Happy 25th Birthday Ali!

My super amazing awesome fantasic husband got me a Green Apple Kitchen Aid Mixer for my Birthday!

I cannot wait to get my hands on that thing and whip up something delicious. Pretty sure my yummy yums are going to be better then ever!

Thank you Michael Scott, love you tons and tons!

Yummy Yums!

My new found love for cooking and baking has been expressed a number of time on the blog so I thought it was time I share a few of my treats with the world. The rice crispy treats were suppose to be pink in honor of Valentines Day, oops, I accidentally used purple food colors. The helicopter cookies however turned out as planned and were delicious. They are home made sugar cookies and home made frosting. No wonder Mike & I have to spend 6 days a week at the gym ;)

Moments Like These

Mom says, "Ethan make a puppy dog face."

It is obvious to anyone that knows me how much I adore my one and only little boy. He is the most fabulous little boy ever. Ethan blessed my life when I least expected it and has given my life purpose every day since. As a Mother I have days when I feel like I could do better and days when I feel like my plate is overloaded. Then Ethan comes along and reminds me of how special this life we have is and to stop worrying. (Mike deserves credit for some of that too, both my boys are so easy going)

So this morning I had to wake up at 4am, get dressed, work for an hour, get the lunches packed for the family, and drive 3+ hours to Birmingham where Ethan had 2 doc appointments at Childrens Hospital. I was dreading 7+ hours in the car, and waiting around in doctors offices, and Ethan not having his nap, and running from each appointment, to the lab, and back again. Today turned out to be a very special day with my son, and I reminded me that we need more special days where it is all about Ethan.

On the drive to Birmingham Ethan watched his movie, talked to his movie, slowly ate his breakfast, sang to some Black Eyed Peas and Miley Cyrus. Then we talked about what was going to happen when we got to the hospital. He kindly said, "K!" He was perfectly behaved all day. During his first appointment he did everything the doctor asked, even after having to wait for over an hour. After the first appointment he ate his lunch in the little park and took a quick power nap. We then went to the second appointment where there were these cute clowns doing face painting. I asked Ethan if he wanted his face done and he said yeah all sleepy like. The clown painted him into a cute puppy dog and then Ethan got the pep back in his step and he was having a lot of fun in the waiting room. We drew pictures of our family while waiting for the doctor and Ethan did everything the doctor asked once again. On the way home he drank his juice and watched another movie (Over the Hedge). During the movie Ethan cried during the sad part, it was super sweet. He then held my hand for the rest of the ride home.

Even though we were seeing doctors all day I couldn't have asked for a more awesome day with my son. It was full of laughs and fun times. He is such a good kid and I am the luckiest Mom ever!

More Maquet family photo!

I didn't even realize I had these, but it is kind of funny. Ethan puts up with so much from his parents. We sure do adore the little guy!

Happy 2nd Birthday Ethan!

Ethan's Birthday Cake!

Ethan & Dad blowing out the candles!

Ethan & Dad giving Chucky Cheese a BIG Birthday hug!

Ethan making sure we all know it is HIS Birthday! ;)

Ethan and his new car or his first rock crawler.

(Mike has been giving him great driving lessons)

OUR BIG 2 YEAR OLD! He is just so stinkin' cute :)

Ethan and big boy underwear...

He will figure it out eventually I am sure!

Family Pictures, haha

More Pics from the Saints Game!

Jerry Jones, owner of the Cowboys, sat right behind us.

Our first view of the Super Dome!

Our tickets to the game! Thank you Marcus & Kristen Ma'ilei!

Ethan is officially Ethan William Maquet!

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009, Michael's adoption of Ethan was final! Ethan is officially Ethan William MAQUET as he should be. Michael has always been Ethan's Dad but now Ethan has the name to go with it. It was an emotional experience for our family, we are so excited!

Ali's Best of 2009

My BFF sent me this survey (she also posted it on her blog) and I just thought it would be fun! Come along with me on a journey through 2009!

TRIP: Best trip was the trip Michael & I took to Cabo San Lucas in January.

BOOK: My Sister Keeper. I really enjoy Piccoult books, to bad the movie didn't follow the book.

ALBUM: Black Eyed Pease, The End. Just a fun album and it pumps me up at the gym.

NIGHT OUT: What is this? Hello I have a 2 year old. My Bachelorette party was a fun night, we had it at my house but it was a night I will never forget (thank you boys of Ft. Rucker).

CHALLENGES: Coping with the passing of my brother. Some days are still really hard for our family.

WORD or PHRASE: I have this horrible habit of talking in text. For example I say things like LOL, JK, NBD, you get the idea. My most favorite text talk of 2009 was OOC, Out Of Control, thank you Rachel Zoe for that wonderful addition to my vocabulary.

WEBSITE: Living in Enterprise, AL I am on the internet a lot but I don't think I have a favorite site. This year I did use www.etsy.com a lot for fun projects around the house.

PLACE: My new home!

NEW FOOD: Nothing totally new this year. However, I have found a new love for cooking and have been making all kinds of things. The best thing I have made in 2009 that will be a forever favorite is a Starberry Cake.

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: My wonderful husband has taught me the true meaning of unconditional love. There are good days and bad days in life but the people that you truelly love will always be there and you will always be there for them. I am super lucky to have far more good days then bad days.

QUOTE: "You are only as happy as you make your mind up to be."

LAUGH: Michael talking in his sleep, haha haha.

RESOLUTION: Appreciate what I have... I think I did a pretty good job of it this year but have set the resolution to continue to work at this in 2010.

SCARIEST MOMENT: When Ethan was in the PICU. I wouldn't wish that experience on my worst enemy. No one should ever have to see their child that sick and that close to the end.

MOMENT OF PEACE: There are 2 big ones. When Ethan was in the PICU they had to get the breathing tube in for there to be any chance of his pulling through. It took doctors about 8 hours to get the tube in, this was a peaceful moment for me. I knew he would pull through it at that very moment. The second moment is when he came off the ventalator and I got to hold him in my arms. The 10 days he was in that bed and I couldn't hold him I kept telling the doctors and nurses that I could make him better if I could just hold him. 4 days later Ethan went home. (I am getting all teary eyed just thinking about it)

FRIEND MOMENT: Again, sorry, when Ethan was in the PICU I was amazed at how many people shined through in my life. I didn't have to tell anyone what we needed, it was just done. A special thank you to Katie who was so understanding when I was unable to attend her wedding. Like I said I didn't have to say word she just knew and understood.

ACHIEVEMENTS: So I am having a hard time on this one.... I am trying super hard to keep Ethan healthy. I got married to my soul mate (cheesy I know). I have improved my cooking. I have bought a house.

OVERALL MEMORY: My brothers memorial service. It was overwhelming the number of lives he touched by just being himself. We miss you bro, love you.