there is nothing more pleasant to this mother’s ear than the sound of my kids laughing together.  it really stops time for me.  when it happens, nothing I am doing matters nor anything someone else is saying.  it’s like my ears have a radar for it.  i am drawn to it.

as a family, we try to foster their relationships with one another as much as possible.  my husband is really great about wrestling with the boys and making them team up against him to be able to take him down.  they learn that they need one another to accomplish their goal.  and they love it!  and when little sister is upset, they are both wonderful to jump in to help her be happy again.  it’s really precious.  i don’t take it lightly that they can work together.  i know that it is something that we have to work on, continually through life.

many people can be successful throughout their lives, all by themselves.  but I believe God created us for relationships.  He created us to need one another.  and i believe the sign of a great person is one who can rejoice in the success of others, not just their own.  there is joy to be found there.  God created us uniquely, and for different purposes.  so i say rejoice in God’s plan and it’s success.  and not only rejoice in it, but join with it to see it succeed even more!  and therein lies true joy- joining with something larger than yourself and contributing to it.  isn’t it fun that God allows us to be a part of His plan?

family is one of those things that i believe God gives us, larger than just one, to contribute to, to encourage, to build upon…… and as we do these things the joy and laughter come.  so last night as my boys are running around outside playing together, laughing, enjoying one another and my daughter is belly laughing in delight at her brothers- my heart smiles.