This has been kind of a crazy-busy week for us. Saturday I attended a baby shower for one couple, and a wedding for another.
Our little family all attended the wedding together. It was a very enjoyable occasion.
Now my husband works with the groom. We've been to the grooms house before, and he's been to ours, and our boys really enjoy he and his new bride.
During the reception, Judah noticed the just-married couple coming towards our table as they were greeting all their guests and called out their names, ecstatic to see his "fwends".
The bride loves small children and interacting with them, and they all respond well to her. I suspect Judah has had a bit of a 'crush' on her since meeting her that first time for this reason, but as they drew closer to our table, he suddenly got very shy. Uncharacteristically so.
Our friend looked beautiful in her dress, and I knew that Judah thought so, too, so I said, "She looks very pretty in her wedding dress, doesn't she?" He nodded, hand in front of his mouth barely making eye contact with her, and when he did, his lashes batted bashfully.
I thought it was so cute...even a young child noticing the exceptional, resplendent beauty of a bride.
After the reception, I rounded up the boys to ride home with me because daddy stayed to help clean up.
I found my boys on the grassy area out back where all the children had congregated to play. I saw an older teenaged girl out there with Jericho supervising their young charges...three little boys all in the 3-4 year old range who had far too much energy for the confines of the reception hall, and called to my boys that it was time to go.
On the way home, Jericho was riding shotgun and said somewhat sarcastically (though perhaps with a touch of awe in his voice) announced, "I was hit on by this older girl at the reception."
Surprised I said, "What do you mean?" The only girl I had seen out there looked at least 18 or 19.
He explained that there was this older girl in a reddish dress, "that probably should have had more clothing up there if you know what I mean", and she asked him, 'So how old are you?'. He told her he'd be 13 at the end of the month. She's like, 'No way...I'm turning 15' and then asked his name and a few other innocuous things that convinced him she was very interested in him. Overly so.
That cougar! That's my little boy she was preying on!
And then I realized that this was it. He's NOT so little a boy any more...he's growing up.
In fact, in just a couple of weeks he is going to be a full-fledged teenager.
And I suddenly got that same little lurch in my stomach that you get when slowly climbing towards the highest peak on a roller-coaster, just before you go shrieking down the hill on the other side, white-knuckled and breathless...except that this crazy ride is the one we call the teenage years. That crazy loop-de-loop filled ride that every parent must go through ready or not.
And I've gotta say, I don't feel ready for it.
I don't DO roller coasters well. I usually chicken out at the gate and turn back.
But this time...I can't. I'm committed. I'm already locked into the seat. He's going to be a junior higher this next school year!
**curls up in fetal position to moan**
Just then Jericho's voice broke into my spinning thoughts, "She was waaaay too old to be hitting on a kid my age. Sheesh." Clearly, he was disgusted.
And this mama breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Reprieve granted, if only for a short season.
12 comments:
So sweet of a post... and unfortunately so true. Where does the time fly? Some days just seem to never end and yet we all know what's lying around the corner, just a few short years away... Thanks for the reminder to treasure all the moments this summer. =0)
Oh, yeah... I feel for you. Really, really feel for you. At least he isn't ready to jump into the whole 'how cool is it that an older woman hit on me' thing yet. At least you don't have girls. I think that a teenage daughter would be even worse! Hopefully your reprieve will last for quite a long time.
Can't wait to check out your new blog. I'm already lovin' the name. My whole porch is filled with red geraniums. They're one of my favorites. Is it a personal or business blog? I hear ya about spending too much at the garden center. At least this time I wasn't responsible for it! :) I wish you many strong backs to come and take those rocks away. Those things are a bear! We met someone last week that was talking about their landscaping and said that all they had left to do was put the rock down! Ay Ay Ay! They're one of THOSE people!
Good to 'talk' to ya!
Pam
I've already had many, many nightmares of the teenaged years. I think toddler-hood is a GLIMPSE of preparation before it quickly fades away.
I agree with Pam- I don't know what is worse... teenage girls or teenage boys! Ahhh!
Oh yeah. That. Awhile back an older teenaged girl kept seeking out Tristan at AWANAS. He was mystified and avoided her... Finally, she came to me and told me to tell him he's invited to the youth group at such and such a place and time. I respected her for coming to me and not being sneaky, but I could hardly contain my mama-bear instincts. I held my breath, made some small talk, thanked her for the invite, and then honestly told her that he's "still a boy. He collects GI Joes and plays with bugs. He's not into group activities yet..." Whew! But I can't always be there. Later, some other young flirt outside in the neighborhood asked for his phone number, (after pumping Chelsea for infor as to his age and name)apparently. He looked at her funny and said, "Why? I don't know you.I don't even know my phone number." Then, sensing he'd said the wrong thing, came in to ask me what he should've done. Funny! I had to tell him she proably thought he was cute, which made him cringe. I told him to be kind but honest. "I'm Tristan, what's your name? Nice to meet you. I don't like talking on the phone, but you can stop by the house and visit any time you want." That ought to weed out any sneaky little vixens!
David's right behind him...on July 13th. I can hardly bear it.
What a sweet image of Judah and his appreciation/awe of the bride.
We aren't old enough to have teenagers, Becky, and that's all I have to say about that.
Well, what do you think, anyway? You've got gorgeous sons and the girls are gonna flirt. Most of them don't mean any harm. I know I didn't at that age! But it'a good to keep an eye on them anyway. Boys have such tender feelings, you have to prepare them!
And...just like that...it begins.
Funny they can be a little boy one minute and a teenager the next.
"She was waaaay too old to be hitting on a kid my age. Sheesh." There ya go Jericho!
Poor Mama! I know the feeling. Kyle is only a couple of years older than Jericho. Can you believe Kyle just got his driving permit?! What's a mother to do?!
His thoughts on it were so funny!
And, uh, good luck with that!
yes, I know that rollercoaster feeling! whew!
girls are just shameless, I tell you. Spencer's fixin' to go to HIGH SCHOOL next semester. How can it be?
*curls up in a ball next to her frumpfriend*
My little sister (who is 12 years younger than I, so I feel more parent-like than sister-like sometimes) will be 14 at the end of summer. Fortunately she is homeschooled and isn't into boys yet. BUT she mentioned to me the other day that she will be able to drive in a year and a half! Everyone better watch out.
Post a Comment