I have a love/hate relationship with bedtime. Especially when I have to do it on my own. But tonight was one of those wonderful nights that makes me so very blessed for the two little boys I have the privilege of raising and teaching.
I got Max ready first. Pajamas, bottle and blanket. I told Sean to play quietly in his room or downstairs. He said ok mom. So I snuggled into my rocking chair with my sweet little baby and rocked and sang to him while he drifted off into sleep. I cuddled him and gave him one last kiss on that precious little forehead (still sticky with something of course) he looked up at my with those sleep filled eyes and smiled and stretched out in bed off he went to sleep.
I took Sean downstairs, he had played in his room quietly while I put Max to bed, and had him clean up his toys. He actually helped. Without me having to prod and bribe him repeatedly. After the toys were cleaned up he found his favourite book, Bearenstein Bears Go Back to School and asked me to read. We still had a few minutes before bed so I read him his book plus a few more before putting the books away and climbing to bed. In his room he asked me to read If you take a Mouse to School. He even said please. And he was laying in bed all happy how could I say No? So we read and cuddled some more.
After I finished he said scripture stories please. And really you can never say no to scripture stories. They are so wonderful. He wanted the fruit story(Lehi's Dream) and the boat story. (Nephi building the boat and sailing to the promised land) he loves those two stories and asks for them every night. So we read and snuggled some more. Then of course I had to sing "the boat song". This kid sure does love stories about Nephi. It makes me so happy to have him craving the gospel those stories and songs teach.
After stories and songs it's prayer time. Which he did on his own with little prompting. He was said he was thankful for pretzels and chips and more chips. (He loves his chips) And Kolton (Lindsey and Kolton came to visit today) my friends. Mom dad max and Sean.
Then he needed lots of kisses. He just grabbed my cheeks and kissed me about twenty times. Then said goodnight mom. Love you. And blew me a kiss from the door.
I feel so blessed and loved tonight to have these two sweet little boys in my home. They are both so innocent and pure and I feel so close to my Father in Heaven on these kinds of nights. It washes away whatever crazy day I've had. I'm so blessed and so glad to know that Sean is starting to catch on to the importance of the gospel now. At 2 years old.
That moment that I know I must be doing something right.