not mine…theirs.

My birthdays have never been hard for me. My kids birthdays on the other hand…now that’s a different story.

I have no fears about being old. I was fortunate to find my soul-mate in High School. We have been together ever since. All I’ve thought about was growing old together and being old together.

A few years ago was when it first started. The Hubs and I decided to go out for our Anniversary. This was the beginning of August, so he convinced me that we could let the kids stay home alone while we went to eat. There was a long wait at Granite City so I said…”let’s just go to Arby’s or something quick so the kids aren’t home alone too long.” He insisted we wait it out (only to find out later he had it set up for me to receive flowers at Granite City! The Jerk) We had a nice dinner and went to Cold Stone to get ice cream for the kids. We came home to find the house picked up, vacuumed and dishes all done.

Right then it hit me…They were growing up and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I don’t have fears of the empty-nest. When they are out of the house, Hubs and I will still be young. Woo Hoo…PARTY TIME!! I’m more scared of what is in between now and then.

Now that they are more active in bowling and school, Hubs coaches, and I work two jobs, my fear is that I one day I will wake up and 10 years will have gone by and I will have missed something. I realize that I won’t be able to be at everything. I already missed the Boy’s first Youth National Bowling tournament. That will never happen again. Over. Done. I also missed his 2nd Youth National tournament. See…it’s already starting. Am I going to wake up one day and realize I’m 40 and it’s all over. no replays. only memories.

Something that blew my mind …Last week while Hubs was @ practice with his High School team, he was counting how many lower classman he had and thinking about our younger youth bowlers that would be incoming freshman in a few years. Then the Boy’s name came up. It was soon realized that when this year’s freshman are seniors…The Boy will be a freshman. ya…in HIGH SCHOOL!!! That is three short years away. Actually 2 1/2 to be corrected by the Boy.

In a few short days The Boy will be 12. 2 years away from having a permit. 2.5 years away from high school. 4 years away from a drivers license. and 6 years away from porn. What’s a mom to do? Annoy them…embarrass them…and enjoy them…and take lots of pictures!

This is what 10 years ago looks like!