Monday night, Amanda brought our Brooklyn.
Brooklyn is now 11 years old.
I haven't seen her for three years.
She is grown and tall and beautiful and articulate and smart and funny and active and a super star soccer goalie and a fantastic BIG sister...
We remember her as a little, squishy, adorable, funny, sassy, spoiled LITTLE sister.
When Brooklyn came into our lives, she was barely two years old.
She called me "Mom" because that was what she heard "Brothers" call me.
Jackson and Braxton were always the protective, nurturing, teaching brothers.
They were the ones who would want to try to do her hair, who would hold her, help to feed her, carry her everywhere.
Kaydon and Colton were always the playful brothers.
The three of them were buddies and did all of the fun, silly, exploring things that little ones do.
I always said I was so grateful that I had boys because I would have no idea what to do with a girl.
However, my heart never needed to find a place for Sis.
Her spot in my heart was always there.
She completed us.
I loved her the moment I saw her.
That love has never changed.
Listening to the kids talk about stories and memories that I didn't even know about...
Looking at old pictures of her falling asleep in the laps of the boys...
Feeling her hugs...
Watching as they all laughed and talked and showed off mad soccer skills-ish...
My heart was over-flowing.
Watching her leave...
My heart ached.
God, thank you for this light.
Thank you for allowing me to love her and to nurture her and to learn from her.
Dear God, thank you for these boys.
My goodness, these boys.
Braxton bought she and Amanda gifts.
Just because.
These boys have been through SO MUCH.
TOO MUCH.
But the love they have for her and for people in general far surpasses anything anyone could ever expect.
This Christmas, I am absolutely exploding with gratitude.
I am FEELING joy and happiness.
I am also FEELING the sadness of not having Jackson right with us.
And of missing this sweet spirit in our home.
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