Growing Friends

I find myself sincerely enjoying the stage of life we are in right now.  Our kids are 11, 9, and 7 years old.  Diapers and pacifiers are a distant memory.  Tantrums and lullabies are now part of our history.  We are looking squarely into the “teen years”, preparing for what is coming, but enjoying where we are right now.  All three are fairly self- sufficient, kind to others (if not always to one another), and just flat out fun to be around!

Today is one of those days where I have watched them play, enjoyed their conversations, and admired their continued wonder for the world.  We have friends over for the day, Ty (10), and Bryson (8).  Nicole and Ty have been in the same homeschool class together for almost three years now.  They have a sweet friendship, along with the others in the class.  One that has been founded on fun, silliness, and the fact that our two families are like- minded…journeying in the same direction.  This morning, I have watched them catch butterflies, play football, dig a giant (and deep!) hole in the backyard, work together to create a time capsule, sort buttons, color, and learn together. 

Not a hint of tweeness, all day long.  As far as these two “pre-teens” are concerned…life is about fun and silliness…and nothing more.  They have laughed, and chased, and talked together.  It’s been precious.  I don’t know what the future holds for these two and their mutual friends.  How will these boys and girls, who were little together, grow older together?  Will they continue to be silly with one another and laugh together?  Will they feel awkward and weird having a conversation.  Will they protect one another from others who may not have their best in mind?  I do not know. 

My prayer is that as they, and their friends, navigate these next few years, their friendships will deepen and they will look out for one another.  I pray they would each seek to grow closer to the Lord and spur one another along.  I pray that they would influence each other in positive ways, that they would support one another, and that their conversations would deepen each year. 

Nathan and Bryson have spent the day playing race cars, also chasing butterflies (isn’t that the sweetest!), catching lizards, and being completely, ridiculously silly together.  However, there is more to it than silliness.

  There is a growing realization that they are friends, a seeking out of one another to find similarities between each other.  It’s been fun to listen to their conversations this morning.  It makes me sad though, that Nathan is a few months behind his friends.  All of his friends will be one year ahead of him when they reach the Challenge level of CC.  Although he does not know this disappointing fact yet, he will one day.  I won’t get down about it yet though.

For today, I will treasure the friendships he has and enjoy watching him grow from a young, little boy, into a boy who enjoys his friends. A boy who is good, and kind, and helpful. 

What about Hannah?  Oh, Hannah has been around, enjoying the day with Nicole and Ty.  She’s been right there with them, playing games, digging holes, and catching butterflies.  Hannah is thoroughly enjoying still being little.  She can worry about the tween changes soon enough.  But, for now…she is still my sweet, Happy Hannah.