Through Ethan's Eyes

Every once in a while I have a moment of complete clarity and the most beautiful realizations hit me. Typically these clear moments come after a hard day of motherhood or when I feel particularly tired of being pregnant and need reminding why it is all worth it. The other day as I was outside on the lawn with Ethan as he was "collecting" rocks and handing them to me I just sat and watched him, and I mean REALLY watched him and it hit me how truly wonderful and magnificent the world is through the eyes of a child. Everything is "more" of what it seems to us as adults. I think children see the world more as it actually is, or at least how it is meant to be seen. It is more beautiful in every possible way, more fascinating to explore, every adventure a little more promising. They have a way of seeing everything at a maximum value, and as I try and look at the world through Ethan's eyes I find myself so very much more grateful for every little thing. For the beauty of a freshly blown bubble, the wonder of how nicely a ball can bounce off your foot, and how calming a nice cuddle in the earlier morning hours can be. I've always enjoyed when David gets home from work, but as Ethan spots that orange car coming down the driveway and takes off full-fledged awkward legged sprinting with his arms flapping in every direction I feel an excitement that makes me reminiscent of earlier on in married life when I couldn't bear being away from David for a second, much less a full day of work. And as I thought about being frustrated as Ethan handed me dirt-coated rock after rock, I took one look at the sparkle in his eyes as he examined each black pebble below his feet before selecting the next gem, I realized it's not really about everything we have around us being what we dreamed or imagined it to be but more about making everything we have become that dream we dreamed. Opening our eyes wide enough that a plain matte black rock becomes a shiny black gem that has been tumbled until it gleams. Children live with their eyes wide open to possibility, and why shouldn't we all. Though having children means that sometimes you will have more tears, you will also have more smiles, though frustration can become more intense, your successes have more meaning, and though I am sure there will also be many moments of more intense heartache there is also a deeper feeling of a more perfect love that you learn and grow from everyday. I love seeing the world through Ethan's eyes and thank my Father in Heaven every day that he has given me a little boy, and not just any little boy, but my little Ethan who so perfectly fits me. He may not look a smidge like me, but his hand sure fits nicely in mine and his sweet little smile speaks perfection to my soul. I love being his mom.

You may wonder why he is sitting on a diaper box, fly swatter in hand and head clad in underwear...well stop wondering, you'll never know and neither will I

Can we say spoiled?

Chasing a flock of birds...there was much giggling and awkward arm flapping

This is his best goose egg yet...and this is a few hours after the fact so the swelling had gone down significantly. After his head initially made contact with the cement floor it looked like the cap of a pop bottle was sticking out of his forehead. Yes it was pretty nasty, David's initial thought was that his brains must be oozing out of his skull...yes a little dramatic

Love this sweet smile, and it takes a lot of effort to get it on camera.

Loosiana Livin'

So Louisiana living has been quite the experience so far with flash floods, and then random days where it's 75 degrees outside and beautiful, IN JANUARY, but strangely enough you still get wet either way. 

It's also quite an adventure to be given "pet" names everywhere we go by the sweet older women...David and Ethan get "honey" and the one I've gotten is "babe" - and they also love to call me "Miss Daisy" with their sweet southern drawls- I am growing quite fond of it. 

It is also impossible to keep my hair straight most days...there's just too much water in the air. Now I don't really have curly hair, but down here it seems that is all I'm gonna get, so in order to be a southern belle I'm gonna have to get my groove on with the diffuser and a lot of gel, wish me luck.

Another fantastic thing about being in DeRidder is that it brought us within 3 hours of the Durfee's whom we hadn't seen in 2 years! Our first weekend here they made the drive up into the middle of nowhere Louisiana to pay us a visit and help break in our new home! It was a whole barrel of fun, at least for us (hope you guys had fun too!)

Two little pups in a gigantic tub with bath crayons...what could be cuter?!

-

They loved it

Another highlight was Ethan's tent...it was a real winner, but apparently no one can play in it without him...

 This is our front door, which we never use as it is terribly intimidating because it is so huge and LOUD- it makes me feel as though I am Belle approaching the beasts castle...you know minus the gargoyles and creepy shadows (although the two lights on either side are lanterns...kind of interesting for a newer house to not have electricity running to the outdoor lights)

Ethan loves to run through the house pushing his treasures in my laundry baskets...unfortunately it makes it hard to put dirty laundry in contained spaces when my son confiscates my baskets

Chili anyone? Ethan has a very mature pallet and LOVES spicy chili...looks like it loves him too!

75 degrees last saturday made for a nice family walk...yes I was the third wheel

Ethan really loves his Daddy, if you couldn't tell

This is the forest right out in front of our house...ok not really a forest but that's what it looks like

I ask him to smile for me, and I get a belly button shot, thank goodness for his onesie to keep the picture appropriate lol

The sweetest view from "up here"

As we were walking back to our house and we saw this view of it, we decided it looks like we live on a large southern estate home...never pictured myself here, but it's kind of fun, so for the time being I guess I can be "Miss Daisy" out here on my southern estate

Christmas in Idaho

The last few weeks flew by in such a whirlwind I can't hardly even make sense of the fact we're already in the new year, and we're in a new state! Man time flies when you're having fun, and yes we had plenty of it being with family and friends, and just enjoying a good old Christmas season in Idaho.

Doing his part to help clean up to leave our Minnesota home...Idaho here we come!

Watching the cats outside the window...Ethan LOVED the cats!

This is while Ethan was still partially afraid of the Christmas tree...the texture of the needles freaked him out so he wouldn't touch it...unfortunately the fear only lasted a couple days and then he was all over that!

Trying to nuzzle the cats...the cat didn't enjoy it as much as Ethan did

Two preggo ladies in their Christmas Even shirts! The grinch's nose was almost perfectly placed on my poor protruding belly button...how embarassing lol!

After Andy and Elise's wedding...since it was one of the few times all three of us were dressed up I had to have it documented!

So I didn't have a huge selection of pictures from the holidays but we had a great time. It felt so good to be in Idaho, and it was best once David got there and we were able to celebrate the season as a whole family! We are so very blessed and grateful for everything we were able to experience this last year...and 2013 should be another extremely eventful year for us as we welcome the new baby in a few months here in Louisiana! Bring it on new year and new adventures...we're ready!

For Our Memory Book- Farewell Minnesota

Yes we are excited to be on to another adventure, and definitely yes excited to be in Idaho for a little while as well, but I can't say that there aren't things, people, and places that I will miss here in Minnesota.

THINGS...
* this OLD house...with it's slanting floors, dark paneling, lamplit rooms, the clicking of the baseboard heat in the dead of night, the no tub or dishwasher, the giant fish mounted on the wall, the indoor plants that Ethan destroys....oh you old old house we will miss you! It's amazing how even something so different from your own particular style and liking can become such a place of sanctuary, your home. We may not have been here long, but we've made it ours and it will be missed!

* The beauty of the trees and the lake...I've already been missing them because we can't go swimming and the trees became barren weeks ago, but knowing that I won't see this beautiful scenery again for years, or forever is sad!
*The Town of Ranier's no leash law for dogs...yes there was constant fear of hitting dogs while driving as they own the place, but when you have a little boy who LOVES dogs it's nice to know there will rarely be an outing when he won't be able to find a dog to play with

PLACES
* The town of Ranier...such a quaint and quiet little place, except for the trains, so old fashioned- like something you see on a postcard. Wish I had time to take more pictures for memories, but for now they will stay with me. This is the place my son learned to walk, the place he learned his first couple words and where he bathed in a tote. Things become beautiful because of the people you are able to love there.

* The paper mill...oh wait it is exceptionally stinky, especially to my pregnancy "super-sniffer"  I don't think I'll miss that all too much actually. But the people David worked with were incredible. Wish we could take them with us!

* The little park in town...many a fun afternoon spent sliding, swinging, chasing down dogs, leaves, and sticks,  lots of laughs, snuggles, and all around fun had here.

* The BEAUTIFUL frozen Lake...we haven't been able to enjoy it for long, but it really is a breathtaking view to look out over the frozen water!

PEOPLE
* Our branch...thank you for loving our son. There is something that immediately draws you to people when they adore your child. Ethan has been doted on, laughed at, cooed at, and all around spoiled. It pays to be the only child below the age of 6, and one of only about 6 total at church. Thank you all for your love and friendship.

So there are probably a lot of things I am leaving out...and maybe as I remember them I'll add to this for the sake of keeping a record, but for now I guess here I am closing on another chapter of our life...Thank you Minnesota for not freezing us to death, and for letting us enjoy you for a short time. It certainly has been an adventure!

A Grateful Heart

David and I gave our final talks on Sunday in our little branch, and the topic of mine was "A Grateful Heart" and ever since then I can't help but be overwhelmed by the blessings that have been and are constantly continuing to flow into my life. We were so busy on Thanksgiving day that I only snapped a couple of quick pictures...but among many things, here are some of the things for which I am most grateful!

My Amazing, wonderful, goofy, spontaneous, extremely hott hubby... I have been so blessed to spend the last four years by his side...and so grateful for the 8 years...yes 8 that I have known him...so glad we picked "our chothers" ;) This is him preparing our very first Thanksgiving turkey

I am so blessed to have a sweet, mischievous, adorable, and smart little boy

Thank you for smiling, yes you may have your shower now!

Slobbery, open-mouthed baby kisses...ok toddler kisses, but he still seems like my little baby boy

Cardboard boxes, the indoor poor man's toy that may have saved our sanity this fall/winter

My two greatest joys at this point in my life are my two boys, if you can't tell. I don't know what I would do without them. 

I am resolving to become better at expressing my love and gratitude to those that matter most to me. I don't want to find myself down the road wishing I had made more of these moments count...they are priceless and can never be re-visited so let us enjoy each moment with those that we love to their very fullest!

Just for the Record...

It's funny, but when Ethan was newborn I remember that after every appointment I was so concerned about what percentile he was in, because I was sure that would tell how well I was doing as a mom. Am I feeding him enough, too much, is my milk pure fat, do I make skim? All of these things weighed heavily on my first-time-mother mind. Now every time we go I am always just anxious to see my boy grow and know that every child is different and they kind of do their own thing. I can always tell by the sparkle in his mischievous little eyes, that he is happy and healthy- so just for the records and future memories...here are the latest stats...and these are just downright funny. Just so you know, we are pretty limited in our medical care up here and in the nurse's defense, he WAS very wiggly and they didn't have his previous stats. to compare to so...

Weight- 25 lb.  70 something percentile...I was never told for sure
Height - 7' 4"....now that was originally an error in mental conversions from inches to meters, or something...needless to say when they plugged that number in Ethan became an instant child prodigy
Height round 2 - 30 in. - 15th percentile (the unfortunate thing about this measurement is that it is a quarter inch shorter than his one year measurement...so he SHRANK?)

Well I guess according to the records we either have an EXTREMELY tall and lanky oddity, or a VERY short, squat little ball of meat! Yes I found this whole thing very funny, so we attempted to measure him ourselves at home and figure he is somewhere around 31.5 inches...which puts him all around back in the big leagues again! Oh the joys! I love this little/big guy! So let me put up some pics...just for the record

We finally got enough snow to go out and play a little! 

"Ethan, Where's your head?"

Naturally Ethan wanted to touch the snow, but without his gloves...I told him it was a bad idea, but really since when does a one-year-old listen to reason...

So he used to be impossible to get pictures of, and now when I tell him to smile, this is what I get...so much like his father...yes it's cute, but way overboard! At least he hasn't figured out the retarded face yet that his father perfected and is so wonderfully documented in many of David's family snapshots!

"Smile Ethan"

He really is a very happy boy, you know minus the typical setbacks like teething, and tiredness, but his absolute favorite thing I am sure...besides wrestling with his Daddy, is being in the shower all by his big boy self!

Truly there is never a dull moment, and he keeps me on my toes. He is finally mimicking some words such as cheese and shoes...and he says the word train on his own whenever the trains go by, which is about every 30 minutes, then he runs to the window to watch...and he is so proud of his one word "train" that he is starting to say it more and more...it is the first thing he says when he wakes up, he says it when Dad comes in the door, apparently he really really likes the trains...well that makes one of us...yes only one...if I haven't mentioned it before, I HATE trains!

I can't believe this little guy will be a big brother before too long, it absolutely blows my mind, but I am grateful to be his Momma and look forward to his future developments. Every day is an adventure!

The Halloween That Wasn't

Well that title may be a little harsh...we did have some festivities spread out over a couple of weeks, and the silly thing is that Ethan didn't even notice the lack of Halloween Day activities, it was probably only that I felt let down that everything fell through. But all-in-all it was a fun "season" even if our branch party turned into a ten-minute trunk-or-treat, and the town party that was supposed to be for children either didn't happen or was in another town ;) Needless to say we made the most of it and even though we'd dressed Ethan up for a party and didn't get one, I still got pictures of him in costume and he got to show off for David and I.

Last weekend I made spider sandwiches to get us all in the mood for the holiday...

Sunday we carved Ethan's pumpkin...he was so serious about it that I couldn't get a smile out of him. I am not sure if he enjoyed it, or if it was like a duty to him to get it done, but whichever way it was it kept him entertained for an hour...all in all a success!

I'm working...leave me alone


Part of our Halloween dinner consisted of "Mummy Dogs"

When we showed up for the town trunk or treat and games, this is all we found...but Ethan seemed ok with it, he removed his coat and immediately took off down the hall! 

We were going to dress up as members of the Avengers...since I am the biggest comic book nerd...oh wait that's David...but  then life happened and we never got costumes put together other than Ethan's. So our one little dressed up family member was the cutest Captain America I've ever seen and no one will even notice we never dressed up since we had no where to show off costumes anyway!

Our little Captain America hamming it up as always!

And since he didn't get the party I was telling him about all day (I'm sure he'll remember ;) We stopped in at Dairy Queen and got him a Blizzard...ok who are we kidding? The ice cream was mostly for me and my pregnant hormones lol

And since I have jabbered too much already here is just a whole slew of pictures of the little Captain himself

Sucker from the Branch trunk-or-treat...he wouldn't let go of it for anything!