My big son came in and sat on my bed yesterday, while I was reading, and chatted to me about how he feels about leaving his current school, to start at a Senior School Academy next year. It was the first time I heard his voice waiver when discussing the impending changes in his life.
He said he is going cherish every minute of his last four days at his school this week and that his priority is to hunt down all the teachers, who have inspired him over the past eight years, and tell them what they have meant to him. I got a bit of a lump in my throat when he said that.
There’s going to be tears this week. He’d been delaying even thinking about the end of it all until his exams were finished and he had gotten his results back … but now his thoughts have turned to the big changes ahead of him.
We spent yesterday giggling over photos from the past 8 years….
…. and marvelling at how much he’d grown.
He said he has always been very proud to attend his school and grateful for the sacrifices we made to send him there.
Saxons House Captain … tiny little mite.
House Captain and his rather tall Vice Captain!
Got 3 years out of that blazer…. just!
He embraced the opportunities presented to him…
… studied really, really hard… and received academic awards every year.
Oh that phone!… and the girls!
He applied himself to everything – 100%.
Blurry, proud Mum.
And now his hard work has lead him to the next chapter in his life.
I am so, so proud of him.
Big changes, big lessons. Good lessons. Nothing can go on forever. Nothing stays the same.
That’s why everything has to be cherished in the now.
Happy days, my beautiful boy, happy days for you, in the next chapter of your life. xx
Beautiful post and such a gorgeous young man. You’ve done good. X
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Thanks pet. Bit fragile this week. xx
I lingered a long time at your blog today … how delightful .. the images of your precious sons, and of you.
Now don’t make me cry.
xx
Hi A-M,
Reading about your boys, the inspiring nooks posts, your upcoming European holiday, the new blog look, I love coming here, thanks for sharing all this!
and you are doing in my eyes a wonderful job raising your kids, enjoy the preparations for the trip, I hope one day our family can prepare for a trip like yours but heading to Oz, never been there so high on my travel list.
All the best, Maureen x
Thank you Maureen…. for taking the time to visit me here and for your kind words. Give me a year or so to build this damn house and you can come and stay with me, here in Oz. A-M xx
Oh dear A.M
I really got teary eyes, browsing your photos. I can’t imagine lil A-M-s are grown ups now. I still remember since we started our bloggie links. OMG, both kiddos are only todds and now? Taller that Auntie C? Amazing feelings. We are so far with each other, never meet but the feeling of my heart is soooooo real.
Am so PROUD of you, dear sweet AM. Rain or Shine, you were always there. God Bless to you and your family. Hold them so tight becoz, days goes too quick. The next morning you wake up, you are alone home (as I am in my life now).
I keep my eyes on you guys. Be good to Mum, though I know you both are so well behave. Congrats, for all endeavors of life.
Hugs from a very chilly & dark Stockholm,
/Chie
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Oh Chie, you’ve made me cry. Your bloggy friendship to me over the years has meant so much to me. Hugs back to you my dear friend.
A-M xx
I read your blog all the time A-M but don’t comment very often, but today I feel I have to. What a beautiful post about your boys. It is lovely to watch how they have grown over the years. I hope your son has a wonderful last week. Enjoy it together.
Katena x
I love that you visit and I love that you don’t comment often, because when you do, it’s extra special. Thank you. xx
Oh AM. You gotta stop with these posts which make me all teary! Two in a row. Hope the big boy enjoys his last week at school. xx
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Ha,ha … you and me both! xxx
My eldest son just finished High School.Tears were shed,smiles were shared and it all goes so quickly..Little boys turning into men.Your son will keep moving on and us mums just have to try and keep up with them.Congratulations on a job well done with your boy..xx
It’s a beautiful journey watching them become men, isn’t it, Tara? You have to remind yourself that they are still so fragile in such strong bodies. They need lots of love and support as they find themselves and work out who they are and where they fit in to the world. Congrats to your beautiful son! xx
I think if you could bottle your child-rearing skills to sell A-M you would be a millionare. What a fantastic young man. He will be so successful in life and I don’t just mean financially. He has workd so hard and will reap the rewards of a very happy life – I just know it
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Ya think???? A millionaire? I might get started on that book then! Yes, that all round success that we all wish for, for our children… and it has nothing to do with money or what end of the plane you sit at! xx
AM I’m hoping and working towards this exactly this. Boys just like yours and a family bond equally as strong. You have a lot to be envious of, congratulations AM. Hard work is always rewarded.. xx Deb
Thanks Deb! It’s funny, we have always joked about the whole, “you will love each other or else”… it’s sort of been drummed into them that they only have each other in life… when we’re gone. “Love each other fiercely…. alright?” My big one still grabs his little brother and hugs him in the street at school…. and they always says ‘I love you’ when they part…even if it is just when one is heading into his piano lesson first! xx
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – you are inspiring! Such a beautiful tribute to a beautiful boy/young man:)
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Thank you Libby. Xx
I do not usually comment as I read your blog for my decorating heaven work and following the forum so scanning loads of stuff. On the decorating forum and your blog I think of you building and mainly interiors type stuff. This time you have excelled yourself filling your home with hope, love, values and loads more than a static piece. Best wishes to your boys and the eldest ones new adventures next year. Fran
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Thanks for saying that Fran. Yes, I’m afraid I digress from the decorating a lot these days. There’s so much to waffle on about. Hopefully my next house will be under way over the next year and you’ll be entertained with all the disasters that I attract when on building sites! xx
Yep…tears!! We are all so proud too! I think the next Chapter will be brilliant.
Thanks lovely. Your unwavering support is cherished. xx
What a special post. It made me all teary. Now I have to have another baby – I can’t bare the thought of G being an only child! Watching your two little – now big – ones grow up together is such a wonderful example of brotherly love. You have raised two amazing young men A-M. Something t be very very proud of.
K xx
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Oh she would be a darling big sister! xx
Hi A-M,
What a beautiful post. Your boys are identical at the same age. I am just curious, does this mean your oldest has finished high school and going to Uni, or is this Academy the final two years of High School?
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa, the Academy is a Senior School for Science, Maths and Technology, integrated with the University Of Qld. It is an International Baccalaureate school for Years 10, 11 and 12… so he is starting the first year next year, Year 10. They have a 50% OP 1 equivalent rate in Year 12. Most of the students are there to get the marks for Medicine, Dentistry and Engineering. He’s going to be working damn hard. He’s looking forward to it though. He’s used to working hard! A-M xx
That is awesome! I have been a poor personal blogger this past year as I started an online scrapbooking store in February (we also have weekly classes and twice monthly crops) so it has all been about business this year. Anyway, I have blogged in the past that my eldest is attending a very prestigious high school (placed top ranking for past few years based on WACE exams) on an academic scholarship. What an eye opener it is to see what she has at her fingertips in regards to opportunities. She adores school and achieves well just like your son. She appreciates the opportunity given to her and seizes it. She is just completing year 8.Her goal is to study law on a scholarship to Cambridge Uni – I hadn’t even heard of Cambridge at her age!
Wow, she knows where she’s going. Makes your heart skip a beat, doesn’t it? I sat on the back steps with my boy this afternoon and he said he saw a picture of a sick child the other night and it hit him like a tonne of bricks that not only does he want to do Medicine, which he has wanted to do since he was at kindy drawing pictures of the circulatory system and doing show and tells on ‘how to wash your hands like a doctor’….. but he wants to do Paediatrics. I can’t remember thinking beyond the weekend when I was our kids age. They have the most wonderful opportunities. It’s heart warming when they jump at them and appreciate them too. xx
It’s lovely that he has put so much thought into acknowledging the positive influences in his life. Well done on teaching your sons such an important lesson A-M. Inspiring. Vx
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I know! I was so surprised to hear that he was thinking about his teachers and how they have shaped him throughout his time at the school. Dear Mr Lees, who died this year, has been in our thoughts too. A-M xx
Beautiful A-M, I get so much inspiration from you and wish you all the very best. Being mindful of their journey as well as yours is so precious and I love that you share it with us all across the globe. Thank you!
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Thanks Ruth. Thanks for your support and kind words. xx
Doesn’t it all go by go fast? A-M you have given both your boys the most precious start in life and that is, LOVE. They both know they are loved and and valued as individuals, it shines in their eyes.Beautiful photos, beautiful Mum (and Dad).
Thanks Parisgirl! I went and looked back at the photos… you’re right, it does shine in their eyes. What a privilege to love them. xx
Oh A-M you’ve brought a tear to my eye such a Beautiful post for such a Beautiful boy. These moments are to be cherished in time. Can’t believe how much your boys look like a mini you, so Beautiful! such proud moments. Have a lovely week xx
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My boys look like my younger brothers when they were little … and me I suppose. We all look alike. Put a frock on my little one and curly hair and that was me at 10. xx
You have such handsome and accomplished young men, what a good parenting job. I love that #1son is thanking his teachers. I’m sure they will really appreciate knowing they’ve had am impact. I know your boy will embrace his new school and opportunities .
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Thank you Pat. I think he will embrace new opportunities. He’s a bit nervous but the school has a camp in a week at the Uni for all the Year 10 students so that they can meet their new peers and lecturers. Being at the Uni helps too… gives them a taste of where they are heading! xx
He is so beautiful A-M! It has been so fun to watch hime grow and change – cannot believe how big he is! Such a man and WHAT a man! You have done a wonderful job being his Mum!
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Oh Jill, thank you. In the blink of an eye. Really. So fast. It all goes so fast. A-M xx
You have done a great job, A-M …such a beautiful spirit your boys have . God bless them both!!My kids are pretty young but looking at your pictures and the journey , you guys undertook makes me all emotional about mine and i just feel the gratitude and love in your posts ….Thanks for being you . Priyaxx
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Thank you Priya. xx
I love that you have let us see how he started at school and how he has grown. It’s not so much me looking at your kids but thinking about how that will hopefully be my son one day. Having a strong sense of himself and ready to appreciate all his opportunities. It’s a beautiful post A-M. Thankyou.
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And he was happy for me to share too. That strong sense of self is so important. He’s always had it. He has always been a wise little man. Xx
You got me all teary , I actually feel like I can hear music playing in my head while I was reading. Beautifully done , he should be so proud of his mum.
Karyn x
I had music in my head too Karyn! Xx
Love the picture of you with your son… the second from top. Beautiful. He is a very talented and mature young Man. No wonder you are so proud of him. A really toughing post AM. Wishing him continued success in his next ‘chapter’.
x KL
Ah yes, a good eight years ago. You don’t realise how children age you until you look back over photos! Thank you KL, I am so proud. xx
A-M, you have the most incredible boys and I can understand how proud you are. Great children come from great parents so stand tall and let those proud tears flow. Besides the fact it embarrasses them a little, they secretly do love it.
Thank you Nadia. Had a few tears today just watching him head off for his last week. I think they do love it. Reminds them that we fiercely love them. xx
The last few years reading your blog , we’ve seen him grow in pictures from a boy to wonderful young man. I hope he achives all his dreams and has the best time doing it . Congratulations!
Hey Julie from Holland! I so love that you have been visiting me for all these years! Thank you for your kind words. xx
I’m teary here too A-M, it all goes so fast. Your message here to cherish the now is lovely and so so true. Congratulations to you all on an amazing achievement, now go off and have a holiday!
I have been reminding him all week that life is about change and he has been so lucky that he has had such a long run at his school. Change, change, change… get ‘em used to it! … and maybe they will see how precious the moments in the now are! xx
In reply to your comment about changing Brynley’s name, which i think I’ve accidentally deleted as it has disappeared due to my fiddling…..
“gosh! I do actually, amazing… He’s so grown up now! I remember leaving the hospital after visiting you and Brynley with N and we talked about how amazing it all was and would we ever have a baby…. seemed so surreal at the time! Mxxx
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I think I also remember barking at you as I was so damn deliriously tired as I had not slept at all for 5 days, 2 before he was born included! I could not believe he was mine. I was so pumped…. but narky without sleep! xx
My … how he has grown!
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Yep, sure has! Finally. He was a mite there for a while! xx
I just got a little teary reading this! I don’t usually comment on blogs (more of a lurker), but as the first time mum of an 8 week old boy, this post made me so excited for the future.
I often read and think what a great mum you are to have raised such wonderful children, and this goes to show again what wonderful family support can do, and what wonderful people your sons are too. You seem to have instilled such love, courage, empathy and a joy of learning and life in your boys and I can only hope I can do the same.
Thank you, you have absolutely made my day.
Thank you Ten. I can’t imagine how different my parenting and outlook on the future would have been if blogs or even mainstream internet was around when my first was born. To be able to get support and inspiration from other Mothers, seeing that you are not alone in mothering, looking to the future through the adventures of others… it’s wonderful now! Thank you for your kind words. xx
AM, remember the “green shorts” the boys used?
You’ve lost me Kath?! What green shorts??? xx
The shorts (may have been blue and green) I gave them to Brynley for his birthday I think it may have been his first birthday and then you passed them on to Kristian. I have a photo of both boys wearing them.
Oh yes!!! The navy and white check bloomers! We got years and years out them Kath! Fond memories! Xx
I know. Awesome,xx
To think i started to read your blog to find out about paint colours!! i have been moved to tears by your words many times. Im a teacher and love my job because i get to see beautiful children work so hard to achieve..not easily and not just academically. Congratulations to your boy..may he thrive and follow his dreams what ever they turn out to be.
Thank you so much for your kind words Dee. xx
A beautiful post A-M! All this must make you just squeal to see where it has led him. The New School is amazing! He will kill it!!!
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A-M, those are fine young sons you have raised! I think oldest son is an old soul. He thinks so deeply. Some young woman is going to snag herself a fine husband someday! Have fun on you vacation! It’s exactly my idea of the holidays too.
Congratulations on raising such a wonderful boy who will grow to be an exemplary man and the kind we need more of.
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A beautiful, heartfelt post A-M, written from the heart by a proud Mum xx Your big boys has become such a gorgeous young man, any teacher would have been privileged to have had him in their class. Wishing him all the best for the next stage of his academic journey x
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Hi A-M, I am a regular reader but rarely comment -sorry but I wanted to comment to you on this post! I too changed schools in senior year from one Catholic girls school to another one up on Mt Cootha (so opposite ends of the city) for academic reasons and I cannot tell you how ‘apprehensive’ I was about it too, I think I cried the entire Xmas school holidays but come new school year I embraced it and after a few weeks I LOVED my new school and was so excited of the challenges that lay ahead of me. Now as a 38 year mum I am still the best of friends from BOTH of my high schools, my very best friend was from my first high school and we never lost touch as you kept in touch with the friends that mean the most. so perhaps pass that on to your gorgeous son in your own A-M way cheers x
As a mum of two boys – the youngest is starting school next year – i got so much from this post. I also may have had a couple of tears in my eyes. It passes so quickly and you’re right – it is so important to cherish every moment, live in the NOW and enjoy it! thank you for reminding me of this.