Since building our small deck last summer we finally have a full summer to enjoy it. This year has been less than typical, more rainy than hot and cooler at times than rainy or hot. But whenever it's nice enough we spend as much time outside as we can, enjoying dinner or the stars or just watching the kids play.
I find that right around seven or eight in the evening is when it's the best to be here. The sun's last beams of light and heat are filtering through the stand of evergreens next to our property and the grass takes on a more beautiful shade of green.
The crickets come out in droves and the other bugs mostly go to bed. It's dam near perfect.
After what feels like a very frustrating day of doing non-work administrative stuff, it's nice to come out here, sit and listen to the night come alive and the day drift off to sleep. It makes all the late nights, the constant sweating, the busted fingers and headaches all worth it.
Monday, August 8, 2016
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Wanting Life to Mean Something
How do you know if your life really means anything? Or you're really
making an impact on the ones you love and the people around you?
I feel like I do. But how do you know? Is it by how people return the gestures and favors you've done over the years? Is it how well behaved your kids are or how your relationship is with said kids.
I sit behind a desk every day between 9 - 5 with an ungrateful and very annoying coworker. I'm not out hitting the trails with my family or alone, I'm not paddling some serene lake or photographing the wonders of nature. But I sit, work and wait. Yes, I hate it. Who doesn't? You cannot love going to work every day and muddling through until you get home to do more work, dishes, scoop the puppy poop or laundry.
Yes, my life means something, my kids and wife make it that way. But that's in general, it's not something down to earth meaningful as in I'm not out fulfilling my life's desires.
Ironically, when I was a young adult, my dreams were to have a family and kids so I guess in a sense I am adding meaning to my life. But then as I became more of an adult and more stuck in the rut of life, YouTube doesn't help, I am now set on a new desire, a new added meaning to life. To get out there and explore, see the world starting with whats around me and what's in our country. I could go to a national park every year and probably never get to see them all in my life. And I've been to three or four already. It's a dam shame. The only thing to do is plan and do.
How do you keep meaning in your life? Or does it change from one year to the next?
I feel like I do. But how do you know? Is it by how people return the gestures and favors you've done over the years? Is it how well behaved your kids are or how your relationship is with said kids.
I sit behind a desk every day between 9 - 5 with an ungrateful and very annoying coworker. I'm not out hitting the trails with my family or alone, I'm not paddling some serene lake or photographing the wonders of nature. But I sit, work and wait. Yes, I hate it. Who doesn't? You cannot love going to work every day and muddling through until you get home to do more work, dishes, scoop the puppy poop or laundry.
Yes, my life means something, my kids and wife make it that way. But that's in general, it's not something down to earth meaningful as in I'm not out fulfilling my life's desires.
Ironically, when I was a young adult, my dreams were to have a family and kids so I guess in a sense I am adding meaning to my life. But then as I became more of an adult and more stuck in the rut of life, YouTube doesn't help, I am now set on a new desire, a new added meaning to life. To get out there and explore, see the world starting with whats around me and what's in our country. I could go to a national park every year and probably never get to see them all in my life. And I've been to three or four already. It's a dam shame. The only thing to do is plan and do.
How do you keep meaning in your life? Or does it change from one year to the next?
Thursday, May 19, 2016
What's really needed in life to be happy...
I guess it's a question that has a different answer for every person on this wonderful earth. I can only truly speak for myself and guess about others thoughts on what makes them happy.
For me, being able to do anything I want is what really makes me happy. If I want to get up and drive four hours to some remote neck of the wonderful Pennsylvania Wilds, I can do it. If I want to hike 15 miles over the weekend with a backpack full of supplies, I can do it. If I want to rush down the shore on a warm Friday even to enjoy the sights and smells of the Jersey shore I can. Being outside is what means everything to me, most of the time, and spending time outdoors with the ones I love only adds to the enjoyment.
I love my Jeep, especially when the weather is perfect and there's not a cloud in sight for days. I can take the top off and soak in the sun and wind with every mile driven. At night, the stars come out and when you stop at a traffic light you can really appreciate them, much more so then you would ever done when driving a normal car. Getting the Jeep dirty on some forest road adds to the excitement and joy of life to me. It feels vigorous and adventurous. Just seeing the thing in the driveway reminds me that there's an adventure waiting for me just on the horizon. Whether I'd be strapping on the kayaks, mountain bikes, filling the back with backpacks or just the family and our dogs for an evening at the lake, it really makes me happy to get in and drive it.
Another thing that makes me have a happy life is outfitting my Jeep. Putting on lights, a lift and bigger tires are all part of the fun and adventure that goes with owning a Jeep. You see people driving down the road and you think to yourself, they're either coming or going to an adventure when they're driving a Jeep. Especially the ones with the accessories on them, those people really have too much money or time, cause they're always prepared for adventure!
Watching my family bond over a campfire is one of the things that I need in life to make me happy. Some amazing times are told around the primitive entertainment of the fire ring. My daughter or son sitting in my lap or cuddling with me under a blanket and one of them mentions seeing the man on the moon or telling me to watch the stars with them, is truly something that makes my life happy and I need.
Friend are truly something that people need to make your life happy. Sure there's people living in the wilderness with not a soul around and are happy as a clam in sand, but I bet most of them would jump for joy at the chance encounter of a welcomed visitor or family member paying them a visit. It's always nice to have our friend's, new and old, come by and enjoy libations and good conversation. The laughter echoing through our house makes all the preparation and cleaning all worth it. The sound of our children all playing together and laughing, possibly making lifelong bonds that cannot be broken is one of the sweetest sounds you'll ever hear.
The crashing sounds of the ocean at night, when the wind is just right and the stars are really popping... that is really needed in my life. Holding the hand of a loved one while standing on the edge of a continent, while mother nature quietly and effortlessly plays you a song that makes your soul dance.
I guess there's no real answer, or definitely not a short answer. There's lots of things the I need in my life to make me truly happy, not just get by, but be truly happy. At the bare bones, my children, wife, puppies and nature are what I need... material things aren't always necessary but they sure help making the memories even more sweet.
For me, being able to do anything I want is what really makes me happy. If I want to get up and drive four hours to some remote neck of the wonderful Pennsylvania Wilds, I can do it. If I want to hike 15 miles over the weekend with a backpack full of supplies, I can do it. If I want to rush down the shore on a warm Friday even to enjoy the sights and smells of the Jersey shore I can. Being outside is what means everything to me, most of the time, and spending time outdoors with the ones I love only adds to the enjoyment.
I love my Jeep, especially when the weather is perfect and there's not a cloud in sight for days. I can take the top off and soak in the sun and wind with every mile driven. At night, the stars come out and when you stop at a traffic light you can really appreciate them, much more so then you would ever done when driving a normal car. Getting the Jeep dirty on some forest road adds to the excitement and joy of life to me. It feels vigorous and adventurous. Just seeing the thing in the driveway reminds me that there's an adventure waiting for me just on the horizon. Whether I'd be strapping on the kayaks, mountain bikes, filling the back with backpacks or just the family and our dogs for an evening at the lake, it really makes me happy to get in and drive it.
Another thing that makes me have a happy life is outfitting my Jeep. Putting on lights, a lift and bigger tires are all part of the fun and adventure that goes with owning a Jeep. You see people driving down the road and you think to yourself, they're either coming or going to an adventure when they're driving a Jeep. Especially the ones with the accessories on them, those people really have too much money or time, cause they're always prepared for adventure!
Watching my family bond over a campfire is one of the things that I need in life to make me happy. Some amazing times are told around the primitive entertainment of the fire ring. My daughter or son sitting in my lap or cuddling with me under a blanket and one of them mentions seeing the man on the moon or telling me to watch the stars with them, is truly something that makes my life happy and I need.
Friend are truly something that people need to make your life happy. Sure there's people living in the wilderness with not a soul around and are happy as a clam in sand, but I bet most of them would jump for joy at the chance encounter of a welcomed visitor or family member paying them a visit. It's always nice to have our friend's, new and old, come by and enjoy libations and good conversation. The laughter echoing through our house makes all the preparation and cleaning all worth it. The sound of our children all playing together and laughing, possibly making lifelong bonds that cannot be broken is one of the sweetest sounds you'll ever hear.
The crashing sounds of the ocean at night, when the wind is just right and the stars are really popping... that is really needed in my life. Holding the hand of a loved one while standing on the edge of a continent, while mother nature quietly and effortlessly plays you a song that makes your soul dance.
I guess there's no real answer, or definitely not a short answer. There's lots of things the I need in my life to make me truly happy, not just get by, but be truly happy. At the bare bones, my children, wife, puppies and nature are what I need... material things aren't always necessary but they sure help making the memories even more sweet.
Monday, April 11, 2016
What is it about the sea?
I've spent a lot of time down the shore in my life. I've been going to the New Jersey shore since the day I was born, I think literally. I've been very lucky to have parents who enjoyed the shore and passed that love onto me.
I spent most of my life being driven to the shore, riding in the back of a station wagon, shoehorned in between luggage and food. Watching the world go by at a different point of view than the other people in the car. Once at the shore, I spent most of my time on the beach, playing at the nearby park, fishing with my dad, brother and uncles, riding my bike or spending time on the boardwalk with friend's. It was the best. I remember those times as if they were yesterday. The smells of the boardwalk and the ocean, the sounds of the birds and the waves crashing and the thrill of riding a big wave in on a boogie board. I brought a few friend's to the shore and they have all grown to fall in love with the shore as well.
When I was old enough to drive myself, I spent late nights there and early mornings coming home to get to work on time. Sometimes I'd go to and from the shore more than once a day for whatever reason. I tried to get there every weekend I could. I even tried living there during the summer, but although the idea was great, the follow through was terrible. Too much drinking, too little responsibility and not enough of the kind of fun I longed for.
Ever since I was young I wanted to live at the shore, I thought that it'd be just as it was all those times I went to the shore with my family and experience all the memories I did in my youth. So I tried instead of just for the summer, I'd live there all year round. When I was in my twenties I had the opportunity to move in with my older brother and live at the shore for three years. It was an experience to say the least. First living with my brother was interesting, we had not lived together for many years since he was in college and then moved to the shore right after. It was much different than I expected. The shore still had all the charm that it did as a child but the adult part of me missed out on the friendships I had at home and the firehouse I had dedicated so much of my life to. I tried to fit in, I joined the local fire company, tried to meet people through my work connections and my brother's connections but it was different for me, very hard. I will always find this very interesting because I've always been a very social person and easily made friends. After a snafu with the vehicle insurance, I had no choice but to move home and forgo living at the shore. It was a hard decision, I loved it dearly there and miss it often, if things were just a little different I think it'd have worked out better.
Now that I'm older, my parents sold our original shore house and bought a newer, bigger and better home. I now take my family down, my kids love it with the same passion that I always did. They ride their bikes around the block, play at the beach until the sun goes down, make friend's at the playground and spend nanny and pops money on the boardwalk. It's a different kind of great feeling and memory. I hope to keep the tradition alive as long as I can.
I spent most of my life being driven to the shore, riding in the back of a station wagon, shoehorned in between luggage and food. Watching the world go by at a different point of view than the other people in the car. Once at the shore, I spent most of my time on the beach, playing at the nearby park, fishing with my dad, brother and uncles, riding my bike or spending time on the boardwalk with friend's. It was the best. I remember those times as if they were yesterday. The smells of the boardwalk and the ocean, the sounds of the birds and the waves crashing and the thrill of riding a big wave in on a boogie board. I brought a few friend's to the shore and they have all grown to fall in love with the shore as well.
When I was old enough to drive myself, I spent late nights there and early mornings coming home to get to work on time. Sometimes I'd go to and from the shore more than once a day for whatever reason. I tried to get there every weekend I could. I even tried living there during the summer, but although the idea was great, the follow through was terrible. Too much drinking, too little responsibility and not enough of the kind of fun I longed for.
Ever since I was young I wanted to live at the shore, I thought that it'd be just as it was all those times I went to the shore with my family and experience all the memories I did in my youth. So I tried instead of just for the summer, I'd live there all year round. When I was in my twenties I had the opportunity to move in with my older brother and live at the shore for three years. It was an experience to say the least. First living with my brother was interesting, we had not lived together for many years since he was in college and then moved to the shore right after. It was much different than I expected. The shore still had all the charm that it did as a child but the adult part of me missed out on the friendships I had at home and the firehouse I had dedicated so much of my life to. I tried to fit in, I joined the local fire company, tried to meet people through my work connections and my brother's connections but it was different for me, very hard. I will always find this very interesting because I've always been a very social person and easily made friends. After a snafu with the vehicle insurance, I had no choice but to move home and forgo living at the shore. It was a hard decision, I loved it dearly there and miss it often, if things were just a little different I think it'd have worked out better.
Now that I'm older, my parents sold our original shore house and bought a newer, bigger and better home. I now take my family down, my kids love it with the same passion that I always did. They ride their bikes around the block, play at the beach until the sun goes down, make friend's at the playground and spend nanny and pops money on the boardwalk. It's a different kind of great feeling and memory. I hope to keep the tradition alive as long as I can.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Thankful for what I have.....
My wife recently has told me more than once that she doesn't think I'm thankful for the things I have and that I desire too many things, especially materialistic things.
There's some truth to it, I do desire a lot of materialistic things, but they're aren't your average everyday things like fast cars, boats, riches or huge houses. Sure there are things I long for, a shore house that my parents don't have to struggle to afford and one I can go to any time I want and watch my kids love every minute of the world of seashells, sea birds, crashing waves and sand. I want all the right camping equipment and clothes for my kids to be able to use on our adventures in the woods, I'm almost there with that one... I long for the perfect accessories for my Jeep, this one is a little selfish but not entirely. I want the Jeep things so that I can get out into the woods and share my love for Jeep life with my kids and be able to handle any terrain I'd likely come across. I want to build the perfect road trip vehicle, one that has the room for my kids to enjoy the drive, plenty of room for our stuff and our dogs, and one that can safely get us from point A to B, rain, sleet, snow or shine.
Yes it's greedy. But I think it's justified.
I want one thing more than anything else, freedom. The freedom from work and the confines of an office which keep me away from exploring the world that surrounds us with my kids and my family.
Money helps, really it's a must.
Well until I either win the lottery or figure out how to accomplish those goals without excessive money, I'm guess I'm good with the things I have. And that's fine. I do truly appreciate everything I own and enjoy every minute of using those things.
There's some truth to it, I do desire a lot of materialistic things, but they're aren't your average everyday things like fast cars, boats, riches or huge houses. Sure there are things I long for, a shore house that my parents don't have to struggle to afford and one I can go to any time I want and watch my kids love every minute of the world of seashells, sea birds, crashing waves and sand. I want all the right camping equipment and clothes for my kids to be able to use on our adventures in the woods, I'm almost there with that one... I long for the perfect accessories for my Jeep, this one is a little selfish but not entirely. I want the Jeep things so that I can get out into the woods and share my love for Jeep life with my kids and be able to handle any terrain I'd likely come across. I want to build the perfect road trip vehicle, one that has the room for my kids to enjoy the drive, plenty of room for our stuff and our dogs, and one that can safely get us from point A to B, rain, sleet, snow or shine.
Yes it's greedy. But I think it's justified.
I want one thing more than anything else, freedom. The freedom from work and the confines of an office which keep me away from exploring the world that surrounds us with my kids and my family.
Money helps, really it's a must.
Well until I either win the lottery or figure out how to accomplish those goals without excessive money, I'm guess I'm good with the things I have. And that's fine. I do truly appreciate everything I own and enjoy every minute of using those things.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Weekend Away Sans Kids
Although I never thought I'd get my wife out in the woods during the winter, the warmer than normal temps and the treat of having my parents watch the kids for the weekend was enough of a spark to light her fire and get her out in the great wilds of PA for a few day hikes.
o
We headed out to a place I've been many times in my life, Pine Creek Gorge and the surrounding areas.
Friday we took the day off, dropped the kids at my parents and bolted. We made a beeline for Slate Run, PA and checked in to our room at the Hotel Manor. Which is a very nice place located right on the creek, with stunning views and that real locals feel that you don't get at every other hotel you stay at.
This was a trip of both pampering, relaxing and hiking for us. The winter grinds to a halt the normal fun things we like to do and easy get-aways we normally try to do in the summer because of work and the kids being in school. The first thing we did was visit the first place we ever went camping together. Which was probably not exactly where we were supposed to camp, but it was pouring at the time and we had no idea where we were and no one was around to say anything to the contrary. With a quick ride down the road from the hotel, shifting the Jeep into four wheel drive for a little ice and snow that was on the road we made it. I got out to take some pictures of the scene of the crime so many years ago and was alerted by the local Bald Eagle letting me know that this was his/her area and he was there first...
Back to the hotel to check in. We got our room, which was a very nice cozy room with a view of the creek and a huge bathroom. Since it's winter, we were the only people in the place other than two locals, the owner and a bartender. Strapped on our hiking boots, zipped up our coats and headed out up another snow covered road to the Black Forest Trail. We slipped down the initial hill and walked along the tall pines of the area. Beautiful trees and a beautiful trail. Down to the creek we went, where we were greeted with crystal clear waters that weren't completely frozen yet and plenty of icicles on the rock walls. The babbling creek and wind in the pines was enough to lull you asleep, the brisk cold was enough to keep us moving!
We stayed and took lots of photos before heading to the our hotel parking lot and the other side of the creek to walk down the trail and see the creek from a different angle. Which was equally nice, and surprisingly different.
Back at our hotel for a dinner in the dining room, alone, 'cept the bartender and two locals. We enjoyed our dinner and some nice conversation without disruption. Around these parts there's very to little cell phone reception, which is great for what we were looking for, not so great if you were ever to be in trouble and needed help.
Day two included a nice hike on the West Rim Trail which is just a little ways up the road. Mostly snow covered and very cold, but it was a great way to get the heart pumping for the morning. We were the only people on the trail, and on the road for the most part... maybe even in the entire area. Just how I like it. We hoped to reach the lookout but after going up and up and up without having snacks or water, we let the cold win and we retreated to the Jeep and headed on our way to the town of Wellsboro.
Wellsboro is a very nice little down and in the winter, you really know you're an outsider because everyone around you knows everyone else and you know no one. Which is also fine by me. It's eerily comforting. We had a nice lunch at Pizza Hut as we waited for our room to be ready at the Canyon Motel. Once done lunch, we checked in to our surprisingly nice, and large, room. It was complete with kind size bed, huge bathroom, and small sitting area. The motel really didn't look like much from the outside but it's quite nice once you're inside.
We unpacked, took a very nice nap and then headed out for the visitor's center on the East rim of the canyon. Surprise, surprise, we were the only one's there........ and the only one's on the road to for the most part. With grey skies ahead and a stiff, cold breeze we braved the icy path to the overlook and snapped some pictures.
Back to the Jeep and the warmth of the motel. We ate at a local restaurant and enjoyed our dinner very much. The bartender literally knew everyone that walked in the door but us. It's nice to see such a great, close nit community. After dinner we went two doors down and had some beverages at a watering hole and really felt not like a local, but enjoyed it equally as much.
Back to the hotel room for some swimming and tv. We enjoyed quiet time, relaxing and felt like we had a long night, until we realized that it was only 7:45....
It was a very much so needed weekend away. Ironically enough we missed the blizzard of '16 by heading to the woods. This meant once home, we were greeted with two feet of snow in my driveway and higher drifts by the front door. We had the kids back and while I shoveled my wife took the kids to the local sledding spot and everyone was happy. No one ever wants to see a Sunday end but this one was especially hard to part with.
o
We headed out to a place I've been many times in my life, Pine Creek Gorge and the surrounding areas.
Friday we took the day off, dropped the kids at my parents and bolted. We made a beeline for Slate Run, PA and checked in to our room at the Hotel Manor. Which is a very nice place located right on the creek, with stunning views and that real locals feel that you don't get at every other hotel you stay at.
This was a trip of both pampering, relaxing and hiking for us. The winter grinds to a halt the normal fun things we like to do and easy get-aways we normally try to do in the summer because of work and the kids being in school. The first thing we did was visit the first place we ever went camping together. Which was probably not exactly where we were supposed to camp, but it was pouring at the time and we had no idea where we were and no one was around to say anything to the contrary. With a quick ride down the road from the hotel, shifting the Jeep into four wheel drive for a little ice and snow that was on the road we made it. I got out to take some pictures of the scene of the crime so many years ago and was alerted by the local Bald Eagle letting me know that this was his/her area and he was there first...
Back at our hotel for a dinner in the dining room, alone, 'cept the bartender and two locals. We enjoyed our dinner and some nice conversation without disruption. Around these parts there's very to little cell phone reception, which is great for what we were looking for, not so great if you were ever to be in trouble and needed help.
Day two included a nice hike on the West Rim Trail which is just a little ways up the road. Mostly snow covered and very cold, but it was a great way to get the heart pumping for the morning. We were the only people on the trail, and on the road for the most part... maybe even in the entire area. Just how I like it. We hoped to reach the lookout but after going up and up and up without having snacks or water, we let the cold win and we retreated to the Jeep and headed on our way to the town of Wellsboro.
Wellsboro is a very nice little down and in the winter, you really know you're an outsider because everyone around you knows everyone else and you know no one. Which is also fine by me. It's eerily comforting. We had a nice lunch at Pizza Hut as we waited for our room to be ready at the Canyon Motel. Once done lunch, we checked in to our surprisingly nice, and large, room. It was complete with kind size bed, huge bathroom, and small sitting area. The motel really didn't look like much from the outside but it's quite nice once you're inside.We unpacked, took a very nice nap and then headed out for the visitor's center on the East rim of the canyon. Surprise, surprise, we were the only one's there........ and the only one's on the road to for the most part. With grey skies ahead and a stiff, cold breeze we braved the icy path to the overlook and snapped some pictures.
Back to the Jeep and the warmth of the motel. We ate at a local restaurant and enjoyed our dinner very much. The bartender literally knew everyone that walked in the door but us. It's nice to see such a great, close nit community. After dinner we went two doors down and had some beverages at a watering hole and really felt not like a local, but enjoyed it equally as much.
Back to the hotel room for some swimming and tv. We enjoyed quiet time, relaxing and felt like we had a long night, until we realized that it was only 7:45....It was a very much so needed weekend away. Ironically enough we missed the blizzard of '16 by heading to the woods. This meant once home, we were greeted with two feet of snow in my driveway and higher drifts by the front door. We had the kids back and while I shoveled my wife took the kids to the local sledding spot and everyone was happy. No one ever wants to see a Sunday end but this one was especially hard to part with.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
My son.....
What a difference a life makes when you have a son.
My son is a wonderful, fun, wild, hysterical, crazy, annoying and wonderful boy. He can be all these things at once or one at a time or any number of things put together. He's about as unpredictable as can be when trying to figure him out but also the most predictable kid going when you know what his next move is going to be.
He's what I've always dreamed he'd be most of the time, I finally get to roughhouse with him and have a catch, or kick the ball around. He's a great swimmer and definitely a summer baby. He LOVES the beach and the ocean, his favorite is boogie boarding.
His path to this age has been rough, he knows how to push his daddy's buttons like no one else and can do it at the drop of a hat, without hesitation. I know these greys are coming out in force because of him solely.
He's not always been what I thought having a son would be. I've always thought he'd be there to watch me work on something, ask me questions on how something works, etc. He used to do that, he was always watching me, asking me how things worked, what I was doing and if he could help. He doesn't do that much anymore, but when he wants to really help, he's a great helper.
He's amazing in school. Which is surprising 'cause, I was never. He loves his school. He's the man about town in there. Watching him roam the halls with such broad shoulders and so proud, it's amazing and awesome. He's become a great reader. He's very good at math and working on his writing, which is easily his downfall right now with school.
I know there's going to be a time soon that he'll be back to helping me or wanting to go camping with me, or head out on road trips to parts unknown, but for now he's not that way. I struggle with this. I thought he was going to be one thing, but I guess I never knew what to expect with him. He's taught me things, he's taught me that I'm not going to know everything. I'm going to have to figure him out on occasion with him, just like he wants. I'm expecting to come to a crossroads where we'll be on the same page and although I know that day will come, it's been a (often) frustrating ride.
He's the most amazing boy in the world, strong like an ox, handsome as can be. Funny and smart. Adventurous. Outgoing and introverted at the same time. He's an amazing animal that I cannot wait to see unfold and develop to his fullest potential, but for now I need to just enjoy who he is right now, the good, the bad and the ugly.
My son is a wonderful, fun, wild, hysterical, crazy, annoying and wonderful boy. He can be all these things at once or one at a time or any number of things put together. He's about as unpredictable as can be when trying to figure him out but also the most predictable kid going when you know what his next move is going to be.
He's what I've always dreamed he'd be most of the time, I finally get to roughhouse with him and have a catch, or kick the ball around. He's a great swimmer and definitely a summer baby. He LOVES the beach and the ocean, his favorite is boogie boarding.
His path to this age has been rough, he knows how to push his daddy's buttons like no one else and can do it at the drop of a hat, without hesitation. I know these greys are coming out in force because of him solely.
He's not always been what I thought having a son would be. I've always thought he'd be there to watch me work on something, ask me questions on how something works, etc. He used to do that, he was always watching me, asking me how things worked, what I was doing and if he could help. He doesn't do that much anymore, but when he wants to really help, he's a great helper.
He's amazing in school. Which is surprising 'cause, I was never. He loves his school. He's the man about town in there. Watching him roam the halls with such broad shoulders and so proud, it's amazing and awesome. He's become a great reader. He's very good at math and working on his writing, which is easily his downfall right now with school.
I know there's going to be a time soon that he'll be back to helping me or wanting to go camping with me, or head out on road trips to parts unknown, but for now he's not that way. I struggle with this. I thought he was going to be one thing, but I guess I never knew what to expect with him. He's taught me things, he's taught me that I'm not going to know everything. I'm going to have to figure him out on occasion with him, just like he wants. I'm expecting to come to a crossroads where we'll be on the same page and although I know that day will come, it's been a (often) frustrating ride.
He's the most amazing boy in the world, strong like an ox, handsome as can be. Funny and smart. Adventurous. Outgoing and introverted at the same time. He's an amazing animal that I cannot wait to see unfold and develop to his fullest potential, but for now I need to just enjoy who he is right now, the good, the bad and the ugly.
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