Kids Grow Up Fast

About 2 months ago I was gifted with a son named Adam. He lives with his mom in Statesville; I get him every other weekend. I went to get him Sunday and had a really good conversation about cell phones with him. Seems he turned 10 years old last March when I wasn't looking! It's so strange how time slips away, in particular when dealing with the kids. Seems like yesterday I was trying to coax his pacifier away from him. Now he walks around with a cell phone on his hip.

It dawned on me that I need to pay more attention to the little things about my kids. I also have 3 future step kids, Shawn (15), Chris (14) and Monica (11) that belong to my fiancée Ann. The way Adam gives you that grin when he is headed towards getting into trouble. The way Shawn is a typical video game playing teenager one day, then a very serious student with a better work ethic than I had at his age.. The way Chris says something hysterically funny out of the blue. The way Monica dorks out over something and runs around laughing and clapping. Next time I look up they may all be married with kids and long gone from the house.

Sunday Morning, Ann and I took all the kids (except Shawn who was at a friend's house) to the Thunderbird Flea Market. We gave them each $10 and walked around an hour or so. We may have dropped an extra $15 or so on some food for us all. As we walked around I really observed the kids more than anything. I watched them interact with the vendors and heard their good manners saying thanks, and sir and mam. I watched as the boys spent most of their money quickly, and then pooled what was left for a gift for Ann. I watched as Monica held onto most of hers for a future trip to the Dollar Tree. I saw the boys race towards a hat they both wanted. Adam, due to genetics I have passed down, is slow afoot and Chris got the hat.