He is so good with her.

I’m standing back watching these two form an amazing friendship.

People ask me all the time what it is like with such a big spread in the ages of the kids. They ask if it feels like I have two separate families. It doesn’t. It feels like one amazing dream.

When I look up and say, “did you see that?!” when Mary Alice or Riley do something adorable, I have two people who laugh and smile with me. I have people that will remember this stage with me and we’ll be able to tell so many stories of our sweet days. When my arms feel full, Julia and Nate come up beside me to help.

They continue to push me to think of someone other than myself. They bring so much fullness to my day, and I’m so thankful for that.

This past week, Nate has been the one to really catch my eye. I feel like in the past year, he has grown up right in front of me. When I ask for help, he jumps up, ready for anything. He’s been taking out the trash and doing the laundry without me even asking. And nope, there’s nothing that he’s asking for.

He’ll sit with me and tell me stories about anything. I love being able to sit with him and listen to him. I love hearing what makes him laugh and trying my hardest to answer all of his questions.

He’s been singing in the car more, and I’m pretty sure we have another rock-star in the house. I love you, Nate.