Happy 1st Birthday Ethan Josiah!!!!

Oh my goodness!!! You all hear it said many times, "I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast!". Well I will say it again. I cannot believe my baby is one!! I just want to praise our great Lord for allowing me the experience of knowing just how much of a blessing children are! There are things I have learned that I don't believe I could've if I haven't had Ethan. From the crazy, scary delivery, to a colicky fussy baby, to the adjustment of a new life, to the joys of snuggles, to the first precious smile, to the first kisses, to...well, I could go on and on. There are so many joys of being a mother and father. I wanted a little one so badly after losing a precious baby. I just feel that words cannot even describe the feelings and thanks I have at this moment. I have a very important mission field in my home and I plead for the salvation of my little guy. The scary thing is my example of a Christian before him. May the Lord please, please not let our little guy fall prey to my weaknesses! Please Lord save our little Ethan. His name means strong and God will save. I pray for just that! Happy Birthday to our special gift!!

Silly Bedtime Photos

Getting ready for bed.
This one is just simply hilarious to me!! (above)
Aww, the dreaded agony of having to go to bed. Sometimes I feel like doing this
because I am in agony to get to bed!! :)

My First Valentines Day Presents!!!

Make a Smilebox postcard

One Year Pictures

Oh wow. We had a wonderful, yet tiring day. Who knew getting pictures taken could wear you out so much. We went and had Ethan's one year pictures made today at Target and he did so well!! I was so nervous about trying to hit his schedule just right and trying to get all of our clothes just right and thankfully it all worked out great!! He loved it. He was so energetic and smiley throughout the whole thing. They took 50 photos! We had sooo many options it was hard to choose. We also received an amazing discount, for which I am thankful. I'll be posting these pics up as soon as we get them in. While Dave was picking out the pictures (you know one of us had to deal with the little munchkin and Dave is way better at making choices on those things) I put Ethan in a cart and fed him his lunch. He was talking and smiling at everyone as they walked by. He is really outgoing. I hope he keeps it up. He is such a ham! I just praise the Lord for this sweet, sweet blessing of being a mommy. We cuddled, rocked and played before I put him to bed tonight. I love every minute of this precious gift from the Lord. Thank you Father!

By the way...daddy looked very, very handsome in the pics with Ethan as well. He did very good too :)! Me, not so much. My hair looked horrible!!!

Quote

"It is impossible for a believer, no matter what his experience, to keep right with God if he will not take the trouble to spend time with God. Spend plenty of time with him; let other things go, but don't neglect Him." ~ J Oswald Sanders

I put this post up for myself, but feel free to read and be encouraged. Like I said, I always feel hypocritical to post spiritual thoughts, because I feel like I, recently more than ever, have no room to talk. Since having Ethan, schedules are a little crazy and though I keep him on a schedule, I seem to fail to keep myself on one!! I still don't understand why I think I can find more enjoyment in leisurely activities than spending time with the Lord!