Vacation

I truly believe that everyone needs a break from life every once in a while. A break from the everyday hustle and bustle of things. Right now, I strongly believe my husband deserves this upcoming break we are about to experience! Starting tonight at 6pm, BEN IS ON VACATION!!!!!

Ben works so hard at his job. Ever since he has been at US Bank, he has been the number one banker in the district for the last year! Ben works hard each day and isn't home until 640pm. Then its dinner, bath time for Addy, bedtime for Addy, bedtime for Katie and then Ben gets a few moments to himself before he starts the routine again....

So, tomorrow morning, yes I will let Ben sleep in and enjoy his first Saturday morning in months of being able to sleep in since he works most Saturdays. Then we will enjoy the weekend by just resting and enjoying family time. (Side note---HAPPY 1st ANNIVERSARY TOMORROW TO MIKE AND EMILY WIGGIN!)

Early next week we will be leaving for WI Dells to enjoy a fun time at Noah's Ark Water park, Glory basketball tourney for the 17U boys and a fun filled vacation with Mom and Dad Paxson.

So I am looking forward to a second pair of hands for the next 9 days of fun with my hubby at home! Ben, we are looking so forward to having a great time with you and in celebration tonight we are heading out to try a new Mexican restaurant!!! NUMMY!!!

Summer Fun

We have been able to really enjoy times outside this summer. We have had some great trips to the zoo with daddy, pool times in our backyard, splash pads with Molly and the kids, Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater with Molly, Laura and the boys, a picnic and park time in St. Paul with Amanda and kiddos and wonderful first experiences for Addy.

I have really been blessed to be able to stay home with Addy and in doing so I have enjoyed some wonderful experiences this summer. I love doing things and letting Addy get to experience things and do thing on her own.

Well, I may as well show the pictures as they are the best part!

Happy 1st Birthday Cousin Thaddeus!

Yesterday we were blessed to celebrate our favorite nephew's first birthday party! Thaddeus Ronald turned One year old on Saturday. We had the wonderful celebration at my parents house with an assortment of wonderful foods put together by Amanda and my mom.

It was a great time of fellowship as Amanda's whole family was able to come down from Alexandria and spend the day with us too. The great grandparents from our side of the family also came and joined in on the festivities.

We are so blessed to have Thaddeus as a nephew and he is a wonderful little boy that has so much energy and is always smiling. He is a blessing to the family because he is the first little boy as we already have Ainsley and Addy!

Happy 1st Birthday Buddy! Uncle Ben, Aunt Katie and Cousin Addy love you lots!

What does it mean to be a stay at home mom?

*It means being the last one to shower...meaning sometimes not until everyone is in bed at night

*It means giving hugs and kisses when Addy cries out for me at any moment

*It means feeding her and giving her what she needs to grow strong and healthy

*It means being the one that may get no sleep at night and feel exhausted most days

*It means sharing in a lifetime of fun memories

*It means seeing all her "Firsts"

*It means teaching her and molding her into God's children

*It means saying no and disciplining when she is misbehaving

*It means having her sit on my lap and read books

*It means putting her down for each nap, hearing her cries and then hearing the peaceful sounds of sleep

*It means taking responsibility for another life

*It means lots of work and always being ready for what is next

*It means feeling so unconditionally loved by a one year old little girl

*It means I am depended upon

*It means taking care of the house so when our hard working daddy/hubby gets home; he can just rest

*It means going for walks, learning, watching cartoons, and snuggling

*But most importantly it means that I have the ability to shape my daughter's life so that some day she may come to know Christ as her personal savior.

This life is but a breath and I feel so fortunate to be the wife of Ben Paxson and the mom to Addison Paxson. Ben and Addy are not mine, they are the Lord's; He has blessed me with them until he one day decides to return. It is a big responsibility to be a part of what God has created for me. I'm thankful that as a stay at home mom I can have this opportunity. So many may say that being a stay at home mom is not really a job but God gave me this job and my payment/reward is my daughter's eternity in heaven with him.

Pool Time

Addy has taken a real love for the water...Just like her mom. I have always loved swimming and just being in the water. Addy has enjoyed many wonderful experiences this summer in the water. We look forward to many more wonderful experiences in pools!

Happy 1st Birthday Cousin Ellie!

This past week we had the wonderful honor of celebrating Elizabeth Joy Paull's 1st Birthday. David and Katie hosted a wonderful party with lots of great food, fellowship and of course some pool time for the girls.

We went down to Owatonna for most of the day last Sunday and just spent some great time together. It was so fun to watch Ellie open all her gifts and eat her wonderful cake that her momma made for her. We also learned a new fun song to sing to Addy while she is on our lap.

Ellie is such a blessing to our lives and we are so grateful to have her as our niece and Addy's cousin. It is such a wonderful experience to watch her grow into this adorable little girl. So excited for Addy and Ellie to grow up together.

July 4th Fun

The tradition on July 4th is to head down to Minnetrista to Grandma Carlson's to celebrate independence day with the Carlson Crew (this is Cathie's side of the family). It is a fun time of fellowship, lake time, swimming, good food, birthday celebration, and ends the night with a boat ride with fireworks.

Ben and I have done this tradition since we were dating, however, we don't go on the boat as Addy is a bit too small for that yet plus it is past her bedtime.

We took some pictures of July 4th and the festivities. There are a couple cute ones of Addy and Grandpa Charlie sharing a cupcake and of course a picture of Addy and Ellie in matching shirts. But to forewarn you, Addy had reached her max for the day during the cousin pictures...still a fun memory.