Take a walk in Baby Bryce's shoes....

          Well Baby Bryce's shoes, he's three and his daddy has been away now for three months. He was ok with the first couple of weeks and maybe even the first month. But after three months our funny strong willed child has become difficult. He asks for his Daddy daily. He is very concerned with Alec going away to camp; he has been away off and on throughout the summer. When I'm away at work he will ask “is my mommy coming home?” When I return he lets me know how much he misses me, and then proceeds to slap me for leaving. He's angry! He has a paddle with his name on it. His world as he knew it for the first three years has changed.

     Yesterday was a hard day for all of us. Bryce refused to go to sleep the night before then came to my room at 5:00 a.m. He wouldn't take a nap. I tried everything. He was whinny and miserable all day.  Alec had a softball game with Scouts, my plan was to wear Bryce out at the park then bring him home for bath and bed. I wasn't going to cook. 

     I told Bryce if he was good at dinner we would go to the park. I was hoping to eat outside at the Fish Company but it had just rained, we opted for a table inside. We were sat at a booth; Bryce and I sat on the side with no one sitting behind us. He was for the most part good; he hadn't screamed and was entertaining himself with the crackers. They make great train tracks. When our food had arrived a gentleman was sat behind us. As we were paying our bill, Bryce started rocking in his seat, I of course told him to stop and thought I was on top of the issue. He started again and the grumpy old man behind me yelled knock it out. I'm so mad I didn't knock him out. I have worked in the restaurant business my entire life. I would have sent Alec out with Bryce, before I let Bryce ruin his meal. Bryce stopped rocking and I started crying. I was so mad at this man. When we got to the car I asked Alec if I should go back in and tell this grumpy old man this little boys dad had been away for three months now and had many more to go. I understand lots and lots of kids have gone through deployment and Bryce will survive, but in his little mind his Daddy is gone. Perhaps knocking the man out may have not been the right solution maybe I should have asked for him to pray that I have patience with this little boy. Patience so that I don't continue to lose my cool and scream and yell. 

     

    

CANDY GIRL!!!!

Aaron sure does know me!!! I love CANDY! This was such a fun surprise. The card said to share,  so Alec and Bryce both had a couple of pieces. Bryce had his first candy necklace. Thank YOU Aaron!     

Thank GOD for GREAT Friends!

This is a message I received from the Davis Family.

Alec had a great 4th of July. He did a 4 mile hike with a 20 foot waterfall to slide/jump off of. Then dinner outdoors with another creek to play in. We shot off lots of his fireworks, (they were really good ones). Now we are heading out for a day of whitewater rafting. The weather is beautiful, hope you have a great day!

 I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the Davis family. They have always been a blessing to our family.  I would never consider a vacation without Aaron, yet I hated for Alec not to have a summer vacation. He loves their mountain house and being outdoors. Cameron (Wesley's older brother) leaves for college this fall; he has been a great role model for Alec.

Bryce and I decided to keep with tradition. We met Melissa and Makennah at the beach. The beach wasn't too crowded and the sea breeze was just right. I wish we could send the sea breeze Aaron’s way. With a cooler full of snacks we stayed for three hours. It was very relaxing and Melissa's chicken salad sandwiches were delicious. Melissa pulled Bryce around on the little boogie board, as you can see in the pictures he LOVED it.  I think it took us 45 minutes to get back to our car, because Bryce was amazed at all the people riding bikes and the festivities on First Street.      

I took my camera but didn't take any pictures, shame on me. My mom came over to watch Bryce so I could run to Bone Fish for a bite to eat. They had a band playing and my good friends and Outback customers were there. I wish I would have went earlier so that I could have chatted longer. I had a quick bite to eat with Staci. The food and atmosphere could not have been any better. 

Laura Glover invited us to St. Augustine to see the fireworks with her AWESOME and ENTERTAINING family. Bryce was excited to see his friend Will. The weather was perfect and the breeze kept the bugs away. The boys were able to run and play before the fireworks. I'm so glad we didn't have to see the fireworks by ourselves. 

Since Bryce is three he wasn't sure what the fourth of July was all about. He only relates fireworks to Sea World and Disney. I explained to him it was America's birthday. When we first saw the Glovers he was excited to tell them his mom was going to make a huge Star Wars cake. In his mind if America was having a birthday, America needed a huge Star Wars cake for all these people at the party. It was obvious he was a Star Wars fan, he did his Darth Vader choke for everyone. To top off the evening the fireworks were being shot off to music. Yep the Imperial March was one of the songs. Bryce was so excited. 

Aaron is the family land navigator. I got lost going back to the car. This is not my department,  It's Aaron's. I never pay attention, I'm always with Aaron. I parked on a street off of San Marco. As we left our car I read the street name so that I would remember it. All the streets are named after a Saint and resemble each other. No big deal, just six blocks out of the way. I found it, eventually. Hey Aaron and Alec, Guess what? I was lost!!! 

I Love the Fourth of July

I love this holiday because I love the country I live in. I like the way we as a nation celebrate July 4th. Our family tries to keep it simple. Our tradition is a morning trip to the beach, afternoon nap, BBQ dinner out and to the beach for fireworks. I will try and keep with some of the tradition, but with Alec and Aaron away it will not be the same.  Alec is in North Carolina.  

    

 

Bryce helped me hang this ribbon. He was so cute and happy to be doing it for his dad. I asked him if he wanted his sign to say THANK YOU DADDY OR MISS YOU DADDY, you can see he was very proud. He misses his Daddy so much!!!!!!