12 Years and Camping

So several months back I posted about my oldest who was almost 12. Well, he has turned 12. In fact he turned 12 on April 19th. For one of his gifts he got to go on a hiking and camping trip with just his Dad. He had been asking for awhile when the two of them could go by themselves. It took some time for them to actually go on the trip due to rain, illness, and a sprained ankle. But.....they finally got to go a couple of weeks ago! And he was so excited to go and I was excited for him. While they were gone, I sat back and reflected on how fast he is growing up. How it really does seem like yesterday that he was born and I held him in my arms. Even though so much has happened in the past 12 years, it has gone by so fast. I realize that in 6 short years he will be going off to college. And that time will go by even faster. I am trying my best to really cherish him. Cherish all the years that we have had together as mother and son. Cherish who he is and who he is becoming. I am very blessed to be his mother. As I am blessed to be the mother of all of my children. Time is passing so quickly, it is important to me to really take the time to take in each moment that I am given with my four boys. These moments are gifts. Gifts from the Lord in heaven who saw me fit to mother these four outstanding boys. How humbling that is for me and what an honor. Here are some pictures from their trip, hope you like them. Note the VERY long hair of my 12 year old boy. All my boys decided to grow their hair out....even though I really don't like it. BUT....I want to spend my time cherishing them, not worrying over what their hair looks like. Hence the long hair. :)
And besides, he is always handsome in my book. And I am so VERY proud of him.