Summertime in Season

The summertime season is officially in full swing.

This past weekend we had alot of fun with the family down in Oklahoma. Sunday evening we weren't even halfway home and my son was busy on his phone, texting his friends to see who wanted to come and hang out overnight. Ben was the luck of the draw.

So Monday afternoon Ben's brother, Will, comes over to pick him up and they decide to have another sleepover. I'm still not sure if it is supposed to be my son, Will AND Ben or just my son and Will. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

This evening my son invited his long-time buddy, Andrew, to come over. Suffice it to say, he's going to be sleeping over tonight too.

Though not to be outdone, Marcus showed up a bit ago and the three of them are in the family room tearing through some video game with "The Prestige" to watch later.

I went for a walk.

There's something absolutely wonderful about a late night walk in the summer, with the stars twinkling in the blackened sky, the wind whispering in the trees like the secrets of a best friend, and the hush after a busy day. I feel closer to God in those moments.

But then I get back home to the chaos of three teenaged guys playing shoot 'em-up on the Wii.

Yes, summertime has begun.

Winding Down The Summer

It's hard to believe my son starts back to school in two weeks. Where has the summer gone?

He's been off traveling most of Texas. Last July we attended my cousin's wedding in Houston. In April he was off to Dallas for the choir trip. June he went back to Dallas with his dad for vacation. Then July he was off to San Antonio for IYC.

I'm so glad he's had these opportunities to travel...even if they've all been to one state in the Union.

Next summer he's off to Europe for sixteen days. That's a long time to be gone. These trips have been good to help prepare him for that journey.

For now, sophomore year awaits. He's got the clothes. Today we got some supplies and a backpack. For once, I think he's actually looking forward to the start of school. This could be an incredible year for him. It seems for so long he's been swimming upstream, crashing against the currents of life. My hope is that this year will be a major turning point for him.

He's got his license. He's got the car. Now all he wants is the girl.

I think I can wait awhile for that. Maybe after next summer? Or maybe the summer after that.

Oh Faithful Readers

I'm going to be out of commission for the next week, so my dear, faithful readers I certainly hope you'll come back to read my rants, raves, and gushing over my son and kitties.

Speaking of my son, I just love summertime when he sleeps 'til noon. I remember doing the same thing when I was his age. Some parents don't like their children to sleep in during the summer because then they get off of their "schedule". They're teenagers, for crying out loud! For a brief period of their lives let them stop and just relax. They've been to school, daycare when they were little, they'll have jobs in another year - for now just let them be and enjoy living for once. A few of we adults could benefit too from a few extra zzzz's or just plain relaxing for a spell. You now have my permission to take a load off. :-)

Never fear - I will return!

Wait a minute. Is that a good thing?