You've Lost That Youthful Feeling

Want to feel old?  No? Please? I could really use the company.

Tomorrow my "baby boy" turns 21!

About 16 years ago...

I know what you're thinking - how can I possibly be old enough to have a 21 year old son? I think the same thing to myself all the time!

But it's true.  Not only that, but this is my youngest child.  Which might just make me officially "old:.

They say "you're only as old as you feel".   If that's true - some days I'm 26, and on a few days I'm about 85.  Fortunately,  there are many more of the "26 year old" days.

What do you do to help yourself keep that youthful feeling?

The Last Back to School

Yesterday was the official start of the school year for our county.  And while every first day of school is bittersweet in its own way - this year was a little more so for me.

You see, this was the very last back to school day for our family.  My "baby" boy began his senior year of high school this week.

I know parents say it all the time - but the time Really. Does. Fly.

It doesn't seem possible that it was an entire 12 years ago I was taking that sweet little boy to his first day of kindergarten. But it's true.  The years have passed. Just as they always will.

He's a young man now (who still mostly acts like a kid).  Somehow he has managed to get older, while I'm pretty sure I have stayed the same. He has gone from that little guy with the pinchable cheeks to the one towering over me with his scruffy sideburns. 

Oh sure, there will still be "back to school" days of a sort as he moves on to college in future years.  But in a more real way - this was the last.  The end of an era.  Marking the start of a year which will be filled with endings and beginnings.  For all of us.

And while I am so very excited to see what the near and distant future holds for him, you will have to forgive me if I take a moment to pause and indulge in a little mommy nostalgia.  As I wipe a tear away so I can more clearly see him continue to grow and mature and move forward with life

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To The Birthday Boy

My dear "little man",

Oh sure, I know you're not so little anymore.  And you're probably mortified that I would referred to you that way in a public place.  It's been a couple of years that I have had to look up at your face now.  But in my heart you'll always be my "little man" - no matter what size or age you are.

This mama's heart finds it so difficult to believe that you are 16 years old today.  The years have flown by so quickly. There are times I ache for the days when you were that silly, sweet, blond little boy with the cheeks who used to crawl up to sit in my lap. I wish I had taken the time to hold you just a few minutes longer while you were still small enough for that.

But as much as I miss those days, I wouldn't trade these days for anything.  I know we often seem to butt heads and argue about things that will seem so trivial in days (hours?) to come.  I remind myself that this is not unusual.  You're spreading your wings and trying to take those steps towards independence and manhood.  And I am so very proud of the young man you are becoming.  Even if I do still try to hold on - maybe a little too tightly.

You are still silly.  Stay that way.  And you are still sweet.  Don't ever lose that inner kindness.  Be strong.  Be courageous. Be unique.  Believe in yourself. God has created you for something special and I know that He will have you do great things for Him.

And always know - just like you will always be my "little man", I will always be your mommy.  I will always be here if and when you need me.  And I will always love you.

Happy Birthday. 

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15 Years Ago Today...

15 years ago today I gave birth to a beautiful little baby boy. Today that boy is taller than I am; but in my heart he is still my "little boy".  I wrote this post last year for his birthday, but it's still as relevant today as it was a year ago. Happy Birthday to my Little Man!!

Back When You Were Little

Back when you were little - I used to take afternoon naps with you; your soft head under my chin.

Now - You don't take naps, and you stay up later than I can keep my eyes open.



Back when you were little - You had the cutest chubby little legs, complete with little Michelin man rolls on the thighs.

Now- You are taller than I am.



Back when you were little - People used to comment on your adorable little cheeks

Now - Those cheeks are showing the first fuzz of facial hair.



Back when you were little - You used to come running to show me every little treasure you found and share every part of your adventures.

Now - You are the king of one syllable answers and grunts.




Back when you were little - You used to like my singing and would sing along with me.

Now - You roll your eyes when I sing in the car and beg me to "Please stop"



Back when you were little - You used to plead with me to rub your back while we watched TV or read a book

Now - Ok, maybe some things still haven't changed.






Back when you were little - You were my sweet little boy. The cause of my first gray hairs. The tiny little male child I loved with all my heart.

Now - You're not so little anymore. You're growing more and more independent. But you still cause me new gray hairs. And I still love you just as much as I did back when you were little.

D-O-G Spells

The male offspring has a week off from school for spring break.  Which means someone else gets to help with the usual morning chores, such as taking care of the dog (Yah!)

The other morning I was heading out to the grocery store and knew the dog still needed to do his business.  I also know he goes crazy when he hears the word "out". 

So I say to the male offspring: "Does the d-o-g need to go o-u-t?"

And the dog took off running down the stairs to the back door!  Almost as if he has figured out the whole spelling thing!

Is it possible we have the smartest dog on the block? Probably not!  But I think maybe Martha of the book Martha Blah Blah and the show Martha Speaks! has nothing on him! (come to think of it, he kinda looks like Martha too)

Some Week

"Some Week"

If we had a Charlotte living in the corner of our doorway, that is what she would weave into her web right now: "some week"  (we don't by the way, although I did squash a big gray spider earlier today in the laundry room.  Ugh, spiders... *shudder*)

Last Friday our 18 year old cat went missing.  He was old.  He showed his age.  He has been in declining health for a few years and in recent months had started losing weight. We have no clue what happened to him, when he got out, or where he went.  He was mostly an indoors cat these days, only occasionally venturing just outside the door to nibble some grass or enjoy some sunshine before wanting right back in.  We can only assume that he went off in the way animals often do to pass. 

On Wednesday morning, I was going about my normal morning routine.  It was time to take the dog out and take care of the chickens.  I glanced out the window and stopped in my tracks.  There was what appeared to be a chicken lying in the back yard. 

Oh no...

I went outside and made the discovery.  Something had managed to break into the pen during the night or early morning.  There were feathers everywhere.  And other than the 2 dead chickens in the yard, I couldn't find any of the others.  I did come across a lot of white feathers down at the bottom of the empty wooded lot next to our house.  No clue what got to them.

If you are keeping count, that means I lost 1 cat and 6 chickens in less than 6 days.  I think I can officially say without exaggeration that I didn't have a great week.

It seems I'm not the only one.  The male offspring has also been complaining of a headache for 3 days.  I'm pretty sure it's sinus.  But he insist it isn't and refuses to take the decongestant I keep trying to press on him.  (Teenage boys...  *sigh*)

And the female offspring has been stressing about a math test she had today.  She's glad it's over, but now is anxious about how she did.  Convinced that she bombed it, of course.  Although she never thinks she does well, but always does. 

On a brighter note, the man of the house and I have been making an effort to workout and an eating plan.  I've lost about 5 pounds so far.  Yah!  Less than 3 months until summer!

The grand baby has learned how to use the chairs to climb up on top of the dining room table.  And does it every chance he gets.  Which means I now have a few more gray hairs to cover up with hair color!

And that's about all I can think of to share at the moment. So, as you can see... some week.

I Think I Want My Baby Back

This week I watched as my "little man" carefully picked out a small box of chocolates, taking a moment to decide between the assorted chocolates or the truffles.  (assorted)  and choose just the right design on the front of the heart shaped box.  All the while pretending to be very casual and nonchalant about the whole thing.

I noticed him slightly blushing as the cashier rang it up and seeming a bit flustered as he handed over his money.

I had a lump in my throat as the guy I usually have to constantly remind about his personal grooming got up earlier than usual this morning and took care to dress in his nice pants, tuck in his tshirt and put on a button up shirt over it. 

Yes, there is a girl inspiring all this unusual behaviour.  A cute little girl at school.  His first "girlfriend". 

My little boy is growing up. 

I don't think I'm ready for this.  I still see him as the little boy with chubby cheeks, playing with his Legos.