Thursday, August 15, 2013

10 Things Thursday


10 things still to do this summer.

1. More beach days!
2. Finish cleaning my house top to bottom. So far I'm about top to middle.
3. Take Adam and Jules to Silverwood.
4. Family trip to Crystal Gold Mine.
5. Sit around the fire at the farm.
6. Enjoy one more solo trip to the movie theater.
7. Read as many books as humanly possible in two and a half weeks.
8. Finish getting ready for the new school year.
9. Drink a few more cups of tea on the front porch before anyone else is awake.
10. Soak in the sun.

Thursday, August 08, 2013

10 Things Thursday

10 things about having a garage sale.

1. I have one every other year even though I say I'm never doing it again.
2. It's a good way to get rid of all those unused items that clutter my world.
3. Unfortunately, I cannot convince others in my house of #2.
4. It makes me promise myself that I will stop buying more stuff.
5. It forces me to do a thorough cleaning of my house.
6. And this year, of my classroom.
7. It gives us all a little summer spending money since whoever sells stuff gets the money.
8. I get to share all my pre-loved treasures with others.
9. I get to spend two days with Kathy.
10. And she brings apple fritters.

Sunday, August 04, 2013

Blessed Sunday

Yesterday I had a date. One that I'd been looking forward to for over a week. One that was rare and precious. It was a date with my firstborn son. Just he and I. That is the rare part. I often find myself with time to spend with just Julianna. And sometimes with Adam. But time with Josh alone doesn't happen often enough. He has spent more nights away from home this summer than home. A lot more. Now that he's a teenager, he goes and does more than ever. He spends a lot of time at Grams and Pappy's house. (And he would move in with them if I let him...which they in no way discourage.) And today he left for a week at camp.

So yesterday I took him to town to get a few things for his trip and we decided to go to lunch. He chose Red Lobster. As we sat there waiting for our shrimp, we talked. About school next year and his time at camp and about the summer so far and what's left of it. He told me stories of his adventures and even shared a few of his concerns. And I soaked it in...every second.

Then he asked if maybe we could go to the movies. I remembered that Fast and Furious 6 was playing at the $2 theater and knew he wanted to see it again so I mentioned that. So after picking up a few things and a trip to say goodbye to Grams and Pappy, we headed to the movies. (And yes, that does make three times that I've seen it, but two of those was at the discount theater so it's okay. And also, yes, it is just as good the third time.) During the movie we laughed together and cheered together, even though we totally knew what was going to happen. And at one point, he even reached over and took my hand for a second. That, my friends, was worth the price of admission. And afterwards he told me thanks for the date more than once.

There were moments during our afternoon that I caught a glimpse of the little boy he used to be. And also moments when I saw a glimpse of the man he is becoming. It's strange, this mommyhood of a teenager. Bittersweet moments fill each day. Memories and hopes. Reflections and dreams. When I look up into his eyes, (yes, up), I still see that baby they placed in my arms all those years ago. Never, during those first days, did I imagine these days. I knew they would come, but here they are so, so quickly.

Those few short hours that we spent together were much more than lunch and a movie. So much more. It was a reminder to me that this person, this young man, is still my little boy. I just can't tell him that. And it was a reminder to him that he's still my little boy...even if I don't tell him.