All in the day and the life of raising a son...

I should probably start out with the fact that I am thankful my son doesn't read my blog much, not because I write things I shouldn't, but rather the fact that he is at that age where EVERYTHING is embarrassing, yet he is so fun to write about. One day, he will be able to look back and laugh, but for now, EVERYTHING is over dramatized and he is super sensitive. If you have any adolescents of the male persuasion then you KNOW exactly what I'm talking about. Some days a mom can't win in the mind of an eleven year old son... so I guess this is my secret revenge. If I can't get even I will just blog about the poor soul. :)

The other night my hubby planned a water night for the youth group at church. We rented the blow up water slides and the kids had a blast. My son went to the water party with his dad, so I never realized what he was wearing, etc... After the shindig was over, he went home with me. No big deal, the rest of the evening went pretty normal.

The next day I went to work. I don't know if it is HOT in your neck of the woods, but it is smoldering around here. August is scaring me, since we are already hitting the 100s in June. Anyway, it was my lunch break. I got in my car, about to die with heat stroke, for there is absolutely no shade in the parking lot. Only, it got worse. I started to notice that my car STUNK. Now, not only was I frying, I was having trouble breathing from the heat and smell inside the car. I look around... yeah, there is some trash in the floorboard, but nothing unusual or new that would reek like that. I keep looking, finally looking in the backseat... there in the floorboard laid my son's tennis shoes. Can anyone say "FEBREEZE?!"

Lord, when did my cute little boy turn into a young man who needs deodorant, at least two baths a day, three changes of clothing and a little Febreeze squirted in the shoes? Did you know he will be in middle school this year? Seriously, do you think I'm ready for this? I'm not so sure. I'm not ready for him to grow up. Can I throw a tantrum? Will it work? Can't he stay my little guy forever? Can't he stay my little man, who thought mom was the greatest? Pretty please with a cherry on top...

No?! I was afraid you would say that.

The other day we were at Walmart and I got just a little weepy eyed. There stood before me was a whole toy isle of nothing but Toy Story merchandise. I still remember with fondness all the characters, for they were all my son's favorites when he was little. He had a Woody doll that was a sleeping partner, A Buzz that could fly on those adventurous days of jumping off beds and climbing on the back of the couches and then he had all the miniture characters for quiet moments of play. There was everything from Buzz, to Mr. Potato Head to "Balumpalump." What? You don't know who "Balumpalump" is? Well, you might know him by his show name "Bullseye," but around our house back in the day, he was "Balumpalump." You see, I asked my little Jorboy one day why he called horses by the unusual name, to which he replied, "That is what you call them, Mommy. You always make them ride and sing "Balumpalump" over and over." Hmm... I had to think of that one until one day I caught myself doing it. I would say "Balumpalump" over and over to the tune of the old Lone Ranger theme. So there you have it.

Anyway, back to Walmart, as I looked down the isle, I was sad, for I no longer had a little boy who was tugging at my hand begging to go look at the Toy Story toys. In fact I asked him the other day to go down the isle with me and he refused, heading to the electronics department. HE hasn't even asked to see the movie... Can I just cry puddles now? Lord, are you sure he has to grow up?

He does? I was afraid you would say that.

My son left for a week of church camp. Part of me is so very envious of his week. Another part is so very happy that I am blessed with a child who loves camp. As we were packing his bag, he had put his Bible and his devotional book in the side pocket. Ahh... another sign he is growing up, when they think of something beside "just having a good time." Oh, how that does a mom's heart good. I miss my little man already. So, he really is growing up, isn't he, Lord?

Alrighty then, I guess I'm going to have to start praying for strength, find my invisible clothespin, and hang on for the ride of my life, as I enter this unknown territory, stinky feet and all.

Something tells me that I am in for a roller coaster ride, but that I'm going to enjoy every minute... gosh, I love this kid. :)