Siblings - a Conversation With Josiah

Just had this conversation with Josiah and I don't want to forget...

J: "Mom, it's a good thing Phoebe and Isabelle are girls."

Me: "why's that?"

J: "If you had only had boys then you would have been the only girl. Now Phoebe and Isabelle will grow up to be girls. And it's good because now Benson, William and me have sisters."

Pause

J: "I don't really like Isabelle. I really like Phoebe. I like Phoebe better than Isabelle. I still like Isabelle I just like Phoebe better."

Me: "Why do you like Phoebe better?"

J: "She is little and cute and does funny things. Sisters are good when they are older and babies. I didn't really like Isabelle when she was a baby, but it think I will like her when she gets bigger."

Me: "What do you like about Isabelle?"

J: "I like that she's big and funny."

Me: "What do you like about William?"

J: "I like the way he makes big Legos and how he plays cars. I like the way he does things. What I like about Benson is the way he makes airplanes, and little Legos. I like that both William and Benson are my brothers, because of them I have someone to play with. I would be by myself without them."

Pause

J: "I don't really like Isabelle and William. I will like them when they get bigger. Right mommy? I really like Benson and Phoebe. I almost like William and Isabelle a lot. I like Benson and Phoebe this much (holds up his hands to show measurement) and I like William and Isabelle this much (moves his fingers a tiny bit closer together). It's close."

This kid is killing me. Thinking about so much and wanting to do what is right, but struggling with being annoyed with his younger siblings. Sometimes I am fully aware of the insanity of having 5 kids in 6 years, but more often I am so thankful that these five little lives have one another to grow with, learn with and love. Praise the Lord.