Sharing while I still can . . .

Seems crazy that another year is nearing at it's end ... doesn't it seem like the world spins faster and faster?  The days, months, years fly by AND kids of all things ... grow up too quickly.

Seriously?  If I can count on anything I know that time keeps ticking away; today my son is one day closer to being 18. Hmm, only 18 more days to be exact, but whose counting right? 

A couple weekends ago my nephews wife took Jason's senior pictures.  I look at at least one of my favorites every day (technology ~ another speedy friend of mine~ allows my smartphone to display a photo of my boy when he calls me and I easily scroll through many photos whenever I like).  

Today I share my incredible, nearly adult son ~ Jason Lyon ~ with my friends.  He is in his senior year at Tigard High... he loves to read, make music on any instrument including his perfect pitch voice.  I'm less than tall next to this 6-4 young man who makes me feel like a giant in his world.  He frequently speaks the most awesome words "I love you, Mom!" 

Jason has a kind, empathetic, compassionate and strong spirit.  He identifies and befriends anyone who has been misunderstood and feels less than loved.  He is a champion for respect, honestly and wisdom.  He makes me proud to be his Mom!

There still are moments I look at him and wish I could rock him gently in my arms, and remind him...

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living

my baby you'll be.

senior photos by Allise Kaylin Photography

 

Random moments, black & white

kitten photos... 

His name is Sparra           [uh, think pirate - Captain Jack Sparrow Arrr!]

Right ...  well, this guy looks "adorable"

Much like the Captain ...

sometimes, he actually is adorable

and those are the moments when one might hear two teen boys say the word
"A D O R A B L E " (out loud even)

But truthfully, he's "annoying" ... still cute and cuddly {in those random moments} but ANNOYING.

Who knew??

Parenting techniques that worked so well with my boys are simply useless!! 

The thing about using love & logic is that kittens don't care if you love them or how logical it is to NOT bite or scratch or wound the person who feeds them.   Arrrgh!!

See how these eyes tell a story that looks much like curiosity … 

but quickly they turn into CRAZY-eyes and a holy terror kitten runs wildly around trying to bite and scratch anything in the vicinity of its claws.  

Case in point, bare legs ...  EEK!  

Legs which cannot go walking around bare as this might happen ... 

(yes, he's caught mid-air mid-attack, yes I have the marks to prove it!   Hmmmph.

But they love him, little terror Sparra ...

only adorable moments for me are when he sleeps!!

shh, don't wake him up!!

 

      Millie thinks he's annoying too...

then again she bops him in the head & takes a cat nap... 

Ooh, no ... I'm thinking he's plotting an attack of the toes ... 

Who says rescuing kittens is humane ... what about rescuing me?!!!   

I'm off to run some errands ... why is it he sleeps while I'm gone and is awake when I'm home... tell me they grow up quickly like my kids ~ a sophmore and 8th grader {way more mature than their grade or age}.

Livin' life happy ~ until my next 'rant'.

Moments of Mom anxiety ...

He's... leavin' on a jet plane

Excited to be leaving for Priority mission ~ on his way to Denver, to sing, work, sing, paint, sing ... and then more helping at food banks, senior centers, churches, homeless shelters ... and the list goes on.  

Saturday finally arrived... amazingly, he was the first one awake in the house (even before Millie).

I was proud, indeed ... and, uh also taken aback by such energy and non-stop conversation by this teen so early in the morning.  Off to the airport; turning back for “just one *wait... what?*  photo.”

        

At the airport he gathered with the group, checked his own baggage... (paid the $25 fee) which he was able to afford because of  the gracious gift of funds from thoughtful, generous (incredible) friends of ours who insisted on giving even after he met his goal for which -- thank you is not enough!  

Stealthily we followed the group of kids toward security ... where I was so grateful he wore his red jacket and was the tallest kid in the sea of bobbing heads walking through security.... I tip-toed and stared until I couldn't see anything but strangers ... then Sweet-T finally said "he's gone through the security gate and is already around the corner ~ we can go now."  Then we left. 

Going home it felt like I left part of me behind ... I miss that boy!  I know he's having fun, working hard, and being a blessing to many ... I'm excited that he will have new stories to share when he returns and I know he will be different from the kid I left at the airport.  

One of the first texts he sent was after he made his first purchase ... 

  it simply said            "I hate sales tax"

   

Another series of texts described his worry for a friend who didn't have enough money for meals for the whole week ...  then wrote that he and two other students agreed to share her food expenses to make sure she could eat.   [thanks again to the generosity of family and friends who gave so much support - he's able to pass along your kindness]

—   I love this kid!!!

He's been gone about a hundred hours now ... but who's counting?

Brother misses him too!

Last Concert 2013

Jeff played flute with Intermediate Band and Saxophone with the Jazz Band...

pix include:  best friend, Rhiannon, brother Jason, cousin NaKysha and Grandma Esther ... a fun night!

Can't believe he will be in 8th grade next year!

Jazz Concert ...

Here's the link to the Jazz concert Jeffrey played in last week with the Fowler Jazz Band -- Alto Saxophone front and center ... sometimes hidden by Mr.Vandyke as he directs them.  =)

{Fowler's  performance starts at approx 44 on the video - which you can slide the fast forward to at the bottom -  ... but previous to Fowler and after is Tigard High Jazz Ensemble.  Twality Jazz Band performs first}

THS Jazz Ensemble is always worth the listen of course (no Jason this time - sadly) but all bands perform together at the end !!!




With performances by the Tigard High School Jazz Ensemble, Twality Middle School Jazz Band, and Fowler Middle School Jazz Band.

Words … 15 minutes ...

time ...  L I F E

We have 15 minutes travel time -- should be en route to the car ... Mom's waiting to drive him -- where is her son?

Jason:    half dressed after a shower ...  rushes down the hall – into living room…

                        stops at the desk to pick up paper and pen …  

                  sits down on the couch, where he puts on one shoe – a shirt –  then

                        curiously sinks into deep thought  as he begins to scribble ...

                 with two feet in shoes he stops once again to put to pen a few lines --

                        a momentary glance toward ceiling ... brow is crinkled – eyes focused  …

                his arms somehow find his coat sleeves ...  words written a few at a time -- 

                          walks toward door – still pressing pen across paper - words in motion

               

Mom:   No  hurry - i’m just the chauffeur - simply hoping son  managed to get completely dressed before leaving ~  "check"

Jason:      furiously writing while Mom drives . . . no conversation, no stereo, no ear buds, no texting or iTouch ... only pen - paper- words - phrases... 

    

   Jason:    a mile before we get to church...   "I promised Pastor Caleb I would write him a poem for youth group - thanks for waiting, Mom.   You wanna hear it?"

Feeling alone is a lie

God will never just stand by.

Everything that happens is in His plan alone

Nothing we have or do is really our own

Because He loves us, He lets us win.

We shouldn't be alive because of our sins.

We make mistakes in every way

but He will always forgive us, each and every day.

Others may live for satisfaction and greed

but for us ... Jesus is all we need.

We are his children, his little girls and boys

That's why He give us His peace, patience and joy.

Just like Jesus who died on the cross

We need to live His word, every one of us.

Christianity is hard and it's no game

But was worth Jesus' life - His suffering and pain

I want it to be easy to see

how much His love has changed me

We are able to split the Red Sea

all we need to do is open our eyes and believe.

2.20.13     ~ by  Jason Lyon

God's gift to my son ... words!

 God's gift to me ...  Jason!

     H o n u  g i r l                         

Jeffrey's birthday game ...

Jeff going to the hoop ...

Tigard  vs Sherwood game

... photo courtesy of father of #14 (Luke) from the Sherwood team ...  Jeffrey Peters - whose namesake happens to be Tigard #10 -   Jeffrey  who is mid-air on his birthday!!

     H o n u  g i r l                         

Jason's game...

Last week's action photos 

After the game with Jeffrey & G-ma Jean from PCC Unveiled (youth group).

photos by-jack lyon

No pictures from Jeffrey's game this week ... we were all sick  =(

     H o n u  g i r l                         

Every Light That Shines At Christmas

Found it King G!!!

This is the song I heard at the Christmas Celebration -- Jason leaves stage before this one comes on, so he never gets to hear them sing.  Today I found this recording ~ enjoy!!

Here's Jason in his tux ... 

     H o n u  g i r l                         

dear August 2012 ...

you were such an 'exhausting' month.   

Sunday - your 19th day it was my privilege to be baby coach for my little sister's delivery of baby Zariyah: 

   

That was a glorious yet STRESSFUL day.   Quite a blur of events but that sweet baby arrived safely on your 19th day ---  Zariyah Danae    7lbs 8oz.  19inches long...        Sooo adorable.   
The next day was her big sister's birthday:  NaKysha  turned 5 years old -- she's excited to have a baby to call her "own"...  

Big brother was totally not impressed by having a little sister:  Damien will be 2 years old next month.

---

But THAT's not all 
Earlier this week I walked-through the halls of high school again.  My oldest is officially a card-carrying freshman in high school... 

only 30 years after I graduated.  

Then the youngest says he doesn't need me to take him to the school... 


he says:  "I'll walk to the school to get my [7th grade] schedule.   Then can I walk to the mall with my friends?"

Oh, did I forget to mention his girlfriend? 

... this has been new and fun to watch -- her favorite color is purple (which is mine also, but my son now wears "my" favorite more often) LOL!!
  

Your month also includes his many walks to the mall and then to the park with friends... and "Tiffany" -- thanks for such great weather in which he could get good exercise!!

---

Speaking of your wonderful weather, August, thanks for being so warm (hot even) and allowing lots of weekends to enjoy time with friends ...  my BFF and I got to spend a weekend at her house in Bend ~ it was a great time to relax and enjoy our friendship.  

---

August, not only does your month end bring inevitable thoughts of school beginning and summer break ending, but this year it brings a heavy-heart as I heard my uncle Archie died on your 28th day.  I will miss him.

I have such mixed feelings that you are gone.  Your month was full of busy activities, work, baby showers, bridal showers, school shopping and so much more.  There were many opportunities where I learned more about patience, love, peace, and self-control.  You openly welcomed my expressions of frustration, joy, understanding, sorrow, comfort, and gratitude.

Goodbye... until next year August.  

     H o n u  g i r l