From where we were....

On our second wedding anniversary we were expecting Jayla. A year and a half later, Onyx came into the picture. Not one full month after Jayla turned 3, we had our third baby. When she was 4, we welcomed our fourth. At the tender age of 6, her first sister, our fifth baby was born. That made for some interesting years....

Now, even after adding 2 children by adoption, our lives have become tremendously easier, more manageable and predictable than they once were. The older kids are truly helpful.

They are at such a fantastic age - young enough to still be home and not have many social commitments - old enough to offer legitimate assistance - young enough to be excited about learning new skills that contribute to the family - old enough to hold fun and fascinating conversations that show us the people they are becoming - young enough to want to spend time with their parents and siblings - old enough to play real games - young enough that afternoons adventuring outside are treasured - old enough to read directions to crafts and construct them - young enough that our parenting challenges don't involve words like dating or driving or drugs or going away - old enough to discuss the issues that do arise and develop solutions together - young enough that their attitudes are generally joyful - old enough to read books - young enough to savor trips to the library - old enough to begin to comprehend spiritual concepts and have their own relationships with their Creator - young enough to still enjoy simple pleasures - old enough to be taught to always enjoy simple pleasures.

What an extraordinary, wonderful, brief and special season this is in our lives. Earned only with time invested.
My heart. It is so full.