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Rooster Turns 18!

Posted on May 30, 2012 by auburnchick

Dear Rooster,

Today you turned 18 years old.

I.  Am.  In.  Shock.

How did this happen?

Didn’t I just bring you home from the hospital, all decked out in your Auburn finery?

You slept from 10pm – 4am the first night you were home, a good sleeper from the get-go…

It didn’t take long for you and Chicky to form a tight sibling bond.  She even taught you the fine art of showing what’s in your mouth while you’re eating…

You liked to wear your food as much as you liked to eat it…

Though you didn’t walk as early as Chicky, you were still up and about well before your first birthday…

You put your good looks to use, easily charming the ladies…especially this one…your Mama…

Oh yes, those tow-headed, blue eyes often conned me into allowing you to get your way…

You were meant to be an Auburn Tiger from the beginning, as evidenced by the attire you came home in to the clothes you’ve proudly worn over the years…

We did buy you other clothes, but your preferred your Auburn gear…

The years flew by, and soon it was time to take you to school for your first day of kindergarten…

Today, on your 18th birthday, you could have walked the stage for your high school graduation.  Though you won’t cross that stage in the made-for-parents event, I celebrate your accomplishments all the same.

Schooling came easily for you.  God blessed you with a keen mind and a quick wit…things that helped you excel in school.

Soon, you’ll be heading to Auburn.  In fact, you receive mail from the school almost daily now…

These envelopes make me tear up every time I pull them from the mailbox.

They are signs, you see, that my sweet, blonde-haired, blue eyed boy will be leaving the nest, the last of my chickies to fly the coop.

You, my dear, have been a dream to parent.

Every time you sat and watched a movie or TV show with me, you banked more Son Points into this heart of mine.

One of the sweetest things you said to me was on my birthday when you told me that you could have gone to a friend’s house, but you chose to stay home since next year you’ll be in school and won’t be able to celebrate with me.

Anyone reading this can see how easy it is to love you.

I’ve been praying for you since before you were born.  Two months on bedrest gave me plenty of time for that.

I’ve been praying for you ever since, and God has been merciful to answer.

You have turned into a fine young man.

You are generous and always eager to lend a friend a hand.

Your gentleness with animals is reciprocated with their tendency to gravitate toward you.

As you begin this new phase of your life, I will continue to pray for you…for a steadfast faith that does not turn away no matter what temptations you may face…for Christian friends to surround you while you’re away from home…for maturity to adjust to the changes before you.

I love you with all of my heart.  You are a blessing to me, and I am honored to be your Mama.

Love,

Mama ♥

Filed under: children | Tagged: , , , | 5 Comments »

Another Memorable Hodgepodge

Posted on May 30, 2012 by auburnchick

Although I worked a bit this past weekend, I did manage to find some time to relax and play with the family.  Now, it’s back to reality.  It’s also time to get back to the Hodgepodge!  Link up with Joyce to play along!

1.  What can the average citizen do to honor a military veteran and/or those currently serving?

As a teacher, I believe it’s my duty to teach my students about the sacrifices that those who served and those who are serving have and are making to guarantee the freedom we enjoy in this country.  Too often, I see apathy on the faces of my young charges, and this saddens me.  I think that as a whole, the younger generation is not as patriotic as the generations that went before us.  Passing on the legacy…that’s how I, personally, can honor the military.

2.  Besides a flag what is something you own that is red, white and blue?

I don’t own many things that have all three colors.  I do have a t-shirt I bought at Old Navy that’s patriotic…with all of the above colors.

3.  Does love really conquer all?

Yes.  Jesus’s love for us conquered the penalty of sin.  I think that about sums things up.

4.  Strawberry shortcake or blueberry pie?

Strawberry shortcake, please.  I loathe the smell and taste of blueberries.

5.  Do you share personal stuff with your hairdresser?

I just got a hairdresser a few weeks ago.  She’s the gal who’s been cutting the Mr’s and Rooster’s hair for quite some time now, so she pretty much knows the whole family.  I’d say that I talk about some personal stuff, meaning teaching and kid stuff, but not private stuff…the kind that I talk about to Super Sis or my closest friends.  First of all, my hairdresser is someone I plan on visiting once every six weeks or so.  Not that I don’t feel a connection, because my hairdresser is an awesome lady.  But still, to share personal things in a public venue like a salon…I don’t think it’s very appropriate.

6.  Does money lead to selfishness?

Money can lead to selfishness if one doesn’t keep him/herself grounded on the Lord and those less fortunate.  This can be especially difficult if one has gone through a period of financial drought (loss of job, etc.) and suddenly finds him/herself with a little extra to spend.  I guess it’s all about balance.

7.  What piece of furniture in your home most needs replacing or refinishing?

My furniture is starting to get old.  I think that what needs replacing first is my couch and loveseat, which I’ve had for over ten years.  When we first got it, we had one dog.  Now, we have four.  The couches are dirty, chewed up, and basically gross.  Thanks to the slipcovers I purchased in November (right before having company over for Thanksgiving), I’m adding a few more years of life to this furniture.

8.  My Random Thought

Today is my youngest, Rooster’s, 18th birthday.

It’s such a momentous occasion that I’ve blogged twice today.

Still, I think that this milestone deserves some space in my Random Thought area.

As the time draws nearer for Rooster to leave for college, he’s busy…gone a lot on various outings with church and school friends.

The Mr. and I were running errands the other day, and we marveled at the fact that we now have grown children.

Pray tell…how did this happen?

Where did the years go?

My friend, Christina, suggested (during a phone conversation yesterday) that the Mr. must have had this child before I married him because surely I’m not old enough to have a youngest child who’s 18.

Yeah.

I echo her sentiments.

If you’re reading this, and you’re just starting out with young children, let me offer this piece of advice.

Cherish EVERY MOMENT.

Long nights are only long for a short period.

You’ll miss them (yes you will) when your children are old enough to puke their guts out without your help…when they don’t want to wake you up in the middle of the night to let you know they are sick.

Sad, but true.

Enjoy the loud craziness of a house full of your children and their friends.  Before you know it, they’ll be bringing grown-up college friends home with them…only staying a few days before heading out again.

Sad, but true.

Enjoy the fact that your refrigerator and pantry seem to empty out five minutes after you’ve grocery shopped.  One day all too soon, it will be you and your Honey trying to figure out where to eat for dinner because you don’t feel like cooking for two.

This part isn’t really sad because it means fewer dishes to wash.

😉

Memorial Day in 1994 was especially memorable in the AuburnChick household.  It was the day we welcomed the most precious guy into the world.

Filed under: children, This-n-That | Tagged: , | 7 Comments »