Updates and Free Dates

Hello again... Its been a while since I've been here or even thought about posting. We've had a great last few weeks. It started on my BIRTHDAY. I use to hate my birthdays until I met this great guy who spoils me like crazy on my birthday. So this year, as usual, I felt like a little girl on Christmas Eve with excitement for MY day. In a nut shell... Market Street Grill, a few hours just Brett and I, pedicure kit, Calamity Jane, Dan In Real Life (two of my favorite movies), a new cookbook, These, a new birthstone necklace and spent some quality time with friends and family.

A week later we celebrated our Eighth Year Anniversary while attending Brett's last living Grandpa's funeral in Idaho. It wasn't what we had planned for in remembrance of that special day. But, by the end of the day, we found a few ways to remember that day. I love you Brett

Today I am thankful for celebrating Eight years with the Man I love

Family Pictures

Isn't He Cute?

Telling Dad all about it.

This is when he lost it...

The sucker was the only thing to save the day

Today I am thankful that these pictures turned out SO cute.

A little bit about this little guy

This little guys is now 18 months. I love to stare into his blue eyes. They say so much. He's my little helper these days. He's not afraid of the Vacuum anymore and loves to help me around the house. He has an obsession of putting sheets of paper in random places and shutting the doors. I have to be careful to not get locked out these days.

The other day we went to his 18 mo checkup and he's doing great. Growing tall (50%) and Skinny as a bean pole (5%). Then it was time for the hardest part for him and me. SHOTS. Neither of us like them at all. He got 5 shots that day. That's a lot for such a little guy. He gave me the look he gives me every time the nurse pokes him "Mom... Why are you betraying me like this?" Breaks my heart every time. After the biggest cuddle session and a Lightning Mcqueen sticker he was smiling again. When we left the office Ethan was happy, walking around and after about 20 steps he paused, put both hands on his legs (the shot areas) and cried. I felt so bad we went home and had ice cream.

He Says:

Mama, Dada, Gumpa (grandpa), Gama (grandma), Ball, Nana (banana), GO, Up, Down, Pees (please), Ni Ni (good night), Bye Bye, cup, mo (more) nink (drink), coat, gu boy (good boy) car (he has the cutest car noises too), he's mastered NO, side (outside), men (for amen and folds his arms for prayers) and my all time favorite HiE (for Hi).

My Sister is head coach for a high school softball team and they had there first game here in town yesterday. Ethan was the best at cheering them on. He said often GO, Yay, and clapped his hands. He was so interested in watching the pitcher pitch the ball and the batter swing. Maybe we've got the next Babe Ruth in the makings.

Lately he has been a little monkey. Climbing everything. I have found him trying to climb out of his crib and he's almost got it down. We've decided that its time for a new bed. Brett is going to start making him one tonight. It's so nice to have our own custom furniture maker in the family.

We are hoping for No More Binki's Jumpin on the Bed. I've only let him have his binki during nap/bed times. Last night he had his first night without one. He did alright. Today he did really god for his nap without one. I'm really hoping tonight will be as successful as today.

His favorite things are:

His pal Scout,

when Dad comes home from work, the tickle bug, tub time, the tv show Little Einstein's, chocolate milk and bedtime.

Well that's all for now.

Today I am thankful for This Little Guy

The day that made it on my list

We all have a list of the best days of our lives. Well one year ago, today made an appearance on my list.

Today is the first anniversary of the day we took Ethan to the Provo Temple to be sealed to us forever. This day was full of tender mercies that mean so much to me. We are eternally grateful for the blessings of the temple and that Ethan is ours forever. He has brought so much joy and love into our lives.

We had so many amazing experiences in the temple. My favorite was hearing Ethan blow raspberries and hear his coos in the temple. We shared the day with the closest family and friends and I wouldn't have had it any other way. It was such a blessing to have Kirsten's Mom and Dad in the temple and Kirsten and her Brothers waiting for us outside. We are forever grateful for the relationship we have with them. Not a day is ever through until we thank the Lord for their love and sacrifice. You have changed our lives forever.

Today I am thankful for the Temple and Everyone who shared this day with us.

Who Does That???

Who rings the door bell five times, waits five seconds, then loudly knocks six times??? WHO DOES THAT??? Now maybe if you know Brett's family and friends then it might be them. But No, today it was this strange old man looking for my husband.

Today I am thankful that Ethan has taking a nap!!! He's been asleep for 2 hours so far. He's been boycotting them lately.

Weekend Get Away

Last weekend we have a great opportunity to escape some of this crazy weather and headed to St. George for the weekend. We invited Ethan's birth mom Kirsten to come along and we had a blast. The drive down was a little crazy due to a very tired little boy and that four letter word that I hate this time of year that rhymes with "no"(SNOW). Saturday morning Brett had to go to his conference so Kirsten, Ethan and I headed to the pool. I had not purchased a new swimming suit for Ethan so I thought maybe if we have a little luck Ethan will fit into his 0-3 Month suit... It FIT. A little snug and a little short, but it fit. He loves to swim. Too bad it only lasted 15 minutes before Ethan's lips were turning blue and some strange people joined us in the pool. We headed back to the room to shower and head out for a day of shopping. We first stopped at old navy to get Ethan a new swim suit. He now sports this little number:

We both got a new pair of pants and this is where the embarrassing moment comes in. The other day we were out for a walk. I was wearing my snazzy new pair of jeans. Lady stopped to chat with us. She commented on how cute Ethan was (this happens all the time) and then we got to talking about the weather and such. We started to our different ways when she said cute pants, where did you get them? I said, Thanks, Old Navy 19 bucks. She said, I can never find cute pants for my little guy, I'll have to go check it out this week. I quickly realized she wasn't admiring my snazzy pair but Ethan's.

After shopping we headed to lunch. Ethan was sporting his new hair style. Kirsten combed his hair into a mohawk. Every girl was all gaga about him. He's always been a flirt and such a ladies man. After lunch we headed back to the hotel. Ethan fell asleep in the truck so we drove around until we found a park. Kirsten and I talked in the truck until Ethan woke up. We went for a walk and played at the park until Brett was ready for us to pick him up. I wish I had my camera ready to take a picture of what happened next. We were all outside enjoying the weather. We saw a dog who found a puddle of water for a drink. Ethan saw this and went right over, squatted down and stuck out his tongue in a licking motion. (Now come on, I did not let him lick the water. I'm a good mom, I promise). It was hilarious.

It was great to get a way and even better to come home. We love having such a great relationship with Kirsten. The only regret I have is not taking ANY pictures. Maybe Kirsten will email me a few.

Today I'm thankful for the hope of Spring.

One Year Ago TODAY

All day long today I have been thinking about the wonderful day 365 days ago. We legally finalized Ethan's adoption. It was such a wonderful day filled with happiness, tears and laughter. It was a little strange being surrounded by criminals in the courthouse hallway waiting for our turn. It was great that we had the courtroom all to our selves. We are forever grateful for the love of Ethan's Birth Mom and the blessing of being a part of her family.

After leaving the courthouse we got in the car and headed to lunch. On the way there I read the paperwork and to my surprise they had made a mistake. It read... Baby Boy Christensen, born June 9, 2009. I read it again and again and again. How could this have been missed by so many people. Our attorney, his assistant, the Judge and the list goes on. We promptly called our attorney office and informed them of the mistake. Just a little glitch. It was promptly amended and it's all history.

Today and EVERY DAY I am grateful for ADOPTION