The Impact of a Smile

Ethan started smiling. It is my most favorite moment of the day; to sit there with him and watch him smile. Ethan mostly smiles with his eyes, and it is the most amazing feeling to know that he sees me and knows me. Once his grin comes he just glows; it fills my heart with joy and I am so happy to have him in our lives.

Are You Coming Home or Not?

Well...you may have heard that we're coming back to town in April.

Well...that was the plan.

But, now we're not so sure.

Our annual tax return was going to pay for our little vacation and our visit home. We submitted our taxes the second week of February, and five weeks later...we're still waiting for our refund.

Last night the IRS' website was updated and now our Account Refund Status Results state:

"We have received your tax return and it is being processed. Unless we find mistakes or you owe other taxes, you should receive your refund by April 13, 2010."

Our trip was originally going to be planned to arrive on April 7th, but if we're not going to receive the refund until April 13th...we may not get to come until the Fall. :(

Cutest Kids

Gramma Orie Pale Ale

Emily has discovered a picture of "Gramma Orie" in our kitchen. On top of the kitchen cabinets, near the 3 or 4 empty growlers sits a framed picture of the Sarah Pale Ale logo poster from the Kodiak Island Brewing Company.

The Sarah Pale Ale brew came out the same year that Sarah Palin was running for Vice President. It is a delicious, light beer and is a favorite of the household. The poster of Sarah Palin was so comical that we framed it and put it in our kitchen along with the rest of the Kodiak Brew stuff.

Well, one night at dinner Emily noticed the picture and immediately pointed to it and said "Gramma Orie!" We weren't quite sure what she was talking about. She kept on persisting until we were able to see the framed poster within Emily's line-of-sight.

It was the FUNNIEST THING! She thinks that the Sarah Pale Ale picture is a picture of Grandma Lauri! I guess, when you look at Sarah's face, it could very well be a picture of Grandma Lauri.

The Kids Are In School!

It's taken us a little over three months to get life to settle back down again. These last few months have been stressful for everyone here, and it's about time that things are leveling off. Both Ethan and Emily are going to school each day at the Child Development Center (CDC). They have a wonderful program there that encourages learning in all aspects of your child's development.

When at the CDC last year Emily learned many, many things that we could have never taught her if she were at home with us all day. They teach babies sign language so that we can better communicate with them before they are able to speak; this was a huge asset with Emily growing up. Ethan will begin to learn this as soon as he is ready.

Currently Emily's day consists of a structured day full of crafts, story time, playtime, gym time, naps and meals. And, although it costs nearly as much as our mortgage to have both kids in school, it really is a wonderful place and we're so excited for both of them to be in the CDC.

Sleep

We woke up this morning to a stirring baby, but, it was 6am! Ethan had slept through the night! Maybe it's because he has a cold and is exhausted, or maybe he's finally old enough to sleep all night long. Either way, he slept from 10pm to 6am...we feel so rested today!!!

Favorite Clothes

Emily has a favorite hat that she insists on wearing everywhere.

In the house...out of the house...she loves it and she wears it everywhere.

Thanks Mel :)