My Full Nest!

My heart sang praises at midnight last night as my oldest bird, fresh from his tech school graduation, flew home to my nest! He was escorted by his proud dad, and brother Brady. He was welcomed in by his proud mama, sister Taylor and bleary eyed baby brother Brogan. (Teddi's welcome and introduction came this morning, as she was sound asleep for all of the excitement last night!)

As you can see from the picture above, The Grinner had no trouble grinning at well past midnight! He was ever so happy to jump into the arms of his biggest brother (whom he hadn't seen since Christmas). Welcome home Bryce! (Poster courtesy of The Grinner, with help from big sis.)

Proud dad and Bryce, at the post graduation

bar-b-que, in Spokane.

Do you see where The Grinner gets his grin?

Look at my tall guy!

Thank you Brady for being the photographer.

Proud mama took this shot before church this morning.

I am so proud of all that Bryce has accomplished. He is now a qualified SERE (Survival) Specialist for the U.S. Air Force. What does that mean? The following is taken from the SERE website --

S.E.R.E. - (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape)
This is a small specialized career field in the US Air Force comprised of approximately 325 enlisted personnel. Air Force SERE Specialists train aircrew members and high risk of capture personnel from all branches of the military. The students are trained in skills which allow them to survive in all climatic conditions as well as how to survive while being held captive.

The SERE Creed ~
I am a SERE Specialist...
I am an expert in Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape. I can survive anywhere in the world and prepare others to do the same. I prove myself by deed and action. I respect every warfighter and consider their needs before my own. I will remember that the lives of those I influence rest in my hands and if they fail the failure is mine alone. I will keep myself in top physical and mental condition, I will never tarnish the honor of fellow SERE Specialists, and I will accept no less from my peers. I do these things so they may: "Return with Honor"

I am one happy mama! It seems not so distant a memory that I would crawl into bed on a cold winter's night praying hard . . . First, for my oldest bird who was in training, knowing that he was sleeping outside in man-made shelters, in deep snow and sub-zero temps, in the second harshest winter that Spokane has ever seen. It doesn't make for an easy sleep when you are a mama. Next I would pray for my littlest bird, still in China waiting to come home to her family. . . . that the Lord would keep her healthy and safe, and prepare her heart to meet us. Finally I would pray that God would help me to be the best mama that I could be to the three birds in my nest, as I mothered them with a part of my heart in Spokane, and another part in China. . . those were tough days!


God is Faithful, so very faithful! Today I watched as my strong, firstborn bird gently picked up my little China bird, his baby sister, and welcomed her with loving arms . . .

My nest is full, and my heart overflows. Thank you Father, for answered prayers, for blessing me beyond anything I could have ever imagined! You are so good to me.

Blessings from my joyful nest!

Tina

I hope to have pictures of all five of my birds together very soon--no small feat!