First's for Addy

Time has flown so fast with our little girl. She is already 7 months old. The past few months have been such a blast as she is doing so many new things. Since she is our first child it is all new to us, so seeing things for the first time is just the best.

Some of the new things she is doing:
1. Sitting up all by herself. She is such a strong girl
2. She loves to stand up (of course with our help), she even took a couple steps with my mom's help the other day (I walked at 9 months so maybe she will too)
3. Saturday she actually got into a crawling position on all fours but for now she is just army crawling and moving all over the place.
4. She is now eating graham crackers and today I even tried pieces of bananas. She loves it! So excited for all these new solid foods.
5. Attempting to talk. She actually keeps saying dadda. That is the first word I wanted her to say, so Ive been teaching her that a lot. Now she seems to be saying it alot. She also loves her own voice.
6. She also had her first photo shoot for 6 months of age and we also had a family photo shoot the other day. (photos to come soon)
7. I hold Addy in the front window every morning as daddy leaves for work. This morning she actually waived goodbye.
8. She has two teeth.

First's to come:
1. Carving her first pumpkin and Halloween. Daddy wants to carve the pumpkin with her
2. Thanksgiving- Looking forward to giving her some mashed and sweet potatoes.
3. Christmas- So excited to spoil her rotten and enjoy family time and beging to show her the true meaning of Christmas.

I am so blessed to be able to see all these firsts. I try to catch everything on video for Ben so he is able to see. She also said dadda to him the other day. She just melts our hearts.

In Love With Fall

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.

(Isa 40:8 NKJV)

I don't know about you but I sure love the Fall. It means cool breezes, hot chocolate, sweatshirts, pumpkins, leaves changing color, Thanksgiving, and of course this all leads into Christmas.

We are so blessed in Minnesota to have such great seasons and wonderful scenery. You don't really have to leave Minnesota to see hills, bodies of water, and wonderful towns.

I am amazed everyday by creation and that our Heavenly Father created such a masterpiece. I have been trying to take some time out to enjoy this wonderful season. Addy and I went for a 4 mile walk yesterday and today we played in the leaves.

Each morning I wake up thankful for that cool natural breeze. Our Creator is so amazing!

Living a Legacy

Lately I have been thinking about how I spend my time. I feel like I spend a lot of time on things that don't matter in the scheme of life. I have been trying to contemplate on this as Addy gets older by the day; she will begin to see what I do each day and how I spend my time.

When I look at my mom's, Dana and Cathie(mom in law), I see two women that spent a lot of time in the Bible, helping others, and spending time with others. I feel like this really mirrors Jesus. I want my daughter to see me in the Word and with people and helping people.

In our society today things really get in the way of what we should truly be doing as Christians. I know some things I do too much of our spending time on the TV and internet. Yes, they are great sources of communication but I have found that Facebook can really be a negative thing. Its something like an addiction for many people and for me maybe even too.

So instead I want to start using my time wisely and for good things. I started a little last week by starting to spend time in the Word a little more and also going for walks. I also have spent a lot more time in prayer and have seen the affects of that, even today.

The power of prayer and dedication to the Lord is so amazing and I don't want to miss out on that. I want my focus to be on God, my husband and my daughter. When you get tired as a mom after taking care of your daughter, working 25 hours a week, and taking care of a home and a husband, things get to be a lot. But I believe if I start shifting my focus to God and spending more time with Him and people I just may see a difference in my life.

A beautiful song I really love by Nichole Nordeman talks about being a Legacy and how people will remember me. See below these wonderful lyrics. My goal is to start spending more time with HIM and less on wasting my life with the things of this world because one day those things won't be there only He will be.

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such 'n such...it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an "Atta boy" or "Atta girl"
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
the temporary trappings of this world


I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon destroy



Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well done" good and faithful one

Update

I know.. I know... I haven't posted for a week or so but I have a good excuse. The whole Paxson house has been sick; colds, sneezing, coughing, and sniffling. We are finally now just getting over it.

There have been many new things that have happened since I posted last. Addy is sitting up on her own. She is such a big girl. She has had some play dates with some new friends and really enjoyed it. She loves sitting up and holding on to things and grabbing for anything that is near.

Another new thing is that she now has 2 new teeth!! They have really hurt her (I am assuming) as they have come in. They are so cute. They are the lower front 2 teeth. We have had some sleepless nights but Addy and I enjoyed some wonderful cuddle time. I really can't believe she is already 6 months old; time flies.

Ben is still as busy as ever at work. He usually works 6 days a week which is kind of a bummer. But, he is the #1 Banker in the district at US Bank after only being there 6 months. Ben also has been enjoying a couple nights a week of basketball leagues. Addy and I sometimes go to watch which is a blast.

I am working from home about 20-25 hours a week for the clinic which I enjoy. However, sometimes its very hard to squeeze that time in with a little one. I am so blessed that I can stay home everyday with Addy though. Such a blessing my boss has allowed me to do this!

Well, now that my favorite season has come I am looking forward to sweatshirts, leaves falling and changing colors, Thanksgiving, Halloween (Addy is dressing up), Christmas. This is probably my favorite few months of the year.

Many blessings to everyone! Have a great FALL!

Addy's First Vikings Game

Happy Birthday My Sweet!

Well today is Ben's 29th Birthday. I am proud to say he is older than me and yes maybe even a little wiser. This year I wanted to make his birthday extra special because last year it wasn't so fun due to me being really sick from my pregnancy, my crazy hormones, he was doing EVERYTHING in the house plus he had a career change.

So this year I wanted to make it a great celebration. Saturday we will be going to the Gopher Football game vs USC at the new stadium with Ben's good friends Jon and Matt. On Sunday I made reservations to eat at the Rock Bottem Brewery (no we are not going for the alcohol, wanted to try something new) and I bought tickets to see Wicked at the Orpheum; its something Ben has really wanted to see. After, we get home from that we are celebrating with the Ginn side of the family at our house for a grill out and football.

And to top the week of celebration off; Ben's parents, sister, bro-in-law and sweet niece are at the National Quartet Convention and we will be celebrating with them next weekend by going to Osaka! We are super excited about that as it is a really fun experience.

In honor of my wonderful hubby's birthday I just wanted to list 29 things I love about him. If I listed them all I would probably have to post about 2 million blogs. :)

1. Wonderful, godly man
2. Great Husband
3. Superb Father/daddy
4. Helpful
5. Honest
6. Loyal
7. Protector (one of my favorites)
8. Best Friend
9. Wonderful son
10. Terrific brother
11. Supporter
12. Great Banker
13. Hard worker
14. Always puts family first
15. Strives to be the best at everything he does
16. Works hard so I am able to be a stay at home mommy
17. Love his wonderful bear hugs especially when I am feeling down
18. Is a great cook--always comes up with something new and tasty
19. Always can make me laugh
20. Cares so much about others
21. Excellent basketball coach
22. Always willing to try something new
23. Great kisser (close your eyes on this one) haha
24. Respectful
25. Best basketball player around (77 with the bod--inside joke)
26. Kind
27. Super Smart
28. Enjoys to discuss a variety of topics/good debater
29. He loves his family so much and WE love him back

I love you my wonderful husband!!!! You are the best guy around. Addy loves her daddy too!!! Have a great birthday!

Happy 1/2 Birthday Addy Paddy!

Well today is Addy's half birthday. I can't believe she is already 6 months old. Yesterday we had her 6 month check up. She was 18 pounds and 25.25 inches long. The doctor said she looked great and was very healthy. We saw a new doctor and I really liked him a lot. Addy got her 6 months shots and also got the flu shot which was recommended by the doctor.

Addy has had many new accomplishments this month. She can roll over both ways and she even sleeps on her tummy now. She has been sleeping from 9pm-7am almost every night. She just recently got her first toothy which hasn't been very fun for her. I can see now that she has been in a lot of pain. However, the tooth is so cute. Our little peanut has been eating solids now for a couple months too. Addy also can move objects back and forth between her hands. Addy knows her name really well when we call it; even reaches up to mommy and daddy to pick her up.

Little Addy Rose has been such a huge blessing in our lives for the past 6 months. I wouldn't change one second of our time with her for the world. It has been a blessing that I am able to be home with her. God has really blessed Ben and I to be able to allow me to stay home with her each day. We have been so blessed in our lives to have such wonderful family and I cherish each moment with each one of my family members.

Tonight we will be celebrating Addy's 1/2 Birthday at Paddy Wagon's Irish Pub. Since Addy was born on St. Patrick's Day we are taking her there plus we call her Addy Paddy. We are going to go there with Grandpa Ron and Grandma Dana. Ben's parents really wanted to attend also but they are out of town working hard with Katie's southern gospel group at the National Quartet Convention.

So enjoy some of these new photos. DADDY AND MOMMY LOVE YOU ADDY PADDY!! Happy 1/2 Birthday! (As a side note I use to celebrate my half birthday every year and to this day my parents either take me out or call me for my 1/2 birthday!!)