On This Date

 12 years ago!  Can we please go back?  When my kids were little and parenting for me was fresh.  My kids were easy going and went along with everything, cheerfully embracing every experience with excited eyes and big smiles.  

Sandy Point Beach, Maryland.  Laughing as the waves from the Chesapeake Bay crashed onto their feet.  The thrill of how they can turn sand into sandcastles and other fun shapes.  Picking up seashells as if they found treasure.  Oh, yes, take me back to simpler days.  

One thing I love about Facebook is the "Memories" feature where I can see what I posted in previous years.  

That long bridge you see in the background is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.  We went across that a few weeks ago on our way to Chincoteague, Virginia.  4 miles of my husband having his hands tightly embracing the wheel as we silently prayed our way to safety.  I'd say it's much better to look at from afar than to be on.  Whew!

I laughed, smiled and then felt a lot of aching and longing for those days back when looking at these pictures.  

Senior Picture Day

 Every one of my children's milestones have always left me with a mix of pride and heartbreak.  Watching as they grow up is part of life but why does it hurt so much?  Parenting is so bittersweet.  

This milestone seems to feel more bitter than sweet.  It's the last one of my son's childhood.  SENIOR YEAR!  He's excited for it but I'm an emotional wreck.  

This morning he went in for his senior pictures.  One casual, one formal for the yearbook and then the cap and gown.  That's the moment it all felt so real.  I can remember that anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach when it came to preparing him for kindergarten.  Now, here we are into the 12th grade year where he's trying to figure out what college to attend, what major to study and how he's going to afford to do it all.  

Not only will he be a senior but my daughter will be starting her high school journey as a freshman.  Just a heads up, prepare for many upcoming emotional blog posts from me.  

You may be growing up, Matthew, but you'll always be my little boy.  

Waiting for the bus on the first day of kindergarten.

"You Reap What You Sow"

 The apostle Paul knew what he was talking about when he gave wisdom to the Galatian church by saying, "Whatever one sows, that will he also reap."  (Galatians 6:7)  

In the context of gardening, I decided to take a shortcut this year.  What I mean is, I did not use fertilizer, and I did not plant as many tomato plants as I usually do.  I did not plant marigolds around the plants, which keeps the aphids from attacking and I have not been consistent with pulling weeds.  I could have and should have done better.  I've been getting some grape tomatoes but there has not been one big tomato in site.  

Some green beans have sprouted and came to full size but some of those plants were eaten away by some critter.  

I've seen plenty of peppers but some of them are beginning to rot before turning the red color they are supposed to be.  

I dream of having a big garden filled with lots of vegetables.  I also dream of having land for chickens and other livestock and even some goats for entertainment purposes but that all may just be a pipe dream.  How cool would it be to be able to have our resources of consumption right on my own land.  I envy those that have the patience, time and skills to do so.  In today's economy it becomes so helpful to grow our own food.  How great it could have been if I had that passion and commitment from the very beginning of being a homeowner.  I'm not sure if I ever will.  In life, I've certainly been reaping what I've sown and it's not very much and it's not all good.  But it certainly is something to learn from.    

Random Things Of This Week

 

Rescued this Praying Mantis who tried coming into my house.  

Spotted a visitor on our Lavender Butterfly Bush.  

Enjoyed spectating a fun and competitive game of kickball my husband and kids played with the church family after Sunday service.  

I love when this pup lays her head on the pillow in such a humanly way.