​18.  Can I just say that I'm not too happy about Austin not being here for his 18th birthday!  It really sucks!  OK, I got that out of the way.  Turning 18 is not suppose to be like this.  We had many more plans.  Of course, Austin did NOT want a party for this or graduation.  So, his birthday comes no matter what.  He's not here.  We are.  So, we remembered and honored Austin.

Bitterstweet.  You know the bitter part.  Here's the sweet part:
- Friends giving us a photo album with many pictures and letters. (come see it anytime!)
- Playing some fun tennis in Austin's honor. (Suz and I won!)
- Enjoying some buntinis with all our favorite Wranglers at school. (I never tire of the Wranglers or buntinis)
- Chowing on some Cane's chicken with senior Wrangler moms. (even though Javar says Bubba's is better)
- Visiting Austin with the family at Sparkman-Hillcrest (all five of us together for a few minutes)(marker coming soon!).
- Hanging at the Breedloves with community and Austin's friends. (best party favor...the air fresheners Austin had in his car!)
- The love we share with all of you...for Austin and each other!!!

Coming home, looking at some photos (turning 17 below), a short cry, then off to bed.  We never stop missing Austin continually. Always thankful for every moment we were with Austin.

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Phil 1:3

I really didn't mean to raise Austin to be a loyal Texas Longhorn fan, but he became one. Well, he and I do have a man crush”, Colt McCoy, and I did let him and the others stay up late to watch Vince Young defeat USC in the Rose Bowl.  I give up.  He was a Longhorn through and through. 

I'm sad to say he didn't see the best days of Texas football.  Honestly, he was a better fan than me. That's because he was an optimistic guy. He believed in the coaches and the players. I've always been a fair weather fan, and I have a tendency to bail out of a game that is going south. I'm ashamed of it, and he called me out! Austin was better than me.  We’d be down by 3 touchdowns, then maybe get one back.  Then, lose. He might hit his fist in a pillow, but he would be there till the end.  Austin once again showed me how to be a good fan, and reminded me how to live a better life. See it through to the end. Loyalty matters.

While there's a chance he might have ended up at Texas A&M...or some other school, I don't think it would've happened. I love our non-burnt orange friends and family, and I’ll always cheer them on. I am thankful for those who carry his spirit down to Austin since he didn’t make it there. As far as Austin is concerned, I think it is Hook’em Horns all the way from Heaven.

Here’s to seeing things through and loyalty…..and to a better football season!

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” - Ecc7:8

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” - 1 Cor 13:7
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