A Day With My Boy

Bryce and I were able to get away to New Orleans for Navy week on Saturday!  I was super excited to spend the day with one of my children who doesn't need me to escort them to the potty :)  Love my girls....but, you know....  It seems that Bryce and I don't get to spend alot of time together, so I was happy to be with him.  There is a year-long celebration going on celebrating the 100th anniversary of the war of 1812.  With this, the Navy brought in lots of ships and opened them up for tours.  The Navy and ships isn't exactly my thing, but it's always fun to participate in things your children have interests in.  We were supposed to finish the day with a Blue Angels show, but the weather forced them to cancel :(

This was a ship we toured that is an active ship.


 Bryce in front of some of the wooden ships they brought in.

 My favorite, and I think Bryce's too, was the air craft carrier. They had set up all kinds of military vehicles to go through. Bryce would really like to fly one of these one day.

Love this boy.  He makes me so proud.

Happy Birthday Bryce!!

15!!! Holy Moly!! Where does the time go? Every time he stands next to me, I can't believe I have to look up at him! Every time he talks, I can't believe that his voice sounds like Richard and not me!! I am so proud of the man he is becoming, and as much as I want to keep him "little" forever...I can't wait to see the amazing things he does with his life!!!

What a birthday weekend! To be honest, the past few years, Bryce has only had small family birthday parties. Boy did we make up for that this weekend! We started last night with a group of his friends coming over for pizza and cake. (The girl 2nd from the right is his sweet girlfriend :) Don't tell him I told you ;) lol..



We kept the party going all day long today with a Sea Cadet Family Day at our house! It was a coincidence that it fell on Bryce's birthday, but it was awesome to be able to celebrate his birthday with this group of friends!


The man speaking to the group is an active duty Navy Seal. He just got in from Iraq, and had some amazing things to share with us.


You should have seen my house! This is AFTER the group of Harley motorcycles left! I am sure we had the golf course talking today. So funny! This is a restored Army jeep they brought for the occassion.


This big 'ole thing sat in front of my house all day :) I love it!! As they drove off for a ride around the neighborhood, I couldn't help but think of the little birthday parties we had when Bryce was younger. One was a little train that rode up and down the street taking the kids for rides. Boy have times changed!!


I was so excited about this cake! I kept it from everyone until the big reveal.


Bryce was very surprised and impressed.




It was so hot today, and these little sisters were such good sports. I let them take a break in my room to watch Cinderella. Wesleigh was in heaven with all these girls around. I did get the report, though, that she is not a "good sharer"...yep...we have our work cut out for us!


And...Mama had to have a little fun too!


So...I'm up late tonight waiting for a glimpse of Di with Emme!! She should have her...I'm just waiting for proof!!!! SO EXCITING!!!

Site For Sore Eyes...

Richard and I drove to Fort Benning, GA Friday to attend Bryce's graduation from Recruit Training Saturday. The plan was that we would spend a few hours with him and then deliver him back for the advanced training (another 10 days). We couldn't have any 2-way communication, but I received a letter Friday that made it clear...he didn't want to stay for the extra 10 days. Fine by me! When we saw him Saturday, he was in much better spirits. The letter had been written on a very bad day, and he was actually considering staying. In the end, we brought him back with us! Which made this mama very happy!! I have decided that I am NOT ready for him to graduate and go off to college. We missed him so much around here while he was gone!!

They are so handsome in their uniforms!!


This cadet is from Bryce's division. He won a special award. I just LOVE how this photo and the next one came out.




Finally...got my hands on my boy!!




The 3 cadets from our division.


Bryce's bunk. He loved the locker so much, he wants one for his room :)


Happy 4th of July!!!!
We are headed downtown this year...we'll see how that goes! I can tell you that Wesleigh has the cutest dress for today!!!

Finally!!

Bryce has been gone since Saturday and, finally, today they uploaded some pictures! I don't have a way to get in touch with him, so I have been stalking the photo site, waiting for something! It was awesome just to put my eyes on him...although he looks like he's 10 yrs. older than when I left him!!

Here are a few of the pics they shared.


He went with a pretty short buzz cut, but now he's practically bald :)




He looks so handsome :)




I have to admit that I'm not 100% certain this is Bryce, but it sure looks like it could be his ear :) I'm going to pretend it is! It was very hard to pick him out is some of the pics because they all look alike!


I know he is loving this!!




I know he's being worked to death, but I also know they are doing some things that he loves. 8 more days before I get to see him for a couple of hours...then 10 more days before he's home!!!!

Other exciting news...Cade is home!!! He had a great time at camp but is exhausted. I am happy to have him back. He leaves a big void in this house when he's not here. He'd better sleep good tonight because our last ball tournament is this weekend!!

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

I love this photo of Bryce...Just wanted to share it.


For over a month now, every weekend has been unbelievably busy. This weekend is no different. Bryce is going to a Sea Cadet event, Cade is in a local tournament, Braden is playing an hour away. The one difference this weekend is that there is a wedding at my house tomorrow!! I offered our house to a friend for her wedding, and it has me hoppin'! All week has been centered around getting this house in shape (not a small feat!). Though I have wondered, many times, what I was thinking when I offered, it has been a good thing to force us to get things cleaned up around here! Wesleigh is spending some time with Maw Maw and Paw Paw today so I don't have someone undo-ing what I just did. Perhaps, the best news is that the weather is going to be gorgeous which means the ceremony will be outside :)

I have been intentionally poking with my updates...hoping I would have something new to share of my 5th little blessing. Nothing yet, but hoping it will be soon! I need to see that sweet smile again!! I should have that update soon!!

Have a great weekend! I guess I need to put this computer down and get busy!!