Actually, Mataya did not sit. She jumped. She snuggled. She tickled. She danced. She charmed - but she definitely did not sit!
So - more correctly, my kids all gathered in the living room.
When the oldest kids were small, I took moments like this for granted. We were all gathered on the couch daily, hourly even! But time, age, the ability to drive, and all sorts of other details have changed that. These days gathering together is rare. Even more rare, this morning was unrushed. For half an hour or so, we just sat. We chatted. We teased. We laughed.
Unrushed is a rare gift.
As is a kind, gentle, and patient big brother.
These days, Miss Mataya can not get enough of her biggest brother. Where he is, she follows. She is often heard saying, "with you!" when he heads upstairs. He dutifully scoops her onto his hip and allows her to tag along.
When he arrives home from school she yells, "Jaaaaay!"
When he comes down in the morning she tells him, "cute!" And as he leaves she yells, "Bub-Bye!! Good Day!"
She loves it when he spins her, or chases her, or tickles her.
She adores watching races on YouTube over his shoulder.
She is always trying to make him laugh or notice her.
She climbs onto his lap, throws her cheek onto his shoulder, and settles in for a snuggle.
As I watched her snuggle up to him this morning, I felt so incredibly blessed. Long before she came along, Jamison was very against Chad and I having another baby. I was unsure how he would react to the news. His reaction surprised me, and it is a moment I will always remember. The man he would become shone through in that moment. He looked me in the eye and said, "Mom, I am happy for you."
He watched her baby days from afar. He observed closely and watched with adoration - but he did not fight for his turn in baby care. In the last few months their relationship has totally changed. She can not get enough of him. And he has responded with gentle joy. He delights in our TayTay girl.
Together they totally and completely melt my heart.
Totally and completely!
