Mile-Markers in the Journey of Ethan

I have beeen thinking alot about our journey through life and the what I like to call Mile-Markers, that we pass along the way! As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we have many mile-markers. Shortly after birth we have a Blessing for our name, and at 18 months we start nursery, and at 8 years we are baptized and if a boy at 12 we recieve the Priesthood and at 19 or 21, we recieve our Temple endowments and serve a mission and when we meet "the One" we are sealed together forever in the Temple. Big , wonderful mile-markers:) And sometimes life just gives us other mile-markers...Ethan's life has been one of those full of mile-markers, and as we are comming to the end of this particular journey with him, I have some thoughts to share. Ethan was born with a uni-lateral complete cleft lip and palate. So began his journey with a cleft...and many mile-markers. When he was born he weighed in a 7 and 1/2lbs. But before he could reach his first surgery or mile-marker, he had to weigh 10lbs. He was born in March and in August of that same year, he reached his first mile-marker, and had his first surgery. Let the journey begin! At one, another mile-marker and another surgery, at 2 the braces appliance put in and another mile-marker. At 3, another surgery and another mile-marker, at 7 first set of braces and another mile-marker. At 10 a another surgery, more braces and another mile-marker. And then he was told to just grow, and grow he did! At 18 another mile-marker and another surgery, (a big one!) At 18 1/2 braces off! A very happy mile-marker 12 years of braces was along time. At 18 and 3/4 another surgery and another mile-marker. But at this particular mile-marker, it also marks something else, it marks the exit of this journey. The surgery Ethan had yesterday is his last "planned" surgery. He now can plant his feet firmly on his next journey, a mission and his dream of being a cop and finding that "one" that he can kneel across the altar with. I, as his mother have been blessed to experience this journey with him. We had alot of time together in the car, coming and going to Dr. appts., it really was our time, we would talk , we would try to find good songs on the radio, and always on the way home Ethan would sleep. I am so gratful that this journey is done for Ethan's sake, he is the bravest most couragous young man I know, but I personally will miss our time, as we watched the mile markers pass on our journey.

So those are my rambling thoughts for today, a new day and a new journey, let the joy begin! Also, a big props to my girl April for bring dinner last night~you know we love you guys!