my friend heidi at mt. hope has started a lovely series (titled above). this week the focus is on daily rituals of family connectivity. the only one we've been able to keep in our time of upheaval (week 10 of living with my in-laws waiting for our home in florida to sell before we can find our own place here) is our bedtime ritual. there is not an eating area big enough here for us all to sit together (i really, really miss that) so we eat in shifts.
but every night, i make an intentional effort to connect with each child, in the dark, right before their eyelids succumb to the weight of the day.
i've found as the kids get older (yes, even the teenagers request being tucked in and prayed with most of the time) they are more apt to share what's deep in their heart or heavy on their mind when the lights are turned out and we are getting ready to rest our thoughts for the night. i am so thankful for this time. i wouldn't trade it for anything. and i personally hope they never grow too old for a hug, tuck and a prayer.
these 2 are the only ones i could take a picture of while they were sleeping and be confident they wouldn't wake up.
(the little boys "beds" these past 10 weeks. and nary a complaint)
3 comments:
What a snuggly little nook those boys have! My boys would love it! Your photos are great. Nothing better than a sleeping little boy. :)
I love your bedtime ritual, Jodi. I'm guessing it means a lot to your kids to end the day with you there to connect with them. I can imagine you learn quite a bit about their thoughts and feelings in those moments.
Thank you so much for participating.
I love sleeping baby pics!! They always look so angelic (as opposed to when they're awake-ha!!).
I still love to watch my three-year-old sleep, probably always will. And we treasure our nighttime prayers. He has shared a bed with us for most of his life and he knows that talking in hushed voices (or sometimes not-so-hushed) is part of our routine--his daddy and I have a lot of great talks in the dark, late at night! Now, he has to put in his two cents, too! So cute.
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