After 6 months of trying for a baby, I was SO excited to find out we were pregnant with out first baby.  

On Father's Day.

I'll never forget testing early in the morning and seeing that word 'Pregnant' for the first time and running upstairs and jumping on Jeremy waking him up with the news!

I remember it was a Sunday morning and I was so excited to share with my good friend Brooke Cooke. One really neat thing was weeks prior we were hanging out with our dear friends Adam and Brooke and they knew we were having trouble getting pregnant. Adam prayed over us and I remember so clearly him thanking God for this baby. It hit me funny afterwards because I wasn't pregnant....

Except I was. I just didn't know it yet.

You see, you cannot speak defeat in your lives and expect victory. As a daughter of Christ, I think it's crucial to speak life over and into each and every part of our life. To speak His promises, His truths, His goodness and believe for the impossible. 

I was due on February 18th and I wanted him to be born on Valentine's Day so badly. Jeremy proposed to me on V day and I thought it would be super special to welcome our first child and become parents five years later. 

Sure enough on February 13th at midnight as I was just climbing into bed, my water broke!! I could not believe it, I was going to get my Valentine's baby!!

It amazes me because we went on to have 5 more babies after E and every single one of them came late, my water never broke on it's own and I had to be induced. Just amazing! God cares about the details of our lives friends. It's my favorite Bible verse. 

"The Lord directs the steps of the Godly, He delights in every detail of their lives." Psalm 37:23

As I mentioned, the day we found out was Father's Day and the day he was born was Valentine's Day and I remember thinking this is the "Father's Love" (Father's Day/Valentine's Day) for me. It sent chills up my spine and my heart was overwhelmed with gratefulness to God for giving us the gift of our first child, our son, Ethan Craig.

Ethan is Hebrew and means firm, strong. His middle name Craig is after my brother Craig, who I've always loved and adored more than life itself. Craig means 'Rock'. So, he's a strong rock. 

His name couldn't be more fitting. He is a special kid. He has an extremely sensitive heart, he's so caring and thoughtful, compassionate. He is the perfect older brother to lead our pack. He's cool, he's handsome, smart, and really good in math. (Thank God, Lord knows I could never help him with his homework!) He's a perfectionist and clean freak like his momma. He likes order. He's an incredible athlete, plays travel soccer and other parents are constantly coming up to us asking us, "Is that your boy? He's SO fast!". He is talented yet doesn't brag and rarely will even show excitement for his achievements in sports (his coach is still working on that with him and will say...."Ethan, be excited!! It's ok to be excited!!) Haha. 

He loves cars like my brother (how fitting since he is named after him), loves Fortnite and he is our only child that comes and finds both Jeremy and I every morning before school to kiss us on the cheek and tell us he loves us. E-L-E-V-E-N years old you guys. (Insert sob session here).

He's truly one of life's greatest gifts to me. Ethan, I love you so much. You are the light of my life and you melt me. You are going to make some woman the happiest wife one day with your big heart and being so thoughtful of those around you and their feelings. You are such an incredible leader to your siblings and always strive to do the right thing. You are a Godly kid, who is extremely hard on himself when you make mistakes. It's ok bud, we can't always be perfect. You are growing up to be an adult before my eyes and it's hard for this momma....but when I look at you E, I feel extremely proud. Proud to call you my son. Proud to be your momma.

Happy 11 years, kid. You're gonna do great things in this life, I know it.