Ethan's twelve!

This year my baby boy turned twelve away from home! It was a hard decision for him to make to go to outdoor ed instead of be home with his family. But after some encouragment and making some great friends in his core, he chose to go to camp and the staff there made it extra special. The evening of his birthday, his favorite teacher, Trista Harguth, aka "mom," sent me a video and pictures on Facebook of his cupcake celebration with his core. It made me so happy and I think he was happy too, according to the smile on his face.  I'm sure he was embarassed a bit, but it was worth it. I'm so grateful he was born twelve years ago and that he is part of our family. 

To celebrate his birthday with friends, we had to wait until the end of February due to our vacation, but it was worth the wait. He had a get together for pizza and goofing off with his friends Daniel, Tanner, Camden, Tyler and a new friend Owen. The next day, he invited his two new friends from his core, Dane and Derek to DEFY where they played and played. He is loved by many. He's a lucky kid. 

Birthday dinner and shake at Red Robin...Yum

Ethan playing basketball with friends Mason, Camden, Kaiden and Owen

Dane, Derek and Ethan at DEFY

What a character we have in this kid! He is so big hearted and tender and sometimes so hard to be around. (Ethan, I love you so much, I'm just saying how it is. Keeping it real). He is a macho male and a tender hearted young man. He is going to be a wonderful, well rounded adult! 

He has had the hardest year of his life. Struggling with severe depression and fighting his way back to a healthy place. I'm thankful for patient school counselors, loving and concerned math teachers, therapists who are available at an hours notice, my husband who listens and comforts and most of all my Heavenly Father who has heard so many prayers of discouragement and sorrow. We have been blessed the last six months as I realize now how deep Ethan was in August. He is back. It's still a work in progress, but my happy Ethan who throws great temper tantrums is back.  I missed him.

He is my "turdeler!" He knows how to push my buttons. He also knows how to melt my heart and make me a better person. He is judgemental and critical of those around him and mostly of himself. This isn't a great strength right now, but we are working on it, one day at a time. Ethan is an outstanding student. He tries not to be at times, and then I just have to remind him to do his best and he's back on track. 

His break from soccer was part of his emotional challenges, but ladies and gents, he's back! He's practicing and performing well. He loves being conditioned and being back with his soccer buddies. He's also so excited for our trip to Spain in April. He received the priesthood in January and is eager each week to pass the sacrament. He still hates going to Sunday School and on occasion, church as a whole, but there are things he likes and parents that insist that he continues to attend church each Sunday. 

He loves his Grandma Mary and is concerned that she's not happy being his guardian angel. I try to assure him that she has been one that has helped us get back on track these past few months. He loves his Grandma Kathy and gets so excited to see her when the time comes. 

Ethan is learning to play card games...we can never take him to Vegas! He loves being social and doing things with friends. He also continues to love video games while I hate them. He still snowboards whenever he gets the chance and he is always talking. He'll talk about anything from sex and drugs to the latest music and what he's learned at school. I'm grateful and afraid! 

Happy 12th birthday to my sweet, wonderful Ethan. I'm grateful that I get the opportunity to be on this journey with you. I'm here for you always and love you to the ends of the Earth.