Celebrating This Boy

October 18 is the day we celebrate this boy: Bridger Waters.

When you are told that you cannot have something you want desperately, and that you shouldn't get your hopes up, it is quite exciting to have the privilege of having that very thing, even if it takes longer than you'd hoped. When I was a young mother of two, I just KNEW there was another baby waiting to be mine. I just knew it. And yet. I only had two babies, and they were getting older with each passing year. The doctors told me it probably wasn't going to happen.  

After many years passed, I finally told God, "I have done all I can. I can be happy as a mother of two perfect children. If there is to be another baby, I leave it in your hands." And just like that, within a year of letting go of my expectations, I was blessed. We were richly blessed with the miracle that is my son Bridger. His ten-year-old brother and eight-year-old sister welcomed their baby brother with open arms.  

Today we celebrate his sixteenth birthday, and it will be official:  he will get his driver's license and he will become much more independent. He will no longer need my services as his personal chauffeur. I will surely miss our hour long drives through the canyon each day to and from school. It is our time to talk, to ponder, to catch up, to listen.  

This last year we have had some great road trips together. He has been my co-pilot, sharing the driving as we traveled to Denver to see his sweet sister, and heading to Bryce Canyon to visit a good friend.  He has tackled the snarl of traffic on our trips to our house in in the city up north, a three hour ride from our rural home that takes us past Salt Lake City, and he has managed the swerving canyon roads with a conscientious attitude. He drives the way he lives his life, with purpose and intention, laughing along the way.

Bridger is an amazing young man.  He is the voice of reason when I feel stressed. He is my Jiminy Cricket when naughty words escape my lips, or I drive too fast through the canyon. He is my hiking and biking partner. He is brilliant, asking questions I would never think to ask, seeking answers diligently when I don't know how to help. He is my Music Man, entertaining me with his guitar, and pursuing his dream of learning to be the best tuba player, as he also plays the trumpet, trombone, and wishes he could play the bass.  

UPDATE: Today, October 18, 2016 is Bridger's 19th birthday. He is a freshman at Dixie State University, and singing in the choir and playing for the band while he gets his general studies done. Not only did he learn to play the bass, he also plays the guitar. He is so talented. I'm hoping he has the best birthday ever. 

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy.  I am so thankful for the miracle that is you.

Going the extra mile with private lessons...he would love to play in an orchestra, but for now enjoys playing
in our local Sevier Valley Symphony.

We biked together for the first time this fall along the Ogden River.

Love his great attitude and cheerfulness.  Yes, he is one of my sweetest blessings...my miracle boy.

Cultural events are a special treat.  We love going to concerts and Broadway productions. For his sixteenth birthday, we took his cousin Tatiana with us to see STOMP.

These hands are strong hands.  They fix things, they soothe things, they lift things, and they make beautiful music.

17 years old, bass player for Grizzly Bear Whiplash

18 years old

19 years old