Tyler's Graduation

It was Senior Sunday yesterday. So I had prepared to share some thoughts about Tyler. I'm posting what I shared. I almost made it through without tears. But I somehow managed to get it together and read this in front of our church. Each parent of a senior had this same opportunity. I think there were 7 seniors.

I have in a way been preparing for this day for 18 years. I knew that the day would come when Tyler would turn 18 and be leaving the nest. Honestly, I have been dreading it and I haven’t wanted to let go. But I do have plenty to say about Tyler. So here goes. Tyler Lee Boyce was born November 25th, 1991. The Baby of the family, a Thanksgiving baby. Tyler was born a beautiful blonde, adorable, sweet, easy baby. Being the youngest of 4, he seemed to grow up fast. He did his best to keep up with his siblings and did a pretty good job of it. He was a delight to our family. His siblings often took over in the parenting department it seems, and maybe that’s why you turned out so well. Many times I found myself saying, don’t grow up Ty, I love this stage your in. At a young age he wanted to play sports and we’ve been watching him ever since. We watched him play, t ball, baseball, soccer, basketball and now volleyball. We watched countless games but we were always so proud to sit on the sidelines watching and cheering.

Tyler became a natural athlete, and he excelled on the volleyball court. He seemed to learn quickly how not to get riled. He learned to absorb the difficult things that would come his way very naturally. He showed that often on the basketball and volleyball courts. That’s a very special gift. He also has the gift of friendship. He makes friends easily. Often our house would swarm with kids!! On a regular basis we would have our cupboards and refrigerator raided, our family room rearranged, our stock of pop cans depleted, sweaty shoes, dirty socks and sports equipment left in the doorway to trip over, back packs filled with books that were often unread, cords and endless cords that would go from one end of the house to the other, connecting televisions, video games, etc.

I don’t think that a week would go by that Tyler didn’t forget something at home and would be texting me to bring to school what he’d forgotten. I made countless trips to Zion Benton High School.

But I wouldn’t change any of this for one minute. I will treasure these years in my heart for as long as I live. I heard this quote recently, “that when you were born, God gave you a boat ~ that’s your life, ~ designed to be an adventure for all your days on the earth. God also created a dock, and that’s your family, that would be the place of encouragement, safety and security to give you the courage to sail”. So Ty as we watch your boat sail, it’s with much pride and apprehension that we let you go. But know that your dock is your home, family and where you belong and we’re here to cheer you on. You have certainly made us very proud.

Tyler has a wonderful and warm sense of humor, and easy spirit. I also saw early on that Tyler has an open heart. His heart is big and he has an amazing ability to reach out to others especially when they’re hurting. He demonstrated that just recently.

It seems though that we blinked one too many times and now Tyler you’re grown and a wonderful young man, with hopes and dreams of your own. You came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as a little boy. Stand firm on that foundation that was built in your life from an early age. We pray and know that you will continue to seek Christ. I know there were many times that I doubted my own wisdom in raising you, but I’m reminded of the promises of God and when I didn’t feel I was enough, I know He stood in the gap. And He will continue to do that in your life. A quote I read just recently is this ~ “Life is not about any particular achievement or experience. The most important task of your life is not what you do, but who you become”. ~

A verse that I want to share with you is this. Isaiah 30:21 says ~ whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” We love you Ty! And we will never stop cheering!

The Color Purple

What an amazing color purple has become for me. I didn't realize it would ever mean so much. Everyone who sported a little purple this past weekend, thank you! What an encouragement! It showed that you cared! Purple hair, wow! Who would have ever thought that I would be sporting purple hair. The guy checking out at Jewel made a comment about my purple hair streaks. I proceeded to tell him about my grandbabies and MPS awareness. He said I see people in line all the time with crazy hair colors and he said they are just trying to look hip and cool. But he said for you it works and it's hip and cool, whether you were trying or not. OK.... so I left with a big smile on my face! He made me smile. Whether he meant to or not!

Over $1100 dollars came in from purple hair streaks! Who would ever have guessed! Something so crazy.... but fun! Thank you Jesus.......for purple hair streaks!.......You are good!!!

MPS Awareness day....

Here is the scoop. MPS Awareness day is May 15 (Saturday). And, because it falls on a weekend, I am asking we all observe it on Friday at school, work, or whatever your day looks like on Friday in hopes to bring more attention to Sanfilippo. We are encouraging you, and your friends, to
wear purple on Friday
(and Saturday too if you want). We are taking it a step further and having
a PURPLE STREAKING party on Friday
....no, we are not painting ourselves purple and streaking.....although that would bring a whole lot of attention to Sanfilippo! We will be dying our hair with 2 purple streaks to represent Jayden and Brooklyn. Jodelle-our paddleboardin friend thought of the idea and is doing it in Missouri, too. It will be done by two professional hair stylists. The streaks can be as bright and noticeable or hidden and blended as you want. Any hair color welcome!


13215 W. Wadsworth Rd.
Wadsworth, IL
Friday, May 14, 2010
6-10 PM
$5 per streak
all proceeds and any donations will go to www.buildwiththeboyces.com
More info:
Carol 847-951-7920 or Heidi 847-721-5541
Under 18 must have parent consent
I also want to include some educational information so when you are telling people why you are wearing purple-you can explain it....Here is a general "script"... hope this helps.
Today is MPS Awareness day. MPS is a genetic disorder that effects about 1 in 25,000 children. Very basically, cells can't recycle a particular "sugar" like our bodies can and sugar builds up in every cell in a child's body causing the body to slowly stop functioning. Children are born normal and over time, they slowly loose any of the skills they gained. Most children don't make it past their teenage years because currently, there is no treatment or cure--mostly due to lack of funding for research. There are different types of MPS and I am wearing purple today in support of two kids I know with Sanfilippo, which is type 3 (MPSIIIA). But the family, and I, are hopeful that there will be treatment options or a cure in the future....we also believe that God's in control and that Jayden and Brooklyn's life is special-whatever the future brings. If you want more information about it or want to get involved, go to www.buildwiththeboyces.com.
If you want more detailed info, you can also visit www.mpssociety.com.

Mothers Day!!

It's Mothers Day today and I wasn't thinking that it would mean all that much. In fact earlier I was deeply discouraged and wanted to run away. But Rian just blessed me so much with her kind words. She came to my rescue. I know I sure didn't deserve her blessing. Somehow in God's sovereignty He gives us what we don't deserve. But I realized how I'm blessed by so many women in my life who have nurtured and have continued to set Godly examples. Yes, we're all imperfect. But I see different things in different women that have helped mold me, change me, grow me. I'm inspired by them and am thankful to have been blessed over and over again by wonderful women. So a great big thank you to my wonderful mom and mother in law and to my beautiful sisters in law and my sweet nieces. And to my daughter who has blessed me over and over and is constantly reminding me that I've done ok. And I'm always inspired by my daughter in law. She is an incredible blessing in my life. I learn so much from her. So thank you! Happy Mothers Day! I'm blessed!

Justin's 30th Birthday

May 6th 1980 ~ Justin was born. What a day that was! As you can imagine we were thrilled to have our first son. Justin has been a joy to our family ever since. I'm so proud to call him my son. I know life has been hard as of lately for him and Stef and for all of us. But I see an incredible and remarkable young man in Justin. I stand amazed at how he's responding in light of adversity and pain. I'm learning and growing by watching him and his deep love for his beautiful children. Justin's heart is huge, and God is opening it up even more. God uses us even when we're most broken and feeling as if we have nothing more to give. Justin has been to the depths these past few months and my heart has been broken watching that. But God is not finished, I know he believes and so do we that we still serve a sovereign and merciful God.

Happy 30th birthday Justin. You are an amazing son and I couldn't be more proud of you. May God bless you today! Keep enjoying St.Thomas! We love you! You are a tremendous gift to us!