The Freshman

River started 9th grade today.

I woke him at 6:15 to get the day started.

My little love looked at me with fear and nervousness for what the hours ahead would bring.

He had many thoughts running through his head all night and couldn't sleep.

[He claims that he didn't get not even ONE wink of snooze the entire night.  

But I know different. 

 Randy and I both checked on him at wee hours and he was sawing logs!]

As he came from the basement smelling clean and looking all shiny sparkly, I could see he was low on motivation and high on anxiety.

"Mom!!!  This year, everything counts!!!  

My grades, my attendance, my EVERYTHING counts!!!  

I am feeling soooooo much pressure!!!!"

I talked him through his concerns, acknowledged his truths, and praised him for being such a good boy.

I dropped him off at the front doors of his school and let him take a piece of my heart with him.

At the end of his day, I was parked in the scheduled line up of parents waiting to hear how their children's first day of school went.

"It went good mom. 

 It's just an adjustment I'm going to have to get used to.  

But I know one thing!!! 

I CAN'T TAKE THIS HAIR ANYMORE!!!!!"

A speedy trip to the local chop shop...

and wahhhhhlahhhh!!!

A new kid!

In looks anyway.......

Because to me, no matter the clothes, the height, the age, or the hair.....

he will always be my baby

and the firsts of everything he goes through will always take a toll on both of us.