Daddy sleeping while Edmond plays Starfall
Lately I've been going in the boys' room before I go to sleep to make sure Charlie is sleeping in his bed. Sometimes when I open the door I will hear a "thud" as I smack his sleeping head with the door. When this happens I have to use the door to push him out of the way so that I can squeeze in there and scoop his little two-year-old body up and tuck him in bed. He sleeps through the whole ordeal. One time he mumbled "Mamma"after I laid him on his bed, then he rolled over and continued sleeping.
Tonight I stayed up late preparing for Joy School, since tomorrow is my turn to teach. When I was finally ready to go to bed I paused in the hallway and debated on whether I should venture into the boys' room. I decided in the affirmative.
The door opened with a creak as I slowly turned the knob. I waited for the "thud" that is me hitting Charlie's head with the door. No thud this time. I crept inside and the light from the hallway behind me cast my long shadow across the floor. Edmond was sprawled across his bed with his massive fire truck balanced precariously on the edge of his bed. Little Charlie was wedged in the upper right corner of his XL twin mattress. All the fits and fights and power struggles of the day were forgotten as I gazed at their little blonde heads and matching Lighning McQueen jammies.
"They are perfect," I thought as I stood there between their two beds. I leaned over and pulled the covers over each of them. "Why don't kids ever fall asleep with their blankets on?" I wondered. I stayed and listened to their little snores and I felt the familiar sensation of my heart nearly bursting with devotion for these little darlings.
I snuck out and stopped at the next closed door in the hallway.
I never check on Scarlett once she is down for the night. Sister sleeps like a champ and I can count on her to let me know when she's finally in need of sustenance. But I was aching to see her...it's funny how I miss her when she's sleeping. I crept in and stood over her bed and watched her sleep. She is my best friend. I will always be in her corner, and something deep inside my soul tells me that I have been in her corner for longer than I can comprehend.
Finally I followed my husband's snores until I arrived at the third door in the hallway. The third bedroom where instead of feeling that I must cast my protective powers over the inhabitants, instead it was I who was entering into the safe realm. He was sleeping flat on his back with his arms out like an airplane and his legs spread out across the bed so that each foot had it's own corner. "He's such a bed hog," I thought smugly as I recalled our eight-year debate where we each accuse the other of hogging the bed.
I layed down and gently pulled some covers out from under his leg and curled up next to my wonderful, strong, precious husband. Then I thanked my Heavenly Father for the beloved people in my life.
All is well.
