"Meant to Be"

Ethan Clyde, I pray that if there is ever a day when you question your existence that God reminds you that you were meant to be and that you have a purpose (even if He may not be revealing it to you right then).

"Long before you drew your first breath
a dream was coming true.
God wanted to give a gift to the world
so He wrapped it up in you.

Every step that you've taken,
every move that you make
is part of His plan.

You were meant to be touching
the lives that you touch.
And meant to be here
making this world so much more
than it would be without you in it.
You were meant to be bringing
the gifts that you bring
and singing the songs
you've been given to sing.
You are perfectly, wonderfully,
beautifully meant to be.
You were meant to be.

Long before you took your first fall
you stumbled to the ground.
God started telling the story of you
to the angels all around.
Every failure and victory,
everything in between.
It's all in His hands.

You were meant to be touching
the lives that you touch.
And meant to be here
making this world so much more
than it would be without you in it.
You were meant to be bringing
the gifts that you bring
and singing the songs
you've been given to sing.
You are perfectly, wonderfully,
beautifully meant to be.
You were meant to be.

For every breath that your taking
and every move that you make,
it's a meaningful life you've been given
- Live it well!

You were meant to be touching
the lives that you touch.
And meant to be here
making this world so much more
than it would be without you in it.
You were meant to be bringing
the gifts that you bring
and singing the songs
you've been given to sing.
You are perfectly, wonderfully,
beautifully meant to be.
You were meant to be."
~Steven Curtis Chapman

1 year, 1 week

I was looking at your 1 week pictures (blog post) and remembering how awesome that first week of life was with you. The thing I miss the most, is cuddling you on my chest so you would sleep. My favorite, funny moment was falling asleep with my mouth on your head and drooling all over you. The thing I don't miss is the lack of sleep from waking up every four hours to feed you (oh and the nursing, while it was nice to know you were getting everything that you needed completely that way, it was really not as enjoyable as I thought it would be).

The thing I love the most about you know is your handsome smile, not the "not showing my teeth" (which is funny because your Grandpa Milligan does that smile and I used to when I was in middle school) but your "I'm so happy I can't keep my mouth closed" smile. My favorite, funny moment I love now is watching you play and run around ... and some of the faces you make and things you do, it just makes me wonder "what is going through your head!" The thing I won't miss is the face hitting. For whatever reason, you enjoy "clapping" my face with open palms and even with toys in your hands. You've knocked my glasses off my face a few times and have hit me pretty good. Yep, won't miss that one bit :)

This last year with you has been such a joy and I can't wait for many more. I'm excited for us to go to Costa Rica and excited to see you learn and grow in the Lord from this experience like we are.

I love you ECT ... You make my world shine brighter!

"The One You Need"

It was written by Shane&Shane, dad to daughter so I changed the persons around to fit Ethan and me.

"Hey, hey, sweet (son)
I am so proud to be your (mother)
Each day's like a gift from God.
Hey hey sweet (son)
There's no music like your laughter
And your smile is like a rising sun.

You know I've loved you from the start
So come in close, take my hand
While (mommy) shares (her) heart.

I wish that I could be your everything
Be the one that gives you all the things you need
Sometimes I am gonna let you down
But there is One, if you just believe,
He'll be your hero like He's always been for me.
(Buddy), Jesus is the one you need.

No matter what you walk through
He will always love you
Just the way you are.
For there's nothing in this world
That I want for my baby (boy)
That you be happy ever after.

The story of your life is still untold.
I pray the King of all the universe
would make your heart His home.

I wish that I could be your everything.
Be the one that gives you all the things you need,
Sometimes I'm gonna let you down.
But there is One, if you just believe,
He'll be your hero like He's always been for me.
(Buddy), Jesus is the one...

Who will never leave, He's been there all along
Oh, when you're ready, you can find the Lord

I wish that I could be your everything.
Be the one that gives you all the things you need,
Sometimes I'm gonna let you down.
But there is One, if you just believe,
He'll be your hero like He's always been for me.
(Buddy), Jesus is the one you need."