We'll Never Know

How long he was here by himself...

How he managed to pour cereal & milk into a bowl without spilling...

How he felt sitting in his gator eating his Lucky Charms waiting for someone to come home...

How he ended up being home alone...

I feel as if I've just experienced my own version of "HOME ALONE." Seriously... 30 minutes later and my heart is still pounding.

Mason left with Ian early this morning to bale hay.
Becky, Mack and I spent the morning chatting, looking at magazines, and eating breakfast.
Becky left to meet Francie and Kelly for lunch.
I tried to call Ian {3} times to see if I need to come "rescue" son #1.
He didn't answer, so I left a message.
I decided that I would go grocery shopping with one child instead of two.
I drove to town, stopped by the fair office for their exhibitors info. catalog, took a disk of pictures to Neely, and headed toward the grocery store.
I tried to call Ian one more time.
He answered.
I asked if I need to come get Mason.

And this is where the whole thing starts to get interesting.

He says ... "Mason's at home.... Doug brought him home."

Silence.

He asks ... "Where are you?"

Silence.

He asks again ... "Where are you?"

I try to answer as calmly as possible ... "I'm in town."

Silence.

I ask ... "Where is Doug?"

He answers ... "He went home for lunch."

"So no one is there with Mason? He's alone?"

Silence.

I hang up.


Never in my life has any drive seemed so long. I kept picturing my son driving toward me in his Buck or Gator, down the busy highway, waving and smiling at every farmer he met. I turned onto our road, hoping to see someones vehicle parked near the shop. It didn't matter who's it was, I just wanted someone to be with him. No vehicles. No people. Nothing.

I pull in the driveway & there sits Mason - in his new Gator, eating a HUGE bowl of Lucky Charms, smiling & asking me "Where did you go Mom?" His personal experience of being "Home Alone" didn't phase him a bit.

I don't think I'll be going anywhere anytime soon... and if I do go somewhere, I'm praying it's not to jail.

Independence

and I'm not talking about the 4th of July ... but oh how I wish I was.

I'm exhausted. Mason's exhausted.

My strong willed, bright, loving, hard-headed son is testing me, out-thinking me, challenging me, and breaking me.

I'm seeing so many things about myself as I do my very best to parent him. I like control. I like to be the boss. I like to get my way. I go and go and go & truly dislike being told no. I don't function well with little sleep.

Why do I expect any less from my own flesh and blood?

The past two weeks have been absolutely exhausting - mentally & physically. There hasn't been a schedule. Dinner time has been late ... and I mean LATE.... which means bed time is even LATER. I've been busy... really, really busy. There has been no rhyme or reason to our daily activities. We're simply surviving.

I'm praying for patience. I'm continuing to stick with what I say & let him know I absolutely mean what I say. I'm repeating myself over and over and over. I'm wanting the very best for him.

I know that I need to keep my ground. I know that boundaries are good. I know that the hard work now will pay off later. I know that it's not easy. I know that I was made to be his mother. I know, I know, I know.


... but why, oh why does it have to be so stinkin' hard?

drivin'

Some Highlights {without words}

All Tuckered Out.

We just had one of the best weeks of the summer.

We camped, we played, we ate, we boated, we caught candy, we made ice cream sundaes, we oohed and aahed over fireworks, we cooked, we laughed until it hurt, we swam, we celebrated, we cried, we lived!

... and tonight, as I fold another load of laundry and sort through the piles of mail & newspapers from the past several days, I'm smiling and thanking God for yet another great family reunion ... and for my nice, comfy bed!

Back Yard Beauty

Fresh Cherries.

Fragrant Lavender.

... and even though this isn't my back yard, but the yard of Doug & Patty

... it still has me wondering

Does life get much prettier than this?

2nd Shooter

I had an opportunity to take wedding pictures last Saturday with my friend Shannon.

It was HOT.

We wore all black.

It was a beautiful day.

It was HOT.

The wedding party was great!

All in all, it was a wonderful {HOT} day & my job of being the "2nd shooter" was an absolute HOOT.

My skills as a photo taking, freckled faced, blessed girl are improving.


God continues to show me amazing things about myself as I continue to live my life to the fullest and use the talents He's given me at different levels.

Thanks for letting me tag along Shannon!