Milestone!

Story coming soon!

Happy 15th Birthday Julien!

Oh my....

Here we are again, with zero complaints from me.

Another year of blessings, another year of enjoying being Mom to an amazingly handsome, smart, funny and incredibly frustrating teenage boy.

I am so very, very blessed and not a day passes that I am not keenly aware of how very fortunate I am.

Another year to remind me to cherish - every second of every day.

I am so honored to be Julien's Mom and I am so proud of his ability to love with his whole heart and to be proud of his little sister, even when society makes it hard on him.

He has a beautiful gift of being able to love and protect without fear and judgement.

15 years has passed.

Yet it truly seems like just yesterday that I held him for the very first time.

Don't judge.

We are a rare breed of refinement.

Julien didn't ask for much.

He just wanted dinner and cake at home with just family.

He was very specific on his choice of cakes, and I was more than happy to oblige - YUM!

That deterred...no one.

Before opening the card, Julien asked me if I was making fat jokes on his birthday.

As.  If.

I have a very whacked out sense of humor, and couldn't pass up the card.

15.

I thank God for the gift of Motherhood and for my precious Baby Boy.

The AAP

When the AAP considers the epitome of perfect parenting and prompt attention to routine well child visits, they think of me.

Four days before my child turns 15, I manage to get him in for his 14 year old visit.

It's not like he doesn't see the doctor for any non-routine issues and he technically did have a well visit for his sports physical, so I'm not a complete and total failure, AND, it's been a very busy year.

I personally think I get points for even remembering to follow through with the well child visits with a teenager who doesn't sit around and wish for such things to occur.

Today, I managed to take my still 14 year old son to see - our very favorite pediatrician - ever.

Dr. Dudgeon is simply amazing  and I can't imagine the last 12 years of Julien's medical care being handled by anyone else.

Unfortunately, I don't have any office pictures to commemorate the event.

Julien refused

and

in an effort not to exacerbate his already nervous state, I didn't push the issue.

My precious baby boy hasn't quite made it to six feet tall just yet.

He got one dose of flu mist, one blood draw, one camouflage band aide, but no stickers.

How anyone could have overlooked the sticker giving, I have not a clue.

I am so very thankful for the one on one time I get to spend with Julien, and I am so thankful for this beautiful afternoon of cherished memories.

Us

The day was so busy that I failed to get pictures with lots of people, including my brother.

Many of the pictures I did get were blurry photos taken by my outdated cell phone

and

of course, the selfies, because everybody else was super busy too.  

I seriously think this is the only photo I have of just Chris and me.

This photo I love because Julien was so happy and willing to smile for the camera.

My very favorite oldest brother.

The 800+ miles between us is brutal and we miss him on a daily basis!

I love Addie's sweet little face

and

that we were all looking at the same camera.

I don't ask for much.

Flower Girl 101

Not perfectly successful. 

The Little Monkey was very much overwhelmed by all of the unknown activity taking place.

She didn't understand why she got to see the cakes and then was ushered off to a noisy hallway full of girls, and she didn't understand when all the girls walked off and started "leaving us behind".

She certainly didn't have any idea why I insisted she hold a basket full of flowers and when it came time for her to sweetly put the flowers on the sand, she outright - refused.

In fact, a meltdown occurred.

I tried gently asking Addie to put the flowers on the sand, then I tried telling her to put the flowers on the sand, and then I finally resorted to bribery.

I told Addie, "if you want cake, you have to put the flowers on the sand for Ms. Detra",

and

that is when,

she reached into the basket,

grabbed a handful of rose petals 

and 

slammed them onto the sand.

She looked up at me in order to determine if that satisfied the requirements for cake

and 

honestly,

it did.

She followed the instructions I gave to her.

Although the moment was less than perfect, there were no outrageous expectations for Addie.

My brother and soon to be sister in law just wanted Addie to be a part of the wedding and a less than perfect performance was not going to ruin their day.

Once I managed to get Addie all the way down the aisle and to our places, she was so sweet.

She stood next to me and was very, very good for the rest of the ceremony.

By that time of day, Addie was hungry, tired and very overwhelmed, but she still managed to enjoy the party.

Her potential - once in a lifetime opportunity - was truly memorable - and to us, absolutely perfect. 

Conversations with My 14 Year Old Son - Part Four

While at my Mother's house tonight:

Me:  "Julien, why don't you tell GaGa what you want for your birthday and Christmas.  Now is the time to speak up if there is something special you would like."

Julien:  "A loving family."

He had his chance, so when he opens a bag full of coal from my Mother, he shouldn't be surprised
and
I wouldn't put it past her.

Spider Boy

Several superheroes had proper representation at the wedding...including Spider Boy Man.