Picture of the Week - 9/24/2020

 Where to begin.  Spencer turns 18 on Sunday.  And I've been stuck trying to figure out how to begin this birthday tribute for days.  

And it dawns on me that part of the challenge here is that this is both a beginning and an ending.  Wow!  Even just typing "ending" has me a little choked up.  But I suppose that's all part of this process.  It began nearly 18 years ago - before that actually as I lay in bed with a hand on my growing belly feeling his kicks and starting the process of loving this child.  It ends, in some ways, in just a few short days.  And that is pretty hard.  

Yes, I know that just because he will technically be an adult it doesn't mean he's instantly going to vanish forever.  I know that I get to see his face across the dinner table for a few more months.  I know that I will still feel compelled to take care of his wishes and needs for long after that.  I know I will love him forever - no matter where on this earth he lands.

So this is "just" one of those milestones.  Like when he chose to wean himself or take those first steps.  Like the first time we left him at daycare or watched him ride away on a school bus.  Like the first trip he took with a friend or the first drive.  It's a bitter sweet milestone like all the rest.  I celebrate - because that's the goal here.  It's our job to prepare our sons for all of these milestones so they can be confident and ready - for anything.  But I'm also a little sad because each milestone marks the end of a phase.  And I've loved all the phases.

(Except the 12 year old phase...  not my fave!)

And really there is far more to celebrate about Spencer turning 18 than reasons to be sad.  There are so many things about this man that I adore.  I love that he is capable and willing to help in any situation that comes up.  He's the first to head outside when yard work needs to be done and the first to agree to helping move heavy things for anyone who asks.  I love that he's got a quick wit and a bright mind.  He is both book and (somewhat) street smart.  He thinks for himself and doesn't just roll with the crowd - never has.  I love that he has some really random, and fluctuating, interests and knows how to do things like sell old stuff on social media.  I love that he wants to better himself and wants to be better so he can better his country.  I love that he is narrowing in on what he wants to do in the future and I really love that the direction he's heading makes so much sense for his skills, interests, and abilities.

I love him.  For who he is.  For what he's done.  For what I know he's going to do.

And when I think about that last bit, the anxiety ratchets up again.  It's normal, I'm sure.  I will be sending him off to tackle this crazy, crazy world without the ability to see how the day has treated him written on his face.  I'm going to say goodbye without really knowing when we will get another hug - or phone call.  I am not the only mom of a nearly 18 year old to ever have struggled with this collision of ending and beginning.  I know that...  and I also know that my child is at least as prepared as all those other newly christened adults out there.  Nah - Spencer is more prepared.  He's ready.  

And with that, I will prepare to wish him a happy, happy 18th birthday.  We will celebrate with cake and presents and hugs and I will make him let me kiss him on the cheek.

Picture of the Week - 9/17/2020

 So the remnants of a hurricane came through here last night/today and it has had me reminiscing about the hurricane that came through Atlanta on September 26/27 2002.  Spencer was born in during a "hurricane remnants" storm.  I guess it's the time of year, but I think it hit me particularly hard today because I've spent a lot of time over the last couple of weeks looking at colleges and reading essays and gathering what I hope is a good and accurate snapshot of Spencer to try to get him into his dream college.  I suppose it's natural to be nostalgic.

Here's one of those things we've been putting together - Spencer's wrestling highlight video - Spencer Bovenizer West Forsyth Class of 2021  I don't know if it will mean as much to anyone else as it does to me (and Bob) but I'm really glad we put this together because it's pretty exciting and someday will be a great memory for all of us.  For now, I'm hoping it shows off his abilities and potential.

Spencer Bovenizer West Forsyth Class of 2021

This weekend we have a couple of football games and then we are heading north for a very short visit to see Grandma Sharon and Bob's sisters.  I'm feeling very excited because Laura is going to capture some Senior pictures of Spencer for us too.  Fun stuff.  

Next week is Fall break for the boys!  We are celebrating with another round of SAT testing.  LOL

This week was also Brutus's 2nd birthday.  I forgot.  Zane reminded us.  LOL  That about sums up my mind these days!  Here's a picture of the goofiest member of our family.  

Have a great week everyone!  I'm going to try to enjoy the last full week where I can still tell Spencer he has to listen to me because he's not an adult yet.  10 more days...  wow...  

Picture of the Week - 9/10/2020

 This past weekend was the 1 year anniversary of the day I got laid off from my job.  It was the start of what is certainly one of the strangest 12 month periods I've lived through - so far at least.  So I've done some reflecting...

There are a lot of things that have changed in the last 12 months.  Some of them obvious (I don't travel any more) and some of them likely a bit more subtle (I've gotten much more spiritual).  I've had my confidence shaken and I've been fearful of what the future will bring.  I've celebrated new beginnings and learned how to be more flexible.  I've reached out to others and I've withdrawn into myself.  I've created and planted and read and cleaned and renovated.  And I've sat staring dumbly at stupid TV.  I've been disappointed and elated.  I've canceled plans and I've made new ones.

In the last 12 months I have realized that there are really only a few things that are truly important to me - God, my family, and my health.  

My job loss forced me off a merry-go-round that was going too fast for me to be happy and healthy.  It also forcibly removed me from a situation that was more toxic in hindsight than I could see in real time.  It wasn't what I asked for, but it was exactly what I needed.  Then Covid forced me to slow down even more and focus on the people closest to me.  If those two situations - a one-two punch if you will - weren't a sign from God to take heed, then I don't know what is.  

I've mentioned before that I have a sincere hope that people will use whatever their experiences are through this pandemic as an opportunity to SEE something new - in themselves, in the world, in God.  I hope that there are lessons learned and that this whole mess isn't for naught.  I pray this regularly.  Actually - forget the Covid mess - I pray that people will use all of their experiences (good and bad) as a way to be better.  I can look back at some of my hardest times (think 2 lb Quinn in the NICU for 42 days with a 16 month old at home, for example) and realize that GOOD came out of that situation.  I pray that everyone can choose to be grateful whatever the scenario.  This is the reason I am always sharing Gratitude reminders on Facebook.  It's my mission to remind people that there is always something to be grateful for.

I can only speak for myself in saying that 12 months into this tumultuous year I am happier and I have better relationships with all the fine men who share my home.  I think that's a pretty big deal.  And I am thankful to God for leading me to this place - however weird the road.  

Here's a fun picture of my big boys from last weekend's wrestling tournament.  It wasn't a particularly successful weekend for them as Quinn ran through a bunch of REALLY good competition and Spencer hurt his foot in the very first match and was forced to sit out the rest of the tourney.  But they learned a lot, they had fun with their friends, and I got this amazing picture of my boys.  

Have a great week everyone!  

Picture of the Week - 9/3/2020

 Happy September!

Despite how weird this year has been, time still flies.  Hard to believe we are already into September.  Crazy!

This week Zane and Beck had school pictures.  Funny how something so mundane can feel so much more important after the last 6 bizarre months!  I even bought them new shirts!  (easily 80% of their wardrobe is hand-me-downs...)

Bob is off with Spencer and Quinn and the Bad Natured Rodents (the wrestling team name for off-season stuff) for a tournament down in Perry Ga tomorrow and Saturday.  Tonight Zane has a scrimmage against a team in a rival park and Beck has practice.  Then we are pretty much on "chill mode" for a nice long weekend.  

Nothing else much to report...  which is good news!

Have a super happy September!