Sister Sister

One of my favorite things right now is to watch the love and friendship develop between Mary Clare and Ellie. They really do have so much fun playing together and being silly! And they don't like being apart from each other. I grew up almost like an only child, having just one brother who is 6 years younger than me. So I don't know a sister relationship, except that of close friends. I look forward to watching them grow closer through the years.

Last night we had a couples' group at church. Mary Clare was playing with some friends downstairs (a fun family with 6 kids, 3 of them are triplets!), and Ellie was asleep in her stroller in the meeting. After it was over, Ellie was awake and my friend was talking to her saying, "You have so much fun playing with your sister, don't you?" Ellie ran to the door and started grunting, wanting to get out and play with Mary Clare! Then a little bit ago, Mary Clare left with Steven to go on some errands and to the Livestock Auction (his favorite place to go on Tuesdays). Ellie was beside herself. She really gets sad when her sister isn't around. Although she does talk (babble) a lot more without her sister gabbing away!

I am very thankful that God has blessed us with these two little girls. We hope to be blessed with many more children, but even if we weren't able to conceive again or welcome more children through adoption, I am so happy that the girls have each other! Last night at our couples' group we were talking about the anti-life mentality prevalent in the world today; a society which worships self and is concerned with gaining more material things and and "experiencing life to the fullest." But someone mentioned about how life isn't about the experiences we have (vacations, parties, outings), it's really about relationships. First of all a relationship with God our Father, Christ our Savior, and the Holy Spirit our Advocate. Secondly, these sacrificial relationships with our family and friends, and our self-giving in charity to our neighbor who we may not even know.

So on days when I'm really wanting to do something fun with the girls, get out of the house and "experience the world", I need to remember that their relationship with each other is what is going to last and what I should be spending time fostering. As someone wise has said (can't remember who), "The best gift you can give your child is another sibling."