little brother...

My heart is so blessed to see the blossoming brotherhood between Ezra and Owen...as with all our children, we make an extra effort to point out Ezra's needs to be hugged, kissed, and talked to by his siblings...we encourage the girls to love on him and say things to him, and then when they do it on their own, my heart melts...I believe it is a taught and also "caught" heart towards him that they learn, by way of watching us his parents and then by us teaching them about his awareness and need for love and snuggles...my prayer is that they grow up to be sensitive to those that long to be loved and just can't express their longings on their own...even many adults have not yet mastered this choice to love those that are not the "norm"...but education is what I am all about, educating those that come in contact with Ezzy, that he is a precious little soul, desiring some loving! :) Anyways, I could obviously go off about all I have to say in regards to people and what I am learning...but I'll save that for another day.

Back to the brotherly love...well, the other night after dinner, Owen was buzzing around in the boy's room, playing with toys...I brought in Ez Man to rock on his Rockin' Rody horse, Owen got all excited and came right over, and started to rock and bounce Ezzy...we then moved our playing to the floor, where I put Ezzy in a bumbo seat, great for him and his need to have a high supporting back, Owen went over to their toy basket and brought him a toy and then brought him a book...all the while smiling, like he was so excited to have a buddy to play with :) He leaned in and kissed Ezzy on the head, talk about a precious moment...I pray daily that the Lord would give me wisdom as I raise Ezra in the midst of his siblings, that I will take every opportunity to teach them about the goodness of God in his life and the blessing he is to our family. My prayer for our two sons is that Owen will grow up to love his brother and be the one to "push" him around in his seat, while playing some b-ball...that Owen will be his "arms and legs" and take on the role of his brother in a whole new way...only designed by our great God...one day I was talking with my mom and was feeling a bit "overwhelmed" with the task of raising Owen to love his brother and choose him for a playmate...I can't make that choice for any of our children...I can only pray and teach the importance to them as often as I can...my precious mom, reassured my heart and told me that I will do the same that we have done with the girls...include Ezra in their world and that Owen growing up in the midst of this family, will take on a love and care for Ezra...it was a blessing to hear these words, as she knows my heart and the burden I feel for all our children to "mesh" and be future friends...as I believe all parents desire for their children, to be adult friends and to care for each other...I guess what I am trying to say, in a jumble of words, I NEED God's wisdom in teaching my children to have a heart towards the needs of their brother...I was blessed to see the blossoming relationship between Ezra and Owen and consider it a nugget of strength to tuck away in my heart as I continue on in the journey of raising my children....

Thank you Lord for the blessing of actions brought on by the wisdom you give me in teaching my children...help me as I seek to raise loving, sensitive children who see a need and lovingly act upon it...thank you for opportunities daily in molding their character, may YOU be the fuel that pushes them to love from a pure heart and act from that love for others...I love you and thank you for the "teaching tool" you have blessed me with in the life of our sweet Ezra...only YOU know the countless lessons he has taught me...I am forever humbled and honored.