Trust.

This picture represents Ryker in his entirety.  That speck of a person at the very top of this boulder is Ryker.  As we were hiking in the mountains last weekend, Ryker had to climb the rocks, all the rocks.  We came across this big guy (I wish I had a better perspective shot...but I'll explain why I didn't get it later) Ryker exclaimed, "THAT IS THE BIGGEST ROCK I HAVE EVER SEEN."  Followed by...."CAN I CLIMB IT?"  Who the heck says no????  I mean most of me wanted to say, "Ryker, no Dude.  That is an awesomely huge rock and you can't get up, which means you shouldn't be climbing it.  It isn't safe.  What if you fall?  You could get killed!"  The list goes on and on and on and on.  But instead I said, "yes!"  Which by the way...there have been times recently where I will say yes to something crazy that Ryker says and then he replies with a, "WHOAH.  Mom.  I didn't think you were going to say Yes!"  Me either Ryker.

Anyways, I propped him up onto the boulder and watched in horror delight as he made his way up to the very top.  I wanted so badly to run far away and snap a picture to show the perspective.  BUT damnit if I wasn't going to try and stay close enough so that if when he came tumbling down, I could catch him.  So I settled for this photo of his little chipmunk head sticking out.  His grandparents watched and I was really wondering if they were questioning my parenting abilities, and I couldn't blame them because I was too.  Ryk made his way down to me, partially sliding on needles that had fallen from the trees.  I was pretty relieved when his little big feet touched the ground.  He said immediately, "I can't believe I climbed that WHOLE rock."  You could hear his pride, and I felt it too.  He went racing off to tell the others of his wicked feat that he had accomplished.  When I reached Russell I went to tell him how awesome it was and how far Ryk had climbed, but Ryk had already beat me to it.  The dude was so proud of himself.

<3 momma="" p="">