To the Man I Love

Tonight, as I was coming in the house from my tennis match, Will was going out to take out the trash. I went upstairs to my bedroom to undress and Will came into the closet and said, "Todd just called and he's at the Emergency Room, his dad just had a heart attack and died."

I thought he was joking.

And then I saw that look in Will's eyes, the tears on the brink.

Todd and Will are the best of friends. He's that guy that Will calls when he wants to go see a "guy" movie. The two of them go to every away Alabama football game and basketball tournaments. He's a great friend. My heart goes out to him tonight. He was so close to his parents...one of the "good" guys. Todd, you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you peace to get through this storm.

The rest of this post is dedicated to this man, who I am so in love with. He is that guy. The one that a friend calls when he is grief-stricken in the emergency room and doesn't know where to turn. He is the guy you call when you're moving furniture and need another hand. He is the guy you call when you need assistance putting together a playground for your child. He is the guy you call when you need someone to take care of your dog when you go out of town for the week. He is the guy that will literally give you the shirt off your back, and then give you $50 to go buy a new one. That guy is the love of my life.

He is the most gentle, patient, loving, kind-hearted, humble, witty guy I know. He is disciplined and noble - never had a drink in his whole life - and was a KA for 4 years at Alabama - go figure? He is a friend to all - believers and non-believers - he truly walks the walk AND talks the talk - though very quietly and humbly.

He is the best father to our children I could ever ask for. He is a hard worker, both in the office and at home, an honest man. He loves our children to the point of nearly passing out any time he hears bad news about their health. REALLY. He is silly with them and patient with them, he's consistent in disciplining them and loving them twofold after the fact.

I could ask for nothing more. He is my soulmate. The one my heart longed for. He is a child of the Living God.

I love you, Will.

Bubble time!!!

Yesterday, Wilson only took an hour nap - which is not the norm for him - he is usually a 3-4 hour napper!!!! At first, I was not very happy, but then I let go of what I was doing (ironing, vacumming, laundry) and decided to play with him outside. I honestly cannot remember a time when I played with just Wilson one-on-one, sad huh? Emma Claire often gets one-on-one time to special things like plays, movies, play-dates, etc - being the oldest and the only girl. Henderson has gotten his share of one-on-one time so far, simply b/c he is a baby and there are times when I stay home with him while Will takes the older 2 out. But Wilson? He's falling into that middle child stereotype. I am a middle child - I don't think I was hindered by this at all, but I don't recall much one-on-one time with my parents either.

So, Wilson and I swang (is that how you say that?), hit tee-balls, pulled weeds together, blew bubbles and layed on a blanket in the beautiful sunshine - just the two of us!!!! (Henderson was still napping) It was glorious - he is truly the sweetest, most fun, exciting, say it how it is, little boy I know!!!! Truly, life personified!! Now, he can turn on you in a second and be a viper, but most of the time he is a sweet little guy. His vocabulary has astounded me lately, and it cracks me up the things he says. I've noticed lately that he tends to repeat everything I say to him and I think it's just his way of learning new words.

Wilson is very sensitive to others' needs and affectionate - he is also OBSESSED with the human body - maybe this explains the trouble we had with potty training - he likes anything about the human body - poo-poo included. Really, if you're ever naked around him and will poke and prod EVERY part of you and ask "what's that?" EVERYTIME!!!!! It is quite hilarious. I remember when he was just walking - he was obsessed with bottoms - we would literally stick his finger right in your bottom if he saw it - now I know that may be too much information for some of you, but just picture getting out of the shower and THERE HE IS -- you'd better run fast - and he would chase you - so determined! He even gets after Emma Claire and Henderson when they're bathing!!!! We've gotten on to him about it enough that it's not a huge issue now, but the other night I saw him do it to Henderson in the bath and I began remembering how he used to be!!!! Hopefully these little things about him, will pay off and he'll be a great physician one day!!

Today is Emma Claire's last day at the beach, but I won't see her until lunch tomorrow. They are driving back late tonight and she is going to spend the night at her Nana's house and stay with her while I work in the morning. Yesterday, they met some friends at Bay Point and she had a blast hunting for crabs along the bay - her heaven - anything involving critters!!! Then last night they went to a restaurant where they had kids' karaoke - I heard she was a microphone hog and had fun singing BINGO and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!!!

This afternoon I am keeping Ellen's youngest, Stanton (11 months), along with Wilson and Henderson. I've set up a pack-n-play in Wilson's closet (nice and dark), so I'm hoping they will all nap A.LONG.TIME!!!! - keep me in your prayers!!!!