King Paxton

We took Paxton to the Sunburst beauty pageant. Don't judge us. Paxton is handsome and we know it. Really, it was just an excuse for us to put on a really cute outfit and show him off. 

So check him out!

 Waiting for his turn. He was a slobber box!

 All of us just waiting and having a good time.

He's getting excited, can't you tell?

Everywhere this little girl went Paxton would watch her. She was cute!

The show is about to go on!

 Paxton on stage struttin' his stuff.

 Best smile and best personality.

 They shall crown him king!

 Hey, look at all my new stuff guys!

Love our little family!

 My guys <3

Paxton's Auntie Taylor came home from college to see him!

His great grandparents!

 Four generations!

 "Hey Dad! That's mine!"

 Paxton's Granny!

 We're such proud parents!

It was an afternoon of fun. Paxton loved all the attention and we got some really cute pictures! We're so glad that some of our family got to join us!

Has it Really Been Three Months??

Life was absolutely crazy the last three months. I'm not sure why, or even how for that matter. I can tell you one thing that has been so true a reality for us in the last three months. God works in HIS timing. Not mine? How I wish God would work in MY timing.

We moved back to Ohio trusting that God would provide. We had three months saved up so Josh could find the job career he longed for-an engineering position. Josh had been trying to get into his field since we got married three years ago. As Josh started looking for his career in Ohio, it just wasn't unfolding the way we (or maybe me?) thought it would go. The plan was for me to stay at home with Paxton. With that three month deadline getting closer and closer I figured I should try for a job as well. So I decided to start teaching pre-k at a center. Then Josh was working at Wal*Mart again-blah. Really, I mean that.

So there we were. Neither one of us doing what we thought we were going to do. Josh was miserable in his job, and I was miserable in mine (which is a long story). It was tense in the house for some reason-we constantly were pushing buttons...it was just weird. But we were doing what we had to do, at least that's what we thought.

About a month into this thing Josh started getting phone calls for an engineering position. Weird? That would put us at month four. He went to the interview and BAM! They offered him the job as an electronic engineer-month four. 

We decided that I could quit my job (there was no contract) and stay home with Pax. Josh would do his engineering thing and I would do my homemaking thing. It was amazing what happened and has been happening. We're both so much happier. I'm finding joy in cleaning the house-really? I've been finding my nitch so to speak.

I say all this because we had our timeline, but God had his. We said we can only do three months. God said I'm going to take you four. When we started to get uncomfortable, we did what we had thought we needed to do. It is so easy to "depend" on God when you're comfortable. But when the water starts getting deeper-we tend to take that control back. God knew all along the plan He had put out for us. We were just a little too thick headed. 

Can you relate? Or, are we just crazy? Because let's be honest sometimes I think we are :-)

You know I have to post an updated picture of Paxton! 

Wait Expectantly

Yet again She Reads Truth is rocking my world! It's easy for me to pray for things, but it's hard for me to expect that God is going to respond. I know God answers prayers, don't miss that. However, it's difficult for me to wait expectantly.

Psalm 5:1-3 "O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."

Sometimes A lot of times I pray about things that I really am not sure of the outcome-- me going back to work is one. It was one of those "God, I think I would like to work. But, I don't want to leave Paxton with someone just anyone." It was one of those I have no idea what I want to be doing right now prayers. 

Then I get a phone call. OFFERING ME A JOB. Josh will be at home with Paxton on his days off and my Granny keeps Paxton when he works.

So it's weird how God works. Obviously. God has done some crazy things for Josh and I over the last year. Having a child was one of those moments where we waited expectantly. But if I'm honest, I don't wait expectantly on a regular basis. 

So what has God been revealing to me? He answers prayers! He shows up big time. He works through us. He's crazy about us and wants the best for us because he hears our hearts. 

What have you waited expectantly for and God has showed up?

A Happy Day

Today Paxton has been extra happy. He's a really happy baby, especially in the morning. Usually in the mornings I read Paxton a book in the rocking chair in his room. Then I put him in his swing and he loves it! This morning he was talking up a storm! 

While he is in his swing I do an assortment of things. If he gets up earlier than usual I complete my SheReadsTruth for the day. If he gets up around 8, like usual, I've already done that. So, I move to my domesticated things. I refer to my Home Management Binder for all of that. I love meal planning, but that's beside the point :)

So this morning this happy baby was irresistible.

Ok, now watch this series of events. It rocked my world and totally caught me off guard!

 He's sitting up by himself!!

Granted, it only lasted about a minute. But, he just did it himself!! I had him tripod sitting and then he pushed himself up!! Where has my baby gone?? I can't believe he will be five months on Friday!

Four Months Later

Paxton has changed so much over the last month. It's hard to believe it has been four whole months since he was born. Having a child really puts into perspective how fast time goes. We all know how fast time goes. Just put a newborn in front of you and you'll really see how fast time goes. Check out some of Paxton's adventures this month.

Playing with his elephant on his mat.

Riding with daddy.

He really wants to crawl! He's a good scooter!

What a happy baby!!

Pool Time!

I've gotten behind on blogging. It's been crazy! We've been getting our scrapbook room together, gardening, Josh is going back to work, Paxton is growing, and so much more! So excuse my "catch up".

 

It's been a hot few weeks! We've had Paxton in his baby pool, but not a "grown up" pool. A couple of weeks ago we went to my Aunt and Uncle's house. They have a pool and a solar heater for our pool! Can you tell that is right up our alley? Paxton was not really sure what to think about water up to his chest. He didn't like it going over his belly button, but does anyone? The whole time his legs were going crazy! Kick, Kick, Kick!

We had to keep him out of the sun.

Paxton and his granny

His legs were kicking like crazy under water! Now, when he is in the bath he has started scooting down in his bath seat so his legs can kick in the water. I think we have a swimmer on our hands!

 

Josh doing a "belly flop"

After we got Paxton out of the pool, my cousin Kidron and Josh decided to have some "boy" fun. They were belly flopping and all kinds of crazy stuff. Isn't that just the coolest picture? 

I love summer.

Beacause We're Green

Josh and I planted a garden this year. This is our second garden. The first year we were married we planted a small one. It produced enough for us to eat through the summer. It was a bit of a challenge though. We were new to gardening, especially in the Georgia soil.

The second summer we were married we moved when it was "prime time" for planting in Georgia.

This year we moved during the same time. This time we moved north; this worked to our favor because the planting times are later.

We planted a lot from seeds and some from plants. We planted squash, spaghetti squash, radishes, peppers (of all kinds), tomatoes, cucumbers, snow peas, some herbs, and lettuce.

There is just something about growing your own food that is so cool! 

This was our garden on June 10th

Peppers!!

Our first Cucumber

Squash is growing

Check out all those peas!

Our first "harvest"

 

Lettuce is growing!

Our garden on July 1st

Our lovely assistant

Not only is the food for us this year, but for Paxton! We'll be canning and freezing for the winter. What is so cool though is we'll be able to feed Paxton his first food from our garden! Obviously it ill be the squash. It's so neat to be think the first food he eats we grew ourselves. Next year he will be able to "help" us in the garden!

A Busy Weekend

Friday we went up to Oregon so Josh could speak at a Relay for Life and we could watch Josh's brother, Aaron, play music. It was pretty hot! We got to meet a lot of people who are involved with cancer. Josh's speech was incredible. He encouraged so many people while making them cry. Josh really doesn't like to talk about cancer all that much. But, if he is able to help or encourage people then he loves to share his story. I often tell Josh that I wish I could have been there by his side while he was battling cancer, but then on the other hand I'm thankful I wasn't.  It's really a loaded statement. I know that I could better understand Josh if I was by his side, but I'm not sure if I could have handled to see him in so much pain. 

 

Josh Speaking

Josh, Paxton, and I walked a lap around with the rest of the cancer survivors and their families. It was awesome to meet people that were not willing to give up. Walking around the whole night made me very thankful for my Ergo!!

After Relay for Life, we went to the boat with Josh's parents. We took Paxton on his first boat ride. He hated, I mean HATED his life jacket. But, wouldn't you?? 

Two Little Feet

Paxton is absolutely fascinated with his hands. Ever since he was just a week old he would always being them to his face, hold on to the other one, and just move them around. Of course now he just wants to suck on them....especially his little cute thumb.

Today not only did he pay attention to his hands, but he found his feet. He keeps rubbing them together, pushing them on things, and kicking his legs all over. I think they may be. Little ticklish.

He doesn't hold his feet still for very long. I think he's figuring out that of he slams his feet on the ground it will make noise. It's incredible to watch a baby develop right before your eyes.

I am completely blown away at God's greatness. The complexity of a human being, in my opinion, can only point to God. Medically Paxton should not be here. Our amazing God obviously had other plans. What a great God we serve!