Prayers at bedtime

As soon as the boys could start talking a little bit, we started saying prayers at bedtime. It's always been such a nice little moment to share with each of them. If I forget, and I sometimes do, they always remember. "We didn't say our prayers". I plan to continue doing it every night until they physically stop me from climbing in their bed, snuggling up and saying prayers. At that point I will just stand over them with a baseball bat and say prayers. Who knows, that day may come so I want to get this down now.

Jake's and Brady's prayer with Daddy

Dear God
Please take care
of everyone we love
Amen

It's short and simple, but effective. We end with a couple smooches and a, "See you in the morning." When someone needs a little extra prayer we will throw their name up to God for good measure.

And sometimes....only sometimes, because they are rarely super bad during the day, but when they are, I tell them something I half stole from a Winnie the Pooh book. After I tell them how what they did was wrong and how I expect them to behave better the next day, I say this;

Remember,
no matter what you do,
or what anybody does to you,
I will always love you.
Forever.

Boys, these are the most special days of my life, and the most precious nights I could ever hope for. I love you.