Growing Up

Some things I've noticed lately....

Top 10 Reasons That I Know They Are Growing Up

10. The cans of shaving cream seem to disappear faster.
9. The grocery bill each month has become greater than the national debt!
8. The regular bar soap has been replaced by Axe, Old Spice or anything else that smells "manly".
7. Their laundry loads have doubled in size not simply because there are more pieces... The pieces have just doubled in size.
6. When I call home, it sounds like a stranger is answering my phone. No, not a stranger, it's my son.
5. They aren't home as much anymore, but when they are home, they are pretty busy.... With anything BUT Legos. :(
4. Cat In The Hat no longer lingers on my coffee table. In it's place sits the latest teen novel.
3. "Crafting" doesn't mean pom poms and pipe cleaners. It means a million kazillion little plastic painted model pieces needing to be put together (not my gift people).
2. Hearing the music they play makes me cry... Not because it's cute, but because it's BEAUTIFUL!

And the number one reason I know that they are growing up...

1. They make ME laugh more than I can ever hope to make them laugh!

20 Years

It has been a week now. A week since we started our trek back from a week of unforgettable times together.

My hubby and I celebrated twenty years of marriage last week.

Twenty years of laughing and crying together.

Twenty years of traveling the hills and valleys of this life.

Twenty years of being being side by side with my best friend.

My love has always been able to "Wow" me. It is a gift that he has, and one that I will never take for granted. Last week was no exception! We traveled to the ocean for our celebration get away. My hubby put every drop of thought into every moment of our stay. From the incredibly romantic place where we stayed, to the chocolate dipped strawberries and wine that awaited us in our breath-taking room... EVERY detail had been taken care of. We walked the beaches, we sat by the ocean in big adirondack chairs next to warm fire pits. We read together, and we overall ENJOYED each other. We had no distractions... Nobody needing us anywhere. Nowhere to rush off to. It was just us... Together. Twenty years later... He pursues me. He pursues my heart.

My sweet husband ~ Thank you for such an incredible time. You are an amazing man. Thank you for always knowing just how to capture my heart and speak into those spaces within me that need you so desperately. Thank you for continuing to hold my hand tightly... Even when it hasn't been easy. Thank you for sharing the gift of you, with me. You are a treasure!

I love you ~

Another Teenager In The House!

So it's been a week now. A week since my 12 year old quickly pushed me past the threshold of motherhood again. He saw fit to make me the mother of yet another teenager! Yes, we celebrated our sweet Colby's thirteenth birthday just last Friday. It's been a crazy (but amazing) week, so I'm just now getting around to writing his birthday letter. My boys have come to notice that I do this now, and they look forward to it. I'm sure that by now Colby's probably thinking that I forgot. Colby, I assure you... I would never. Colby has taught me a lot this year. As he likes to prove to everyone around him, he is a boy who is most always all about business. He is straight forward. There are no guessing games when it comes to him. He will never hide the truth, and as a matter of fact... His delivery of the truth has been known to shock people. Having a conversation with Colby is entertaining and enlightening. For such a young man, he has a lot of wisdom. He sees things differently than most thirteen year old kids. He gets life. He gets how hard it is to live up to what is expected of him as a follower of Jesus. He becomes disappointed in himself when he fails. In fact, sometimes I feel like I don't need to punish him when he might deserve it, because he is handing himself a much harder punishment. Colby continues to amaze us on the soccer field. He is quite the "Energizer Bunny" out there that just keeps going... No matter how hot it may be. Fall isn't here yet people, it is HOT! He gets right in there with some boys that look to be twice his size and steals the ball away while making it look easy. He loves his fancy foot work the most. Our French exchange student showed him some cool stuff that Colby now LOVES to put into play at his games. It's fun to watch! Most of all though... He's just a good guy. He works hard at what he does, and never stops trying to improve. He knocks my socks off with his spiritual insight too! Sometimes I feel like I've been to church when I head off to bed at night after kneeling beside his bedside. Happy birthday Colby Robert! You are a blessing to me and to our family. Our lives are richer because of you. This year my prayer for you is that you will continue to remain strong and steady in your faith. More than ever before, you will begin to experience new challenges. As of this day, I do not worry about how you will handle these things, because your relationship with Jesus is constant and sweet. I pray that this relationship only becomes sweeter as you learn how to shut the world out of places it doesn't belong. You and those beautiful blue eyes of yours are like a breath of fresh air to me sometimes. I pray that you will be that same breath of fresh air to those around you. You are loved. Love, Mama