Happy 13th Birthday, Ethan!

It seems like a lifetime ago now, the day you were born. I can remember so well the nights before you were born when your Dad and I would lay and watch my stomach move and roll. We'd laugh out loud as we recognized a hand or a foot move across my stomach. We knew God had created life inside of me, yet we know not whether you'd be 'Hannah Lucille' or 'Ethan Matthew.' We'd never had an ultrasound, so we had no image of what you looked like, only what we could imagine. the day you were born was a long, hard day for me...but as soon as that nurse put you into my arms the days events were forgotten and my heart was yours. You came to me and snuggled close, your crying stopped, and Ethan Matthew McClain became part of our family.

You bring us great joy, Ethan. You have always been a laid back 'tranquilo' little guy. You have always played independently and have used your imagination to create masterpieces. Yet, you have always loved to cuddle, hold hands, and just be close to us.

 

You've been a loving big brother since the moment you knew that God was giving us a 'little sissy.'

 

 

 

 

 

The ways you bless us are beyond what I can write in a letter, because they are so many. You bring us laughter and you remind us not to stress. You serve our family in so many ways that mean so much like cleaning, laundry, and mostly the way you listen and take the time to make sure we are all ok. You have made huge sacrifices in your life that most boys your age do not have to make like leaving your best friends and your pets, giving away favorite toys, and moving a lot! And you've made them all without complaining.

 

 

 

 

Yet all of these sacrifices have made you who you are today- an amazing young man that your dad and I are so very proud to call our son. You have grown up so much over the last few years...and especially the past year. As difficult as some of our moves have been, moving from Costa Rica was so hard for you. You so wanted a friend, and God gave you some really great friends like, Joel and Julian...and then we told you that we were moving...

 

 

But, even still, you rarely complained. You have taken on every turn and every change in plan like a mighty man of valor.

 

And Ethan, we love you for it!

 

You've have thrived here in Montana. We have loved seeing God grow you in your relationship with him, with us, with your sisters, and with other young men who love Jesus and want to live for him. We love you and are so thankful for you! I thank God for you, daily, Ethan!

 

As I see your love for Jesus grow, as you pray and lift your hands to Him, I treasure these things in my heart, just as Mary must have treasure what she saw in Jesus as He grew in the ways of His Father...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know you see your dad and I fail many times, but we hope that you see us go back to Jesus time and time again...and we pray that from that, you, too will seek Jesus in all you do and you will always go to Him, over and over and over. As much as we love you, Ethan, Jesus loves you more.

 

We love you, Bud!

 

Happy 13th Birthday!

 

 

Love,

Mom and Dad