Is this the North Pole?

Spring storm, April, 2009. Come on Summer!!

what have we been doing with ourselves?

This month has flown by. I dont even know what we have been doing withourselves. Oh yea, digging ourselves out of the three feet of snow, just as we returned from FL. What a wake up call. We were without power for three and a half days and no phones for two of those, oh and no water as we have a well that needs a pump, that needs electricity. But, the sun came out pretty quickly and then all we were left with was the mud.

Ethan, what can I say, we are going to live an adventurous life. You were certainly full of excitement for Mom and Dad the past few weeks. We went to a great concert this month, you were not so great for the babysitter. You were hanging out with your buddy, Sawyer, while we were out having a rare adult night. we came home to a not so good report. It turns out you cried as soon as we left and caused Sawyer to cry and you guys continued to cry the entire night until you were too exhausted to cry any more. Now ever time we go to Holly and Goeff's you won't let me leave your side and cry as soon as I put you down or if I go anywhere near the door. What is up with that. It is time for a little daycare and a wake up call Momma's boy.

Other positive news is you are still the light in my life. When you are home, you are such a good boy. You play all by yourself for long periods of time, you laugh and smile so often you just touch my heart. You are actually trying to pronounce Momma. I can't wait till you actually figure it out. Just the other day you took your little scooter for a walk, you know like the way you are supposed to do it...walking behind it. Not just playing with all the contraptions on the outside. Walking will be in your very near future. I am actually excited for that. You will be so much happier when you can really get around.

Mommy and Daddy play with you all the time, you love flying through the air. When you laugh and giggle you melt our hearts.

We took you to your first baseball game with our best buds, the Strebel Family. It was a blast. You and Sawyer were the cutest. All the lights and the yelling of the fans was exciting for you guys. You did get scared once or twice from all the excitedment, but you settled into it. Can't wait until you and Sawyer are running around the stadium trying to chase down fowl balls and autographs.

We are still taking swim lessons and you are a little fish.

So, it's been a busy month. Get used to it little one. We are going to keep you going and going your entire life!

Learning to swim, swing and dealing with life's difficulties.

Ethan, you are such an amazing kid. You have your Daddy's blood running through you for sure. We took you to the beach for the first time and you had so much fun! you love the water, the sand, the shells. You would try and eat them and drink the water. You are such a water baby. Your Daddy, the FL boy was so proud of you.

On a sad note, we were in FL for Grandma Hill's funeral. She would love to see you having so much fun at the beach. She was so blessed to have another grandchild and couldn't wait for Daddy and I to have you. It was really sad to lose her, but we know she will be watching you from heaven every day of your life.

Aunt Donna and Aunt Debbie and all of your cousins just love you to pieces. You just smile at them and they love it! Danielle, Maxx and little Gabbie think you are their little toy.

In other news...you got your first tooth about 2 weeks ago. It is coming in nicely. It is so cute when you smile, I just love it. You are also developing your muscle skills. You are crawling all over the place with style and just the other day we were just about to get into the bath and you put your hands on the tub and pulled yourself to standing. I looked over and just laughed at how big you think you are. You are 8 months going on 2 years. Already, I am seeing your life pass be by. I see how handsome you are going to be, all the girlfriends you are going to have, the sports you will excell at and watching you whizz through school. It is going so fast, please slow down!

We also had your first swim lesson. As mentioned above, you are a fish! You and your buddy Sawyer were so cute in the pool, just watching each other and splashing together. I think you may be ready for the next level class already. Maybe you can be a lifegaurd someday like Daddy was.

I am going to start giving you my words of wisdom. Whether you like it or not, you are going to get it. I have moments sometimes that I just want to talk to you and tell you what is going on in my life. I know right now you can't really understand or have a conversation with me, but one day we can look back through your blog and have a little chat. So my words of wisdom today are...

Death...it is such a hard thing. I know you will have to deal with it at some point in your life, but i so wish I could sheild you from the pain of it. You will be a very strong person I know that, but no matter how strong you think you are, it is still probably the hardest thing a person deals with in a lifetime. So treasure the people around you, remember when you argue with someone, those words you speak can never be taken away and sometimes they are remember for years. Tell those close to you that you love them and tell them often. When you have something on your mind, say it! Don't let life pass you by with regrets. Regrets are forever and you can never remedy the feeling of regret. Don't wait until you are too old to do the things you want to do. Don't let people around you influence your decisions. Be strong and have faith in your own decsions. Be yourself, always. And lastly...Love your Mother with all your heart, oh yea, and your Father. God knows we love you more than words can say! The point of this all is...Death comes to us all. You don't get to chose when, so make sure you are ready!

I love you Son,

Mom