Drama

At the beginning of the year, Will told me that he was NEVER going to move his name in Pre-K. This goal came to a screeching halt a few weeks ago. One day he moved his name b/c he was not using the tape recorder correctly and instead liked to make it create funny sounds. He thought it was hilarious. His teacher didn't. So, he moved his name, but she let him move it back that day. I don't think he understood what the issue was b/c when I told him to tell his Daddy what happened at school that day, the story went something like, "Daddy - it was so hilarious! I kept pushing down the button and it made a funny sound and everyone laughed!"

Fastforward to a week later. During PE, Will kept wanting to play light saber/sword battles or duels with everyone. His teachers kept telling him to stop but he didn't and ended up throwing a ball at someone. So...he had to move his name.

On the way home that day I was having a talk with him about NOT moving his name again, obeying his teachers, etc. Poor little Will is such a sensitive soul. He was just crying and crying over it. Instead of being supportive, Ral was saying things like, "If you move your name to #3, you have to go see the principal. (Will wails even louder). Now he won't hurt you, he's just going to yell at you." This really set Will over the edge with the tears. I suggested to Raleigh that maybe he can support his brother and sympathize with him since Ral has been there before. (Ral is a pro at moving his name.)

Raleigh looks at Will and says, "Its okay Will. Just let it all out. I've been there before Will. I've been in the drama......in fact, I used to be a drama queen!"

I look forward to the advice Will is going to get from Ral in the future :)

Classic Raleigh

As usual, we looked at Will's baby scrapbook yesterday and gushed over his baby pictures. Will has no comprehension of an ultrasound picture or him being in my tummy. When he saw the picture of Ral kissing my 9 month belly, he said, "Where am I?"
Later we had our family birthday dinner. I told Will on Mon. that he could pick anywhere he wanted and he decided on "Beef O' Grady's - my favorite place!" On the way there I was telling Raleigh about the first time he met Will at the hospital. The first picture of Ral holding Will is just too precious. The smile on his face was so big...and he was so proud. I told Ral about how happy he was and how proud he was to be a big brother.

His response?

"Well, I'm not now because I know how annoying he can be."

CLASSIC RAL!! :)

Emotional moments

There are certain times during the year that I really think about and miss my daddy. Today is one of those days.
He was so excited about being a Grandpa again. Raleigh was just getting old enough to be able to have fun with Grandpa Doug. He loved Ral a lot. I remember one of the things that touched my heart after my daddy died was seeing the pictures of Raleigh all over his house.
Daddy was going to come up to Boone whenever I had Will. It was a scheduled C-section so as soon as it was planned, I was going to let him know.
He died December 15th.
I found out that Will was a boy only 3 days before. I had left Daddy a message telling him that his next grandson would have the middle name Douglas - just like him. I hate that I never got to talk to him about it.
My mama had talked to my daddy about 2 hours before he died. She said he was happy about his name and told her he was still planning on coming up to Boone.
When it came time to schedule my c-section, my 39th week would have been Feb. 15th. I told my doctor to pick any other day - that I could NOT have a baby 2 months to the day after my daddy dying. My doc was great and scheduled me for the week before - the 8th.
I remember on the snowy ride home just crying and crying - thinking about how my daddy was suppose to here.

Now...its 5 years later and I'm sitting here just crying and crying thinking about it all over again. My relationship with my daddy was not the best - but had improved greatly since I got married. I think that is 1 reason why I am so emotional today. For my daddy to actually want to make plans to come and stay after Will was born meant so much to me.

The Lord's timing is perfect. Raleigh was born 7 months after my mom's spinal stroke and paralysis. Having Raleigh blessed our family and gave us something else to focus on. I think Raleigh helped us heal. Will was born 2 months after my daddy died. Once again, my family had something else to focus on and helped us heal. Thinking about His goodness dries my tears and makes me thankful.