Twenty One

Clayton is twenty one today. And I have decided to not post an embarrassing photo from his childhood.

I wonder where the time has gone but wonder more at how he survived having me as a mom. From the carrots he first spewed out of his mouth to the days of cowboy boots and hats to the Legos I sucked up in my vacuum cleaner to all the bugs we examined to the books we read out loud to struggling through spelling lists to struggling through friendships to discovering the power of football to discovering the power of girls to seeing a great goal achieved to hanging on tightly to that same goal until it becomes complete. I have been there. I never had a career or a job or weekly tennis matches or any social-climbing activities, so I could be there. His life became my life.

I'm sorry he had to be "the experiment", as the first-born is doomed to be. I'm sorry for all the dumb-mom moments along the way. I realize now I had a lot of growing up to do as well. I would do many things differently now...but there's a lot about which I have zero regrets.

I have been in his life through every milepost, and it kills me to not be with him to celebrate his 21st birthday.

Meanwhile...back at the Kinleystead...reminders that the clock still ticks.



Thanks, senior girls who write on obnoxious sophomore guys' cars wrongly parked in the senior's parking lot, for this reminder:




"Two more years".

I know how fast these two years will pass.

Random May Happenings

I can't remember planting this...but...welcome to my garden anyway.




Have I talked enough about how much Mac the Labradoodle is loved? Anyone that doesn't think she is the cutest dog ever...I pity you.




Good-by Freshman Year of College.




I love it that these Black-Eyed Susans who are drought resistant and indigenous to Arkansas decided on their own to line my fence this season. Thank you... score one for the lazy gardener!




Camera Hijacking by 16 Year Old Boy...enough said.

FYI: Jesus is Coming Back This Week

Today on a regular Wednesday, I was doing my daily correspondence, working on my Etsy site, and cleaning middle son's room. His freshman year of college is over, and he arrives back home tomorrow.

A knock. A "someone's here" bark from Mac the Labradoodle.

I walked to the front door to see who may be stopping by at such an odd time.

A package...not so unusual. My husband frequently receives parcels for various reasons.

But...this box was different!

That "FTD" logo really caught my eye...especially when I realized that MY name was on the label.




Inside the box was this:




With a card that said this:




Time out: It must be understood that my firstborn son is an incredible person, but gift-giving has not been his greatest strength. Once, two years ago, I received a candy bar for my birthday...which was incredible. I ate every bite and have never forgotten it. However, his modus operandi has always been: "I was going to get you a present, but...." Years ago I had accepted it would always be this way...which is fine.

But, today was different and surprising! Seriously...what mother's heart wouldn't be melted after reading a note like this...written by a West Point cadet...in the middle of finals... who is struggling academically. It is a priceless gift I will never forget...right up there with the candy bar.



So...FYI: This is a sign of the Apocalypse. Just thought my readers might want to prepare.

P.S. My husband reminded me that for Christmas '09 Clayton had given to me military strength pepper spray. How could I have forgotten that? My soldier's love language is keeping the people he loves "safe".