When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day's occupations,
That is known as the Children's Hour.
I hear in the chamber above me
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.
From my study I see in the lamplight,
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.
A whisper, and then a silence:
Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
To take me by surprise.
A sudden rush from the stairway,
A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
They enter my castle wall!
They climb up into my turret
O'er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
They seem to be everywhere.
They almost devour me with kisses,
Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!
Do you think, o blue-eyed banditi,
Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old mustache as I am
Is not a match for you all!
I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.
And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This is our "children's hour." We write in journals, read scriptures, read books, say prayers, and lastly sing songs. It is an event, but I love every bit of it.
Once when we were at the mall, and the children were playing in the play area, an elderly man stopped, looked at us and told me, "This is the best time of your life and you don't know it." At church last Sunday I overheard another elderly gentleman say to a mother with small children, "Make the most of the time you have." These men are dear, and their message IS a recurring theme in my mind. I am honestly enjoying myself as a mother and I feel like this is the happiest time of my life. I think of that often and I do believe I have an small idea of how truly good it is. My children go to sleep in their own beds. We can cuddle and kiss them to bits. They want to please us and they do. They love Kelly and me. And Oh! How we love them! I will keep them in my fortress of pixels, paper and love.
5 comments:
There is a quote by either President Hinkley or President Monson (I need to check) about how these are the golden years, and to treasure it as such. I am so happy to hear that you are!
"Parents, remember that now is your opportunity. You may feel yourself harassed as you struggle through the days with children, but you are living the happiest and most golden years of your life." -Harold B. Lee. I am so happy you are treasuring your golden years!
very nice! sweet pics... good job!
The photos, the excursions, the plums-in-the-bowl (apology letter included), esp.. daddy reading on the bedroom floor! beautiful...I love it! (thank you for sharing).
Blessings.
Thank you Halal_Gal! You are very kind.
Tosha! That is such a great quote. I can tell that you are too. I wish I was as good a mom as you are. Also I love that your dog is named Hobbs. Most nights Kelly reads Calvin and Hobbs to the children. We laugh so much! Have you made any cinnamon rolls or your counter? I remember you saying that is was perfect for that. :)
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