Thank you, my sweetest boy for my 8th Mother's Day as your mom.
You are my precious angel and I love you more than life itself.
Mom
You are my precious angel and I love you more than life itself.
Mom
Eight
8
Eight.
EIGHT!!
1) What can I give you to make you as happy as you have made me? Years and years we waited for you - praying, hoping all along. You were - and are - truly a gift from God.
2) Your energy is off the charts and I'm so envious. You are always up for the next adventure; always ready to gogogo, run, play, and fight bad guys. Keep fighting those bad guys, baby. Always have fun!
3) Try your hardest. Don't give up after stumbling. You'll truly learn from your mistakes - no matter how bad you may feel. Don't stop trying - and don't stop learning.
4) Those blue eyes just kill me - do you know how powerful they are? You'll probably break a thousand hearts with those baby blues. Right now, though, you can just use your powers on Mom and Dad....
5) Be good. Be kind. Be strong. Stand up for what is right, don't go with the crowd 'just because'. Make up your own mind about what you will and won't do, don't allow someone else to change what you know is right...listen to the feelings in your heart and you'll always know you've done what is best.
6) Do you have to grow up? I know, in just a few short years, you'll be driving. Driving!
Every year I think, oh I love this age - but every year it gets better. I can't wait to see how you change into the man you are meant to be. Just don't do it so fast, k?
7) Trust God. He always knows what's best for you and loves you more than Mommy and Daddy ever could.
8) Eat your vegetables. :)
Happy birthday my sweet boy. I will always always love you, no matter what.
Eight.
EIGHT!!
1) What can I give you to make you as happy as you have made me? Years and years we waited for you - praying, hoping all along. You were - and are - truly a gift from God.
2) Your energy is off the charts and I'm so envious. You are always up for the next adventure; always ready to gogogo, run, play, and fight bad guys. Keep fighting those bad guys, baby. Always have fun!
3) Try your hardest. Don't give up after stumbling. You'll truly learn from your mistakes - no matter how bad you may feel. Don't stop trying - and don't stop learning.
4) Those blue eyes just kill me - do you know how powerful they are? You'll probably break a thousand hearts with those baby blues. Right now, though, you can just use your powers on Mom and Dad....
5) Be good. Be kind. Be strong. Stand up for what is right, don't go with the crowd 'just because'. Make up your own mind about what you will and won't do, don't allow someone else to change what you know is right...listen to the feelings in your heart and you'll always know you've done what is best.
6) Do you have to grow up? I know, in just a few short years, you'll be driving. Driving!
Every year I think, oh I love this age - but every year it gets better. I can't wait to see how you change into the man you are meant to be. Just don't do it so fast, k?
7) Trust God. He always knows what's best for you and loves you more than Mommy and Daddy ever could.
8) Eat your vegetables. :)
Happy birthday my sweet boy. I will always always love you, no matter what.
Growth.
Sheesh. My baby is growning up and I'm not too sure I'm all that happy about it!
The boy has just about outgrown every pair of jeans that he owns! This morning, I helped him get his clothes out for school - as he pulled the jeans on I could tell they were a bit snug. He couldn't snap them...."Mom, can you get this for me?".......let's see.....ok, suck it in......uh, no. Too short and too tight!
To make matters worse, they were semi-new!! (read: they didn't have holes in the knee)
Did he have a growth spurt that I missed?!
Speaking of growing up.....
We took our new camper out for our inaugural camping trip this weekend! We didn't go far, just up the road 20-30 minutes to FDR State Park. Lovely place, lovely weather. We hiked, biked, fished and roasted marshmallows over the fire. Oh, and the boy found a girlfriend.
Our campsite was across from the play area, so my Social Butterfly son spent a good bit of time over there playing with the other camp kids. When he wasn't at the playground, he was whining that he wanted to go play with his new friends at the playground. We soon found out why.
Her name was Abby. Or Addie. Or Allie. Something like that. Anyway. I believe it was love at first sight.
After breakfast Sunday morning, we heard the sound of kids on the playground, so he asked if he could go over to play. He got dressed, then asked if his hair was still sticking up (he had a bit of The Bed Head going on). I told him yes - did he want me to fix it for him? Yes, please.
So, I moistened it a bit and tried to make it behave, which led to nice flat wet hair..
I asked him if he wanted me to dry it a little with my hair dryer. Yes, please.
A few knowing looks over his head to the Daddy and we were done.
"Is it ok, Mom?"
"Is it flat?"
Yes, baby. You're perfect.
And just like that, my baby grew up. He wanted to be sure his hair was ok before he went out to meet his 'friends', particularly, one girl. As we watched through the camper screen, he walked toward the playground and the kids flocked to him.
We were thinking, though. Our Social Butterfly who worried so much about whether his hair was flat, never thought to brush his teeth.
Maybe I've got a few more years yet?
The boy has just about outgrown every pair of jeans that he owns! This morning, I helped him get his clothes out for school - as he pulled the jeans on I could tell they were a bit snug. He couldn't snap them...."Mom, can you get this for me?".......let's see.....ok, suck it in......uh, no. Too short and too tight!
To make matters worse, they were semi-new!! (read: they didn't have holes in the knee)
Did he have a growth spurt that I missed?!
Speaking of growing up.....
We took our new camper out for our inaugural camping trip this weekend! We didn't go far, just up the road 20-30 minutes to FDR State Park. Lovely place, lovely weather. We hiked, biked, fished and roasted marshmallows over the fire. Oh, and the boy found a girlfriend.
Our campsite was across from the play area, so my Social Butterfly son spent a good bit of time over there playing with the other camp kids. When he wasn't at the playground, he was whining that he wanted to go play with his new friends at the playground. We soon found out why.
Her name was Abby. Or Addie. Or Allie. Something like that. Anyway. I believe it was love at first sight.
After breakfast Sunday morning, we heard the sound of kids on the playground, so he asked if he could go over to play. He got dressed, then asked if his hair was still sticking up (he had a bit of The Bed Head going on). I told him yes - did he want me to fix it for him? Yes, please.
So, I moistened it a bit and tried to make it behave, which led to nice flat wet hair..
I asked him if he wanted me to dry it a little with my hair dryer. Yes, please.
A few knowing looks over his head to the Daddy and we were done.
"Is it ok, Mom?"
"Is it flat?"
Yes, baby. You're perfect.
And just like that, my baby grew up. He wanted to be sure his hair was ok before he went out to meet his 'friends', particularly, one girl. As we watched through the camper screen, he walked toward the playground and the kids flocked to him.
We were thinking, though. Our Social Butterfly who worried so much about whether his hair was flat, never thought to brush his teeth.
Maybe I've got a few more years yet?
Finally!
Well, it finally happened.....
Ben lost his first tooth yesterday - at church. Pulled it himself, and boy, was he proud!
On the way out, as we were visiting with folks in the lobby of the sanctuary, he had to tell everyone!! (And thanks to our sweet church family, they acted properly impressed with the show and tell! ) :)
I wondered if he'd ever lose the first tooth, to be honest! Most of the kids in his class have already lost several teeth - they started in kindergarten or first grade - and here my sweet boy is, with all his baby teeth intact, nearing the end of second grade! Our crazy dentist told us last summer that the permanent teeth were there, and they'd come out when they were ready, but sheesh!
So, he's a snaggle-tooth monster now. Oh! Almost forgot! We had a visit from the Tooth Fairy last night too. We weren't too sure of the 'going' rate for her services, but it seems that $5.00 is pretty popular around here, so that's what we did. We put Ben to bed last night with his tooth safely on the bedside table so she'd be sure to find it.....the kid can NOT be still when he's in the bed and I could just imagine her search and rescue mission in the middle of the night looking for a lost tooth!
He was thrilled with the surprise this morning. I think he's already wiggling the next tooth so he can get another visit from the Tooth Fairy!
What a kid.
Question: Um. Where does one store a slightly used tooth?
Ben lost his first tooth yesterday - at church. Pulled it himself, and boy, was he proud!
On the way out, as we were visiting with folks in the lobby of the sanctuary, he had to tell everyone!! (And thanks to our sweet church family, they acted properly impressed with the show and tell! ) :)
I wondered if he'd ever lose the first tooth, to be honest! Most of the kids in his class have already lost several teeth - they started in kindergarten or first grade - and here my sweet boy is, with all his baby teeth intact, nearing the end of second grade! Our crazy dentist told us last summer that the permanent teeth were there, and they'd come out when they were ready, but sheesh!
So, he's a snaggle-tooth monster now. Oh! Almost forgot! We had a visit from the Tooth Fairy last night too. We weren't too sure of the 'going' rate for her services, but it seems that $5.00 is pretty popular around here, so that's what we did. We put Ben to bed last night with his tooth safely on the bedside table so she'd be sure to find it.....the kid can NOT be still when he's in the bed and I could just imagine her search and rescue mission in the middle of the night looking for a lost tooth!
He was thrilled with the surprise this morning. I think he's already wiggling the next tooth so he can get another visit from the Tooth Fairy!
What a kid.
Question: Um. Where does one store a slightly used tooth?
yo quiero taco mio!!
Every afternoon, on our way home from school I typically ask Ben a few things - how his day went, whadja' eat for lunch, any problems at school, etc. Tuesday afternoon was no different as we drove the short distance home....lunch consisted of pb&j, his day went 'fine', and no, there were no problems. Then:
me: Want anything special for supper?
him: Can we have tacos?
me: Sure! I have taco stuff!
him: Can we have tacos tonight and spaghetti tomorrow night?
me: Sure, no problem!
We get home, argue over homework for way too long, and then I piddle around a little til it's time for me to start supper. Fast forward 30-45 minutes or so, the Daddy walks in the door from work. Ben comes in from the living room - where he's been glued to the tv - to greet his Daddy. As he's walking around the bar into the kitchen, he asks me if the tacos are ready.
Crickets.
Tacos?!
Ah! Oh no! Giggle!
I made spaghetti!!!
Somehow, when I opened the pantry door to get out the taco kit, I must have had spaghetti on the brain and pulled that out instead! It nevereverever even occurred to me as I was up to my elbows in noodles and sauce that I was making the wrong meal!
All was forgiven, though, as long as I promised we could have tacos tomorrow night - Wednesday.
Now, normally we try to eat Wednesday night supper at church - it's always good, it's cheap, and easy on the Mama - but yesterday the meal they had planned was something that I knew Ben would not eat, so I intended to go home and make the promised tacos. Wednesday afternoon riding home from school same routine - same answers too, now that I think about it......anyway......
We get home a little later than I had intended when I made the plan/promise to make tacos for him, so I asked him would it be ok if we skip the tacos (again!) and maybe have some hot dogs? He laughed and said, sure. (why yes, I'm catering to a 7 year old.....what?) So, hot dogs it was!
And another promise for tacos 'tomorrow night'.
This morning I was reminded of my taco promise. My baby wants tacos!!
Just got a call from the Daddy. Looks like we're gonna have to skip the tacos again tonight.....
Who wants to break the news to the little man?
Melancholy
Where has time gone? Maybe it's because my days and weeks are spent the same - I treasure the quiet of my days off work, with time to myself to spend as I wish. My work days are made better because I get to see my friends, not because of any great feeling of accomplishment anymore. When did that change? Am I making a difference there? Occasional glimpses of a higher purpose appear, but they're few and far between.
I got to spend some time with Mama last week when she and Dan-man came to stay with us while Greg was gone on his annual fishing trip. I don't know how good my company was, but I really enjoyed her visit. (Thanks, Mama for taking care of me!) You always amaze me with how you never complain about doing something for one of us. Well, maybe you do, but I never hear it. I know very few people who would make an apple pie at 10:30 at night just because. If the grand kids want pizza, and then want something else, and then something else...you're on it. And the #1 rule: 'Grandma overrules the Mama' stands well and true.
My memories of my childhood are fleeting - I don't remember many day to day events, and as I get older, even things that I thought I'd always remember at the time, are gone. That makes me sad.
I allow things to come and go, moments that I think to myself, "I need to go write that down" only to be distracted by something - the moment passes, along with the memory.
I want time to stop sometimes - or at least slow down for goodness sakes! Maybe it's me? Maybe I need to savor each moment as it comes a little more. Allowing the moment to sink in a little deeper, grow roots...so that when I want to re-visit that time, I'll be able to remember.
photo credit: Shari Weinsheimer
A day or three in the life of a boy
This n' that. Bits n' pieces. Here n' there over the past few days.
Thursday:
Little man piped up from the back seat to tell us that he'd volunteered to be on the Student Council at school. (2nd grade student council??) He said that when his teacher asked for volunteers, he and two other boys stepped forward. He said if he wasn't chosen as a representative, he might still get to be the alternate when the rep wasn't there.
So proud he wants to help! Now, my question is, what kind of decisions will second graders be making? I can just see it now......Recess! Candy! No school on Mondays! Hamburgers every day! :)
*update: found out last night that Ben was not chosen to be on the SC. They had three volunteers but only two positions, so somebody had to be the losing candidate. Broke my heart when he told me that he didn't get enough votes. He did tell me: "I voted for myself, is that ok?" :)
Maybe next time, sweetie.
Sunday morning:
A friend from church passed on a little tidbit of information to me from Children's Church. During the lesson, the leader asked the kids what their feelings were when they saw a homeless person. Obviously, each child gave a different answer - feel sorry for them, or wonder why they're homeless, etc. Ben's answer? He said he thinks, "maybe they could come and live with me".
Sunday night/Monday morning:
At bedtime last night, I asked Ben what he'd rather do in the morning: ride the bus or be a 'car rider' to school. (On Mondays & Fridays he has a choice because I don't work on those days. FYI - there's a BIG difference in the time he - and I - have to get up depending on which mode of transportation he chooses.) His answer last night was to ride the bus. Joy. Not the answer I'd hoped to hear.....that meant we'd have to be up by 6am.
Goodnight kisses given, I head off to the kitchen to get the coffee pot ready for my bleary-eyed-morning-self. Then it was off to bed for me.
Fast forward to this morning. Awakened by the alarm, I stumble my bleary-eyed-self into the kitchen to the coffee pot. Pour myself a cup, take a few sips (ok, half a cup) to clear the cobwebs, then head in to wake the child.
Let me just pause here to ask, is there anything sweeter in this whole wide world than a sleeping child? Even this wild, loud monkey boy that smells like a billy goat most of the time is a vision of angelic peace when he sleeps. Ok, picking up where we left off....
I crawl into bed with my sweet sleepy child, say his name and tell him it's time to get up. He stretches and then doesn't move again. Has he gone back to sleep? I remind him that if he wants to go back to sleep and just let me take him to school, that he could sleep for another hour - but if he planned to ride the bus, he needed to get up now.
My sweet baby then turned to me and asked me if I wanted to go back to sleep. When I told him no baby, I'm ok - he said he'd go ahead and get up too.
We headed to the living room couch where he joined me for an early morning snuggle. 40 minutes later, we were still there as the schoolbus stopped out in front of the house.
We ignored it.
I love that stinky, wild, billy-goat-smelling, monkey boy.
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