Sweet...

Tonight, as I prepared to read the bigger boys a few chapters from Charlotte's Web before bedtime, I sat Sister on Will's bed. Of course, Will cuddled up to her like he always does and began to play with her fingers and toes. I've given up asking him to not touch her hands for fear of germs. After almost four months of having Sister Baby in our family, I've realized that it is nearly impossible for my physical touch boy to not hold her hands. I'd have more luck removing Will's hands than successfully asking him to refrain from showing his love to Anna Jean in this way!

As I sat to read, he held her little hands and said, "I wish I had my OWN baby."

"Really?" I asked in return.

He repeated as he looked sweetly at his baby sister, "Yes, I really wish I was big enough to have my own baby that could sleep with me every night".

Darling.

It just might be nearly midnight and I just might have finished cleaning the kitchen and packing lunches for tomorrow, but I'm so grateful I didn't miss that sweet moment because I was too busy doing something else to spend time talking with my boys before bed and reading them a story.

One of my greatest hopes and most fervent prayers for my four children is that they would truly love each other and develop special relationships among themselves.  I love watching Will love on little Anna Jean. It's a constant, all day thing. Likewise, I'm praying for Will and Caleb to develop a special bond as they have a few days a week together where Will isn't in Pre-K while Jared is at school. This will be the last year that Will won't be in school full time, and I'm praying to see fruit in our family as a result of these few days that Caleb and Will are going to have together as primary playmates.  I've witnessed families where grown siblings consider each other their closest friends and confidants and I'm hoping to foster those values in our home.

I'm grateful for all four of these individuals we have been entrusted with and glad that they have each other.

And... to echo Will's comment earlier, seriously, WHO would want their OWN baby like sister? To get to go to sleep next to this little angel every night and wake up next to her every morning is pretty much amazing.  Especially, now that she is sleeping so well pretty much every night from 9pm - 7am!

So, any tips for me? While understanding that all people have different personalities and that that this is something that you can't guarantee or force, I'd love to know... What worked (or didn't work) in your home to help you grow closer to your own siblings?