Friday, January 8, 2010

Randomly RaLee

Unless you know us most people don't know how to pronounce her name...It is Ray-Lee.  When I was pregnant with her I suspected she was a girl and I was stumped on names.  So I told my three daughters they were free to name her what ever they wanted...BRAVE I know!  I told the girls it was a big responsibility to name another human being and that they needed to take it seriously. 

They took it VERY seriously and they debated many hours over the months.  Then on the girls first day of summer break my mom had them over to help her clean her back yard.  While they were cleaning the yard they found a piece of paper rolled up and upon opening it they discovered one word, a  name, written in black calligraphy...RaLee.  They just looked at each other and they new immediately that was the babies name.  My mother told me about it and I was concerned.  How do you pronounce it?  Shouldn't we change the spelling?  I think it needs a "Y" don't you?  Do you really like her name?  What should the middle name be?  We then decided to name her after my mom  Francine Jewell.  So RaLee Francine was her name.  I wanted RaLee Jewell but mom refused...she HATED the name Jewell.  Last year when RaLee learned my mom's middle name was Jewell she was so upset.  WHY DIDN"T YOU NAME ME RaLEE JEWELL?!!!  She is serioulsy considering changing her middle name.  Why?  Because she sparkles like a Jewell of course!  Her words not mine.

Over the years as RaLee grew up she added the "Y" herself.  I considered having her name changed but never followed through.  Then one day RaLee decided she liked her name and dropped the "Y" and I was glad I hadn't changed it.

What a JOY it has been to be this girls mother.  She makes me smile everyday!  She texts me from school daily and always tells me she loves me.  She loves people and life and she lives it to the fullest.  She is fun and energetic, loves music, animals and her nieces and nephews.  She isn't perfect...she is a total DRAMA QUEEN and teenage girl drama is the worst...add to the mix a dozen cheerleaders and many friends and you have Drama with a capital "D".  But other than that she is perfect. 
 
I don't even know how many pictures I have on my computer but I do know that a large portion of them are of my RaLee.  So I have decided to start posting random photos of her.  I think you will get to know her, like I do, just by looking at her photos.  So these posts will be titled "Randomly RaLee" because she is VERY unpredictable as are the photos.  Oh yea...watch her hair...it is as random as she is!  So here we go...
14 Yrs

15

16th birthday party...cake in face!

Newphew's, Will and Wayne

2009 Favorite Band/Group  Is proud to be the 7th fan to join their fan club!

Puffy Hair at the ice skating rink

Kisses from niece Payten

Cuising with her friends

6 comments:

Sharron said...

These are definitely our Ralee!!

Amanda Griggs said...

I love Ray so much. She is a pure joy to have around, and makes me laugh all the time. I simply can't imagine life without her. I am glad that she likes her name. I love it!

Anonymous said...

We love you too RaLee.....Lani loves the fact that you are simple and so honest!!!

Jessica Caldwell said...

She is such a treasure to have around. I think the best was saved for last!

mj and that girl that loves him~ said...

She's a gem! You're a lucky Mom~:-)

Liz said...

Jessica I wouldn't say that...I think I have some pretty awesome kids...she just happens to be my baby and well you know how she is with the camera...she LOVES it! I think she is one of the best cell phone Photog's I've ever seen...LOL