Life is a Dream

    
     I know I may be a bit partial, but I honestly think I have the best kids in the world.  Today, I got to spend the day with my oldest and only son, Wes.  Wes is twenty-four years old and I have had countless people ask me over the years what I did to raise such a charming, considerate, extraordinary son.  My reply has always been, "Nothing.  That's just Wes."  And that's the truth.  Wes is witty, smart, responsible and fun, but most of all he is a really good person.  He cares about his family, friends and the world.
     Today, we had lunch and did some shopping and I was thinking about how I really like spending time with him.  Wes and I can talk about anything...or nothing.  We laugh and joke, but we also talk about serious stuff, like his thoughts and fears and feelings.  It's good.  Really good.
     On my way home, I remembered that silly children's song and thought, you know, maybe life really is a dream.

Troopers

     I love troopers.  People who 'take one for the team', so to speak.  Hannah was a real trooper last night.  Even though she is not a Justin Bieber fan, she happily accompanied me to the concert for Morgan.  She took countless pictures of Morgan and Emily and of the concert to document the monumental occasion for her sister.

And even wore a JB t-shirt...now that's really taking one for the team! :)  Thanks, Hannah!

    

Generations...

     Last night I was transported to a hot summer night in 1977.  No, I didn't have a time machine, and no I was not hallucinating.  I was sitting at a concert in Nashville, TN waiting for the #1 heartthrob of the day, Justin Bieber.  My daughter, Morgan, is completely and madly in love with young Mr. Bieber and I surprised her with tickets for the show months ago.  So, after her first day of high school, I drove her, her best friend, Emily, myself and Hannah to see the superstar.
     It was odd being at a concert as a parent and thoughts of that summer night kept coming to mind.  The night I saw my own teenage idol, Shaun Cassidy.

     Though the years have changed the object of our affections, the fragile, sweet, starstruck minds of teenage girls remain the same.

Almost time...

     And for the next three hours I listened to the music of Shaun Kingston, Iyaz and Mr. Bieber and the hearty screaming of 20,000 young girls.  It was loud and hot and way too expensive.

     But on the way home, through my ringing ears, I heard the voice of my little angel.  "Thanks for everything, Mom, it was the best night of my life."

     And I felt love fill my heart in a way nothing else ever could.  No, Shaun, not even you.

My Mini-Me

Everyone has always said my youngest daughter, Morgan looks like me.  I always replied, "Well, maybe she'll grow out of it."  But with her new haircut, she's hearing it more and more...poor Mo!  I, for one, don't like her haircut...it makes her look too old.  Too grown-up.  If it were up to me, she'd still be four and wearing those adorable little pigtails, but alas time stops for no man...or mom, either.  I have to say, too, that I've never seen this great resemblance.  Decide for yourself...

Well, maybe a little here...when she gives that 'look'...

Growing Kids...

     About six or seven years ago, a wonderful family moved in across the street from us.  The couple was about my age with three small boys.  Shortly after moving in, the boys discovered that part of our front yard was perfect for playing baseball, football or just goofing around.  The mom, who would become a great friend to me, came over and apologized for the boys constantly being in our yard and I told her, "We're growing kids, not grass.  The boys are welcome anytime."  The boys played in our yard (both front and back) for the next few years until the family moved.  (Still miss you, Cynthia!) 
     This summer I have been reminded of the 'growing kids...' line I gave Cynthia as my girls and nephews have discovered the 'homemade slip n slide'.  Here is a picture of what my backyard looks like this morning:

The culprits responsible...

Corey and Cait

Morgan and Chase

And, of course, Hannah (Don't let the innocent smile fool you!)

One of these days, we will probably have the pristine yard Wayne has always dreamed of...but, gosh, I hope not!

Love Continues...

     My niece, Brandi, is a wonderful girl and has always had a very special place in my heart. When she was little, I would pick her up and we'd have "Girl's Days". We would dress alike, I'd fix our hair alike and believe me, she WAS like me. (Not always a good thing, Boo!) Now, she is a grown woman engaged to be married next June. She and her wonderful fiance, Jeff, babysat my great-nephew, CJ, last night and in these pictures I saw the same excited, love-filled smile that used to spread across my face on those Girl's Days. Proof that the love we give stays with the recipient. It penetrates their minds and their souls and when you see them giving out that same love, it warms your heart all over again.

Fun Guys

You know, there are just some people who are just fun to be around.  My son Wes and nephew, Michael are two such guys!  They are intelligent, aware and absolutely hilarious.  Two of my very favorite people in the entire world.  I love these guys!!

Growing Up...

     My Cait is going to be a senior in high school next week.  I can scarcely believe it.  She still seems like that little curly-headed baby who looked so much like a Precious Moment's doll.  Yet, here she is this morning with her long-time boyfriend, Nolan and their friend, PJ (aka, Weasley) getting ready to go pay their fees and get their parking tags.  I will never be able to figure out how a mother can feel so many conflicting emotions at the same time.  Proud, sad, scared, excited...  Before they left, Cait asked me if I was going to take a picture every day her senior year.  "Yes."  I replied. :)

True Love

     Often, we wonder what true love looks like.  We wonder if we will recognize it if we see it.  We wonder if we will know it when we feel it.  I have an amazing friend, one of my oldest and dearest, who is above everything, a Christian, a wife and a mother.  She and her husband have had and adopted 21 children.  Like I said, Amanda is amazing.  But more astounding than the fact that they are raising almost two dozen children is the fact that she was strong enough to support her son, Caleb's decision to join the military.  Now, I like to think I am a strong person and a devoted mom, but if Wes came to me with the same prospect, I think I'd drug him and when he awoke, we'd be Canadians.
     But Amanda is stronger than I and young Caleb has been gone from her precious arms for months.  There has been a hole in her mother's heart every day since that only Caleb can fill.  Yesterday, he did. 
     Below is a picture of Caleb's return and their first embrace.  And THIS is what true love looks like.