Time marches on

So I visited an old friend yesterday. I have seen her more this year than in years past. She is the kind of friend that you can pick up and call or go visit and it feels like no time has passed. She is steady as the sun and amazingly strong. She helps me calm down when I am stressed and she makes me laugh when I am sad or scared. She is a rock.

The kids and I loaded up the car and traveled almost 2 hours to her house. She came out to the car to welcome the kids and my kids thought they had arrived at a toy store... Her little boy is very lucky to have so many toys to play with! My kids would have moved in had I let them, but they were content to play and ignore the old ladies chatting in the living room.

We sat and talked and laughed and enjoyed some great news. We shared stories and memories. When we met (about 18 years ago), we were different people. We were young girls who knew little fear and laughed often. We still laugh ALOT, but the fear has crept in. I love remembering with her and giggling at the silly things we used to do, but I also love the women that we have become and the strength we now know from that fear.

I am blessed to have her to call my friend and to share many great memories with her! I am looking forward to seeing her soon and making more memories. I hope everyone has a friend who is an anchor and gives them strength like she gives me. Do you have a friend like this you wouldn't trade for anything in the world?

Look, Ma- no training wheels!

Well, as if I needed yet another reminder that my son is growing up quickly, he decided yesterday that he no longer needs training wheels.

I was minding my own business in the kitchen making dinner (BLTs- yum!) when I hear my husband (who was outside with both kids) yell in the open window that I needed to take a look at something. I peeked out the window and saw my son riding his bike in the grass. I thought, "Cool- he's been doing this during the day when Phil is at work and he finally showed Daddy!" Well, Phil pointed down to where Bubba's training wheels USED TO BE. I squealed!

There was my 4 year old son, riding in the grass, doing laps in the yard- upright- on a bike with NO TRAINING WHEELS. What?!?!?!?! I was so proud, but I also had such mixed emotions. I was almost (wait for it....) speechless. Hard to believe, huh? I ran out to the yard (after grabbing the video camera) and watched in amazement as my little man went from riding just a few feet before losing his balance to riding laps around the house. I couldn't believe it! Phil had the brilliant idea to have him try in the grass to start (he could explain the reason... I just know it worked!) and Bubba took over from there. He didn't want to get off his bike to eat dinner, even!

By the end of the night (after another venture outside to try riding after dinner), Bubba was riding up and down the sidewalk in front of our house and the neighbor's house and starting from a dead stop. He was using the brakes more comfortably and turning. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!! The learning curve seems amazing to me because I remember boxes of band-aids and lots of Bactine and Mercurochrome. I remember tears and my dad having to hold on the seat for trips in front of the house about a gazillion times...

I am not sure when it happened or how, but my little man is growing up right before my eyes. Bittersweet only because I love him small and cuddly and I am afraid he will outgrow that part- but proud of the adventurous little man he is.  I love him and can't wait to see what new thing he does next!  **contented sigh**