We hit another milestone at the Chandler house and I've known about it, thought about it, and even began drafting this post in my mind, but... I just couldn't bring myself to succumb to the emotional space it would require. I didn't want to go there. Not that I was scared or living in denial, but mainly because time just races by and I'm trying to live it, and keep up with it, and do all the things.
But ready or not we are here. How did it happen? I guess I blinked.
We have four cars in our driveway. Four. And we have a little driveway! We play the great shuffle game almost every morning or evening, depending on what is required and who has the earliest departure crunch. It's fun - sort of. It's probably great entertainment for the neighbors, and it is just the way we are in this season of life because I have another kid that is sixteen. How on earth? I guess I blinked.
I must have blinked because I distinctly remember pulling him out from under the bed - by his ankles - after we discovered him missing during the night. I also know the time I found him sitting in the middle of the kitchen eating a bag of chips at 1:30 in the morning (earning him the name snack-bar) and the day I tried to explain why he still had to attend school after his kindergarten graduation ceremony. When we lost him in the crowd at church one night, kissing the top of his head while holding him in my lap during choir practice, finding chicken nuggets under his bed that he was saving for later, pulling his first tooth, teaching him how to ride his bike, pushing him so-high in the swing, cheering for his play, his game, his awards, making a donut cake for his birthday and a lamby costume for halloween.
The countless numbers of "watch this momma", roll through my mind as I watch him cross over to me, bend down - because he's taller - hug me goodbye, then listen as that fourth vehicle slowly backs down that tiny drive. What on earth? I guess I blinked.
I guess I blinked because my Noah turned sixteen last month and our lives are not the same.
And, honestly, I don't want them to be.
I love this age of parenting. I love watching my boys grow up and it is such a delight for me to see them experience the world and all the firsts that come at this phase. In some ways I get to re-live part of my life through them and I am so excited to re-experience life through their eyes. It really is such a great season and I could not be more thankful. I really couldn't.
But, it seems like this part got here awful fast. I guess I blinked.
