The First Night

We're back together again. After a fun-filled week in Illinois, Braylen and Kaleb are home. My parents and I met in the middle--less driving for everyone. We stayed overnight in a motel and enjoyed being together. Parting ways after lunch today was strange. Mom and Dad headed one direction and I drove the other direction. With a lump in my throat I thought to myself, "just keep driving, just keep driving."

When we got home, the boys were excited to see their new rooms. They unpacked, I threw together a simple supper, and we all thanked God for air conditioning. With a heat index of 115, I'm once again thankful I wasn't born a pioneer woman! If you know me at all, I think of this a lot. :)

Braylen was quiet after supper. I assumed he was tired--I sure was! When I asked him if anything was wrong, he looked down at his feet and then up at me with big crocodile tears in his eyes. "I'm just going to miss being with Kaleb. Having my own room is going to take some getting used to." Wow, I did not see this coming. Or maybe I just didn't think about it. I was so focused on the painting, the furniture, and moving the belongings all week long. I never thought about how my boys might feel.

As I pondered this, Braylen's reaction made perfect sense. He's always been with Kaleb. He can't remember being alone. Those two boys could fight all day, but put them to bed in the same room and they were best buddies. They've had years of "pillow talk" to fall asleep to, and I ripped that away when I changed their rooms. If only Derek was home...

So as I put my boys to bed tonight, Kaleb is sleeping with Aaron. Braylen is sleeping alone. But tucked beneath Braylen's pillow is a walkie-talkie. And tucked beneath Kaleb's pillow is the other walkie-talkie. They are "together" in the only way they can be. Did I move them too soon? Should I move them back? I love them so much I'd do anything for them. Aaron can enjoy the newly painted room, since it's been his all along. Or I can do something really crazy like put all three beds in one room, and the dressers and desks in the other room.

Kaleb had tears of his own tonight. He wrote a letter to Braylen, telling him how much he's going to miss sharing a room with him. My boys love each other after all! :) So until we figure out what to do, there are no before & after pictures to post. I think we'll give it a few nights and we'll see how it goes.

Good night!