Love forever, Mom

A friend of mine pointed out that is has been five weeks since I last wrote. Bad blogger! It wouldn't be right to let May slip away without so much as one post, so tonight, I take you back one month...to Daniel's 18th birthday.

What 18-year-old wants to spend his entire birthday with his mom? Not any I know, yet there we were--Daniel, his girlfriend, Savanna, Phillip, and myself--having breakfast at Denny's (his choice); walking around downtown; watching Sixth Sense with his dad, his grandparents, and some of his friends; smiling over cake and ice cream; hanging out at the pizza parlor in the evening.

And somewhere in there, this magical moment happened:

When Daniel was a little boy, I would read him the children's book Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, just about every day. What a joy it was then, that on his birthday, we should stumble upon a tiny, used bookstore in the downtown area, which happened to have a copy of this delightful little tome. Right there, in the dimly-lit, stuffy, back room of this quiet book shop, he read to me the words that once I could only read to him: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my Mommy you'll be."

For a mom who was feeling no small amount of consternation over my baby boy growing up, I think Daniel did a gracious job of easing me into becoming the mother of an adult. In a couple of days he graduates from high school; in the fall he starts classes at Bakersfield College. Even though one day he'll leave the nest, for the time being, he still resides under my roof. He's even agreed to co-produce a blog with his dear, old mom (coming soon!). Thank you, Daniel. I know whatever the future brings, "as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

Finding balance

You may have noticed that my post from yesterday "magically" appeared this evening. That is because I had some technical difficulties and was not able to post last night, so I retro-posted tonight. For the record, there are times when I am working on a post but cannot meet the midnight deadline, which I nonetheless pre-date to continue my once-a-day challenge. Yes, I allow myself cheats--and so should you--because sometimes we don't give ourselves enough breaks and that can cause undue frustration and discouragement.

That being said, giving oneself too many breaks is not such a good thing and I am actively struggling to find the balance between self-moderation and self-indulgence. One area that I'm working on, as I've mentioned before, is my diet. That is to say, my nutrition. In the past I have over-indulged myself by giving in to every fatty craving I desired. But I'm learning that eating good food can be rewarding too. Case in point: Today's lunch. Pizza is one of my favorite dishes, and taking control of toppings and portion-size made it a deliciously healthy one. (It was fun too!)

Mini Boboli crusts and a variety of toppings

Daniel & Savanna, creating their pies

Combo!

Veggie!

Hawaiian!

Pepperoni & Cheesey!

Super... foods!

I'm not a big football fan, though I enjoy watching occasional games with Phillip. "His" team, the NY Giants was knocked out of contention some time back, so today's Superbowl left us only mildly curious. We watched the opening (Glee girl, Christina's Star Spangled Banner botch, the coin toss, and first touchdown) but then it was off to do some grocery shopping!

Due in part to the Nutrition class which I am enrolled in this semester, I have taken lately to eating much healthier than I ever have in my life. Growing up, I did not--as a rule--eat vegetables. Well, except for potatoes (any kind but potato salad), corn (but ONLY from a can), and carrots (though never cooked). My tastes are changing, perhaps out of necessity, perhaps out of fear (pushing 40 can bring all kinds of thoughts to one's head), but I am feeling really good: energized and healthier than just a couple of weeks ago. I think I may even be losing weight. If you're struggling with food issues this is just a little encouragement--if I can change after nearly 40 years.. so can you!

A little something delicious that I whipped up for lunch.

Having the rice pre-cooked saved loads of time.

Heaping fruit on top added nutrients & flavor.

The lunch above looked so good I had to take some quick iPhone pics. Yum! A quick, healthy, and delicious lunch!

Origins.

Maybe it's all the studying in Anthropology about origins; perhaps it's just all the studying in general--and the not having the time for sit-and-chats; or it could be the nagging thoughts that wander about my brain late at night...whatever it is, I've lately found myself thinking more and more about my parents. I'm truly blessed to know these warm, wonderful humans at all, let alone to have been born to and raised by them. Virtually everyone I know who has met my parents has had positive things to say about this dynamic, generous, and talented couple. And why should I not do the same?

I took the above photos for my parents 46th anniversary. This year will be 48! Much love M & D!!

Senior Year: Fall

As Daniel approaches the end of his high school days, I find no better chronicle of his life than his senior picture. But the senior year of high school is so rich and filled with changes that I feel it deserves to be captured more than once. Therefore, I am planning a special shoot with him for the fall, winter, and spring of this school year.

The winter shoot will be scheduled soon so tonight I share with you a few of my favorite photos from Daniel's fall session.

Even in the few short months since these were taken, it is amazing to me that I already notice differences in my son. What a bittersweet journey this life is! On one hand, I want to make time freeze so that he can stay a child forever; on the other, I can't wait to see what his next chapter brings.

Visions of Daniel

Daniel is growing up. He is in his last few months of childhood, racing toward and reaching adulthood before the beginning of May. This year he will turn 18.  It's hard to believe. (Of course, this year will also be a milestone for me: 40. But that's another post.)

Tonight is about Daniel and his ever-evolving persona and character. These shots were taken in the room in his grandparents' house which has been designated as his. It is interesting to see this creation, this son, becoming his own person and developing his own culture. He is so much like and unlike his mother--so free, independent, creative, moody, gifted, intense.

He is as much the mirror, as the reflection.