My Baby Boy

Where have I been?  Well, less than 10 minutes after posting the party pictures Saturday night, I told Tammy that I had a tickle in my throat.  Less than an hour later, I was sick as a dog.  Sunday, I had a fever and chest congestion.  I was D.O.W.N.  I laid up on the couch all day, in a pity party.  Kevin came home and sent me to bed.  I was so sick I missed Desperate Housewives AND Brothers and Sisters!  ACK!

Monday I felt a bit better (a very tiny bit) and had no fever, so I went to work and stayed on the phones all day.  That was my downfall.  Today, I had NO voice.  I was squeaky at best.  Tonight, many cups of hot tea later, I can KIND OF talk.  Sheesh.  I don't feel awful, but have no voice.  I have a Dr. appt at 4:10 tomorrow, which I'll cancel if I can talk in the morning.

ANYWHO.....now for the real entry:

To my baby boy.  To Bubba.  To that little guy with the mullet, riding his tricycle.  To the adorable kid in the Power Wheels truck.  To that sweet boy who was my best friend after my divorce.  The one guy who has ALWAYS stood beside me, no matter what.  To the kid practicing trumpet for HOURS, when I couldn't make out a single note.  To the guy who has moved so many times, knowing that each time was a good move for the family, even if it meant changing schools.

To the kid who once told his Dad, "We have spaghetti EVERY night!" and the friend who told buddies, "oh yeah, I have that at my dad's." ("that" was anything cool that they were talking about.)  To the kid loved by ANY dog my mother has EVER owned, even if said dog hated everyone.  To the one who works so hard at any job, even if it's washing dishes or scrubbing floors.  To the man who learned that you MUST check the oil, or your engine will blow.  And to the same man that helped his dad replace said engine.

This is for Brett.  Son, you are 18 today.  Legally a man, and bound by the selective service to register for a draft that I curse the thought of.  You have grown into something that I always dreamed, but didn't dare hope for.  You ARE that guy.  You are everything.  You are the bomb.

I LOVE YOU, BRETT.

Now, for the morning:  The girls and I woke Brett an hour early, to tell him good morning.  The poor kid had a flash in his face at 6:15 on his BIRTHDAY!  Then, Monica played Happy Birthday for him on his new drum set (a gift from his dad).  Then, we suggested he look at his truck.  Some girls from school apparently paid us a visit in the night, and decorated his truck (newly back from the operation.)  I took pictures in the pitch black of morning, but you can see the result.  I think he felt good that they did it.

We got his new camera/video/text/yadda yadda phone for him a few weeks early, but we had an energy drink and a card this morning, and there will be cake this weekend.

Am I really old enough to have an adult son? (lie to me, okay?)

***added later, Bday wishes can be sent to bradyface88@yahoo.com****