Riding Away

Earlier this evening, while I was cooking supper, Buddy and Quinn went outside to play.  It's been so nice and warm the past few days....very unseasonable for NC in April, but hey, we'll take it!

After a while, I got a text from Buddy that said "Come outside please".  I thought to myself, what in the world...are we so high-tech that he can't even walk in the house to come get me?

So I went outside and instantly saw why I got the text.....

They had gone outside and Quinn finally learned to ride his bike!  We got him the bike last year for his birthday, and while he loved the gift, he never really got the hang of it. Summer came and went and still nothing. Then winter came and Buddy had to work out of town in Maryland. He's finally home, and I guess Quinn was ready!  And you can see in the picture, Buddy is running to keep up with him!

As he got closer to where I was standing, I couldn't help but tear up a little bit. 

The sheer happiness in himself is so evident on his face.  He could not believe he was able to ride his bike, and his future independence just smacked me in the face. Sure he's only 5 now and ten years seems like a long way away, but in another since, its just right around the corner. 

It won't be long before he'll be wanting to borrow the keys to the car, traveling around town. It won't be long before he'll be going off on his own.

As he pedaled on past me, it became increasingly clear.....he's only mine for a little while.  I only have a short time to teach him things about life and to teach him how to be a loving, caring, strong, independent individual.  I only have a short time.   But I have forever to pray for him and to love him.

Lord, help me to raise up my child in the way he should go,

so when he is old(er) he will NOT depart from it.

Last Day of Summer for Me

Today is the last day of summer for Quinn and me. School starts for teachers in my county on this coming Monday. What a summer it has been! Quinn took his first overnight trip without Mommy and Daddy. We took our first family vacation to the beach. And we had lots of fun as family. The best part for me was being able to be home with Quinn and enjoy have lots of Mommy/Quinn time. Yesterday I took Quinn to have his 18-month portraits made. (Yes, I realize he is 19 months old now, but you know how it is...) I was amazed at how many of the pictures captured exactly how I felt this summer was....a summer of discovery.

I tried to teach Quinn how to wink. As you can see, he doesn't realize he should only shut one eye!



He's definitely got a curious side. Quinn wants to know what things are and is very eager to explore and check things out.


He has a sense of humor. He loves to laugh and can even make others laugh. Over the summer, he realized that he can "blow zerberts" on my tummy like I do on his, and this sends him into fits of giggles.



Ok, this one is just for cuteness. We were trying to get him to put the shell up to his ear, but he wanted to smell it instead.

He loves to play peek-a-boo, or any other game that helps him interact with others.

Since I am not in a position to be a full-time, stay at home mom, I am thankful for a job as a teacher, which enables me to be able to be home with Quinn more often than if I had a job in the business world. What other job gives you approximately two months off in the summer, as well as extended times off at Christmas and in the spring, along with various days off here and there. Without these break times, I would miss out on so much.

Like the other morning when he signed "more" and "please" during breakfast. Or when he folded his hands to pray when I gave him his food. Or hearing him tell our dog "no no" when Tillman tried to beg from Quinn.

So for now, we are just cruising along, enjoying the last weekend of summer. I can't wait to see what he learns at school this year.

I can't promise you there won't be tears on Sunday night, or even Monday morning when I drop him off at daycare. I can't promise you there won't be times when I will dread going to work and just wishing I could stay home every day. But I can promise you that I will never, ever regret being Mommy to this sweet little gift that the Lord has entrusted me with. I am so blessed to have this child in my life, and I can hardly wait to see what he will grow up to be!

My 2nd Mother's Day

Sunday was my second Mother's Day. It ended up being a much better day than I thought it would be.

This is what I woke up to on Sunday morning.



How Buddy managed to pull this off with his crazy schedule these days means more to me than anything. I had resigned myself to the fact that if he simply remembered a card (homemade or bought) that I would be grateful. Instead, I got 24 red roses, a new study Bible, AND a homemade card!

We worked together to make breakfast. We had coffee, cheese grits, and something new that I have nicknamed "mock-elet". It was scrambled eggs with chunks of ham scrambled in, and cheddar cheese sprinkled on top. It tasted like an omelet, yet it was easier to make....get it....mock-elet! Very tasty. If only I had taken a picture.

Later on I went to church for Baby Dedication. My friend Alycia was dedicating both of her boys, and I wanted to be there, so I went to late service instead of early service. The message was very inspiring...encouraging mothers (as well as anyone who has contact with a child) to pass on our faith to the future generations, and to let our lives show Christ to our children.

The afternoon held a snuggly nap for me and my son! That was so special, because I know a time will come when he will no longer nap, much less in my arms. And while I held him, a memory came to mind of 16 months earlier, when we enjoyed an equally snuggly moment.

Thank you, Lord, that I get to be the mother of this adorable, precious child. He has only been a part of my life for such a short time, and yet I can barely remember what life was like before he was in it. You have given this child to me, to nurture and to take care of. Help me, Lord, to be the best mother I can be. Help Quinn to see You in the things that I do. Thank you, Lord, for this blessing that you brought into my life 16 months ago.