little [BIG] moments.

we can model, teach, pray and hope things for our children, but i've tried to be very mindful

that they will make their choices & that only the Spirit can change their hearts.  especially

when grafting together a family filled with very different childhoods, it is sometimes painful

to model, teach, pray and hope...and then sit back and wait.  yesterday morning, i got to 

witness a sweet, sweet glimpse of a brother loving his sisters back.  i'm not saying 

he hasn't loved them before, but this was a pure, excited,  

i-really-love-them-all-and-want-to-do-something-kind-for-them love.  

we were having a lazy morning & the kids were all playing as i cleaned up the kitchen.  

nico came bounding down the stairs to me and said excitedly, 

mom! i have a surprise for the girls so no one can come upstairs.

chloe came up to me shortly after that and asked why nico needed to know all their favorite

colors.  i told her i didn't know & we'd just have to see.  i continued sweeping and praying

that the girls would be encouraging and gracious to his excited, opening-up heart.

he bounded down the stairs again and all five of them beamed as he passed out beaded

necklaces that he had made in their favorite color with their initial on them.  

[wait. there were six of us beaming.]