Teenagers

Nothing like attending a Christian High School graduation to take me back 15 years to my own high school graduation. A trip down memory lane and I was the one standing in my cap and gown instead of our friends' daughter. I assumed my graduation would feel like it was yesterday. It didn't. It felt like it was 15 years ago. By the way, did you know that I was valedictorian? Impressed? Don't be. There were 20 people in my class.

When I was in high school I was really worried that life would never get better than my life in high school. Really? Yes, in my teenage mind I figured high school would be the best years of my life. And although there were some really fun times in high school, thank God I was absolutely wrong.

Speaking of teenagers, I've been thinking about them alot lately. Partly probably because I just started seeing my first teenage client. I have to confess that I don't really "get" the teenage brain. Research actually proves that teenagers process very differently than adults and that their brains have more gray matter, much like toddlers. You should check out Inside the Teenage Brain on PBS. My mom always said that teenagers are just like toddlers and science can back her up!! But, seriously, I just don't know when I crossed the line of relating to teenagers over to relating more to their parents.

I know I am going to sound old, but teenagers these days have alot of different issues to deal with than I did. I got my first email address when I was a senior and my first cell phone when I was 29. Not these guys. They are always plugged in and connected. As parents, how and where do you draw the privacy line with technology? I am overwhelmed just thinking about it. And when I think about Montana becoming a teenager, all I can think is, "come quickly, Lord Jesus." Occasionally I get glimpses of what she may be like as a teenager when she pops an attitude or talks about make-up or is overly dramatic, and I brace myself. But for now, I will be grateful that she is an imaginative, playful 3 year old who constantly says, "you be the mama ____ (insert any creature here, such as dog or dragon) and I'll be the baby ____ (insert any creature here, such as dog or dragon)." Although it drives me positively crazy some days, at least she is not buried in her phone texting her friends.....yet. God help me.

Teenagers. They keep life interesting.

First Bite

First taste of bananas. He didn't seem too convinced.

More CO

Back from Colorado

We had a great trip to Colorado. We saw, we visited, we ate, we played, we attended, we enjoyed, we drove, we caught up, and we ate some more. Here are a few highlights (unfortunately not all of the highlights were captured by photo. I often forgot to pull the camera out...):

We visited where Aaron and I got married 11 years ago!
So fun to revisit our wedding day. And while we were there it snowed.
Gotta love Colorado weather!

Our dear friend Gregg was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest and
we got to be there to celebrate with him

Fantastic friends and fantastic food at our good ol' alma mater.

And the cousins! Montana LOVED playing with her cousins.

And these goofy kids belong to one of my bestest friends from college

While in Colorado we got to see my parents, my sister and her little family (including, Mumba, the dog with dementia), my Auntie Jill, my 3 college roommates/friends, Aaron's 2 college roommates (who are both Catholic priests), a handful of people from college and before, my oldest friend from childhood and her 2 sets of twins, more awesome college friends who we ate at ROMA with, my uncle, aunt, and cousins from SD, and of course Aaron's parents and sister and her husband and kiddos. Whew. Trying to make sure I didn't forget anyone. I'm exhausted just thinking about it, but feeling so blessed by such amazing people in our lives. There is never enough time with anyone and I always leave wanting more.

Rollin'

He's done it a couple of random times before, but we never caught it. Tonight, however, he gave us several chances to watch him and he did it about 4 times in a row. I think it's official...he can roll over!!

Tellin' it like it is

Today at the grocery store, Montana informed me that when she gets to be a grown-up, I will be old and she will take care of me. She said that she will put my jammies on, tuck me into bed and read me a Bible story. Later she was recapping this information for Aaron and added, you will eat cheerios and jello. Aaron and I looked at each other and laughed, and said she's probably right!

And now I am blogging about it, so that when I am indeed old and she is indeed a grown-up, there will be proof (if the internet still exists) that it was HER idea to take care of us and change our clothes and feed us jello.

Love these kids

Amos is 4 months! At his appointment this month he weighed in at 13 lbs 4 oz and is 25 inches long.
You know, when Montana was born I remember thinking that I would never feel so much love or experience that moment ever again. But then Amos was born and it was just as special as it was with Montana. I look at both of my kids and have complete love.
And I have to say, there is something about having a boy that is just great. He is so sweet and smiley and he looks at me so adoringly. Before I had Amos my friend jokingly said about her son that no woman could ever love him as much as she does...and now I get it, even though it was a joke!:)

Here's to my four month old...absolute love...





And here's to my daughter. Full of spunk and personality and 3 year old attitude. Love this girl...