December 7, 2012 – Dayspring Disciples

When we first moved in here in 2007 friends of ours from our homeschool group were relocating to VA. The dad had already left and the mom needed a hand with some childcare. I was happy to watch her kids who were at the time boys 11 and 5, and girls 9 and 3. My boys were 7 & 5 and my girls were 3 & 1 at that time.

After the first afternoon/evening they were here I was overwhelmed by the realization of how stinking HELPFUL 9-year-old girls were!! I remember thinking how amazing it would be if God would bless every mom of four little kids with a 9-year-old daughter!

Today, as Marie was fulfilling her Friday role as kitchen helper after lunch she came over to the sink to get the cloth to clean up Johanna’s face and hands. She was doing it without being asked. She then followed Johanna and upstairs for Johanna’s storybook-time and sat with us a few minutes. She was working to engage Johanna in a conversation about the books and it suddenly dawned on me… I HAVE AN ALMOST 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER! Wow. HOW in the world did she get so big?

Well, as the day (very busy day) progressed, it was time for Johanna to get up from her nap. In my working to prep a few things for weekend activities my hands were pretty tied. Nigel went to wake her and escorted her down. She was still pretty sleepy and there was going to be no substitute for mommy-attention and snuggles. We danced slowly in front of the Christmas tree until I was too short of breath to continue. Then we nestled on the couch. The whole time Tabitha was not more than 12 inches from us. Nigel appeared with Johanna’s (unrequested) blanket and she perked up. As Johanna embraced her blanket she lit up a bit and showed it to Tabitha. Tabitha waited until that moment to lean in with her suggestion, “Johanna, want to sit on T’s lap so Mommy can finish her work in the kitchen?” She was NOT asked to do this. She just loved on her.

I tucked her into Tabitha’s lap and headed to the kitchen, amazed. About 10 minutes later Tabitha came in and said, “Did you hear all the songs I was singing her and how we played ring-around-the-rosie?” I had not, but Tab resang her custom lyrics for me to hear.

Then they disappeared again. To the family room, where Tabitha was proceeding to dress her properly to go outside.

Which leads me to this assessment – maybe it isn’t just 9 year old girls that bless a mom to bits. Maybe it is homeschooled big brothers and sisters who day-in and day-out see needs being met and step into the roles seamlessly???

I don’t know exactly. But I’ve often joked Johanna has 6 parents, and I couldn’t be more happy about the way God is building our family. There is one lucky-Ducky on the way!!!