Rockin' the Empty Nest

This week has been absolutely gorgeous. There's an actual hint of fall in the air, and it feels amazing! It's especially wonderful, considering how bad the weather was last weekend when Ike roared into town. He destroyed our pear tree, leaving a big old mess that we will have to clean up this weekend. Then he knocked down our huge Crepe Myrtle tree, that sits outside my kitchen window. I love that tree. It's a hiding place for hummingbirds in the summer, and a resting place for redbirds in the winter. John and our neighbor lifted, and propped it up and hopefully it will continue growing. I know I could re-plant another tree there, but it's just a lovely old tree and I want IT to grow.

Anyway, one night this week we decided to grill out, and light the chiminerea and enjoy the pleasant evening temperatures. We enjoyed grilled salmon, grilled veggies, rice and managed to knock out a bottle of Sokol Blosser. We stayed out until dark, eating, drinking, talking and talking, and throwing the ball about a billion times to Daisy. It ROCKED! I even created a digital layout to remember the night.

Happy Birthday Greg!!

So today is my baby boy's 21'st birthday. I can't believe it. How did 21 years go by so quickly?
I have these random memories of him as a boy:
Joyful and full of life, friendly and outgoing-yelling at any available kid on the playground,"hey buddy!! Wanna play with me?"
Wrapping every teacher he ever had completely and totally around his little finger. Charm oozing out of every pore of his little body, as he blinked those big blue eyes at them. They never stood a chance.
Playing every sport he ever tackled with more gusto than I could ever imagine. 3 concussions, multiple emergency room trips, broken bones and a mother's fearful heart. We managed, and when it wasn't terrifying, man it was fun watching him play!
Seeing him light up the stage in every production he's ever been in. Goodness.
There's nobody like him, and there never will be. He's truly one of a kind, created by God, and what a blessing he's been.
Happy birthday dear Greg. I love you more than you will ever know. (until you have a son of your own and you finally understand)
DOVE!