Prayertime at Dinnertime.

Dave and I don't really push bedtime prayers. Bad, I know. What we do observe with all the kids is sort of a family prayertime at dinner. Dave always likes family dinner together. We all have our plates, we sit down and NO ONE LEAVES THE TABLE until everyone else is finished. (If you do try to leave early, you are accused of ruining the whole dinner. Yep, I have been a known dinner-ruiner.) Then, one - by - one, everyone says their own individual prayers so we know what is on their minds and hearts. Here is the usual play-by-play.

Tripp (prayer #1 - he drops his head quickly as soon as he sees all hands are joined) - "Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day, Help me be a good boy, Help the boy at football feel better, Help Pa's heart get better" PAUSE - (at this point he looks up at Dave and says "Whatshernameagain" and Dave replies either "Aunt Joyce" or "Miss Judy") Then, Tripp resumes," Help Aunt Joyce and Miss Judy feel better, In Jesus name I pray, Amen."

Emma (prayer #2 - she looks around to make sure all eyes are on her) - And then she repeats what Tripp has said - except she asks to be a good girl instead of a boy. Somehow, she tends to add her own special flair to her prayers and what she says is so sweet. For instance, one night, her prayer "add on" went something like this. " ... and God, please take care of the people in heaven with you. I pray that they are having a good time."

It just makes me cry.

How pure are my babies' hearts? What if we, as adults, could share their faith? Wouldn't the world be so much better?

OK.

Eli (prayer #3) the recited teenage, typical mymomsmakingmeprayatthetableinfrontofpeopleandIdon'twantto prayer.

Then, it is Dave's turn.

I will say that sometimes it gets a little crazy. If Emma prays for something that Tripp did not, Tripp has to do a revision prayer after Emma is finished. And, just so you know, the boy at football - he was hurt LAST YEAR at a game. My kids still remember him in their prayers.