Happy 18th Birthday

This post should have been on Saturday, but I just didn't get to the computer.

My younger brother, Landon, turned 18. This is such a huge milestone. He can do many things at 18 that he has not been able to do before. He can get into places, he can register to vote(I hope he will), he can sign up for the military, he can go to college, and he is technically an "adult". These are just a few of the many things that 18 brings. Landon is off to college next month....Texas Tech, of course and he is signing up for the military....sort of. Landon has been blessed with a full Army ROTC scholarship. I am so proud of him! This brings bittersweet feelings for me. Mostly sweet....he will learn so much, make great friends, begin a wonderful future and have opportunities that most of us will never have. The not so sweet for me is that he will have to be far away at times.....across the world.

Landon was born when I was 13 and became "mine" very quickly. I walked him around and held him WAY more than I should have, but I had someone to take care of and I was thrilled. I feel like in a lot of ways I have raised him. My dad and stepmom are wonderful parents and have always been present. I have just had the opportunity to be sister, friend and parent when needed. I changed his diaper, wiped his nose and even wiped tears at times. Words do not adequately express what I feel for him. I truly believe God blessed me with Landon for lots of reason, but one that I think of often is that God knew he would bless me with 2 sweet boys of my own. My boys definitely have a wonderful uncle to look up to many ways. He has turned out to be such an amazing young man and I look forward to watching him grow.

Happy 18th Birthday, Landon! I love you dearly and you will always have a special place in my heart. Know that you are loved by us all, but especially by your Heavenly Father. Keep your eyes on Him and your focus will be just right.