family reading time

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I think Pilgrim’s Progress must be one of Rich’s favorite books because I just counted and this is about the fourth time he’s read it to the children.

I love this picture because it was unplanned and I had to talk myself into taking it.  At the time, I was sitting by the fireplace at the end of the day, sleepy.  Baby Sarah was sitting on the floor in front of me and I was propping her up with my legs.  

I was half listening to the story but then my eyes woke up and I saw….my family all in front of me.

Davy in his footie pajamas that he’s wanted and wanted and I recently bought for him, at Target.  He sat on the couch for a while, then sat on the floor.  He had a little trouble paying attention this night but a change of scenery sometimes helps.

Precious Ethan busily crocheting his blanket.

Jacob looking bored, but I’m sure he was *simply absorbed* in the reading. 

Grace where she loves to be, snuggling up to her adored Papa; Caleb was snuggling on the other side and he was sound asleep and snoring by the end of the chapter.

Rich still in his clothes from work, tired, but beginning to relax at home, with his black shoes kicked off his aching feet (finally).

Little squirming Seth, I offered to put him to bed but Rich wanted him with us.  Seth would have preferred going to bed, he objects to being held for so long but he knows he can’t get away from Papa unless Papa says so.  Every once in a while he would protest and whimper and look at me like, “Save me mama!”….he had given up and resorted to quietly playing with his toes during the moment I snapped the picture.

I realized to myself that a beautiful picture was in front of me….what I was seeing should be recorded for our family album, but I had no intentions to disturb the reading with my photography antics and kept telling myself, “NO, don’t get up, don’t get up.” 

Then I sighed, put Sarah on her tummy, walked softly to the kitchen, grabbed the camera, took the picture and now at this moment I’m looking and smiling and grateful.

You know, these moments won’t last forever.  We need to seize them, while we can.  This one’s in my heart and in my photo album.

Another one is right behind me…a stinky Seth in my chair hugging my back and chattering.  Must go change a diaper now and I won’t be tempted to take any pictures this time.  heart  However, I do love making my baby clean…maybe I’ll give him a nice bubble bath.

(((hugs)))

 

0 thoughts on “family reading time”

  1. what a beautiful memory. i loved when my parents who read to me when i was snuggled in bed. my dad used to read and make up voices for the characters. sometimes we would read Little house on the prairie all together. it was wonderful.

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  4. Warm, cozy, safe…the way a family should feel.  That it what this photo says to me.  I am glad that you did get up to take the picture. It is so special.  I know JUST what these moments feel like, with this very book, Narnia and the Bob Schultz books!  Happy Tuesday friend!

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  13. A precious moment indeed! I was struck, yesterday after supper as Carl read our daily Bible chapter, I knitted, and the girls ran around the table, by that same sense of “this is a memory … save it.” No camera available, but I tucked it away in the back of my mind.And I love that you have family reading time. What a marvelous tradition!

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  15. Great memory.  You will be glad you took the picture.  I think I’ll rely on my “brain” memory, but then realize when I go back through pictures that I’ve forgotten so much.  You will smile over and over at that one!!  Love the candid-ness of it.

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