Pumpkin Train Ride

Last year just Ral and I went on this excursion. This year he wanted the whole family to go. We had quite a day. When Will woke up this morning he started giving me the highlights..."We go on Punkin train..see Charlie Brown and Lucy and Snoopy and roast marshmallows in fire and feed a goat!"
Ral's favorite part was the same as last year...roasting marshmallows. We had a great time.

Sunday baking

Ral and I didn't go to church today. I was tired from our day at the Pumpkin Patch and didn't want to fight with his tiredness during worship service. We already had a plan of what to do today. Ral and I like to bake on Sundays. For a few weeks in a row we had someone to bake for...a family reunion, a couple with a new baby, etc. Other times we just enjoy making things and sharing our treats with the teachers at school on Monday. Ral takes such pride in going around the school in the morning and telling the teachers about what he made and how good it is. Our plan is to take some of today's goodies to my friend Pat Warren, others to school tomorrow, and of course the rest we will enjoy here.
Raleigh really enjoys baking....something he learned from his ME. Last night we got all of our goodies at a Walgreens on the way home at 10pm! :)

Trying on costumes

Will is going to be Buzz Lightyear. Ral is going to be the White Ranger and/or a motorcycle dude. The other night we decided to try on their outfits. The boys had a blast. Will LOVES for me to take a picture and then let him see it. After he saw them all, he wanted me to take a picture of his bottom. Of course, Ral had to get in on that action as well.

11 wolves

They have been studying fairy tales in Kindergarten. They've also been reading lots of versions of stories...you know... the 3 little pigs and then the other version with the 3 wolves. I asked Ral what they read today and he told me, "11 little wolves and a big bad pig."

Umm....don't you mean 3??

Yeah, that's what he meant.
We are obviously still working on numbers.

Busy and sick....

Sorry for the lack of updates. We took a trip to Wilmington last weekend and have been in the sick house this week. Ral has a sinus infection. They said Will's sickness is viral, but I'm beginning to think I'll have to take him back. We have a big trip planned to the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown train ride next weekend. The whole family is going this year!! That day was one of my favorite days ever with Raleigh. I hope the trip with everyone will be even more enjoyable!

Happy Birthday Laura

Happy Birthday Sweetheart,

Raleigh, Will and I love you very much and wish you the happiest of birthdays. Our lives are so much better because of you.

Every good thing about our sons is a direct result of your efforts with them. You are an amazing wife and mother. No man is more blessed than I.

I love you more than my limited vocabulary gives me the words to say.

Mike.

A child like faith

My precious friend Pat had a great loss today when her husband died after a long fight with cancer. Pat was my asst. at Bethel and a dear friend. She was always so good to Raleigh and he loves her so much. We've been praying for Mr. Warren the past few weeks. Ral has put him on our "list" every night. He also really wanted to go see Ms. Warren and take some food out there. He especially wanted to take dessert to her.

I told Ral today about Mr. Warren. I explained to him that his body was dead but b/c Mr. Warren had Jesus in his heart, he is walking around with heaven right now. Ral and I talked about that Mr. Warren may even be walking with Grandpa Doug right now. When I told Ral that, he gave a big Yessssssssssssss.
Of course Ral wanted to know when he was going to die since I told him the Bible tells us that all of our bodies will die. (Not in my lifetime, I hope and pray, my son).

Tonight during our prayer time we talked again about Ms. Pat and Mr. Warren. Ral wanted to know what we do in heaven and I told him that we get a new body and get to sing praises to the Lord all the time.

Ral bursts out into song...."Jesus Loves Me" followed by a great singing of "Jesus Loves the Little Children."

Yes, my son...Mr. Warren may be singing that right now...along with Grandpa Doug, Aunt Betty, Mr. King, Aunt Martha..and so many others.

A childlike faith is all it takes. Thank you Lord for reminding me of this through my son.

One month...

Spongebob Squarepants

I guess Will is officially Spongebob now. At the doc's office today he was around 37 pounds and around 37 inches tall.

We are participating in another drug study at the Peds office. We've done a couple of these since Ral was born. The last one paid big bucks...this is just a small one. Its to test a new flu vaccine for kids under 3 years of age, so just Will got to participate this time.

4 days of taking his temp got us 2 TOYS R US Gift cards, a check for 70.00, a gift bag with a few things, a new thermometer, and a free flu vaccine for him.
Not a bad return on the investment, I must say.

While Will was screaming his guts out when they took his blood for the test and while he got his flu shot I reminded him that it was his turn to "take one for the team". We all have to earn some extra money in this family and if it means he has to get a shot...so be it... *LOL* At least I can get a tank of gas and get a few Christmas presents for the kiddos with it!! :)