Valentine's Day-2005

It was January-ish.  I had been emailing someone I had met on one of those crazy dating websites.  We talked on the phone occasionally, but we both wanted to take things slow.  As Valentine's day drew near, we talked about the possibility of a date.  It seemed kind of silly to have our first date on such a romantic holiday, especially because we hadn't even met yet.  But I think secretly we were both pretty excited about it.  He chose a really romantic place to have dinner.  We met at the Holly Hotel, in Holly.  It was about half-way between his place near Midland and mine in Sterling Heights.  Dinner was really lovely.  The old hotel was beautiful.  As we were leaving the restaurant, it was snowing.  We stood on the sidewalk under the street light and danced to a Frank Sinatra song that was playing outside the hotel.  We both would say we fell in love that night. 

It has been 8 years since that night, and through them all, our love has changed and grown.  It has shared many joys and faced plenty of challenges.  Each year will have joys and challenges, and each year we will be stronger for them.  I love the life we have made together.

Happy Valentine's Day Andy and Happy 8 years together!

Our second date- February 19th, 2005  Bistro Bordeaux in Rochester, Mi

Little Scientists

Grandma and Grandpa got Ethan a fun Color Mixing Science Kit for Christmas.  Ethan and Andy had so much fun watching the colors change and growing fun crystals.  It was so cute to watch!

Air zoo

A couple of weeks ago we visited the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo.  It was a pretty great day, hopefully we will make it back there again soon!  Ethan loved the Bi-planes and riding in the Helicopter.  He also enjoyed the simulators.  Andy and I got to ride in one simulator that was too big for Ethan.  It was pretty crazy, flipping around.  I thought I was going to fall out of the seat!

3-D glasses!

Christmas morning

Christmas morning was a blast!  Ethan is still young enough that he takes his time playing with his toys before ripping into the next gift.  His garbage truck from Santa was the real show stopper.  I will never forget the look on his face when he realized what it was.  His joy was so heart-warming, I am so lucky!

Andy surprised me with a special gift.  When we had Ethan he gave me a Willow Tree figurine depicting a Father, Mother and new baby called "Our Wish".  For Christmas he gave me a new figurine called "Mother and Son".  Of course it was perfect and brought on the ugly cry.  A wonderful end to the year, looking forward to 2013!

'Tis the Season

This is my most favorite time of the year.  Christmas is less than a week away.  I love all of the decorations and traditions.  I love the feeling of love and thankfulness and joy in the air.  It's always a very emotional time, happy and sad.  Christmas always makes me feel sort of fluttery inside.  It starts just after Halloween, when we realize Thanksgiving is only weeks away. Then, as the big day draws near, the worse the fluttering becomes.  It's a good feeling, an anxious feeling.  Almost like I am a kid again.  Spending time with my family...often it's the only time of year I see some of them, the special, yummy food, the love I feel when I think about why we Celebrate such a special time.  I think what I have found to be the best part of celebrating Christmas, is the wonder and fun my son has.  Sharing the traditions of making cookies and decorating our tree.  His anxiousness only fuels my own.  Counting down the days on Advent Calendar, making things for the ones we love...it's all a part of that celebration.  He is just truly learning about what makes Christ so special.  Finally beginning to understand how the birth of a boy in a manger more than 2,000 years ago could lead to such a wonderous occasion.  He still doesn't quite "get it"...it will be awhile before he does on a deeper level.  But he does understand that Christmas is special.  Of course, presents are a part of that.  What 4 year old doesn't love getting presents (or adult for that matter!)  But he is learning that there is more.  The traditions that go along with the Celebration are just the beginning. 

Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends.  Each is truly appreciated and loved.  May Christmas and the New Year bring us all a little Comfort and Joy!



Christmas Pageant

Last weekend was Ethan's Christmas Pageant, it was so adorable.  They sang "The Colors of Christmas."  They showed the birth of Jesus in the manger.  All of the kids did a great job, Ethan had been looking forward to the show all week.



Winter is Late, not that I am complaining!

December 1st is typically cold.  There may not be snow, but it is almost always cold.  Not this year.  This year on this day we spent the afternoon at our local nature center.  We took a wonderful hike in the woods.  We didn't get any close encounters with woodland creatures, but we did run into another family taking advantage of the 60 degree temperatures.  We took the Lowland trail all the way until it ended and hooked up with the Upland trail that lead back to the trail head.

Heading down to the Lowland trail.

Ethan loved being the leader! 

He pretended we were explorers, and marveled at our ancient discovery of an old "train car".  Which really is just an old metal trailer.  Still a pretty cool discovery though. 

We also "discovered" some ponds and rivers.  There were a couple of overlooks on the trail that were quite questionable.  Mommy was very nervous with Ethan climbing the rickety ramps up.  

Dock near the main pond

Ethan maintained his stamina pretty well until the near end.  He walked the whole way, roughly 2 miles.  It was a wonderful start to December.  I am convinced that this winter we are going to get slammed with snow.  I intend to enjoy every snow-free moment I can!