March?...Already?!

February went by so quickly...and now March is progressing...the trouble with this?...Nathan turns 14 on the 8th, and I'm absolutely baffled and astounded that so much time has passed!

Although he doesn't yet weigh as much as I do, he's suddenly taller than me...is that allowed?
He starts seminary and high school next year...who authorized this?

This is the first school year that he's cared about clothes and shoes...he has very definite opinions about what he doesn't want, and I get to guess what is acceptable. He does his hair, his curls have to be a certain way...he has a preference for certain shampoos and conditioners...he finally understands how important his grades are and works to find a healthy balance between school, scouts, church, friends and exercise.

I've been asked frequently if I feel old having a teenager...NO!!! I feel horribly inadequate, age wise, to have a 14-year-old. What's worse is that in May Gabriel will be 13 and there will be two of them! By the time Nathan is 18 there will be 4 of them...I will be more and more outnumbered and I still don't recall anyone asking permission for the growth of these children.

Warning signs of unauthorized growth:

Pants that fit last week are now floods.
We get to be excited about armpit hair.
Voices crack and girls aren't icky any more.
History and Discovery chanel really are as cool as mom's been saying for years.
Naps are cool again.
Girls aren't icky any more.
Clean teeth and breath are very important. (Mom and the dentist were right).
Helping with everyday things isn't punishment.
Girls aren't icky anymore!!!

I'm not sure how, or when, but they're growing into awesome young men, I'm astounded at how smart they are, how big they are, and how I look at them expecting that they'll still be my sweet little guys only to find that they're maturing and much closer to driving and dating than I'm comfortable with!

I'm ready for the sweet embrace of senility and the ultimate frozen yogurt!