Sunday Dress

Sundays are getting easier and easier. Ethan has now sat through 2 FULL sacrament meetings...those are about and hour and 15 minutes long. We used to be able to sit through the first 10 minutes and that was about it. We have now not had to take him out not even once, the last two times. It was amazing, such a miracle. Ever since he was a little baby we have never been able to sit through all of sacrament meeting and now we are slowly improving and that is exciting for us. He has started nursery and is in the same class with Hollie. It is so cute watching the two go to class together, Hollie is such a good big sister and takes great care of Ethan. For Ethan's first day of nursery we put him in a shirt and tie and boy did he look grown up and SO handsome.

She looks like a girl from the 50's...SO CUTE!!

Ethan's poop story

I know this is going to be gross, but I just have to blog it, because I will be printing this out and it HAS to be included.

Monday September 21, 2009 was the grossest morning of my life! Our morning started out normal, up at 6am with Mr. E, ate breakfast, got dressed and was ready to start our day. By 7:45 I was stripping sheets, doing laundry and trying to be quiet because Hollie was still sleeping. I left Ethan downstairs for about 5 minutes. He was watching Ciallou, had his milk and was very content. I see Mr. E coming upstairs and I said, let's be quiet bud, sissy is still sleeping. I picked him up and realized he was stinky. I took him into his room, layed him on the floor to change his diaper and realized that he has poop all over his hand, forehead and legs...I was TOTALLY grossed out. I quickly picked him up and took him to the tub. I didn't even know where to begin, it all was so gross. When I got him in the tub I realized I had poop all over my shirt and shorts from when I carried him the first time. I cleaned him up, got him smelling like a nice baby and was off to clean myself up. By now Hollie was awake because of all the commotion and I was sick to my stomach. We go downstairs and with a great suprise I see that half of my beautiful sofa is covered in POOP. Yep, can we say DISCUSTING!!!! Ethan must have been having a hayday in his diaper. I truly didn't even know where to begin. He had eaten raisins the day before and those were all over the sofa also. I quickly called Ryan and said, you will not believe what "YOUR" son has done. (Anytime the kids do something gross they quickly become Ryan's child, hehe). He about died and was laughing. I told him that I would be laughing if I were him too because I wouldn't have to clean it up. After trying to figure out what to do, I got some rags and cleaner and went to work. I was gagging throughout the process and for the whole rest of the day I couldn't get the smell of poop gone. I finally tried putting some vicks vapor rub under my nose, because the smell was making me sick. This whole thing was so gross that I just couldn't "capture" the moment, so there are no pictures.
Thanks to my amazing husband for cleaning our whole sofa with our carpet cleaner and sanitizer.

The "Dinosaur" Museum

Wow, I have just been slacking in the blogging department...well, I do have a few good excuses, this is not one of them, just an update.

A month ago Hollie's pre-school went on their first field trip to the Arizona Museum of Natural History, aka Dinosaur Museum. Let me just say that it was an experience, something I hope that doesn't repeat at the upcoming field trip we have on Thursday to the pumpkin patch. The only way to sum it up is, that by the time I left I felt like I was the worlds worst mom, that my 3 1/2 year old is completely out of control and FULL of attitude. It was one of those moments that when we got home I just cried. I couldn't understand why Hollie was acting the way she was. It truly broke my heart. We were so excited to go and the minute we got there, Hollie completely shut down and didn't want anything to do with me and when I tried to show her something, take a picture or just have fun with her she screamed and threw a fit. I talked with her teacher and she said that this is a whole different side of Hollie and that Hollie is great in school. Well, I am glad she is good at school, but do I make her this way, everything I do for her is this how I deserve to get treated...let me just say I felt horrible. After talking with my amazing husband he re-assured me that I was a good mom and that Hollie loves me and that that is just our girl. I really think that she doesn't like crowds and all the attention...I know, can you imagine that, a girl that doesn't like all the attention:) Anyway, Hollie and I had a great talk after that, she apologized and hopefully this next field trip will be a little better. Here are a few pictures of our trip to the museum.

Here is the class picture. Can you find Ms. Hollie? Well, you will not see her adorable little face because she turned her back and was telling us to stop taking her picture...that's my girl!

We were lucky enough to get a few with her looking once we got inside, but she is not smiling

The only one of her smiling and you want to know why? because I told her papa wants one picture of her smiling, so this one is for you dad!

Hollie in front of the dinosaur throwing a fit. And no, I was not forcing her, I asked very nicely and this is what she did, so I had to take a picture.

Outside paning for gold. This was fun, but she was being a stinker. I really was trying SO hard to be patient, kind and loving and it just broke my heart when all I would get back was attitude.

.Hollie, just always know I LOVE you more than anything in this world and you are teaching me way to much at the age of 3! Love you girlie!

Zoo

A fun FREE day at the zoo. We received a phone call Wednesday morning that preschool was cancelled and so we took advantage of the nice day and went to the zoo with our friends. The kids had a blast. Here are a few of our highlights.

I loved how Ethan was so chill and kicked back in the stroller...he was adorable and loved his snacks.

A beautiful picture of my girl as she is taking a rest in the shade.

Hollie wanted to go on a camel ride and to be honest I was shocked, but she loved it and continues to talk about it.

Ethan playing in the splashpad at the zoo.Just another cute picture of my girl.
Hollie and Sarah being girls and havin fun!

One Year

As I reflect on this day one year ago, my heart becomes SO full. I am so blessed to have this little man as part of our family. I am SO grateful for him and for ALL he has taught me and continues to teach me each and every day. I know without a doubt that Ethan was to come to our family and I am so grateful as to how he came. The finalization process in an adoption is just that, final. It makes our child ours and is seen no differently. This day is a day of celebration and will always be his "special" day. We LOVE you Ethan and are SO glad you are a part of our family!

Labor Day Weekend

For Labor Day weekend we decided to head to Cali. There were a couple of reasons, one, Ryan's sister was blessing their baby boy and two, we wanted to go to the beach. Well, I can say it was a successful trip because we did what we came to do. Here are a few highlights of our trip.
The Beach...always a top highlight. There is just something about the beach that is so therapeutic. I think it is the atmosphere, the sound of the waves, blue sky, the warm sun hitting your body and the sand. We just LOVE the beach! Ryan's family came to the beach and we all had a blast...especially the kids.

Hollie loved playing in the sand

Ethan LOVED LOVED LOVED the ocean and the waves. We couldn't get him out. He has NO FEAR and wanted to brave them all by himself...ofcourse, we didn't let him, but it was challenging to hold his hands because he just wanted to go..... I was so proud of him and somewhat shocked because he doesn't care to much for a pool, but loved the waves coming up and crashing on him.

Ethan also enjoyed being pulled on the boogie board...I think we have a little dare devil surfer on our hands.

LOTS and LOTS of sand. I could have sworn we brought home half of the beach...

These are Hollie's cousins, Whitney and Mckenna. They live in Escondido and we don't get to see them very often and Hollie had a blast with them. These 3 girls were inseperable and it was SO cute watching them.

I love this picrture of the gilrs...I just think it is SO cute!

Hollie and Mckenna

Thank you Gayl and Chris for a fabulous, fun weekend!

La Jolla

On Sunday night we stayed with Ryan's dad and stepmom in San Diego. We had a great time with them and enjoyed part of the day Monday with them in La Jolla...I LOVE it there!

We walked around the cove and shops...ofcourse. It was perfect weather, the crowd wasn't to bad (because we were there early) and it was very relaxing! A perfect way to end our vacation.

If you give Ethan a water bottle he will be entertained for quite awhile.

Hollie and Grandma

Grandma, Hollie and I.

San Diego Temple

On our way back from La Jolla we decided to stop by the Temple. I am so glad we did. I LOVE that Temple for many reasons. First and foremost, that is where Ryan and I were married 8 years ago. Second, I was sealed to my mom and family there and third, I watched the Temple be built and was able to work in the Temple before it was dedicated..amazing experience! It is my most favorite Temple.

Hollie was so excited to see the Temple where mommy and daddy were married. It was fun talking to her about that day and that one day when she gets married that she could marry here if she wanted to also. We had a great time there and loved playing in the big grassy area in front of the Temple. Yes, you will see that the boys were not very reverant, but we were having fun as a family and that is where "our" little family began.

Grandma and Grandpa Larson with Hollie and Ethan

Hollie being swung around by grandpa

Ethan doing what he LOVES...flying through the air and being tossed around

Babies do fall from the sky...just kidding.
You should hear Ethan laugh while he is doing this...it is hilarious! The kid has NO FEAR!

These are the days

The last couple of weeks have been good, and here is a glimpse of what we have been up to.

Since we live in a state that is just plain old HOT, this is how we eat popsicles at our house.

Hollie- She is keeping herself busy with preschool, 3 days a week, and gymnastics one day a week. She is loving preschool and from what I hear she is well behaved, listens and does great! That makes for a proud momma! Depending on how she feels after school I sometimes hear what she did and sometimes I won't...well, maybe later on in the day I will. She loves sharing time on Thursdays because she gets to bring something special from home to share. She is so stinkin cute and I am just LOVING the age she is at. She can be the sweetest thing upon the face of this earth and she can also have me in tears at the end of the day because she was just hard, difficult, stubborn and a girl with emotions. I LOVE my little princess more than anything and I love watching her grow and learn.

Ethan- well, he has now been officially given the nickname "TORNADO"!!!! And man oh man do I LOVE this little boy. I never thought that one little guy could keep me so busy and make a mess out of a room in seconds. For me he has redifined the word "busy". I seriously can't turn my back for a second! Today within 5 minutes he had opened the cupboard with all the games and had them all over the floor...you ask where I was, well doing laundry because my little girl was throwing up... As I was cleaning up the game mess he was into the wipes pulling them out and making other messes. I feel like the only words Ethan ever hears are; No Ethan, get down, put that back, out of the trash, give that back to sissy, stop, please don't, we don't sit in that, we don't climb on that, please don't throw your food it goes in your mouth.....oh, and the list goes on. The other day he pulled an empty carton of eggs out of the trash (which had one broken egg in it and all the shells of the other eggs that were used) and made a big fun mess! SERIOUSLY?!! I have had our family ask if there is a class we can put Ethan in to get out his energy and my response is, No, remember he is only 18 months! Trust me, I would much rather have this BUSY child then have a child who is a bum and has zero energy and no motivation. I am learning LOTS and loving every bit of it. Here are a few pictures of a couple of his new adventures. I have been trying to capture all that he does and it is a bit difficult, but trying.

He has started pulling chairs to things and getting into whatever he can...this is the silverware drawer(no longer organized) and no worries the knives are up in a cupboard.

I don't know if you can see it well enough but he has climbed into the shopping cart, pulls the books off the shelf and throws them on the floor laughing.

Ethan's cupboard.

A Tender Moment

Let me first give some history. For those who don't know I lost my mom when I was 8 years old, her name is Holly. When we first learned about our sweet little girl her due date was March 24...my mom's birthday. In hearing that we knew exactly what our baby girls name was going to be...Hollie. (yes, we did spell it differentlly). We have pictures of my mom up around our house and we talk about her often. Hollie knows that she has a grandma Holly in Heaven. She points to her picture and says, "mom, that's grandma Holly".
Well, yesterday, while Hollie was in the bath, she started asking questions.
Hollie- "where's grandma Holly mom?"
Me- "she is in Heaven".
Hollie- Why?
Me- "Well, it was her time to go to heaven
Hollie- Why?
Me- Heavenly Father needed her help
Hollie- What happened to grandma Holly?
Me- She was in a car accident
Hollie- How?
Me- Well, grandma Holly, papa and uncle KC where in a Jeep going up a hill and the jeep rolled down and grandma Holly got really bad owies.
Hollie- Why mommy?
Me (with tears in my eyes) I don't know Hollie, I wish I knew. All I do know is that Heavenly Father had a lots of work for mommy in Heaven and he really needed her.
Hollie- Heavenly Father needed her in heaven?
Me- Yes, he did. And we are so lucky that we have pictures of grandma Holly that we can remember her by. Gramdma was a wonderful lady who always had a smile on her face and was always happy. I miss grandma Holly.
Then our bath was over. Throughout the day I couldn't believe that the day had come when I would be having to explain to my 3 year old that her grandma Holly was in Heaven and not here on earth. To be honest I never really prepared myself for this, especially since she is 3. Having to answer, why, is really hard, because I still don't know why, all I know is that she was needed elsewhere. (selfishly I think she was and still is needed here). I know that my sweet Hollie was with her in Heaven and knew her then.

Now, to this morning as we were walking out the door to go to school,
Hollie says, "mom, grandma Holly died".
Me- yes, Hollie she did.
Hollie- why mommy?
And the dialogue was pretty similar to yesterdays. I have to admit that this is not easy for me, but I couldn't be more grateful that Hollie is so curious at such a young age and is very concerned for her grandma Holly who is not here with us. Wow, maybe I need to make a picture book for Hollie about her gandma and maybe she can carry it around and always remember her and how much grandma Holly loves her.