Ross played in a talent show band a few weeks back. (That's him playing guitar on the right.)
He and his friend Eli (the singer) let me help narrow down the songs. I was voting for She Talks to Angels by the Black Crows but I got vetoed and they ended up going with Weightless by Floater instead.
I had my camera settings all ready to go based on the performance before his.
Unfortunately though, as the curtains opened, I noticed the regular stage lights were turned off and there was nothing more than a few really soft, blue lights shining down on them. (How's a photographer supposed to adjust for that while standing in the dark without any sort of forewarning?!?)
He was amazing (even if my pictures were not.)
Towards the end, he swung his guitar around his neck (which made my heart skip a beat because I paid for half of that thing.)
And then he licked his guitar (which grossed me out because...it's gross.)
He told me before the talent show that he was going to swing his guitar around his neck but he must have purposely left out the part about licking his guitar because he knew I would totally disapprove.
And when he came back on stage with the band after taking 3rd place, he took the microphone and somewhat jokingly said, "This is the happiest day of my life and I want to thank my Mom and I want to thank...just my mom."
I smiled for so long my cheeks hurt.
Love it. What an amazin son. What an amazing moment. You must be on cloud nine. Congratulations for razing such an awesome young man. It surely pays off.
Wynett
Posted by: Wynett | March 30, 2010 at 03:06 PM
Awesome. Those two boys of yours have had quite a week!
Posted by: Jen Spain | March 30, 2010 at 03:16 PM
Isn't it wonderful when you know that they "get it!"
Posted by: Cathy Kuhlman | March 30, 2010 at 03:21 PM
Awww, love that story!
Posted by: Addie | March 30, 2010 at 03:23 PM
quite a amazing son you're raising there! that had so make a mama's heart swell with pride! well, except for the the guitar licking part ;) silly boys.
Posted by: sarah | March 30, 2010 at 03:30 PM
Hope that smile stays for days!
Posted by: Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita | March 30, 2010 at 03:37 PM
So, so sweet...have to love our boys!
Posted by: Lynn | March 30, 2010 at 03:52 PM
Now it's raining indoors too! My eyes just welled-up!
I love those mother-son moments.
Tina
Posted by: Patinamarie | March 30, 2010 at 04:20 PM
Awwwwwww MOM!! You must still be smiling!!!
And I hope I am not way out of line....
That boy has got to be Josh Downs....way too cute!!
You are amazing Karen!!!
Valerie
Posted by: Valley | March 30, 2010 at 04:30 PM
sweetest kid on earth.
(the licking was kinda hilarious)
Posted by: anne | March 30, 2010 at 04:34 PM
You must tell me all of your secrets for raising sons. I got teary reading that as if it were my own son.
And I think the shots are amazing - the blue adds just the right atmosphere :)
Posted by: Erica | March 30, 2010 at 05:23 PM
Okay Karen- this is the second post I've read of yours that made me tear up today (the one about Cole being adopted was the other)! What great family moments you've been having on your blog break!
Posted by: Betsy | March 30, 2010 at 05:27 PM
He is so sweet and you are a great mom. I just had a few tears roll down my cheeks when I read what he said. We moms are so mushy:)
Posted by: Melanie | March 30, 2010 at 05:33 PM
Two such wonderful posts right in a row! Thanks for making me smile, smile, smile!
Posted by: Irene | March 30, 2010 at 05:50 PM
OH I got goosebumps just reading that ending....isn't it so AWESOME when our sons appreciate us? Hugs to you from a single mom that raised a son by herself...and loves when he appreciates me as he did last year at his CD release party...he is actually into the whole music scene too and writes and performs his own music.
Posted by: KathleenB | March 30, 2010 at 06:26 PM
Awwww....just, awwww. Sons will always be the ones to thank their moms.
Posted by: Lisa Bosch | March 30, 2010 at 06:29 PM
Amazing! My son is due any day or minute and I can't wait for those kinds of moments! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kate | March 30, 2010 at 06:30 PM
That is so sweet of him to thank YOU! How fun for you to watch him!
Posted by: Shauna Thompson | March 30, 2010 at 07:06 PM
brought tears to my eyes....i can feel how proud you are in your words and pictures....awesome.
Posted by: Susan | March 30, 2010 at 07:19 PM
You can be very proud that you have done such a great job raising this young man! Ross, you should be proud of yourself, too!!
Posted by: Kelly | March 30, 2010 at 07:41 PM
What great pictures--I'd love to know what settings you used!
What a sweet son to say such sweet words!
Posted by: Frances | March 31, 2010 at 02:04 AM
so sweet. i hope that one day my son will lick his guitar and thank me... kind of...
Posted by: tess s. | March 31, 2010 at 04:24 AM
The pic of licking the guitar cracks me up!
Posted by: Gena - MI | March 31, 2010 at 05:59 AM
Aww, too sweet, what a good boy you have there!
Posted by: Cate O'Malley | March 31, 2010 at 06:30 AM
YAY Karen... you have done well with him (except on th licking, maybe...)! :)
Posted by: Heather Topich | March 31, 2010 at 07:06 AM