Precious Angel Girl

Caroline is such a sweet, tender big sister. Granted, there are times when she & Clayton don't get along and it causes their mother stress. But then, minutes later our precious girl does something that melts our hearts and brings lumps to our throats. Today was no exception. After some heated debate between Caroline & Clayton over whose stick horse belonged to whom (Caroline wanted Clayton's because she claimed that his was a GIRL and she needed a GIRL horse!), Clayton went down for his nap. Well, fell asleep in the middle of lunch is more the truth, but whatever. So, after laying him on his bed, I asked Caroline to use the potty, find her comfort blankie and a book for me to read to her and meet me on my bed - our usual meeting place for naptime where we read and sing and snuggle and finally sleep. She was taking a bit longer than I thought she should to complete the task at hand, so I went in search of her. I could hear quiet sounds in the kids room, so I went to see what she was up to. After searching for her blankie and unsuccesfully finding it, she noticed her sleeping brother on his bed, with his quilt underneath him. Worried that he would get cold during his nap, she covered him with her own quilt. I couldn't help but scoop her up, give her a big hug and cover her with kisses, all while fighting back the tears over how thoughtful and sweet she was.



This evening, after putting the kids to bed, Clayton stood by the bedroom door and cried. He's had a difficult time going to sleep in his own bed the last few nights, and I think the thunderstorm the night before caused him a little anxiety. But after having to hold him until he goes to sleep for the last 3 or 4 nights, I'm afraid to get stuck in that rut with a new baby on the way, so we figured he could "cry it out." (I HATE doing that, but...) With Jake in the house, I decided to run some eggs over to our students in the bunkhouse. On the way home, I took a little peek into the children's room through the window. I didn't expect to see Caroline sitting next to Clayton on his bed, stroking his little face and back, soothing and comforting him. Then I watched her "read" him a book and finally, snuggle down next to him underneath his quilt.

I don't think words can describe the love I have for my sweet Caroline and the thoughtfulness and love that she demonstrates for her brother in quiet moments like that, and I'm so grateful for a Heavenly Father who shared such a precious, adorable, sweetheart of an angel and trusted us as her parents enough to send her to us.