Brazil

We're back from Brazil; it was truly an amazing time. I am excited to see what things the Lord highlights for me as start normal life. But, there are a few things that I just know. The Presence of the Lord met me there and my spirit feels so refreshed. Cold showers and no AC really aren't that big of a deal. I love being around my family, and meeting new Spirit brothers and sisters. They are all so amazing, and talented, and unique, and together we were all parts of one Body, and really I'm just thankful to be a part of it. Listening to Portuguese is fun, to my untrained ear it sounds like Spanish on an extended Italian holiday. 
After two weeks of a new, full, Jesus-family focused environment I'm back to work. Ouch. I had no idea how hard it would be to leave Ethan. Every time I get to spend a lot of time around him I relearn how much fun he is, and how I love being his momma. At work I had one phone message over two weeks; I'm really in demand here, from the detailer who is handling my resignation. He said that it will probably not be approved for July, but that I would have to stay until December of 2014. For a momma who is aching over one day away from her baby..I should be rewarded for not crying at my desk. I cranked the worship music up, and poured my heart out to the Lord. I counted my gifts, and worshipped with thanksgiving. He is good, He loves Ethan and me more than I can imagine, and I feel like He is giving me strength. I still might need a good cry when I get home, but I am going to believe the Lord for His amazing work to pour out of my life in the next 18 months. I will declare that Jesus is trustworthy, and so good to me. 

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip. I get a big fat ZERO in the photo credit department, thanks Callie and Dad Lyons!

This is the bathroom window in Leticia's home. It is so striking when compared with the rest of the home. 

Beach day was so much fun! The water was the perfect temperature, and the waves were just the right size.

With my love. 

He prefers to push rather than ride. He did this for hours. 

Little feet, finally still. 

You don't have teach boys to love cars. 

Prayer house beauty. 

Worship. 

Just like this one. 

Bath time! 

He's happy, really. 

Chilling out together. 

Not a fan of having Aunt Callie time interrupted by paparazzi :)

Loves his nephews!

We missed these girls! We need you to even out the testosterone!

Gigi has magic napping powers!Resistance is futile. 

That Hat

I made a cute little birthday hat for Ethan. I was inspired by pinterest, and I had hopes that it would be a cute prop in a 1 year photo shoot. Alas, he hates the hat, and I haven't really done the photo shoot yet. We did a practice session and Ethan did not need words to convey how he felt about it.

These pictures happened in about 1 second of our time-space continuum. I'm thankful for my quick camera!

Looks so proud of himself :) OK Ethan, you win, no more hat. 

We leave for Brazil on Monday, so excited! Maybe I'll have some pictures to post that include more than Ethan making silly faces. 

Ethan is ONE!

Wow, my baby is one year old! It really has gone by quickly, there has been this notion in my mind that 1 year olds aren't babies any more. That's not true,  he is still my baby. I wish that all of you could have been there to celebrate with Ethan, he really was the life of the party. 
I was able to work at home last Thursday, thank you Lord, so I had a little bit of extra time to make a special birthday dinner with some of Ethan's favorite foods; he loves bread, pasta, broccoli and beets :) 

Here are some picture to give you a glimpse into Ethan's special day. 

He's learning what happens when I point the camera at him, he wanted to see this picture right after I took it. 

Here's Ethan with some new favorites: rolling ball and Little Lion 

And an old favorite, Sophie! 

He's not to sure about those balloons. He wasn't very keen on having to sit so close to them. 

Here's the dessert table. I made the banner, while I watched 3 episodes of Alias :) 

I tried my hand at chalkboard art, not as easy as I thought it would be. 

Smash cake for Ethan, cupcakes for the guests. I made a yellow cake with a mango curd filling and a whipped frosting. Thanks for the frosting tip Danielle, as a side note it does not pipe well :) 

Here's a close up of the hat I made him. Separate post to come about that hat. 

Wow, Presents for me! 

  

Grandma gave him this Curious George, he is terrified of it. This picture does not accurately convey the abject terror that he feels when the monkey is around. Maybe he'll like it more next month. 

The xylaphone was hit! 

But, the red car stole the show. He was not interested in anyone or anything else once he got that red car. 

He hates the hat, maybe we can pretend that Wes's arm isn't there and that this is a better picture. 

Hey Mom, I'm ready for cake. 

Happy Birthday Ethan! 

Hmmm, tastes pretty good. 

Digging in! 

He mostly just at the frosting and poked at the cake with his spoon. 

Finally had enough, this was a full day for a baby!