{12}

{12} as in the years my son turns today. Ugh! Ready or not, the boy is growing up. We've been watching  home movies the past couple days. I could watch them for hours. What am I talking about? I do watch them for hours.We giggle and point out funny moments and I choke back the tears as the memories flood in. People always say "don't blink because they'll be grown up before you know it". It's true. He really was just this little guy cracking us up with his silliness and raspy little voice. Jumping, climbing, flying off everything and shooting us with his imaginary spider webs. But slowly over time they change and morph into these young people trying to find exactly where they fit in. Tonight I was reminded of how young and fragile he still is. My happy-go-lucky kiddo had a tough practice. So hard for this mama to watch him wipe away the tears and then walk to the car with him while he shrugs me off. I'm learning if I'm quiet for long enough eventually he'll talk, maybe even share some of the frustrations and tears and I'm more than happy to hug, rub his back and remind him of what a treasure he is. And it's so reassuring to know that all is well in his world after a pep talk with mom and a lime slurpee. Maybe having a 12 year old won't be so tough. Happy 12th Birthday to our original monkey! You have made life so much richer for us Sammy and we love you to pieces!