Oh Sisters. Oh Friends.

Dearest Girls, 

I was going to put a sweet quote about sisters on here but I decided not to. I googled some but found that a lot of them were cheesy and also didn't come close to the relationship you girls already have with each other and didn't come close to the relationship I pray you will continue to have.

Looking back over the relationship that you girls have developed just makes my heart smile with a joy I never imagined.  The way you sweet girls play, read, and talk together is something that brings a little more light into this seemingly daunting world.  Watching you love each other.  Watching you quarrel with each other.  Watching you make each other laugh.  Occasionally watching you make each other cry.  It all amazes me.     

I am thankful for the blessings that the two of you are to your daddy and I.  As we watch you grow both into your own and together we just want you to know some things...

We love you.  We love you with a love you will never be able to fathom until or unless you become parents of your own.  

We want the best for you.  In those moments where we use the dreaded "No" it's not because we're being mean and it's almost always not because we're tired or frustrated. It's because we are doing the very best we can to raise you up in ways that are good, wise, and kind.  

We love each other. We love each other more now than we did before you both came into our lives.  You girls have help your daddy and I connect more deeply and more intimately than we could ever imagine. We're truly a team now. Not just for your sake but for our own. 

We strive to be more like Jesus.  Moreso now you girls are in our lives.  We have been given an eternal responsibility.  We have been chosen by our sweet Savior to be your keepers and bringers-up here on Earth.  We take that responsibility very seriously.  

We are going to get it wrong. A lot. There are going to be moments when you girls bob and we weave and we're all just standing there like we lost a puppy.  However, we love you. We will always love you. We will shower you with grace and we pray that you will do the same for us.  

Forever & Always, 

Mommy

Dearest girls.

My dearest girls,
I am going to get frustrated sometimes. I will never be the perfect mother.  Sometimes I will be less than mediocre.  I will huff and puff after the forth time of going up the stairs to cover you up or pick up your paci from the floor.  I will take a deep breath in the middle of a tantrum, yours, and walk away for a minute.  I will snap at you in frustration and grumble at your disobedience.  I will sigh and occassionally roll my eyes when you throw a tantrum because you don't want to get dressed or have your diaper changed.  I will accidentally grab your arm too tight as you pull away while I am trying to talk reason to you.  I will sometimes cry on the way home because you don't want to tell me about your day.  I will feel like I need a mommy time out and go upstairs for a bathroom break that lasts more than 10 minutes as soon as we get home and your daddy takes over.

However, I will love on you and tuck you in after I've had my moment on the way up the stairs.  I will pick up your paci and laugh while giving it back to you.  I will take a breath in the middle of a tantrum and walk away for a minute.  I will kneel down to eye level and tell you in a calm voice why taking something from your sister is not okay even if you think "she was finished with it".  I will give you options after you decide you don't want to wear the original outfit you picked out.  I will tickle you and ask you where your body parts are while I try to get your squirmy butt dressed.  I will loosen my grip, get down to eye level and apologize for squeezing too hard, then take your hand and suggest we try it again.  I will ask you several times on the way home how your day was knowing that you might have been in the middle of a thought the other times I asked.  I will sometimes take a mommy time out because I want to come back down ready and refreshed and ready to play with you.

I love you girls so very much.  I am going to make mistakes but I promise I will try to get my head back on straight quickly and remedy those mistakes.  You are both blessings to me and my life and I cannot imagine my life with out you.  Parenting is a constant learning curve.  Marriage and being a mommy is the only thing that has ever gotten hard that I have not quit on.  You two have made me better. I thank you for that.

Forever and Always,

Mommy

 

Dearest sweet girls.

My sweet girls,

I just sat back and watched you together this morning.  I was overcome with so many emotions at once that I could barely stand it.  I had to turn my head so you, Teagan, wouldn't see the tears flooding up in my eyes and think something was wrong.  When in fact, it was quite the opposite. 
For a brief moment I saw flashes of you, this summer and the summers to come.  I envisioned you running around with each other strolling your babies, with you, Teagan, holding Kyra Mae's hand leading her around the yard telling her to be careful with the care of the little mommy you've become. 
I can see the two of you splashing in Grandpa and Grandma's pool, squealing as daddy throws you in the air and you plead for one more time (Kyra) or no daddy no (Teagan)!  I see you feeding the birds at Papaw & Mamaw's, arguing who is going to pull who in the wagon, and laughing when Papaw ends up pulling you both.  

I imagine walking in to check on you when you when you get a little older, in the room you will eventually share, only to find the two of you curled up in one bed.  Kyra's arm over Teagan's face and Teagan's leg hanging completely over the bed.
I know it would be presumptuous to think things are always going to be that sweet.  I know there will be moments full of tears and heartache but I know with certainty there will be sweet moments of reconciliation, hugs and kisses that will soon follow.
I envy the bond I pray the two of you will have. I envy that if you chose, you will have a best friend for life.  I imagine the love of a sister is not too far from the love of a mother.  Just as sweet, just as nuturing, just as fierce. 
This next year is going to be different and strange and kind of difficult.  Even as young as the both of you are I know you will be able to tell something is out of the ordinary.  Just know things will go back to normal quickly.  Just know we are taking this adventure on together. As a family of four.  We are taking this thing the Lord has given us and running with it, faith leading the way.  And boy, when we get to the top of this mountain what a sight it will be. 

Forever and Always,

Mommy