Siblings

I love seeing Jaret and Kirra together.  They are siblings - through and through.  There are times they don't get along so well and I hear shrieking from Kirra as she stands her ground with her brother (and trust me, she can stand her ground quite well) and then what follows... "But she started it!"  If you are a parent with more than one child, I am sure you have heard this a time or two in your home as well.  However, although these moments happen, there are times when left to themselves, the issues get worked out and the play continues.  They are siblings.  They fight.  They make up.  They love unconditionally.  They fight.  They encourage.  In the end, they are friends.  And although they may not realize this so much now, one day they will.

It warms my heart and brings me joy when I hear my children playing together and I hear them getting along and being creative in their play.  They are at the age now where they will play board games and card games together.  This all goes well as long as the game doesn't last too long and Kirra's attention is held.  They also like making up their own games to play.  A couple of weeks ago they got out some luggage and were playing Shuswaps, complete with packing, travel time driving in the car, and pretending to jump off the dock and swim in the lake.

One of the things I absolutely love is how encouraging Jaret and Kirra have been toward one another recently.  It started a couple of months back when they had a piece of paper on their doors.  They would then go and put a sticker on each other's door and then tell the other why they placed the sticker. I heard comments like, "Thank you for playing with me, Jaret" and "Kirra, I like that you helped me put my clothes away."  It was like I had these amazing children who completely on their own, began to help each other and encourage one other.  I wasn't sure how long this was going to last so I was soaking it in and encouraging them in their encouraging with hopes that it would continue.

And continue it did.  They took this to another level once they had collected a page full of stickers and they got an idea for mail day.  Mail days are Friday-Sunday where they deliver encouragement to one another through their mailboxes.  Kirra is so cute, always asking me, "So, tomorrow is mail day, right Mom?  And I already know what I am going to give Jaret!"  They get so excited about this.  They have even shared little treats in their mailboxes and both are always so pleased with the mail they get from one another.  I am so encouraged through them and their encouragement.  I am enjoying this season and pray that it is building a strong foundation for them.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing."  

~1 Thessalonians 5:11  

I remember those days.  Fighting.  Getting along.  Fighting some more. But always working it out because in the end, my sister is my sister and she always will be.  Lis, I know life has been difficult but you need to know that I am here for you when you need me.  You have family who loves you and walks beside you because that is what family does. Through the good and the bad, the hurt, the pain, the joys, the celebrations - we are sisters - we are family.  I love you, Lis (my little, big sis)!  OXOX