High School

In a couple of week, my three-year-old baby will be starting high school.  Okay, he's not actually three, he's almost fifteen, but in my mind and heart, he's still three.  Colby is calm, cool, and collected about this next step in his young life.  I, on the otherhand, am pretty sure I need some sort of tranquilizer to get me through this Freshman year.  Colby has spent quite a bit of time on the high school campus already between sports and high school classes, so he has an idea of what's coming.  He's made a lot of friends, he's become familiar with the campus, and he knows how a high school classroom works.

As a mother, I have a tradition that I started when Colby started kindergarten.  Every year right before school starts, I bear my testimony.  Why I do this I really don't know.  I like to think that if I say it over the pulpit, then the boys will pay extra close attention to what I have to say and the things I've been saying, or some might say lecturing, about will have extra emphasis.  So, without fail, I bore my testimony this last week.  I must admit, I get very emotional when I do this but this time it was extra hard.  I am having a hard time coping with our boys getting older.  I don't want these next four years with Colby to fly by because then it will all be over and our family dynamics will never be the same.  I love having our boys at home.  I love being busy and involved with sports, school activities, church activities, and whatever else they are involved in.  I have loved the people and friends we have made in the community with our boys being so involved.

Here are my thoughts about high school and some things I want both of the boys to know when they are older and read this again some day.  High school is hard!  There will probably never be a more trying time in your life with friends and peer pressure.  The decisions you make now will affect you for the rest of your life, so choose your friends wisely.  I love the quote that says, "You become like the five people you spend the most time with, so choose wisely".  Oh, how that is so true!!  Don't get too involved with girls.  Have fun but don't date steadily.  Have fun with a group instead of pairing off.  You have the rest of your life to date and be in a relationship, enjoy being young.  Be involved in school and be the best student you can be.  Your grades will carry you farther than anything else you do.  Most of all, remember who you are and always stand up for what you know is right and true, even if it isn't the popular way of thinking.

As I bore my testimony Sunday, I mentioned that Colby and I had been on the high school campus a few times for orientations, etc.  I said that as we walk around the campus, my finger starts pointing and the lecture begins.  I love what Colby says to me when this happens, he says, "Mom, you have nothing to worry about.  I know who I am".  I hope he always remembers that!  As I sat back down on Sunday, Colby was crying because he inherited by tear ducts and he said, "Mom, you've been cut from the NBA fund".  We both laughed!

I love these boys of ours so much!  More than they could ever know.  Until they are a parent someday.....and by someday, I mean when they are 35.