The Break-Out

Prepare yourselves - this is another "Ethan" story.

First of all, let me just say that it has been such a year of growth for Ethan.  He is more communicative verbally, maybe because it is just the three of us now....and since we have closed down the shop we have a lot more time to spend with him.  He is maturing (finally) and has a pretty good sense of responsibility.  In reality, a lot more than his four older siblings at that age, haha.

He loves Wednesday nights because it is church and scout night.  And, he is enjoying the campouts - even if he does have to eat separate food and can't sleep with his CPAP.

Okay - that is a one part of the "backstory."

Now, for part 2:

My Bryan has moved to Hawaii!!!  He got a promotion and has left us to live on Hilo. 

Yes, life is rough.  Literally (for us).  Bryan is insisting on sending his hound dog, Elvis, over there.  The catch is there is a series of shots and checkups and a quarantine period (think 120 days).  I don't know how he did it, but the dog is with us.  It may be the longest four months of my life.  He isn't that smart of a dog and he loves to howl.  We assure every neighbor who walks up and down the road that this is indeed temporary.

And so.....

Today was ward conference and I had meetings after church.  Phil and Ethan were waiting for me.  Ethan told Phil he was going to wait in the car.  But Ethan, apparently, got tired of waiting and began to walk up the busy road towards home!  A young man from church, in an attempt to be helpful, picked Ethan up and drove him to the house.  When he returned and saw Phil, he informed him of his good deed.  Phil rushed home only to find Ethan AND both dogs - GONE.

Phil found them all at the opposite end of our subdivision trying in vain to get the dogs home.  A lady (who we don't know) had come out with a dog leash for Ethan to use but Axle is the only dog to come.  Elvis was still running around like a wild thing.  Phil pulled up in his car, let Axle in, and made Ethan walk Elvis home on the leash (Phil followed behind in the car).

What happened is when Ethan opened the front door, the dogs bowled him over and took off.  Ethan knew that was not a good thing and went running after them.  I was having a good laugh envisioning Ethan running in his church clothes after those two dogs - yelling in his inarticulate English.  HAHA

When Ethan got home he was dirty and sweaty.  He kept saying "I'm so sorry."  Ha!   The dogs are doing penance in the backyard. 

And thus another close call......after fourteen years we are still afraid of "losing" Ethan.  But once again, alls well that ends well.  Grateful for another happy ending!