Jack and Simon

I can not believe this blog has been up and running for nearly two months and I haven't posted about Jack and Simon until now. Craziness! Jack and Simon Masters are two of the Workman boys' best buddies. Jack is Caleb's oldest friend. They became playmates when Caleb was just five months old and Jack had just turned a year. The Masters were our neighbors for two years when we first moved to Franklin. Christina and I hit it off instantly and so did our boys. For those two years that we lived in the same neighborhood, our boys played together almost every day. The Masters moved a year and a half ago to another town, but we have tried to keep a consistent presence in each other's lives. We desire for our boys to grow up together even if there is a little distance for now. Caleb only asks about 20 times a day to go to Jack's house.

Over the years, Christina and I have developed a strong sister-like friendship that I treasure so much. She is a safe place for me to share my struggles and celebrate life's little victories. She loves my boys and my boys love her. She has been a source of encouragement from the beginning and a wonderful friend. I love her dearly.


But this blog is about the boys, isn't it? Caleb has always been crazy about Jack. I remember when they were younger and Jack would come to play and poor Jack couldn't take a step without Caleb bombarding him with hugs. It was really sweet, but made it hard for the boys to play. And I know that it drove Jack half nuts for a while. Now when they are together, there are fewer hugs because they are too busy building, zooming, and laughing with equal loudness. I know it is hard to believe that another child could match Caleb's volume, but when they are together, Jack can do it. It is fun to see how they crack each other up. For some reason they can't make it through lunch together without mass giggling outbursts, which often gets them separated. They must have some inside jokes that us mommies are unaware. They have each learned a lot from the other and continue to do so.

And how considerate it was for Christina to get pregnant 4 months after I did with Seth. Now my youngest has a little buddy to play with at the Masters' house. It is a lot of fun to watch Simon and Seth interact with one another, especially now that they are getting older and actually playing together. It brings back many fond memories of when our oldests were together at that age. It is like a sequel to a really cool movie (only this is actually a good thing, unlike most movie sequels). But Simon and Seth have a friendship that is all their own and we are enjoying watching it develop.

Observing them as their little friendships form for Simon and Seth and grow for Jack and Caleb, I am reminded of the following verse:

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17(NIV) I also like the New Living Translation that reads, "A friend is loyal and a brother is born to help in time of need."

With friendships and brothers, we are surely blessed! Thank you, Jesus.

These pictures were taken today while we were playing at their house. The sun refused to cooperate with my camera, but made for a wonderfully naturally lit house.