A soft spot...

I'll admit it, I hate getting the kids down for bed time almost more than anything. By 8:00 PM I am so tired and worn out I can hardly think striaght. I am impatient and often turn into the "mean Mom" as I try to wrangle all the monkeys together to get Pj's on, teeth brushed, stories read, sippy cups with water filled, night lights plugged in, stuffed animals found, lotion provided, prayers said, kids tucked in, kisses given and I love you's said.
I am more tired after that than anything! But after they settle in- they are out like a light and sleep all night long- it's Heaven! They are truley the best sleepers and I thank God every night for that.

Last night I was getting stuff ready, so I told Grace to read a bed time story to Willow for me, so Willow climbed up and sat on the top bunk with her while she read. As I past by once, I looked in and watched the two of them together and my heart melted a little. It was darling to watch them. It was precious. I thought to myself, I hope they are friends when they are older. I hope they love each other more than anything in the world. And I hope they realize what they have.

I just thought about my Mom losing her only Sister to cancer in 1994 and the hole it has left in her heart. They always called each other "Sister" and it was so tender. They adored each other and were there for the other every second they could. They always lifted each other up, supported the other, and relyed on the other for everything. Their relationship was incredible and beautiful. It was the most awful thing for my Mom and for all of us. My Aunt Abby was an angel. I wish so often she was still here.

I just watched them together last night and thanked the Lord for the chance to have children and to give them one of the greatest gifts- a Sister.