:
240. The joy my children are finding in one another.
241. White Chocolate Reindeer Mix – though it has caused a three pound weight gain, I feel that it’s worth every ounce:
White Chocolate Reindeer Mix
242. The joy of celebrating Christmas with my family
243. The end of school for two weeks – no drop-off, pick-up, the herding of winter gear is on hold for a bit, and we can be lazy. The thought of it excites my soul.
244. An almost six year old who declared it “Mommy and Daddy Day” yesterday and said that she “would keep an eye on Samuel” if we wanted to take a nap while the baby slept. We did. It was heavenly.
245. Good friends who make me giggle
246. Time to play and have fun as a family
247. The way God provides for exactly what we need when we need it – even when we think He doesn’t answer us in the way we thought He would.
248. The beauty of winter
249. Time spent with JJ working on Christmas cards and his ability to turn the most mundane of tasks into a comedy routine.
250. The busy “stuff” of the holidays is behind us and this week we can focus on why we celebrate what we do during this time of the year. Him.
May your week be filled with the Savior we celebrate and as you go about your days, may you feel His ever-present presence. May you feel gratitude for the magnificent gift He is to us all. May you think of Mary – 9 months pregnant and riding several miles on the back of a mule. May we just remember to remember.
oh oh – I want Mommy Daddy Day – how can I get that? I love the playing together – laughing – so sweet! My son is (almost) 8 and his little brother is 3 – its fantastic little one is starting to keep up and interact with the big one – and they have each other to feed off of and fill the house with laughter!
great list
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
.-= Stef @ Layton Family Joy´s last blog ..all who heard it were amazed =-.
I’m loving “Mommy and Daddy day!” We’re going to have to give that a try in our house.
And just a three pound weight gain? No problemo, friend. I’m working on more than that this Christmas with all the goodies lying around my house. New Year’s resolutions are coming up to save me, right?
May you and yours have the merriest of Christmases!
.-= GlowinGirl´s last blog ..When Christmas is Over =-.
Natalie, it is so important for our babes to love one another. I am learning they go thru phases of really liking each other and other phases REALLY not! I get worried when they aren’t but as you said, they will always have one another, always be there, they may take it for gratitude now but someday they won’t. I did with my 3 sisters, and now they are my best buds. Love the post, and it does bring such joy to a Momma to watch them as they do grow to be so close. Love it!
.-= marlece´s last blog ..this and thats of the week! =-.
Oh siblings….One of my greatest joys of motherhood has been watching the relationship grow between my adorable children – the laughter they share with each other…the unsolicited hugs and I love yous…the teaching and learning – it truly warms my heart. Of course, I could do without the screaming, hitting, biting, and bickering, but it’s nothing compared to the good. I too pray that my children are best friends throughout life!
My heart jumped for joy this weekend when at a party someone commented to Alana that it was really good that her and her brother got along so well. Her response was, “Yes, It’s GOD first, then FAMILY. Those are the most important things!” He asked, “Oh where did you learn that?” Her response, “My mom. She knows EVERYTHING!” While I know she will soon figure out that the last part of her statement is far from the truth, I pray she always remembers the first part.
Thanks for sharing Natalie. I’m totally going to make some of that reindeer mix. It looks delicious!
Ahhh, the sweet love of a sibling! They love each other, especially when it is easy and then there are the times when they find it hard to love each other. Those are the times when the ” love that endures forever ” comes through and forgives the transgressions and heals the hurt. It is amazing and a gift from God.
Oh, I agree, it is so important for siblings to have a good relationship because we don’t always have our parents to be the glue that holds us together.
Wow, that’s a big bowl of Raindeer Mix!
Yes, let’s remember to remember and heavenly blessings to you this Christmas week!
.-= Lea Culp´s last blog ..Miscellany Monday =-.