Tonight we tried a new method of getting Thomas to bed.

Typically, Suzanne has laid with him (he prefers her at bedtime) and read to him and turned out the light and put him to sleep.  Sometimes, I put him to sleep (and love doing it), but he normally asks for - and gets her.

We're trying to get him to sleep in his own bed now, and trying to get him used to me putting him to bed more as well.  So I read to him on his floor then tried to put him to bed.

We ended up on the window seat in his room, with the window shades open, looking out at the night and saying our night time prayers.

He led me in the Sign of the Cross, then closed his eyes and bowed his head and said "Thank you, Jesus, for..." and listed every family member and Father Larry and Father Jeff and many of our friends from church. And then he said "Jesus, best friend."

I was so proud, and happy, and all the other good feelings, that my son was that good at prayer - and that open and honest (and thankful) with God.

But then the clincher came.  As we closed with the sign of the cross, he said "In the name of the Father... and of the Son... and of the Holy..."

Then he shouted "SPIRIT!!!  Church!  Songs!  Happy!  Life!"

That was a very cool moment.  I was so thrilled, deep down, that he had been so reverent and thankful with the Father, knowledgable of his friendship with the Son, and immersed in the gift of the SPIRIT!  With Spirit, he connected Church. Songs. Happy. Life.

Gosh... he's 2 1/2.  I think I might be the proudest dad on the face of the earth tonight.  He's such a good boy, and we're so blessed to be surrounded by all of our family and friends who are sharing in helping to raise him and Matthew as faithful, loving young men.

Now it's time for me to go say my prayers... and I know one thing in particular I'm going to thank God for...