Happy Birthday, Bryce! (one day delayed)

Today my Bryce Evan turned 26 years old.

*sigh*

When my three bigs were little there were days that seemed endless, especially in those long stretches when daddy was deployed, again and again.  People would say "enjoy these years because they go by so quickly"--

and honestly as a young mom to three small and busy children some of those days were a little bit hard to enjoy.  But they were right, the years did go by so quickly--despite the days that I thought bedtime would never come.

When I look at pictures it's like my little man . . .

grew up . . . 

in the blink of an eye.

Each day racing by . . .

preparing Bryce for who he would become.

A boy on a flightline in Florida, 

safe in his daddy's arms . . .

in a blink--

turned a young Airman in Texas,

 standing tall beside his proud dad.

My babe in arms, relaxing in the mountains

in a blink . . .

became my strong, tough SERE* Instructor

surviving in the mountains!

*Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape

Looking back . . .

it's easy to see

that the Lord was preparing

my oldest bird

to soar!

Bryce,

Even though it sometimes feels like you grew up way too fast, raising you was a pleasure 

(not counting certain moments of a few teenage years {because honesty is our policy}) and a privilege. We are beyond proud of you for following the path that the Lord laid out long ago.  We're proud of you for pushing through the tough stuff, and for giving your best to everything that you do.  Thank you for being a man of integrity in a world that will try to get you to take the easy way. Thank you for being a shining example of what a big brother should be.  Thank you for setting your standard high and for holding yourself to it.  Thank you for trusting in the Lord's guidance.  May He continue to direct your path as you live each day to its fullest.  Happy 26th Birthday, Bryce!  We love you!   Mom

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina