I remember when...

(The last few weeks' activities have put me in a place of reminiscing.  With the wedding of my youngest son just a few short days away, I have been going through photo albums and boxes of stuff.  These are the things that have been going through my head as I process the transition of Riley's start of his new family)


I remember... the day you were born - the crazy ride to Red Deer in the ambulance - hearing the words "it's a boy"- the terror when you didn't cry right away - the silence of the nurses and doctors as they tried to get you to take your first breath  - the euphoric relief when you did - the way your big sister touched your fingers and kissed your forehead - the feeling that we were a complete family...

I remember... your amazing dimples - your dark brown eyes, always sparkling, like something amazing was going to happen - your bald head and cauliflower ears - your calm  and laid back attitude - being able to make you laugh so easily - your Grandma and Grandpa calling you Boustos - your love of "ronies" and "trees" with personality (Kraft Dinner and broccoli with Cheez Whiz) - reading Robert Munsch's "I'll Love you Forever" and singing that song to you over and over and over - your sweetness...

I remember...your love for the outdoors - your desire to do everything just like your Dad, hunting, fishing, hockey, shooting - your lack of fear of heights, loud noises, spiders, snakes, dead animals, live animals - the baby chicks, puppies, kittens, frogs, etc that you wanted to bring home - your love of animals and the gentle way that you treated all of God's creatures - your living every moment full throttle...

I remember...Elvis Presley and Austin Powers - your ability to make everyone laugh until they cried - your unabandoned freedom to be totally ridiculous - your willingness (well, sometimes it took a bribe) to perform in front of crowds of people to make them smile - your goofy goofy self - loving to dress up for dress up days, even when your friends were "too cool" to do it themselves - your sense of fun...

I remember... your love for people around you - the way that you treated your little cousins - how you played their games, even when you got too old for those games - how you genuinely love to spend time with them, valuing them no matter how old they or you were...the way you love your sister, protected her from those that tried to hurt her - how you two told each other your deepest secrets and knew that they were safe from exposure - the tight hugs and kisses freely given to your silly aunties that expected it every time you came in - your ability to say " I love you" without hearing someone else say it first - your sweet and tender heart.... 

I remember... when you first told me that you really really liked "this girl"  - the games nights at our house with your friends, including this special girl - seeing you get the courage to ask her to be your girlfriend and doing it in a creative way - watching you fall in love with her and being happy because I loved her too - growing up to be a man, a husband, and hopefully one day a Dad - one that I am so very very proud of... 






and now, just a few hours away from your wedding day I can't help but think of those very familiar words...

"I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always, 

As long as you're living

My baby you'll be"  

Forever and always, my Ri-Guy...

Love Mommy
xo

its quiet...too quiet

It's funny how so often in my life I would ask my kids for just a little peace and quiet.  "Can you please turn that music down?"  "Do you really have to play hockey in the house?"  "Stop fighting!"    I longed for the days that I could hear myself think.  I have those days now.  As I sit here the only sound is the clicking of my keyboard and a hollow tick-tock of the clock on the wall.  It has been a year now with just the two of us.  There are things that I really really like...no, not being able to walk naked around the house - although that is most likely one of Dan's perks.  It is nice having drama free conversations on a regular basis.  I like eating cereal for supper sometimes ... just because we can.  I like being two.    The things I don't like is the missing laughter or jokes.  I miss playing games and movie nights - especially the chick flick marathons.  And I kind of miss the sound of distant gun fire and explosions bleeding through the walls from some ridiculously violent xbox game.

We spend so much time, energy and cash on these little critters and just when you get to the point that you really really like them - they leave.  Doesn't seem quite right - but then again it does.  Its an investment that if tended carefully, yields greatly.  Sure they are gone and on their own - starting their own little nests, but being able to see them succeed - and even sometimes fail, but get back up - is such an amazing thing to watch.  I made a million and two mistakes as a mom but somehow it seemed to work out okay.  They are terrific human beings, making an impact in a world that has chosen them. 

So many of my friends are in those crazy noisy years.  I love to follow their journeys through Facebook statuses, pictures and blogs.  It makes me nostalgic and sad and happy all at the same time.  It got quiet too fast...but there is always GRANDKIDS!!!  Bring it on!