A few weeks ago, I wrote about the waiting.
About trusting God before we knew what the appointment at Mayo would bring.
About choosing faith in the middle of uncertainty.
The truth is, waiting is hard.
It’s the space where your mind starts filling in blanks that haven’t been written yet. It’s where fear tries to get louder than faith. It’s where you have to choose, sometimes over and over again, to trust God with the things you cannot control.
Last week, we received an answer.
Before we ever sat down with Bryce’s doctor, we already had access to his lab results. As we looked over the data over lunch and a margarita while watching the World Cup, we quietly realized we were probably walking into a much more positive meeting than we had expected.
Even then, we tried not to get ahead of ourselves.
We’ve learned that numbers on a screen don’t tell the whole story.
But they gave us hope.
And when we finally met with his doctor, that hope was confirmed.
Bryce’s appointment brought encouraging news once again. His kidney numbers improved…again.
His doctor was genuinely excited.
She reminded us that this simply isn’t the normal story for someone living with chronic kidney disease. Most people hope to slow the progression. Improvement isn’t what she usually sees.
Yet here we are.
For the first time, she even shared what she believes could be possible if Bryce continues on this path. Hearing her talk about possibility instead of limitation was a gift we didn’t expect.
But there was another part of the conversation that mattered just as much.
Bryce will always have chronic kidney disease.
While we have been incredibly blessed to see his kidney function improve enough to move from Stage 4 back into Stage 3b, this isn’t a story about being “cured.” His doctor was very clear that Stage 3b is likely the highest level of kidney function he can realistically expect to maintain.
And honestly…we’re okay with that.
Because a year ago, we weren’t talking about improvement. We were talking about slowing decline.
Today, we’re talking about preserving kidney function, gaining years we weren’t sure we’d have, and living a fuller life than we once imagined possible.
That’s something worth celebrating.
The journey isn’t over.
There are still things to watch. There are still specialists to see. There are still steps ahead.
But this appointment reminded us that progress is possible, even when perfection isn’t. Healing doesn’t always mean returning to where you once were. Sometimes healing looks like protecting what you have, reclaiming what you’ve lost, and faithfully stewarding every bit of progress God gives you.
One thing the doctor emphasized over and over was how much the lifestyle changes have mattered. The way we eat, the choices we have made, and the daily decisions that often seem small have added up in ways we could never have predicted.
But there is another piece of this story that cannot be overlooked.
Bryce has always had a determination about him. When he puts his mind to something, he doesn’t simply try..he commits.
From the beginning of this journey, he decided he was going to fight for every bit of kidney function he could keep. He wanted to challenge what people thought was possible and do everything within his control to change the direction of this story.
That mindset has been a huge part of this journey.
A life change this significant doesn’t happen without commitment. It takes discipline, patience, and the willingness to keep going even when the results aren’t immediate.
Bryce has shown up every day ready to do the work, and that determination has played a major role in where we are today.
Sometimes the hardest changes become the most rewarding ones.
None of this happened overnight. It came through saying “yes” to things that were difficult and “no” to things that were comfortable. It came through changing habits that had been part of everyday life for years.
There were days when it would have been easier to go back to what was familiar, but sometimes the road we don’t want to walk is the very road that leads us somewhere better.
And I think that’s true in more than just our health.
God often does His deepest work in the places that stretch us the most. The uncomfortable changes. The seasons that require patience. The moments where we have to surrender what we want and trust Him with what comes next.
We don’t always understand why we’re walking through those things while we’re in the middle of them. But looking back, we can often see that those very moments were shaping us, strengthening us, and preparing us for what was ahead.
We waited.
We trusted.
We worked.
And then we got to see what God had been doing all along.
God has been so faithful.
Not because every day has been easy.
But because He has been present in every single one of them.
And for that, we are deeply grateful.
So yes, we’re celebrating.
Not because the journey is over….it isn’t.
Bryce will continue living with chronic kidney disease. There will still be appointments, lab work, and intentional choices every single day.
But today we’re celebrating faithfulness.
We’re celebrating progress.
We’re celebrating that God has carried us farther than we thought possible.
We’re celebrating every lab result that reflects the hard work, discipline, and lifestyle changes Bryce has committed to.
Most of all, we’re celebrating a God who has been faithful through every moment of uncertainty and has reminded us that even when the future isn’t guaranteed, His presence always is.
And we’re grateful for every step He allows us to take.
And now for the celebration…
One of the things we’ve learned through this journey is that healthy changes don’t have to mean giving up everything you love.
There is a way to celebrate, enjoy food, and create moments that feel special while still honoring the goals you’re working toward.
When we were looking over Bryce’s numbers before his appointment, we found ourselves celebrating a little early with lunch and a margarita while watching the World Cup. It was one of those simple moments where we realized just how far we had come.
So, in the spirit of celebrating the good news while still staying focused on the journey, we wanted to share a healthier twist on one of our favorite drinks.
A margarita-inspired mocktail that feels like a treat, with the option to add tequila when the occasion calls for it.
Fresh Citrus Mocktail Margarita (with Optional Tequila)
Sometimes you need a little something fun to celebrate the moments that matter. This lighter margarita-inspired drink is refreshing, simple, and works just as well without alcohol as it does with a splash of tequila.
Ingredients (Serves 2)
- 1 cup sparkling water (lime, coconut, or plain)
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1–2 oranges)
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1–2 teaspoons honey or agave (optional, adjust to taste)
- Ice
- Fresh lime slices for garnish
- Optional: Tajín or a small amount of sea salt for the rim
Optional Tequila Version
- Add 2–3 ounces of tequila (depending on preference)
Directions
If desired, run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip into Tajín or sea salt.
Fill glasses with ice.
Mix the lime juice, orange juice, lemon juice, and honey or agave together.
Pour over the ice and top with sparkling water.
Stir gently and garnish with a lime slice.
For the adult version, add tequila and enjoy.
Why We Love It
It’s a reminder that healthy choices don’t have to mean giving up the things you enjoy.
Sometimes it’s about finding a new way to celebrate…one that still feels special, still tastes good, and still fits the journey you’re on.
Because every healthy choice, every encouraging appointment, and every day we’ve been given is another reason to thank God for His faithfulness.