This is 17

Today, my middle, Parker, turns 17. He was born when Peyton was 2 1/2 and was my baby for 12 years before Mason arrived. This kid was made to be resilient from the start and I could not love him more.

And while Parker planned to spend his 17th birthday driving his car to baseball practice, swinging his new bat and wearing his new cleats, a Christmas break skiing accident altered those plans when he tore the ACL in his right knee. Instead, we are awaiting surgery and sports are off the table for the next year; no junior year baseball, no summer baseball, no senior year football, no driving. And while things could definitely be worse and we are grateful that healing will occur, it is difficult for a 17 year old to accept a year of life looking very different than he had planned.

In fact, Parker has had to work extra hard in all areas of his life and has had to overcome more in his 17 years than most people would ever realize. It has made him mentally tough, fiercely loyal and brutally honest. I learn from him more than he learns from me.

So, this is 17...sports, friends, driving, Buffalo Wild Wings, video games, brothers, family, school...and healing...

We love you, Parker; our world is a better place because of you!