So Proud

In a matter of hours, 26 ½ to be exact I will be the mother of a freshman in high school and a fifth grader.  Sigh.  Ok, two sighs.  I know it’s not all about me, but I don’t feel old enough to have kids this age.  How can it be?  I know time passes whether or not I want it to, but this year has just flown by.  My boys have changed so much.  They’ve matured, they’ve gotten cuter by the minute, (I can say that because I’m their mom AND it’s true) they’ve learned some life lessons, and think they’ve even become a little bit closer as brothers.  

I’m so proud of both of them and hope they know it.   I can hardly wait to see what’s in store for the two of them.  I know they will do great things in their lives and in the lives of those around them.   They are destined for great things.

Tonight is our oldest son’s 8th grade continuation ceremony. We will be sitting in the audience watching him receive his academic gold medal and hope he remembers this time as a special one.  I know we will.  Just one of life’s many passages.  We’re so proud of his accomplishments at this age.  He’s done so much in these few short years of middle school and he should be proud of himself as well.  Cheers to you my sweet 8th grade (soon to be freshman) boy.  Your mom loves you from here to the moon.

And I Thought I Was The Teacher

I have two amazing children.  They never cease to amaze me with their beautiful minds and spirits.  As their mother, I want nothing but the best for them and try to teach them all the things that are important in life.  Knowing how to cook a few meals, how to change the sheets on their bed, how to wash their baseball and cub scout uniform, how to fill the car with gas, how to make friends, how to study for a test, how to drive (not quite ready for this one, but it’s coming) to name a few, but the list goes on and on.  

The one thing I didn’t count on when I became a mother, was how much I would learn from them. I think as a mother, we have this notion that we have so much to offer our children; our mistakes and what we learned from them, our love, our life experiences.  We bring that baby home from the hospital nervous, yet we’re filled with all the things we plan to teach them and share with them.  Mother School doesn’t mention all the benefits they will provide you and all the life lessons they will end up teaching you. My boys have taught me a thing or two.

They’ve taught me….

…that sometimes plans change and you have to go with the flow.

…that they worry about us like we worry about them.

…that just because I like peanut butter and jelly doesn’t mean they will (neither does).

…that sometimes it’s easier to talk to your friends about certain things than your parents.

…that being in your pajamas all day doesn’t make you lazy.

…to not assume to know what they’re thinking, because it’s usually wrong.

…that having your picture taken all the time isn’t always a good thing.

…it’s ok to sit in your room by yourself and just be.

…that I’m not always right.

…to understand that their point of view is just as valid as mine.

…that it’s ok to apologize even though I’m the mom.

…that they really do hear me when I speak to them.

…to be patient.

…to appreciate their differences.

…that sometimes hand-me-downs aren’t as cool as they once might have been.

They are the rubies in my crown.  They are the sprinkles on my cupcake.  

They make me laugh and they make me proud to say I’m their mom (mommy to one still).  I love all they’ve taught me and am certain this is only the beginning of many lessons to come.  And I thought I was the teacher.

My Not So Little Boys

As the first day of school rolls around I always tend to get a little sentimental.  The boys will soon be putting on their “first day of school” outfits (yes, boys are concerned about looking good just like the girls) and I’ll be asking to take their pictures one more time in the front yard as we head out the door.

It’s hard to believe that I am the mother of a soon to be 8th grader and 4th grader.  I must admit, I love their independence.  It’s comforting to know they can do most things for themselves if they have to.  But, there is a side of me that misses their little chubby faces and them asking for help with their shoes or their zippers.   We’re definitely entering a “Mom, I can do it by myself” mode with one and a “Mom, do you still need to read all my texts?” phase with the other. 

So, in honor of all the soon to be taken “first day of school” pictures, I am remembering when mine were a little smaller and needed mommy’s help a little bit more than they do now.  

 

                                                                    Pre-School Yr. 1                          2nd Grade

  

                                                                   Pre-School Yr. 2                        3rd Grade

 

                                               Kindergarten                          4th Grade

Ride 'Em Cowboy

As many of you know, I’ve been packing up our house in preparation to move in a few weeks, (ok, in a month, but I’m not a procrastinator so we’ll be sitting on top of boxes for the last two weeks) and have been a bit preoccupied and haven’t been writing as much as I’d like.  So, in light of that, I’ve decided to share a few pictures of the boys decked out in their cowboy gear when they were little.  So many memories have been flooding my mind as I come across things to pack. Cowboy canteens and the stick horse (complete with galloping sounds as you pinch his ear) just made their way into the “sell” pile. It was hard to do, but necessary.  They are growing up so quickly and need space for other things of more importance, like yearbooks and art sculptures.   I hope these pictures make you smile.

My little guy ready for battle, diaper and all.

My little guy thinks better in his cowboy hat.

My big guy holding onto "Duke" for our sleigh ride.

My big guy heading to the rodeo with Grandpa.  Suave at age 5!

On the attack.

Protecting younger brother while he reloads!