Twelve

Noah,

For twelve years I have been a mom. The one thing in life that I always knew that I wanted to be. When I was 12 and babysitting for spending money, I realized I wanted to be a mother. When GM designated me to watch over Uncle Matt, I knew I wanted to be a mom. Sometimes in college when others were talking about future careers, I was thinking inside, "does a mom count"? I knew when the time was right, the thoughts would become reality. Twelve years ago at exactly 7:32 am, I was born. I have never felt anything more real, or raw in my life.

For these twelve years, your Dad and I have experienced the rights and wrongs of being parents. The ups, the downs, the twists, and turns. Learning our way through this path of family life with only the hardest yet to come. And now that you are of this tender age, I wonder if you are thinking: my Mom is exactly who I want her to be?

As Mom, I watch as this 5'5" boy is changing in front of me. Every second, minute, and hour. You are beginning to pull away from the norm that we once knew. Are you ready? Did I prepare you enough for these changes? Do I intervene, or wait until the next time? Do I assist, or let you fail? Do I laugh or cry? I don't remember seeing this part of parenthood in my vision. But, I have, and always will, see love. Arms that circle you no matter what. A lap waiting for you to sit in whenever you need, no matter your size.

We pledge to you, son, in this book of your life, we will do our best. We will always look to have open eyes and ears to todays pressures. We will always be parents first, your friend last. With the ulitmate hope that someday when you have your own children, you will understand.

I love you,

Mom

Hockey Families

Hockey is officially over for the winter season, and we are missing our hockey families a lot. We had another great year with new and old friends on both Noah and Owen's teams. Enjoyed all of the Salmon River teams during the home tournaments! We were on the road this season every day but Wednesday. So mid-week day was the day that we had to squeeze in hair appointments, doctor appointments, library visits, open swim, school functions, etc. This is our life with three kids, two in sports. We enjoyed several tournaments with hotel stays that included some great entertainers, young and old. Life lessons learned and good times that The Newtons will never forget!

In one and a half weeks time since hockey ended, we have tried out for baseball, signed up for summer hockey, scheduled swimming lessons, NYSSMA solo (Outstanding Grade - so proud you, Noah!) summer reading program training and planning, two vacations planned, charity bowling tournament, community service on Wright Street, Family Literacy Night, Syracuse Crunch game (times 2 for Steve), story hour, assisting with Cheddar Cheese Festival needs, had thousands, thousands, and more thousands of dollars filter the PTO bank account thanks to our community, birthday partys, volunteer work at Owen's school, friends over, a sleepover, finishing up apparel from the last hockey tournament, many, many appointments, work...and whew - did we need to do all of this in one week?!

Noah claimed last night over dinner that he does better in school when he is active?! What the heck does this mean? He specified. When he is playing hockey, his school brain works better. I think that he thinks his brain may function better on a tight schedule, but his parents have been in overdrive and need a break! But, oh, how we are missing this unity...until fall...

*scroll to the bottom of your screen and turn off the music player so that the song on the video will come through clear*