Sitting, Crawling and Standing.....Oh, my!

We've had some quite exciting times since Jeremiah has been home. It seems like Ethan just waited for his Daddy to get home to start really doing things! He began to crawl on all fours right away! I don't know when he decided to sit up on his own because all of a sudden he was doing it. But last week, my baby boy was not quite the baby anymore...I found him in his crib standing up! How did he learn to pull himself up!?! As exciting and as a big step as it was, part of my heart just sank, remembering the moments when Ethan was just a newborn. The more and more he is mobile, the less he needs me (in that area, anyway!) But since then he has pulled himself up on many other objects, like the chair, the coffee table and even his toy box.....and it's been really fun to watch him. Although I think his purpose for pulling himself up on the coffee table is to put his mouth on the edge and teethe on it! On a side note, we went to the Dr. for his 6 month check-up last week. Ethan is now 16.4 lbs and 26.5 inches long!  

On the Road Again....

to NEBRASKA! We finally had a weekend to visit Jeremiah's family in Nebraska.  Jeremiah loves to "road" trip but quickly realized that traveling with an infant is much, much different than before. Ethan was wonderful until the last 2 hour, crying with a mixture of his infamous "cat" cry and his tired cry. These two combos are not good! Between teething and being much more mobile, he didn't quite like being confined to his car seat. But we trucked on through, while Ethan finally fell asleep :) :)

The weekend was so relaxing, just what we needed! I realized when we arrived to Jeremiah's parent's home that Jeremiah and I hadn't been there as a "married" couple before...what a thrill! We got to sleep in the same room this time!! It was extra meaningful as this was our first time as a family and Jeremiah's first time back to his hometown in 1 1/2 years. We had delicious meals, wonderful conversations and saw lots of family!

I think the most meaningful time was on Sunday, when both Grandma's (Great-Grandma's to Ethan) came over for ice cream and brownies! To see 2 sets of 2 generations in the same room was just so precious and priceless. It was a little sad for me since both sets of my grandparents are with the Lord. I wish they could have known Ethan and loved on him, they would just be in awe of him. I am thankful for Grandma Carlson and Grandma Kline, that they could see Ethan, hold and love on him. I will post some precious (I keep using this word, but I guarantee you this is the ONLY word that described that time!) photos of this weekend when I've got more time. To make it even more special, Feb.22, Sunday is a very special and emotional day for the Carlson family. Jeremiah's grandfather (Grandma Carlson's husband) had passed away 5 years ago. Just being together on that day was quite special! ( On a side note, Jailyn, a cousin of Jeremiah's, gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday!) New Life!! God truly works and is and cares about every detail of our lives, even the day we are born.

And the Beat goes On....

Hello World, and of course our faithful readers! We have decided to keep up with the times and blog! I (Mary-Anne) have written before, but now I'm back with two additions in my life....my wonderful husband, Jeremiah and precious (not to mention adorable) son Ethan! Our first blog as a family will be short, considering the hour of day, not to mention we have an infant and get limited sleep as it is! I personally have missed writing. It was/is an outlet for me to get my feelings and thoughts across about the joys and sorrows of my life. But I'm (We're) back! 

The new adventure in our life has been welcoming Jeremiah back HOME to the US and as a husband and father! I can not begin to tell you what a joy it has been to have Jeremiah back.  When Jeremiah left, December 3, 2007 my trust in the Lord was tested to the max, seeing as how Charlie didn't make it back home to me. I began to face the reality of being a single mom. The thoughts of losing another husband grew and grew. The ONLY thing that got me through was friends who cared enough to be there for me and all those that prayed for me, Jeremiah and then Ethan. At the end of the day, I realized that the LORD has marvelous plans in store for me. It took a beautiful tragedy in my life to make me realize the depth of my Father's love for me. He then gave me Jeremiah, and then Ethan. Hallelujah! 

Ok, so this post was a little "out there" but it won't always be as serious as this. But then again, sometimes it will. Just as our life is......sometimes serious, but sometimes it's snorts and giggles.