He's Such a Young Man Now!

Today was Austin's 14th birthday. We celebrated very low key this year. We took him for dinner at Red Robin last night so he could get sung to by the servers and tonight he enjoyed peach cobbler and cards stuffed with money from family members. Food and money, two things boys this age can't get enough of. I made Austin a slide show video of his life but I'm having a few difficulties getting it posted here. Hopefully I can get it posted tomorrow.

Back-2-School

Every year on the first day of school, I take out my camera and snap a few pictures of each of the kids. I love documenting these momentous days but as they have grown older, they've also grown more and more annoyed with this little tradition. Since last year's pictures were full of rolling eyes and impatient frowns I actually considered giving them a break this year. Boy was I surprised when the evening before the first day of school they all said, "You're taking pictures in the morning, right?". It's a nice feeling when someone asks you to take their picture instead of groaning when the camera comes out! Here is Lauren on her first day as President of a large Corporation. Oops, I mean the first day of 3rd grade. When I look at this picture I get a little flash of her future. Anyway, her day went great. She loved her teacher, she was excited about the three thick text books she gets to use this year and she was relieved to find that the little boys who made last year miserable were NOT in her class.

For the first time ever, Amanda loves her teacher! I can't even tell you how happy this makes me. She always seems to get the one teacher that should have retired already. She has made friends with a couple of girls who like to avoid the girl drama that Amanda seems to get sucked into, against her will,every year. Thank goodness for that. I think the 6th grade is going to be a great year for her.

These next few words come out with a sniff and damp eyes...Austin started HIGH SCHOOL this year! Can that really be right? Wasn't I just IN high school? I'm not sure what is more upsetting, that he's growing up or I'm growing old! So far Austin loves the 9th grade. I hear the most about French (I guess Spanish was full) and Geography class. I love that he comes home excited about the things he's learning and tells me all about it. It makes me want to do High School all over again, minus the teen angst.

Jeepers Creepers, Where'd You Get Those Peepers?

Last week Austin started wearing contacts. I love these big brown eyes!

Is He Really Thirteen? How Did This Happen???

This morning I was fighting off a wave of emotion as I drove Austin to school. This kid of mine is growing into a young man right before my eyes and my heart aches because I know that in a few short years he will be ready to leave home and build a life of his own. It seems that every day his eye level creeps up closer to mine and I notice things, like how he no longer hugs me around the waist but can put his arm around my shoulders. I know that someday he will be amused when due to his increasing height, I have to look up to him. What he may not know is that I have always looked up to him. I have always marvelled at his intelligence, his work ethic, his strength of character, his integrity, his grasp of personal responsibility and his ability to do well at just about anything he tries. He is an awesome kid and I am so, so proud to be his mom.

Hmmm...

These signs just went up on my son's bedroom door. Should I be worried???

Apology of a Shutter Bug

I know my constant picture taking is the cause of much exasperation in the lives of my husband and children. They see the camera coming out and instantly the groaning and eye rolling begin. I feel sorry for them, really I do. I love to be behind the camera but on the other end of it, I'm not nearly as comfortable. I would probably hate it if someone followed me around capturing everything I did on film. But as much as I feel for them, I just can't stop! I've always felt the need to document our lives. Not just birthdays, Christmas and big events, but the day to day.
I see something, like Austin sitting in the window playing his Gameboy and I just have to capture it. It may seem like an insignificant moment, but to me it's a moment I don't want to forget.I don't want to forget the times I thought, "Wow, he looks so big! When did this happen?" and "Isn't he cute deep in concentration?". To me, my memories are the most valuable thing I have. I know that someday my memories will begin to fade but because I seized these moments with a click of the shutter, they will never be completely lost. Aaron, Austin, Amanda and Lauren, please forgive me. I just want to remember every moment of the life I share with you!!

Aaaahhh...

Some days I want to run from my house, screaming and pulling my hair out because of all the bickering my kids do. And then there are days when they melt my heart by the kindness they show each other. Today when we were doing some running around, Lauren said, "I want to buy Austin something with my money, just to be nice". She picked out a comic book for him, wrapped it up as a gift and excitedly presented it to him when he came home from school. It was one of those moments that just make you go, "Aaaahhh..."