Living By Daily Grace

Jan. 9, 2009 - Sisterly Love

It always seems that the arrival of a new baby brings alot of sibling rivalry. Underdog and I have been talking alot of it recently. We are both wandering if perhaps we've set that up between them. For a long time we've set up our alone time with the children to include "special" things to do. It's not the simple reading a book or even just talking while you make a salad together. It's trips to Starbucks or Joann's with mommy. With the economy getting as bad as it is and Underdog venturing off in him own business we're having to cut back a lot. They aren't getting that much alone time anymore so we're having to rethink how to do this. It also means we have to retrain our children to understand that when we take 15 minutes to build a tower out of blocks that is good quality time. Truth be told, I miss the simple play that I used to do with my now older children. My two boys have brought back just how much fun that it especially when you get to knock the tower over. . . with your head (that would be K-heads ideas - he love using his head to bang into things.)

Today is supposed to be our co-op day but two of our morning classes aren't meeting so we've had some free time. I am working in my kitchen trying to close a few things down from last year (my Christmas inventory) and my children are scattered through our home. Two of them are outside on the trampoline. JB and K-head are jumping together. When I looked out a moment ago JB was on her back and Khead was sitting on top of her. Both were smiling at each other and laughing. I have been so weary with all the fighting. I pray alot these days. But that scene gave me hope for my children and their relationships. They are young. They are learning so much about Jesus but they are still young in their faith. Some do not yet have Christ as their Savior. Sanctification is often a slow process. And sometimes weariness can set in that they will never get it (sometimes I will never get it.) But I have great hope in the Lord that when they are all older, they will walk with Him and have strong relationships with their siblings as well.

What also struck me is just how good JB really is with her younger siblings. I took K-head to the dr yesterday because he's just got horrible eczema and I am at my whits end in finding the trigger point. I took him and Finale with me. . .alone. The last time I was alone with children that age was when JB was 2 yod. I realized just how much I depend on her help around here. She helps me change diapers on BOTH youger ones. She gets them into car seats. She entertains them when I am frantically trying to finish a job or deal with another discipline issue. She bakes our bread for us (with just a little help.) She does alot around here and I shamefully don't always recognize that in her. She growing to be quite a servant. I am very proud of her and need to be telling her that more often.

One other kuddos for her this week. I changed a few things up on Tuesday after our first day back to school didn't go so well. Basically, I set a timer for the amount of time I think it will take her to do a subject. If she's not finished with it at the end of that time she puts it away and finishes it during free time. Now don't get me wrong. I give her tons of time. This is to help her cut down on daydreaming and dawdling. She really stepped up to the plate on this one. There must be something about that timer hanging over her head that makes her concentrate. She even figured out that if she finishes early she can start another subject and possible finish before she ever has to start it. She gained alot of free time this week once she figured it out and acted on it. I saw her mature in this way. . .alot.

She will be 10 yod in May. She's still got lots of 9 left but I have learned that time flies much faster when you get older. She's growing up and I can't stop her. She's not my baby anymore. My only hope and prayer for her (outside of her salvation) is that she and I will have a strong relationship and friendship in the end. I crave that with all my girls. I pray most often to win her heart. She's certainly winning mine.

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Jan. 9, 2009 - Sisterly Love

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