Best Friends

 We moved to our new home a year ago. A few days after we moved in, Dallin was begging to play with friends. We didn't know anyone yet and he threw a huge temper tantrum swinging his toy sword around and hitting Lili's new fan. Those first few weeks were so tough. Dallin is such a social kid. He would pick playing with a friend as a reward over anything else. Dallin rarely plays with toys on his own, plays the Wii, or anythings else by himself.

Home school and Gavin getting a little older has changed all of that. When school started, Dallin didn't have a choice but to learn to play with Gavin. We are part of a home school group, but we don't get together with this group every day. The previous few years, I taught preschool in my home twice a week bringing 7 friends to our house. Then I would plan at least one play date the other days of the week. Since we started home schooling, the amount of kids coming into our home decreased dramatically. Dallin had to learn to play by himself or play with his siblings. It has been really interesting to watch the kids' relationships evolve. Before Dallin's friends were more important to him. Now, his best friend is Gavin. They are inseparable. Dallin is also super sweet with Lili helping her join in their games. I'm so grateful for this last year that helped my kids become closer together.

I've had people make comments to me that after they have their own children, they want to adopt a child. I feel like people make too big of deal about genes. Our kids are just our kids. We get asked all the time if Lili and Gavin are siblings meaning are they biological siblings. I'm not sure why this matters. They are siblings. If you see my kids together, you can't doubt that there is a special bond. That bond was so immediate that I'm convinced they all knew each other in heaven. I can't wait to see how these relationships evolve further as they open their circle to add Talmage.