Family Day Pics Cont.

Family Day for Raven Flight 10-06

This past Friday, March 5th, 2010, Mike's flight school class (flight) had family day. I don't think words can express how excited I was to go and see him in action. Everyday Mike comes home so excited telling us about his day and we spend hours upon hours studying. It was so fun to see his actually flying and loving it. Ok, so maybe I wouldn't know the difference, but Mike really is an amazing pilot. He is so comfortable in the pilots seat, which took some time, and everything is coming to him naturally. Next week is his "check ride" which is basically the final exam to this stage, known as primary, of flight school. An end of stage evaluation.

I know I speak for everyone when I say how proud we all are of Mike!

Just a fun video of Ethan being Ethan!

Snow in Alabama

February 12th, 2010 we had snow in Enterprise, Alabama. This has not happened in 16 years. Keep in mind Enterprise, AL is about 2 hours from the coast, we do NOT get SNOW. It was a lot of fun. I counted over 60 snowmen around town. Grocery stores, fast food joints, gym, schools, all closed the night before in anticipation for this crazy snow storm. As you can see it wasn't more then a couple inches but was more then these Southerners could handle. One thing we love about the South is the weather so we were not sad to see the snow melt the next day.

We Have Arrived!

What a feeling, to wake up one morning and feel 100% comfortable in your own skin, 100% thrilled with where life is and where it is headed, and in absolute bliss when you think about the one you have chosen to go on this crazy ride called life with... That is when I say "We have arrived!"

No matter the disagreements, the never ending to-do list, or the plate that is over flowing with responsibility. Everything feels as it should be and life feels so full. I posted the other day on FB that there are somethings that I cannot control and that is ok and I meant that. Maybe it is getting older, maturing, accepting the things that you can't change, and most important embracing all you have. Whatever it is I feel like my family & I have hit that point in life where we are not struggling and just living. What a feeling!

I probably do this way more then necessary and at the same time I will never do it it enough... But I love my boys and my life! Mike is in flight school and it is crazy busy and he gets stressed out but that is exactly where he is suppose to be. He excels at every aspect of his training and is loving every moment of it. Ethan is getting bigger and smarter every day. We finally have his HSP under control, knock on wood, and the hernia has been repaired. He is well on his way to using the potty and listens a little better every day. As for myself I workout every morning and am not a happy camper if I don't. I work full time and am on the path to finishing my MBA by February 2011. Mike doesn't let a day go by where he doesn't make sure I know how much he appreciates the things I do to keep our household running, and for that I am forever grateful.

There is not a dull moment in the Maquet house but it is a happy home. We are sleepy most of the time but we know we have an incredible life. As silly as it may sound it just feels good to be in that place where you are just happily living life. No drama and lots of love!

Michael Scott & Ethan William, thank you!

Heels & Football...

What more can a parent ask for ;)

Flight School Update

I am a proud Army Aviator's Wife!

Mike flying!

Since Mike started flight school after the Christmas break I have yet to give any kind of update, sorry. He is doing great! Exactly one year and one day after leaving for Basic Training Mike had his "Nickel Ride," which is his first flight. The words "unprecedented" were used by the Instructor Pilots! Mike got his hover, the first big milestone in flying, down on day 1. This is a huge deal, doesn't ever happen, is totally unheard of. Well it happens if you are Michael Maquet! Since then he has continued to do awesome even doing an emergency procedure, for reals, followed by a precautionary landing. That day he got to ride in a Huey! Michael is working extremely hard and I for one am uber impressed. He wakes up early, studies extremely hard, hits the gym, goes to class, flies a helicopter, plays with Ethan, spends time with me, and then does it all over again. June 7th is the projected date for graduating Primary and then he will go on to learn the airframe that he will fly, hopefully the Kiowa.

I will be better about keeping everyone updated!

Ali's Birthday!

We had an awesome 80's themed party for my 25th Birthday. It was so much fun! Our friends here in AL are all so awesome and I couldn't have asked for a better celebration! Woo Woo! You can tell by the pictures that I had a great time :p

Ethan's Surgery

After surgery on our way to the car.

Ethan made a friend while in the waiting room. They were pretty cute!

Ethan the morning of surgery. Like most Children's Hospitals

Mimi came flew out the day before so she could be with us the day of surgery. Ethan really loved having her here for a couple days.

January 28th Ethan had surgery to repair his hernia. They thought he might have 2 but thankfully he only had one. They were also able to do the surgery laproscopically so it was a lot easier on Ethan. He had a couple chill days following the surgery but was then back to being his cute 2 year old self!

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!