Here’s to Siblings

Yesterday I took my two monkeys out to swing and I was having a great time: it was a beautiful day, I was getting some cute smiles from Andrew, Andrew was safe because Susanna was in a separate swing out of wacking range, and Susanna was enjoying the underdogs I obediently gave her over and over again.  Then Susanna hopped out of her swing announced that she was going to give Andrew a push and headed his way.  The moment she was in his visual range, he fell into delighted laughter and he laughed—large belly laughs—as long as she was nearby until we had to go.  It’s interesting: no matter how much Susanna beats up on him, one kind look from her and he’s all smiles.  As I watched them together, joining in their infectious laughter, I couldn’t help wondering what she has done to deserve the coveted spot of Andrew’s favorite.  (After all, I feed, clean, and clothe him.)  Not that I’m not glad for it; I love them both dearly and would love for them to have great friends in each other.  They’re affection for each other is a great example to me, a powerful reminder that we can choose to love, and a testament to the strength of family ties.  Siblings are great.  A small group of people who have known you since you were very little, and who grew up with you—not just around the same time but under the same roof.  That’s a powerful connection.  I can tell mine my sadnesses and my joys, I can sing  “Alphabet Zoo” and “Kindness Begins with Me” with them, and I can babble too long on the phone.  And no matter how far away they are or how long it has been since I have seen them, I can know that they will always love me and mine.  Before Andrew was born I hoped that Susanna and her new sibling would have that kind of relationship, and it is wonderful to see it beginning to develop.

Update

I haven’t posted anything for a while (gee whiz life gets away from you sometimes!), but Christmas was fantastic.  We drove to Salt Lake City, which is a long drive (longer than it was when it was way back when it was just Scott and I, anyway).  Andrew slept a lot of the drive, but when he was awake he screamed.  And Susanna got sick all over her car seat and quilt.  We pulled over on a frontage road and did a wipe down on the poor girl with some diaper wipes, put her back in her reeking car seat and drove the rest of the way.  But we survived the drive and, in reality, it went really well (no car troubles, no medical emergencies, etc) and it was great to get to see family for the holidays.  Unfortunately, I left our camera here (with my retainer and gloves), but I stole a couple of photographs from my sister-in-law, Miranda.

the little cousins on my side (Milo, Andrew, and Susanna) in Christmas Eve PJs:

the live nativity from my parents’ Christmas Eve party (Susanna is an angel in the foreground with her back to us, Scott is on the left and is dressed as a Ghanaian visitor to the holy stable, and Andrew is the star of the show swaddled and sleeping in Mary’s—aka Kate’s—arms):It was a Bethlehem party: we had to come dressed in period clothing and we ate curry and lamb kabobs.  What a great idea!

I think I have some more pictures coming from Scott’s side of the family.  Hopefully I remember my camera next time.

I feel I can’t let a Christmas post by without saying how grateful I am for my Savior and all He has done for me and my family.  I love this wonderful time of year when we all think about him a little more and reflect on his great example and sacrifice.  In the words of our prophets and apostles, “God be thanked for the matchless gift of his divine son” (the Living Christ).

Somehow I’ve spend most of my time back recovering, but I feel settled again and I’ve put together some goals and a schedule (there’s a picture version as well, for Susanna) and I think we’re ready to roll.  Here’s a few pictures of us (well, the kids) on two separate days, fulfilling my goal to “have an outdoor outing every day.”

and here’s one last picture because I thought Andrew looked so cute today in his church duds:

Happy new year (and decade!) from the Hales.  May it bring you where you want to be.

P.S. Susanna’s in bed (it’s past bedtime) and I just noticed that not only is she singing (as she always does before she falls alseep) but she is also accompanying herself with a tambourine.  What a joker.