Monday, February 6, 2012

Sisters Are Bliss.....

One of the greatest joys i have is when i witness my children getting along.  Now, don't get me wrong, i don't say this because it is a rarity or anything like that, but it still brings me so much pleasure.  I know from my own personal experience with my siblings that strong ties when a child lead to stronger ties when an adult.  I enjoy the relationships i have with my brother and sister and am grateful that even though we are far apart from each other, we do talk, or text or Oovoo on a regular basis.  I look forward to the day when i see my children hangout as adults.  When i will see or hear about them spending time with each other or calling each other, babysitting each others kids or whatever the case may be.

Something particularly special is the bond between sisters.  For those of you with sisters, you will probably understand what i am talking about.  Although it is something that has to be worked at.  Just like any other relationship if not fostered it becomes nothing, but when grown with love and fun it can beccome a vast reservoir of amazing experiences.  I have many fond and also funny stories of when my sister, Louise and i were young.  Some naughty i must admit, others secretive and special, and others yet that even though they were based on mutual painful experiences it was something that strengthened us as sisters.  My sister has been my confidant .....my audience (do performances of the Flintstones in the bring back any memories, Lou?), and a fantastic example of everything that is good and righteous.

I hope for these things for my children too....for my girls.

Several months ago Eden and Sarah had somewhat of a hard time getting along.  Sarah was the desperate little sister dying for Eden's attention and yet at the same time the worse tattle tail you've come by.  And Eden was the bossy big sister who was annoyed by her little sister and the way she copied everything Eden did and wouldn't play unless it was "her way," but then was also resentful because of being betrayed by all the tattling.  Part of the problem originally existed because Immanuel and Eden have been so close that Eden wasn't sure how to negotiate being close to both siblings at the same time and so would either love one and hate the other of vise versa.

It quickly became clear to John and i that something needed to be done.  So we prayed and talked with the girls together and separately and i am happy to announce that things have completely turned around.
Eden has done a fabulous job of finding balance....she finds ways to connect with Immanuel which happens especially in the evening when they get to stay up later than the younger two and spend time doing art together or playing board games, or talking about who their latest "crush" is.  ;-) In contrast Eden will spend a good deal of free time during the day doing "girly" things with Sarah like painting nails, showing Sarah how to do her hair "cool", dressing up in "cool" clothes and accessories and then today i found them in the secret hide-out playing a game.....Headbandz (so fun!).



I hope that my children will continue to develop their relationships to the point where they will be an infinite source of comfort and joy to one another as they age into adulthood and face challenges ahead of them.  I know that even as parenting may surely get harder as they grow older, it will also be more rewarding too.  So proud of my lovely babies.....

It's still a new year....better late than never i always say! ;-)

New Years Eve this year was definitely more fun than in years past.  Usually it seems that even though John and i are typically late night people (or at least i was before i repented and started going to bed at 10:30pm) we would always manage to fall asleep on New Years Even by like 11:30pm.  Any other night of the week and it would have been a 12:30 or 1am deal, but not for New Years.  Almost like an internal rebellion because we're supposed to stay up, lol.  However this year the Wrights accepted our invitation to party and we made it!  These are some of our most favorite people and we are so glad they came and celebrated with us.  Some children did not make it.  Actually we put Jack to bed as usual and Sarah passed out on the couch watch t/v at some point, but Iman and Edy were happy to be allowed to stay up and the picture of Edy sleeping is the next day as she crashed after church.  :-)  We celebrated with toast to the new year with sparkling grape juice and dancing to 80's music from Jared's iPAD.  The next day we had a fabulous dinner with the Wrights and the Boyles (more of our most favorite people).  They all stayed and joined us for a fabulously good time of playing settlers (my most favorite adult game, although i was last beat at it by Eden). We even got to use Ben's awesome foam board which one day soon John will hopefully copy for our playing pleasure.  ;-)  My most favorite picture on this sequence however is the one of Jack passed out asleep on the floor New Years Day with his plastic toy knife in his hand.   My second is the group dinner photo.  John and i LOVE having friends over.  Takes us back to our farm days where there was always a surplus of people and fun around.  :-)



 Amy swinging her girls around!  
That woman is strong! (in every sense of the word) :-)





 Iman dancing!








We as a family have since made family and personal goals for this year.  One of my favorite ones that was made was Sarah's which was to be kind and serving towards Jack.  She has been working hard on this and even was a dream to me the other day when we checked out the YMCA for the first time with a free-day pass and she stayed with Jack in the kids zone so he wouldn't be scared to be alone.

Each year we make a "Blessing Board" which is a poster board of all the goals and dreams and blessings we would like to come to pass.  We have experienced that when we are reminded of our goals visually it helps us even on a sub-conscious level to help to bring to pass those things more, even if it's just through prayer for certain people or ourselves.  This is a glimpse of this years Blessing Board.  We do this as a Family Home Evening activity at the beginning of each year.  :-)

2012 Blessings, Goals, and Achievements - The Morgans


 Some things on our board.....


 "Nana succeed at work"
(prayers and blessings for Nana)

 "Daddy Daughter Dates - Lots"
 (the girls goals)


"Sarah Serve Jack-a-lope" 


"Iman Pinewood Derby 4 the Win!!"