Bright Eyes

My first born is almost an adult. I can't believe time has gone by so quickly and my little boy is almost a MAN.18 years ago I was heading down a dark and slippery slope. I was 16 years old- skipping school, breaking the law and spent most of my time under the influence of alcohol. Getting pregnant probably saved my life. As soon as I found out I was having a baby- I went back to school- quit drinking and tried to get my life back on track. The crowd I was hanging out with at the time have all either been in prison- addicted to drugs or worse. It wouldn't be the only time that having Tyler in my life was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

August 13 1992 at 2:13 AM after 13 hours and 13 minutes of labor I gave birth to Tyler Patrick he weighed 8lbs 4oz and was 21 inches long. His eyes were WIDE open when he came into the world and the doctor looked at him and said "well hello bright eyes!". The pediatrician said the same thing the first time he saw him. I wanted to name him Magic Buchanan but my mom talked me out of it. I didn't name him officially until 30 minutes before I was discharged from the hospital. Tyler loves that I almost named him Magic- he wishes I would have!
Tyler had pneumonia four times before he was two months old. We eventually found out that his trachea wasn't closing when he swallowed so he had to be tube fed. He was failure to thrive and hardly gained any weight the first eight months of his life. We spent much of his first year in the hospital. I remember the nurses always being in disbelief that he was such a sick baby because he was constantly laughing and smiling and jabbering. He made up for lost time and became quite the chunk by the time he was one- look at that belly!!

Despite his health issues he talked very early. He said his first three words at 9 months old. Daddy, Dog and No. He could speak fluently by 18 months old. He often used lines from movies against me. He kept everyone laughing with all his silly ways. He loved bugs- he had a pet ant named Jack for years (Jack even moved with us twice and once was across country)- he never needed training wheels on his bike he just got on it and rode- we didn't have to teach him how to read he was reading on his own by kindergarten. He started attending church with my in laws as soon as he was old enough to go in the nursery. When he was three and about to start primary he asked me to come to church with him. I went and was baptized six months later.

Tyler has had many struggles in his life but through everything he has never lost his testimony or devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has always been ready and willing to forgive me for my shortcomings and I am soooo proud to be his mother.

He loves to ride horses. He told a doctor once that the only time his mind stops racing is when he is on a horse.

Anytime we have been without a trampoline for one reason or the other he begs us to get a new one.

Here he is with his first band t-shirt! He still wears it and still loves Blink 182!

He loves anything high adventure. I can only imagine the things he is going to try as an adult. He loves to watch Man vs Wild and has aspirations to be a large animal vet- he would love to work on a wildlife preserve or in a zoo somewhere.

It will be several months before he is able to read this. Tyler is away at a school run by the National Guard. We got to see him last weekend and we couldn't be prouder of him. He is doing sooooo amazing and really making changes that will probably help him for the rest of his life. He talked about college, a mission, military service and marriage. He is looking forward to the future and taking steps to make it a bright one. I know that he may always struggle with bi-polar disorder but I also know that with the Lord's help he can overcome any obstacles that are put before him

If anyone would like to write to him while he is away please let me know and I will get you his address.

Happy 17th Birthday Tyler!!!!!