"Well, it's really happening mom..."

Those were the words that my ten year old greeted me with when he handed me the pile of permission slips that accompany the 5th grade celebration/graduation ceremony. So, I remember getting an autograph book and maybe a cupcake when I left 5th grade, ( I know, I am sounding old...) my 5th grader will get to go out to breakfast with the entire 5th grade class, followed by a bowling party, followed by a 5th grade Continuation Ceremony at school, followed by lots of tears from his mom. For some reason it just doesn't seem possible that I will have a daughter entering highschool and one son beginning middle school...it really hit me last night when Owen gave me all those papers to sign that he is growing up....for so long I have always thought of him as still "five." He was my easiest baby, always happy, always smiling, so content...and the chubbiest cheeks you have ever seen in your life...well now he still has a smile that melts your heart but there is also a little glimpse of some fuzz above his upper lip and those cheeks have slimmed down and he is no longer the five year old boy in my mind, but always in my heart.

Our family has definitely grown this past year, and not in just a physical sense with the addtion of Nora...I have witnessed growth in my children beyond what I could have imagined before we brought Nora home. Owen, especially has really become his own person, he is able to overcome some of his biggest obstacles and continues to do it with that endearing smile of his...which is sure to get him out of alot of trouble someday...or so he thinks! My biggest hope is that middle school will give Owen an opportunity to spread his wings and not just fly but take off!! He has so much to offer his classmates and his teachers, there is something inside that child just waiting to be discovered....there is no doubt in my mind that he will live his life with purpose.

And in case you are reading this Emma...yes, I will write a post about you going to highschool too!! (but I can only handle one kid at a time!!)

Here are some pictures of Owen that make my heart burst with happiness.
K