Friday

I don't have a book to read this week.

Okay, that's not entirely true.  I have LOTS of books to read, but can't sit still long enough to read a page from any of them, so I'm officially taking a week retreat from picking a book.  Last week's pick was another fast read from Emily Giffin, Love the One You're With.  I must say she has mastered the art of cheating so well, I squirm through most of her books waiting for someone to find out.  Good, but in a bad way... if you know what I mean.

I knew I couldn't go another day without writing to you.  I knew this in the way you know you have to go to church after missing a couple Sundays.  Part guilt.  Part obligation.  And part knowing I'll feel way better getting this out there.

I don't have much to say other than the first week of Evan's high school has come to an end, happily uneventful.   The stress it has caused not only me, but many other mothers is amazing to me.  As teenagers, they have changed so drastically, and I can honestly say I want my little boy back.  But the corner has been turned (them running around it, us following), and there really is no going back.  As someone told me recently, "They'll leave you for about 8 years... then come back."  I remember looking at her to see if she was joking.  She wasn't.

There's not much we can do but stick together.  Given the circumstances, our friends might be the only ones who really get what we're going through.  The husbands don't miss the baby days.  They don't miss scraped knees and kissing boo-boos.  They don't miss Dora, Little Bear, and Kipper.  And they certainly don't miss sleepless nights.

I'd give anything for a sleepless night just because they were hungry at 2 am.  Now, I'm still up at that time wondering if he's okay.  If he's doing all the terrible things we see on TV about teens these days.

If he still needs us at all.

So, I decided we needed a giggle.

The week is over, and the sun is shining.

No earthquakes or hurricanes will hit us anytime soon.

We have all that we really need, God has made sure of that.

We still have the choice to be thankful instead of fearful.

I can write and hopefully that is something that will make you giggle, or at least smile and nod.  Raising teens can be daunting and feel a little like we're on our own.  I don't want it to be that way... we have to lean on each other and get through it together.

So, text, comment, and answer the phone when it rings.  There is love on the other end who just might need you too.


Have a fabulous weekend!!

Where does the time go?

Yesterday we were in Burger King in Saugatuck, and there was a young family there with a baby about 3-4 months old.  He was so tiny and the parents were taking turns holding him so the other one could eat.  They'd swap him off, each taking the child in the one arm-football hold that Toby and I know so well.  It was literally the only way we could get Evan to calm down most of the time... I know that position all too well.  Most people have spit up on their shoulders.  Ours were on our forearms. 

Flash forward 14 years and I'm sending that same "baby" to football camp.  I simply don't know where the time goes, nor why we are so unaware of it flying by.  Maybe we're just to busy and focused getting to the next stage and through the current phase to pay attention. 

I know I am guilty of it. 

I remember when Blake was a baby, and Gretchen came to visit.  "I would take ten of these instead of my one teen," she had said, and I remember thinking you're crazy!  Sleepless nights and constant mind-numbing duties?  Gimme the teen, I thought to myself.

Now I know exactly what she means.  We are no longer the center of their universe and Queen of their castle.  They have moved onto other loves and interests that we are not invited or even allowed to. 

We bug them.
We annoy them.
They seek us out only for money or food.

Evan is still the same loving kid he has always been.  The main part of his personality is still intact, but he is definitely pulling away, as he should be.  I know this is a normal part of parenting, and also why we long for that beautiful baby in our arms. 

We just want to be needed again, without an argument.  Without a heavy sigh or eye roll.  Without sarcasm. 

So I will leave you with this picture from yesterday, when the big boys decided it was okay to play with the little ones.  Linda and I were delighted to see that inside they were still kids at heart.  They were still them. 

Because of the sun, they are shadows, but I think that's fitting.  Max is clinging to Evan's back, and Blake is sitting on the shoulders of Ryan and Jake.  They stood there for several pictures because I think they too were content in that moment. 

Stay in the moment no matter what the age...