Jacob came into this world with eyes wide open ready to take on anything. He had a sense of humor and a prankster attitude from the time he could walk and we embraced it, even if it drove us crazy at times.
I never wanted to miss a moment with him. Most parents will tell you, "enjoy every moment, it goes by so fast." You never had to tell me that, time was going fast and every milestone I am still hanging on to with dear life.
In Kindergarten, I took the morning off and Rob and I walked our little guy in his maroon polo and tan shorts to the classroom. We walked around the room, found his desk, met the teacher and some kids, and then were shooed out for the day. I held back tears until I got in the car and cried all the way to work that morning. Some of you were there and remember it well. Even though I knew the day was coming, I had no idea how hard it would be.
As junior high approached, I dreaded the first day as if it were the last. Shortly, after the year started, I realized "this is fun" and wanted Jacob to stay in junior high forever. I know what you are thinking-"Junior high was the worst." But it wasn't! With Rob working at night, Jacob and I ate dinner out, shopped, and visited Disneyland often.
In February, Jacob turned 16 and again, I have been hanging on to every moment and every memory. It has been tough as mom to watch him drive a way in his car on a Saturday afternoon. So many of my friends have said, "it must be nice to not have to drive him around any more" but I have had some of the hardest days in the last month since the day he was born. Not because I worry about a car accident, as most probably do, but because my baby wants to be with his friends, explore his independence and simply, not hang out with mom.Being a parent is challenging on so many levels but we have had fun, we have laughed and we have enjoyed time together. We never sacrificed our time together throughout the years and I don't regret one decision we ever made to be the parents we are today. I have been called a "helicopter mom" and been told to "cut the cord'" on more than one occasion. I broke all the rules of parenting, and didn't follow a plan or any book's suggestions, but I loved him and guided him in every way I could.
Now that he is gaining independence more and more each day, I am proud of the young man he is becoming. Loving him is easy and I look forward to all that life has to bring us as a family. God has given us such a gift in Jacob and has made life more exciting every day. Jacob has taught us so much through the years and we are thankful God has brought him into our lives 17 years ago.
For now and forever, I will enjoy and appreciate holding on to every moment we have together. As parents, we have to trust that our love and guidance is enough . It is time for Jacob to make some decisions on his own and he may make a few wrong ones, but he will also make many right ones. Either way, it is important as parents we are there to encourage our kids when they are successful, and pick them up when things didn't go as they expected.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
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