It's Happening!

Oh here we go! How did we get to this point in life, again?  I mean, I just brought him home from the hospital yesterday.....or, so it feels! I'm struggling with this growing up thing lately.  I'm trying my hardest to let go a smidge, while still holding on for dear life!  How do you do this and where in the manual does it tell you how to accomplish it successfully?  Oh wait, there's no manual! LOL!! He's just growing up right before my eyes and I have no choice, but to watch it happen and hold back the tears with a smile on my face.  This boy, I tell ya, is truly the sweetest kid I know and his love for this family truly amazes me at 11 years old! I am so grateful for his compassion; however, on the flip side I want him, no I need him to be a kid and enjoy moments without us, so he can make memories with his friends, as well.

Last Friday, I talked to him all day and even checked with a few parents to see if their boys were going. Yep, the helicopter mom in me did just that!  I'm not ashamed either! I fully own the fact that I am a helicopter mom! However, even after all of that, I wasn't sure if he was going to do it?  I wasn't sure if he would be able to fight his anxiety enough, so he could spend a few hours with his friends?  I wasn't sure....I just wasn't!  I mean how important are middle school dances anyway? Are they really that fun?  To me, if I'm being 100% honest.....important! Important for him, because these are the times that will be remembered amongst the group and will be talked about for years to come.  These are the moments that solidify friendships and yes, I want him to embrace it.  Could he though?  Oh how I prayed he could, "please Lord help this sweet boy go to the dance, enjoy himself, and be so thankful he did afterward." Is what I kept secretly praying all day! Anxiety is a weird thing & it's real, so I knew I couldn't push too hard and that encouraging was the best avenue to go down. I could see in his eyes he was nervous. I could tell when I would enter the room and see him doing his breathing techniques that the feeling was raw.  Would he go?  Would he decide, on his own, that this would be the best thing to do? Oh Lord please help him!

Well, that prayer was answered!  He did it!  He went to his 1st dance and had the best time.  I loved hearing the stories and seeing the pictures of him with his friends afterwards.  Thank you Lord for answering my prayer, because this was a HUGE step for Ethan and his anxiety! Now, I just have to wrangle in my emotions and take this growing up thing smack in the face, because like it or not.....it's happening! ♥

My handsome boy