CHRISTMAS BREAK

Life with a teenager is full of surprises, and full of the ridiculous! If you are serious during this time, you will miss it all. Teens need assurance through words and actions off your everlasting love, and although they might behave with indifference, it is still important to express affection.

When Anthony was small, I remember hearing 2 things about the upcoming teen years. A.) That if you thought childbirth was painful...It's a piece of cake compared to living with a teen. Which reminds me that even now I have to use my childbirth skills of deep breathing in order to relax and get my bearings. The breathing helps me to avoid that frenzied feeling; and when I am relaxed, I am better able to focus on the joys of Anthony growing up. When you are at ease, you are able to see how well you have done, and the fine person that you are raising. Sometimes I am so rushed, that I forget to take the time to unwind and enjoy him. The second thing I learned is this B.) The "terrible-two's" is training for the teen years. Sometimes you have this perfectly rational, clear thinking child, then sometimes you have a 2 year old throwing a tantrum. Unfortunately, you never know which one you are going to get at an given situation!

I took Anthony and his friends to the beach yesterday, the weather and water were both cooler than we all had hoped, but everyone had fun anyway. Anthony's friend Sam brought a blow up raft that they all took turns floating away down the beach on. It's funny how boys make friends by doing something together, which is why team sports and group activities always attract their interests. I sat in my chair watching all of them and thinking about how blessed I am with the choices of friends Anthony has made. Here were 3 of his closest friends one Jewish, one sharing stories of his own families journey from Cuba (And no they didn't come on a raft...But the strong current sparked the conversation of how the people there are daily under scrutiny by the government and desperate to get out.) And the other child who just spent a year in Italy coming back to the US with completely different views of the world around us. They all appreciate eachother. I enjoy these children, and I love all of them like they are my own. They are all very witty and have parents who share like values and morals of our own house. I have learned recently that this is a time for me to just listen. I am no longer a parent, but a manager overseeing what decisions Anthony makes. It's important fo me to hear what he is saying and to guide him quietly.

Here is Ryan, Anthony, Sam and Jason

And what would a day be without skateboarding?