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Together

April 20, 2012 · by · 42 Comments


They’re best friends, this crew. Spending the days together has built a friendship unshakable in the short handful of years they’ve lived. It blesses me to watch them. To see the way the younger ones look up tot he older ones–I never dreamed it would be this good.

Having the two boys back-to-back and then the girls, has made for incredible ‘built-in-friends” as I say to them. Homeschooling keeps us together, and while to some, that may seem just a tad overwhelming and all together too tiring, I assure you, you are entirely right. It is good, and the gift that comes with our close proximity for hours on end, is a togetherness that I am only just beginning to see the value in.

They have each other and they know what a gift that is. Four best friends always hanging around. I love watching them together, (when all is peaceful–which I promise you, it isn’t always!)

I’m soaking it all up, because we all know how fast these wild days disappear–

Joining Lisa-Jo and fabulous others this morning for Five Minute Friday, where we cut the words loose for just five minutes, and see where they fall. No editing, just encouraging the others who play along.


PS: I’m honored to be guest postng over at (in)Courage today. Click HERE to come and join the conversation ;)

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Filed Under: Children, Family, Five Minute Friday, Motherhood · Tagged: , ,
  • http://undergodsmightyhand.blogspot.com Caroline @UnderGod’sMightyHand

    This time of families being together… so, so important. Lovely pictures of your family, Krissie!

  • http://sixinthehickorysticks.blogspot.com/ Nacole Simmons

    hey kris, i really like this: “ It is good, and the gift that comes with our close proximity for hours on end, is a togetherness that I am only just beginning to see the value in.”–thank you for writing your honest heart here about homeschooling–being a homeschooling mama myself, trying to learn, figuring out our groove and our moment-by-moment rhythm–i am flat tuckered out. im glad i read this. blessings, friend.

    • alwaysalleluia

      Nacole, It is tiring, isn’t it? I am so done by the end of the day!  It is so worth it though, all of the constant learning and growing and being stretched… I can’t imagine not doing it!  Bless you, friend, hang in there!! 

  • http://www.tammygrrrl.com/ Tammy Perlmutter

    Hey Kris, love the portrait of the kids. It really is a beautiful thing, raising siblings as friends rather than competitors. It’s not an easy job. I only have one, so I worry that we’re not a “real” family yet. But we live in community, http://www.jpusa.org, so we’re building in some soul sisters and brothers for our daughter. And you’re tackling the most important aspect of that, teaching them to appreciate and love what they have in each other.

    • alwaysalleluia

      Praying your community fills the gaps you feel, and bring a peaceful encouraging environment to live and raise a family.

  • Deanna

    Oh what a beautiful gift! Siblings keeping friends with one another. I know there are days when sibling rivalry is sure to be, but all in all friendship, love for one another surely wins! *I LOVE HOMESCHOOLING*
    -Blessings :)

    • alwaysalleluia

      Oh yes, Deanna. They struggle with the flesh as we all do, but they are the best of friends! ;) I love homeschooling too! 

  • http://oddsandendswithcraftsandpens.blogspot.com/ Sarah Dawneé

    Oh! This is so wonderful.
    I’ve been home educated my whole life.
    I believe that being home “schooled” as well as the ways that my parents have made family time a priority has helped my siblings and I be so close.

    We’re the reverse of your precious family. My Momma had two girls first and then two boys.

    Precious family and precious post.
    I hope they continue to be wonderful friends as the years pass. =)

    • alwaysalleluia

      Thank you, friend. What a blessing it must be to your parents to know how beautiful the impact of your upbringing had on you :)  

  • http://treatmetoafeast-beloved.blogspot.com/ Chelle

    I love your blog.  So glad I tripped on over from 5 minute Fridays.  Congratulations on guest posting at (in)courage.  
    Peace and good to you and your crew.
    Chelle

    • alwaysalleluia

      Thank you, Chelle. I too am glad you stumbled over here ;) Wishing you God’s peace and rest this weekend!!

  • http://myjourneytoauthenticity.com/ Meredith

    Oh how precious!  That picture is just amazing.
    What a lovely, lovely tribute to the hard, long work you have invested in them by staying at home, by home-schooling.

    My heart rejoices with you!

    • alwaysalleluia

      Bless you, Meredith!~  I am amazed constantly at God’s goodness! ;)

  • Positively Alene

    Beautiful. Cute pic. And yes those moments fly by WAY too quickly. My son graduates college and gets married all in less than a month. These are precious days you have to enjoy. Soak it all up!!!

    http://www.positivelyalene.com/

    • alwaysalleluia

      Oh Wow, Alene! That’s a lot of firsts all at once! Praying for you during this super-exciting time!! 

  • lindseyfoj

    Beautiful! There is a special bond between siblings when you are separated from “the status quo” around you….as a missionary kid, I truly get that. My sister and I STILL to this day understand each other JUST be tones of voice over the phone or a look across the room in person or random body language.

    Thank you for sharing them with us! It encourages me…truly!

    • alwaysalleluia

      Lindsey, that’s so awesome. What a blessing to *know* each other so well. THat is just so beautiful-wonderful! Love you, friend!

  • http://lens-and-pens.blogspot.com/ Tammy

    As a homeschooling mom I, too, am so grateful for the friendships my boys have forged with each other. It’s a blessing!

    • alwaysalleluia

      That’s so wonderful Tammy. Praying they are always such pals. What a gift that is. ;)

  • Ro elliott

    sweet picture…and I can tell you…it is worth all the crazy hard times…being together…growing up under one roof all day long forges something deep in the family.  My post is similar…just at a different phase of life…blessings and keep growing together.

    • alwaysalleluia

      Thank you, Ro, for the affirmation, I believe you, it IS worth the crazy!  I wouldn’t have it any other way! ;) Bless you, my sweet friend!

  • http://www.redemptionsbeauty.com/ Shelly Miller

    Oh what a gift, this kind of friendship between siblings. I didn’t have any and am blessed to observe it the lives of others. The picture is just gorgeous and you are a blessed mama for sure.

    • alwaysalleluia

      thanks, Shelly~ ;) It is such a gift!

  • http://wildoptimisminoviedo.blogspot.com/2012/04/together.html Wild Optimist

    Love it!  The words and the picture!  Thank you for sharing!

    • alwaysalleluia

      Ooh bless you! ;)

  • http://www.devotedtoquilt.wordpress.com/ Nita

    Watching our children grow together is indeed a blessing. Mine are separated by miles, but not love or technology. :) Sometimes, the roles reverse and it’s the younger ones who help the older ones. Like the day my boys  circled their older sister, the first grandchild, in their arms, supporting her (and each other) as they watched their grandfather’s body be lowered into the ground. Love this glimpse into your life and journey. It is a fun one.

    • alwaysalleluia

      Oh Nita, what sweet and tender memories. I pray it is so for my children as well. I lovethe way they love each other right now, I pray it only increases! so glad you stopped by!

  • HopeUnbroken

    love every bit of this.  and can shout out a hearty “amen” to all of it, too!  so privileged to be in the journey alongside you, and love your encouragement along the way.
    have a great weekend, kris!
    steph

    • alwaysalleluia

      Thank you, Steph! I love to picture you shouting “amen” with me! Yeah! :) God is So so good!!

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  • http://twitter.com/NarrowPaths2HP Alia Joy

    “Homeschooling keeps us together, and while to some, that may seem just a tad overwhelming and all together too tiring, I assure you, you are entirely right.”   
    Truer words were never spoken, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Love the togetherness it brings as well. 

    • alwaysalleluia

      Me too, Alia Joy. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!! It is such a wild ride! ;)

  • http://denisejhughes.com/ Denise J. Hughes

    What a blessing. And your children are beautiful. Joy emanates from their smiles. I love your focus on being together, literally, all day long. What a sweet, sweet privilege. :)

    • alwaysalleluia

      It is a gift, Denise. I admit that there have been seasons where I haven’t *felt* that way. How much growing up I have had to do! God is just abundantly good and patient with me!!

  • http://writingcanvas.wordpress.com/ loni

    Ohhh . . . it IS a delight when children are close.  We had our first 5 in 4.5 years (includes 1 set of twins).  We’ve had 12 children in 20 years (10 living).  But I absolutely LOVE watching now the older ones, as adults, doing things together – meeting for snacks at AppleBees – that they are still best friends watching out for each other.  I think of one time when one of our sons went to his sister’s new boyfriend and warned him, to treat her right, or he’d pay!  LOL!  I am sure your boys will take good care of their sisters as well! :)

    • alwaysalleluia

      Lonni~ How wonderfully encouraging your words are!! Thank you for this! I love to hear such encouraging truth, from someonewho has been where I am.  What a sweet, blessed family you have.. Thank you!!

  • http://simplystriving.wordpress.com/ Nikki

    I can hardly stand it–how adorable your children are!
    your honest post made me smile, as I am just beginning to contemplate homeschooling ;)

    and what a blessing to have built-in friends. I’m the 2nd of 4 siblings and believe me…if it ever parts for a phase, the friendship they’ve bonded with now will come back together.  . .

    • alwaysalleluia

      Oh Nikki! That is so good to hear! I pray it is the same with mine! I hope they always hang close to each other, always enjoy time together…. and as for homeschooling- how wonderful! i pray you make a decision that brings you peace, either way ;)

  • http://twitter.com/lifesurrendered Michele-Lyn Ault

    Oh my gosh! You have a most beautiful brood :) What precious gifts you have… and your life example helps me to appreciate the value in our homeschool togetherness… too.

    Thank you sweet, precious friend… for being such a light!

    • alwaysalleluia

      Homeschool togetehrness is quite a handful, isn’t it? But I know that when theya re all older, we will treasure these memories of time spent together, working, learning, growing… what a gift it truly is! Bless you, my sweet sister-friend.

  • http://youaremygirls.com Jennifer Camp

    Kris, your children are beautiful.  And the pairing of the boys and then the girls. . . wow, such a gift.  This post celebrates this joy of life with them.  What a privilege.  Thank you. 

    • alwaysalleluia

      Jennifer~ it is a privleage to parent them. I am learning that more and more!! God bless you, my friend!