Happy Birthday Big Boy!

Well, I knew it would happen someday, and that day was yesterday. My itty bitty 6 lb 11 oz baby gained 145 lbs and turned 18. Yes, 18. Now I know what you're going to say, "18? Terilyn, you don't look old enough to have an 18 year old." And I publicly and lovingly thank you for that comment, but it's true - the boy is 18 and poised to graduate from Pasco High this year.

Here's a picture of the handsome guy now!

As I reflect on these last 18 years, I really don't have much to complain about. I realize that as a girl and as a mother, the only thing I have to compare a teenage boy to are those I grew up with in my own home and those that I knew at high school. I have to tell you - he's better than anyone else I knew as a 18 year old teenage boy. I told him so yesterday when we went to his favorite restaurant Outback Steakhouse - which - just in case you didn't know - doesn't open until 4:00, don't plan on lunch there. It was just he, Mike and I - if we took anyone else it would have seriously rendered our bank account totally helpless. Anyway, I told him that these past 18 years had been pretty good ones and I appreciated him for it. He made his own mind up early that he wanted to put God first in his life and he has lived his life that way thus far (is that a word?). He's been a great asset to our family mood wise. He is easy going and doesn't get angry easily or often. He makes everyone feel happy. In fact, the other day Jeremy asked me what I was going to miss most when Tyler was gone on his mission and I had a hard time putting a finger on it. Jeremy said, "I think our house won't be as funny as it was when he is living with us. Tyler's pretty funny." Truly I beg to differ. Jeremy is pretty funny in his own right and Brigam - he has a future in stand up comedy. Anyway, back to Tyler and my singing praises of him.....

He's always planned on going on a mission - although he has never saved for a mission, he started the other day. He just recently got hired on at the Tri-City Court Club as a lifeguard. I'm pretty proud of him because the manager of the lifeguards that hired him had no idea that he was my kid. That means he got the job all by his big boy self. Anyway, he an I were talking about his mission and money for it a few weeks ago and I told him that he should put 40% in the bank and 10% to tithing and have the remainder 50% for whatever he wanted/needed of every paycheck regardless of how much it was. Well, payday came and that afternoon I asked him if he got his check and cashed it. Yes he did. I asked him where he cashed it and he said at HAPO (where his bank account is) which shocked me because I didn't know he knew to do that there - no seriously - Tyler really doesn't have any experience with paychecks. Then he told me that he put 50% in his mission fund that day. I was so proud because that was him and not me nagging him. See - he's a smart boy.

I truly love my boy and am so proud of him and the choices he's made. As I sang his praises at Outback of the great kid he is, Mike had to add something as well. I'm sure this will be long remembered as "something my dad used to always say" as Mike said, "And if you aren't a good kid, you've really got us fooled." Wasn't that touching? So nurturing.

Upcoming in Tyler's life - even before the graduation - is his involvement in

MR. PASCO at Pasco High School

as a contestant. Now I think that this is just like Miss America for boys, but I know it will be fun. They have 4 Juniors and 6 Seniors that they've chosen to be in the contest and Tyler is one of the 6. They will have an evening wear competition, swimsuit competition, questions/answer portion and a talent portion of the contest. I'm really serious. This is happening. You must ALL come and support him.

It's at Pasco High THIS Thursday the 12th at 7:00 pm at the Gregson Auditorium. Some lucky man/child will be awarded the coveted title of MR. PASCO (and two prom tickets.) Tyler has a great and interesting talent portion - come and support him. You need $1.00 and 1 canned food item. Doors open at 6:30. I am excited to see Tyler on stage. This has NEVER been him, so I am excited that he will have this memory in his lifetime.

Happy Birthday Tyler!