They sleep under the canopy of one bedroom ceiling now, and so before I head to bed each night, I enter through one door to give kisses on cheeks and climb a ladder too small for my feet to pray for love and grace and strength for the three.
A few nights ago, upon returning from our time with family, the girls entered their bedroom to see the much-awaited bunk beds, and they squealed and jumped (10 1/2 year old Sici more than any), amazed that their papa had done all this without them knowing.
They have so badly wanted to share a sleeping room and turn Lala’s bedroom into a reading space, and so while we were away, Michael picked up the bunks from friends who no longer needed them, assembled them and somehow fit in the painting of four coats of white over bright blue and green in less than 72 hours while working full days at the office.
He stayed up late nights and woke early mornings to finish the job, texting me cell phone pictures (seen here) of his progress along the way. He put brush to board over and over again, this handyman who’s done nearly every home improvement project in our houses, but disdains painting.
He made the beds with quilts and waited on the front porch for us to come home.
And to see him watch the girls’ discovery of their room — one of my favorite moments of the summer.
Lala has never been the easiest of sleepers, waking earlier than the rest to find someone to be with, but these last nights, she’s slept sound and long into the morning, at gentle ease being in her sisters’ presence.
Yesterday, the girls and I spent a good chunk of the morning moving clothes, shuffling things about, dreaming decor and taking turns with the label maker to make space for the sleeping and dressing that will be the primary activities of this room.
If you don’t count the daytime nesting under the planks and plaster.
Or J’s donkey kicks and bounces on Lala’s bottom bunk while holding onto her bunk’s rails (and the pops of Lala good on the side of the face).
Summer days, young days are moving too fast, and so I’m grateful that right now the girls want to share the last moments of one day and the first of the next with one another — Sici nestled in her reading pillow on her twin bed, J and Lala stacked tall.
It’s good to be together. It’s good to be connected. It’s good to see love spelled out in paint. It’s good to fall asleep to the voice of somebody you love.
Today, as I do many Tuesdays, I’m linking up with “Just Write” (an exercise in free writing everyday moments), at The Extraordinary Ordinary.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
What a man you got there! :)
bunk beds are so fun… I’m happy for you all.
Thanks, Jelani. He’s a keeper for sure! I always thought bunk beds were so exotic — did the Greenidges stack it up?
It says something rather special about these girls who would rather sleep three-to-a-room than have their “own” space. The way they share and love says something special about their parents too. And that Mike would spend hours stroking paint, coat after coat, well… it just says what we already know…there’s at least one saint in the family! :)
Aww, thanks, Ma. He’s a good one — yes, St. Michael it is. :)
gee whiz your post made me all teary-eyed
Oh, Chris. And your post today made me chuckle. :)
Love this Ash! Such sweet memories to be made inside the walls of this room! We moved all 4 of our girls into what we now call the “sleeping porch” last year-hands down one of the best decisions we’ve made in our home. Giggling, stories, dance parties, bonding-even now with Riley starting middle school and Lu kindergarten, there is no place they’d rather be than together in that space. Love!
Spent some time catching up on your blog-so fun for me to read about your life. And as always, everything is beautifully and artistically written, my talented friend! :)
Thanks for your encouraging comments, Kel! So good to hear from you. Yes, the sleeping porch! I love that southern term. :) It’s so hard to believe — Riley in 6th, little Lucy in kindergarten. I love the ways sharing space like this bridges those spans of time…amazing.
Oh this is so sweet Ashley…I too love that your girls want to all sleep together & that Mike put the time & energy into making it happen! I too shared a room with one of my sisters most of my life & much of that time was in bunk beds, but I don’t remember it ever being as special as it seems to be with your girls (& I believe it’s a testimony of who your family is)! It makes me realize that though it has & continues to be a roller coaster for Aubrey & Elias sharing room since he hasn’t been the best sleeper, it is a special thing for them in the long run. :)
Another bunkbed-er! :) I’m sure there will be times that the arrangement will be less than ideal, but I agree, it is a gift in the long-run. What sweet memories our kids are creating with their siblings. And those lights-out chats are the best.
I love this story.. the ease of sleep near a sister’s breath. A husband’s labor of love and joy on seeing his daughter’s faces. Best of all.. the surprise:) xx
Thanks, Smidge. :)
i slept many years on the trundle bed in my brothers room. i would be asleep before the lights would even be out. how i loved being with them :) soon sky will join the pack in their room too just like your chicklets. love your girls & how they love eachother. can’t wait for your visit!!!
I love imagining you on the trundle with your big brothers. How sweet. I’m so glad for the ways are stories overlap, Kin. Will be such fun to see you and your dear three in a few weeks.
Papa does not disappoint… what fun for the three Musketeers…what a sweet and loving surprise. It so speaks of their closeness and love for each other.
The Three Musketeers are loving it! :)
I love this story and love that your girls relish in each other’s company. I have always been moved by the relationship that you and Ali share and it warms my heart to see it repeating within your own daughters. Blessed by love, for sure! Thanks for sharing this little bit of sweetness.
Aw, thanks, Katie. I love watching my girls’ sister bond. It brings back so many of my own memories with Ali growing up. :)
This entire blog speaks of love, and I love it!
What a tremendous compliment, Deb. Thank you!