He slumps into the car as I pick him up from school. I could tell he was not happy one bit. Middle brother was in the back talking up a storm so I could not interrupt and ask what was wrong. I hear chatter in the back on how “we” have an assignment of finding the best insulator for ice. Notice how all assignments are “we”, instead of “I”. (this picture is how I think of him) Anyways, we arrive home. And I get a chance to ask other brother what was wrong. He said shyly, “there is a girl in my class I like and she has another boyfriend.” My hand grip the steering wheel as my voice ever so sweetly says, “Oh do you know this boy, is he in your class?” “I don’t know his name, but I know who he is,” my son said. I gave him a big hug and told him I loved him, but also reminded him he is too young to have a girlfriend. For right now in your life, Mommy is your only gal. He smiled and gave me a big hug.

Now some of you might be thinking I am talking about my oldest (who is about to turn 13), which I could handle a little better. But NO I am talking about my 8 year old. My baby, my “he will never grow up” son, my “he will never leave his mother and will live near by me always son”.

Please plug your ears as I S. C. R. E. A. M !!!! (Sorry, I feel a little bit better) Ok I am having a hard enough time knowing my baby days are over. I know my 13 year old will seriously begin to really like girls, girls will be calling, and he will send me to the store to buy tons of deodorant. And I will be running back ground checks. But some how while I was not looking, it seemed to skip oldest son and went straight to my youngest. This just breaks my heart on so many levels. My youngest has always since day one wanted to be “the big boy”. He wanted to be like his big brothers, compete like his big brothers, etc.. And as far as sports go, he is my most competitive. He. Does. Not. Like. To. Lose.

But during his whole life I have tried to keep him my little boy. Does anyone else have this with their youngest? How come I am suddenly having this fear, the youngest will move out the day after high school graduation. I have this vision of me with my suitcase, yelling “wait you can’t move you are not old enough, I will come with you”. Ok I am kidding; I do look forward to more time with manly man.

But I want to keep my sons just the age they are right now. I am not dealing with teenage issues yet, they can feed themselves, they can go to the bathroom themselves. Yep, right now for each of them is the perfect age (12, 11, & 8). I think maybe I should declare no more birthday’s in this household. Do you think that would go over with the boys? Nah…me neither.

(This is reality)