Yesterday was my son's 15th birthday. Where is the time going? He has big goals and dreams. He joined choir and is going to try out for his youth group band. When he sings songs that have a higher pitch, he has a little trouble hitting the notes, so after watching American Idol and complaining about those terrible family members who aren't honest enough to tell their little rock star how bad they really are, I decided I'd be honest with Andy. He was going to try out for a musical and I said that maybe he should try out for a non musical part. ... yes, I crushed him. I would have done just about anything to take those words back. Not long afterward I read an article in The Parade about a mom who refused to be the critic in her kid's lives. She said the whole world is their critic. She is going to be their biggest cheerleader and encourage them to follow their heart. I wondered where that article had been a few months before. I learned my lesson and this year when Andy said he joined choir, I told him that was wonderful and we looked on youtube together to watch someone sing his West Side Story song. I'm also helping him think of some good songs he might want to use to try out for the youth group band. And if American Idol comes into town again, I will be one of those crazy moms who threatens Simon if my son doesn't come out with a ticket to Hollywood. I don't think that will be necessary though. He is really pretty good!