a little more today

lately, i have been in awe at watching my boys grow up and feeling just a little of the ache of letting them go just a little more each day.  it is good that they are growing up and stretching their wings, preparing for the flight that will inevitably come...  as a mom, i am learning how to hold them a little looser and entrusting them to the One that so lovingly has let me care for them here.

today, carter officially begins his basketball season.  his team has had a few practices and it is time to put what they have been working on into practice.  we approach the season with a little concern--two years ago, they were the 'undefeated losers.' we can laugh now at this. :) last year, some things started to come together--in the last half of the season.  for this year, i think we are just hoping that there are enough victories to help build some confidence, yet enough losses for them to realize the need to continue learning, practicing, and focusing on the concept of working together as a team.  i am in awe of the life lessons that can be taught through a recreational activity.  i hope today is a good day for carter--not necessarily winning a game, but in learning valuable lessons.

for colin, everything is about the word 'no' right now.  he hates it, despises it, throws a temper tantrum when the word is uttered to him.  he really perplexes me as he struggles through this.  his brother has been a 'parent pleaser', understanding the directive 'listen and obey.'  the whole concept of obeying when you disagree with the direction and having to go along with something different than you would like is just foreign to him.  colin loves doing things his way--even if it is harder or not always in his best interest.  he keeps me on my knees talking to God...yet i see an incredible vivaciousness in him that is just contagious.  i think he will be a very effective, strong man someday if he learns that 'no' is not always a bad thing...

i will watch them grow a little each day, praying that they become the incredible, strong, gifted, effective men of God that He created them to be...that they will be blessed far beyond anything i could ever hope for them.

so i let go just a little more today.