Fa La La La...Ha Ha Ha

I'm a momma big on traditions, always have been.  Traditions are our connection to family; they give us a sense of belonging.  But nobody prepares you for when those traditions change. 

With a near-grown teen, I've had to shift and adjust our annual customs the past few years.  Some traditions ended, some altered and along the way, new ones added. 

A missed tradition; however, has been driving around to view the Christmas lights.  When the kids were younger, we'd load up the car with blankets and pillows, a thermos of hot cocoa, and wear our snuggly PJs.  Favorite CDs of the holidays would play in the background as we toured the sparkly scenes. 

With a teen who works weekends, the past couple years this tradition has slipped by.  Time seems to go much quicker the last month of the year and before we knew it, the holiday would pass.  When I realized Noah had this past Saturday night off, I decided to make plans for us to revisit this favorite pastime. 

Now, we could've just ridden around our county but I selfishly wanted to soak up as much family time as possible.  So, I opted for a drive a couple hours away that promised a one of kind show with dancing lights.  It did not disappoint, even after waiting in line an hour, but I think what I enjoyed most was hanging in the car. 

It's not often I get my towering teen in the same vehicle, since he normally prefers to drive his own car.  He drove most of the way up and played chauffeur and DJ to Mom and Dad in the backseat, his best friend shotgun.  On the way home, we switched. 

As it was daylight on our way to the light show, we viewed the scenery and some amazing houses.  It was interesting to hear the kids talk about their dream homes for the future and what they would do.  After passing a mansion that made our home look like a shed, one of them said they would love to live there if a rich uncle just gave it to them.  When I asked how they would afford utilities like electric and water, they promised to be frugal.  This made us cackle considering how long of a shower Noah takes and the fact that I'm always going behind them and turning off lights.

On the way back, Noah scrunched into the backseat and played games with his buddy.  I loved hearing them joke and snicker back and forth.  It was reminiscent of old times.

In fact, the ride home was so full of laughs from the many you-had-to-be there scenarios that I can't even write. Honestly, there isn't a story to share, as I can't recall what even made us start laughing.  But it was the kind of side-splitting, snorting, feel good all over laughs that make you giggle each time you remember.  I needed and relished those laughs and thought it was fitting, as today marks the Advent week of JOY. 

That's my wish for you, friends.  May you have the kind of JOY that fills you with laughter from head to toe and keeps you smiling all week long!

"Do you want to build a snowman?"

One of the songs during the light show was from Frozen and we were roaring that Noah's male friend knew

 ALL. THE. WORDS.  And sang along passionately.  So obviously, Blitz had to pick on him this morning!

Fridays with Mom

Who doesn't love a Friday?  One of the best days of the week, Fridays are especially my favorite this summer.

I normally need to flex off on Friday, or work only a couple hours, so the bonus of this particular day is that it gives me free time. With Noah out of school, we've taken advantage of these hours to spend it together.

Between my weekly Bible study with friends and the start of his night shift, it gives us a lunch window and enough time to get out and explore.

With our crazy schedules and a mom who speaks quality time as her love language, any moments spent with family is precious.  But I've been extra grateful for this time with Noah.

He grows and changes daily, despite how much I try to press the invisible brakes of his childhood.  When we're out in the car and I'm watching him drive, I often do a double-take because where my baby used to I now see a man.

Soon, he'll have his license and not need mom in the driver's seat so I am soaking up each of our summer road trips, no matter how short they may be.

Lunch is always on our agenda, whether it be sushi, a picnic, or an impromptu meal at Grandma's.  Around our meal, we enjoy the scenery on back roads, while listening to whatever music playlist he's created.

Yes, I'm a cool momma who lets him crank up whatever he likes.  He shares my eclectic taste and it is fun listening to what he's dug up since our last outing.  Not keeping score but he has commented about how dad makes him change the tunes! (tee hee)

More than anything we share loads of laughs.  Side-splitting, silly for no reason, belly laughs.  I love to watch him smile.  There's no better feeling than seeing your child experience joy.

 And I'm glad, for now, he chooses to share some joy with mom on Friday afternoons.

Ride Time

I'm normally the driver in our house.  Partially because I'm more comfortable if we're traveling long distances (or my hubby just really loves to nap) and also because I like to be in control.

Having a teen driver has changed all that.

Now that we have a permit holder, who needs to log hours and is practicing for his license, my new position has been moved into the passenger seat.  And sometimes the backseat.

Being a "backseat driver" is something that comes naturally for me (see the control issues above).  I'll stomp an imaginary brake and hold onto the window if someone driving isn't doing it to suit my fancy.  And will usually make a comment too, especially if it is a family member driving.  As such, I was a little worried at how I would react to Noah at wheel.

I think I've surprised us both.

Maybe it is because he very calm and level-headed at the wheel but I feel comfortable with him.  In the beginning, I was grabbing my side window a bit, until he told me that made him nervous.  I've learned to control my own reflexes and tone of voice, to keep him steady when redirection is needed.

It's been a learning process for both of us but the ride time has been wonderful bonding time.  He is no longer nose deep in a cell phone and I'm on alert to help him watch the crazies on the road.  We've had some great conversations and opportunities for life lessons.

The other day a pickup came barreling out of a gas station so fast he was tail-spinning.  Noah watches, shakes his head and sighs.

"These kids today..." he says.

I chuckle inside at his aged wisdom but am so very proud of him.  He comments how he can't understand why people want to drive recklessly,especially his generation.  Or with a cell phone.

"I'm multi-tasking like 15 things just to keep this car on the road," he states while driving.  "I can't imagine trying to look down at a telephone too!"

Although he is ever-ready to jump in the drivers seat, he has also declined driving in areas he's not yet comfortable to do so, like morning school traffic.

Yes, please keep that mindset, my son.