momentous maximus

There are those momentous occasions that make a parent wish time didn't race by at what seems like the speed of light.

first steps, first words, first time they go potty like a big girl or boy, first day of school, first time they go off to middle school and then high school, and...







...the first time they take the car keys to drive themselves to school.

Yep, he did it. I know he did because I called the finance office up at the high school to ask if he'd bought his parking permit for the day. I also emailed his homeroom teacher to make sure he made it to homeroom after parking in the student parking lot.

Girl can't help it...she's a mom!

Funny thing happened because of this momentous occasion...

As I'm outside watching LB drive off, AW is inside getting ready for school at the snail's pace that he exists in. He ends up running far enough behind that he misses the bus. Well, Big B has the Chevy, and you see from the above pictures that LB has the Pontiac.

We only have two cars.

My F-i-L hasn't brought the Malibu down for LB yet, so he's using our cars in the meantime. It's going on 9:30 a.m. and my juvenile delinquent is upstairs skipping school. The lady in the attendance office thought it was kind of funny. The county schools have a half day today anyway, because today is our high school's graduation.

After some studying, and LB's safe return home from school, we'll be heading out to witness another momentous occasion.

in a moment of silence

Last night at the homecoming football game for our local high school, before the American Anthem was played, we were asked to take part in a moment of silence.

October 23, 2008, will be remembered forever by two families as they lost their sons to a fatal car crash that evening. One of the boys graduated this past June, and the other was a senior, both from our local high school.

So in the crisp fall air we bowed our heads and paid respect. I also said a little prayer, hoping to never be the parent who receives the dreaded phone call, or knock on the door.

This really hits home because, if you follow my blog or know us, you know my 15 year old son recently received his learner's permit.

Today ends the annual National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 19-25. By October 24th, seven teens, including the two spoken of above had died in traffic accidents, in Virginia, this year...this week.

That fact alone makes me shudder.

I am extremely proud to say my son is taking part in a club at school that involves this very subject, YOVASO. The club's mission involves teens in making wise choices as they get behind a wheel.

Tonight is the homecoming dance. Before the dance a bunch of us parents are putting on a dinner for our sophomores. I like the idea. For one it's less expensive than them dining out, and it will be an occasion they can remember in years to come. This will be the last year that my husband and/or I needs to chaffeur BZ to his major social events.

This time next year, I'll say good-bye to BZ as he gets in his car to go pick up his date. I will have to take a deep breath, and hope he makes wise decisions. Of course that goes for every time he steps out the door.

I haven't gotten any gray hairs yet? I'll certainly have plenty by the time AW reaches this milestone.

hark! a wise decision

In the past my husband and I have been compulsive buyers. As we've aged the compulsiveness has slowed down.

Case in point, just this afternoon we made the wise choice to not buy a third car-yet. It's not necessary at this point. Our 15 year old has several months until he can legally drive on his own, so he is not in need of a car any time soon. I don't even think he really needs a car as soon as he turns 16 anyway. Not only do we add another car payment, but also the exhorbitant amount of money that we look forward (said with sarcasm) to paying for insuring a young male driver under the age of 25...way under the age of 25!

We should probably invest in this:


No really, he's actually done very well. My biggest complaint is his need to say "I know" whenever I try to tell him anything.

He is 15...

watch out world

Another teenager (my 15 year old) has received his learner's permit and is now legal to drive...well, with a responsible adult in the passenger seat! I ended up with a migraine headache last night after we returned home from the momentous occasion of passing the test, receiving the permit, and driving home. I didn't have any gray hairs before yesterday...sure to have one or twenty growing in soon!

He's actually doing very well behind the wheel. He may be a little too sure of himself, but other than that he's impressing his father and I with his skill. So now we have until he turns 16 and 3 months, in June, until he gets his regular license...