Children are a blessing. I am one humbled-yet-proud mama with three amazing kids. What a joy! Today, I want to tell you about my middle child...Caleb.
Caleb was my easiest pregnancy & delivery. He's always been my "easy" kid. The first time I felt him flutter was when my whole extended family was gathered in my parents' living room, excitedly opening Christmas presents. He is the good lookin' life of the party. He's my only extroverted child. His Dad made over.
He didn't just pretend to be a cowboy when he was little. He was "James Arness as Matt Dillon."
He's the laughter, the sunshine, the one who always believes, the lover. He could never get enough snuggles as a baby and toddler. God knew I'd need that, as his "lovin's" comforted me greatly through two miscarriages and a stillbirth until a baby sister finally arrived. He also was a huge help and comfort during some turbulent years with his older brother [who is turbulent no more, praises be!].
He loves his siblings fiercely. He loves to instigate, pester & tease them, but is also their second-biggest cheerleader & champion (after their Dad).
In Marfa, TX, at the same hotel where James Dean stayed while filming Giant.
He's the noise & the funk. The levity. The one who can always make me laugh, even on the hard days. He's the drama, the storyteller, the character, the actor. The one with the eyes. He's got a classic, old school way about him. The one who never meets a stranger.
He's the confidant with the strong shoulder from whom his peers want advice. He's the peacemaker, the bridge. The good-hearted, loyal friend who cares deeply underneath all the silliness & shenanigans. The dependable, stand-out leader who goes the extra mile & gets called on when the boss is in a pinch. He's got big dreams & the stuff to make them happen.
He is the one who slept on the kitchen floor and in a cargo trailer for a year until his bedroom could be built. And then he helped us build his bedroom (and the rest of the house). He loves his mama. Nobody's perfect, but he's the textbook definition of "a good kid."
Today is our last Sunday together as a family before Caleb heads to Dream Center Leadership School in Los Angeles for the next 9 months+. He is going to knock it out of the park.
Caleb, Tori & Drew on El Matador Beach in Malibu a couple of years ago, when the dream was planted to attend DCLS.
We are so proud of Caleb. We are so grateful that we actually get the chance to send him off into the world. A year after the above beach picture was taken, during his senior year of high school, just before Thanksgiving, the unthinkable happened. We've watched him overcome & bounce back after a life-threatening car crash.
Almost two years ago
Leaving for prom, 6 months after the crash
When we look at Caleb, we see a miracle & an overcomer who solidified our family's values by reminding us forever of what is really important in life. Watching him bloom (again) this year is going to be all kinds of fun. And we will miss him dearly everyday.
Remodeling can wait. Decorating can wait. Flea markets can wait. Art can wait. Jobs can wait. Cramming all those projects in before the work week starts can wait. Stop. Look up. Those other people under your roof and who share the table with you at Thanksgiving? Loving on them everyday, cherishing every ordinary minute with them...can't wait. Life is too short.
Love on your people. Be safe & have fun this holiday weekend, everybody.
