12?!

I don't have any early pictures of him on my computer because, well, I don't think digital cameras were around back then!

But I've been taking care of this face since 1998.


Stelzer Park, Summer 2004

And this week he turned 12. I can hardly stand it.


Las Vegas, Summer 2008



Disneyland, Winter 2009


Lake Morena, Summer 2009

Lover of anime, amazing sketch artist, fan of all colors of duct tape, entrepenuer (seller of hampsters and duct tape wallets), with shaggy hair that is so thick water rolls off the top without ever reaching the scalp, constantly bare-footed and cartwheeling or upside-down in some manner, sloppiest eater I've ever met, and the boy who gives the bestest snuggly hugs and always says "I love you" a hundred times in a weekend!

Happy 12th birthday to my stepson, may the teen years be kind to ya!


Swimming, Summer 2009

Call me!!

Carrying a cell phone everywhere is fairly new for me. In fact, I never really used my cell phone until my fiance put me on his phone plan and picked out a basic phone for me. We don't have anything fancy, no GPS tracking, or internet, not even texting. I wouldn't even use any of those features even if I had them on my phone, so that's all okay. I'm just fascinated that the phone tells me who is calling before I answer!

Yeah, yeah, I know that's Caller ID and it's been around for a long time. But my parents are old-school and don't have Caller ID on the home phone. So yes, everytime the phone rings there is still that startle-reflex...WHO IS ON THE OTHER END? Could it be Aunt Teresa calling from Iowa? Or a telemarketer? Is it the school calling to say my son is sick and needs to be picked up? Or could it be someone taking a political survey? Is it good news, or bad? One might never know, until we answer the phone!

I love the option of Caller ID on my cell phone. If I don't recognize the number, then most likely it's someone calling for "Tammy", the deliquent who had the phone number before I had it. "Tammy" apparantly didn't pay her bills, thus the many bill collectors calling to speak with her (and the likely reason she doesn't have the phone number anymore!). I still answer the phone though and let the person calling know that Tammy doesn't have the number anymore because if I don't they will keep calling...and calling...and calling...

Just Yesterday?

Wasn't this just yesterday?



I mean, seriously, didn't we just do this?




It really just seems like yesterday that I was taking him for his first day of school. Kindergarten! He was excited, nervous and terrified all at the same time.




And now the backpack seems a little less gigantic when he walks through the gates in the morning.



The missing tooth spot has been replaced by a permanent tooth already.



And the uniform pants are a tad bit shorter too!

The smile is just as bright though because now he has his first real summer vacation on the horizon! Only 4 more weeks...the countdown to first grade begins!

Content

I've been thinking about this issue a lot...Why are some people content and others struggle to find their happiness? Why do some people feel satisfied with how their lives are progressing and others struggle because their lives aren't turning out exactly how they planned? Why can one person be so happily full of life and the next person be so miserably empty of joy?


Snuggling with Grandpa - 2006

Why can certain people feel a song in their hearts when they hold a sleeping baby, or when they see light shining through the clouds like rays from the Heavens, or when a particularly difficult task is finally complete? Yet other people can only see the "glass half empty" side of these same scenarios ("I can't get anything done around the house if I keep holding this baby" or "Those look like rain clouds" or "Finally got that job done, but there will be even more to do tomorrow").


Happy Boy - 2004

Are these people feeling empty because they are trying to plan their own lives instead of following the path that God is leading them down? Are they unable to find contentment because they have their minds set on something completely different than He has already carved for them? Certainly we were all given free-will to do with ourselves as we decide. Maybe the next time that we are feeling crabby and stressed out about something being out of our hands, remember who's hands our lives are really in and let it go. Easier said than done for sure, but something to think about just to see where it takes us when He guides us instead of us attempting to do what we think He wants us to do.


Brothers - 2004

One Year

Last year was my son's first year of t-ball. He was one of 12 little guys learning the game, remembering which direction to run, practicing fielding (and doing lots of running into the outfield when the ball rolled past them) and figuring out who to throw the ball to once it did somehow land in their glove!


The Hooks - 2009

He's always been very attentive when learning a new skill, respectful to the coaches and pays attention when being taught. He may not be the strongest hitter on the team but he is going to be focused and alert. So I was very surprised that after "try-outs" earlier this year, I found out that he was not chosen for a team in the new level up and would be repeating t-ball again this year. Turns out that many of the team parents had put in coach requests and most of the slots had been filled in that way and any overflow kids who weren't chosen for a team (there were two, my son and one other boy) ended up back in t-ball for the second year.


The Sea Dogs - 2010

As it turns out, it really was the best thing that could have happened. Though I was disappointed at the time that he wasn't moving up with the rest of his friends, being in t-ball for the second time has really boosted his confidence. Last year, he fussed about games & practices being too boring, but now he seems to really enjoy each part of learning new skills (having the coach put him in at first base a lot doesn't hurt either!). Though he's still not the strongest hitter on the team, he is switch-hitting and is turning into a fantastic fielder.

Sometimes what seems like a disappointment at first ends up working out better than you could have imagined in the end!

The Power of Prayer

In between my usual daily activities this week, I've been interspersing my day with strong prayers. Someone I know and love is struggling and I feel helpless, which I hate. I am a helpful person, someone who is always ready to listen, someone who jumps in when asked (and sometimes even without being asked, oops!), someone who loves unconditionally, someone who hates feeling helpless.



It's been very difficult this week to sit back and allow this person to come to me. I want to call but instead I watch my phone, waiting for it to ring, waiting (impatiently). They need time, I keep reminding myself, time and space to think things out, to figure it out on their own, to figure out what they want.



And in between work, reading bedtime stories, sewing and broken sleep, I pray. I pray for each of us. I pray that our hearts will be opened. I pray for clarity. I pray that our spirit and morale will be strengthened. I pray that we figure out if it's really God's path we are on.



And then, I get a call. They are asking for my help. A big step, I am hoping that will lead to better things. And I say, "thank you" and continue to pray.