I jumped out of bed this morning excited to celebrate him and everything he is to our family. It still amazes me that just 8 years ago, doctors told us that we were an infertile couple. Every time Chance or Paxton has a birthday, I’m reminded of this blessing I will never stop being thankful for.

Pax opened his first present from Auntie Renee this morning:

He LOVES Elmo. He sings the theme song multiple times every day. So this gift was perfect.

Then, this afternoon, we all had lunch and celebrated with cake. Since Paxton is only two, this year was the first year he understood how to blow his candles out. He did a GREAT job.

Of course we had to relight the candles so Chance could blow them out too. That little stinker.

Time flies. I looked at both my sons today and wondered when they got so big so fast. It makes me want to turn back time… just to be in that moment of their babyhood again.

Flashback with me:

November 2008

November 2009

A couple of weeks ago:

Today:

My Darling Paxton…

You are such an amazing little man. You are loving, sweet, funny, determined and absolutely wonderful in every way. You never stop making me laugh. The way your eyes dance while you’re taking in the world makes me want to both protect you from the world, yet at the same time, live through your eyes… just for a moment.

Pax, every bit of you is passionate. The moment you think it, you’re making it happen. Though some of your choices have made Mama nervous, like belly-flopping from the couch to the floor, the one thing I DO know is your passion is what’s going to drive everything about you when you’re grown up. Daddy and my hope is that your passion will be Jesus… because He is all that’s worth being passionate for.

Your laugh is contagious. When you laugh, the whole room joins you. When you cry, the whole room runs to you. Do you have any idea how you capture the hearts of those around you? I’m excited to see how this transfers into adulthood for you.

Mama loves you so much! I’m so, so, so, so, so thankful God put you in our lives and let me be your Mama. And even though I’ll mess up a lot and have to say “I’m sorry” over and over, I promise you I will always TRY harder to be the Mommy you deserve. I will never take that privilege for granted… because you, Paxton, are worth every moment of my heart.

I love you, son…

Mama

He makes my heart sing.

This kid is a clown.

Wonder where he got THAT from…

I came out to Paxton looking like he’s bleeding out his mouth.

This photo was taken AFTER I dug around his pie hole and found out it was marker so the red isn’t as intense. Good thing for washable & non-toxic, right?

And yes… Pax bit the WHOLE tip of the red crayola marker off and chewed on it for the whole 2 minutes I was in the laundry room… then swallowed it. YUM. Can’t wait for that to “pass”.

Poor Chance. He’s now without a red pen.

So tell me… what are some of YOUR “heart-attack”-now-not-so-scary stories.

Yeah… he’s a trouble maker.

He had so much fun!  I thought I’d post some pictures (really… would you expect anything less?)

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

I don’t think the mouse has found us yet… and I’m hoping it never does.

I got a panicked phone call this morning from Laura.  I did find it odd that she was calling me since she usually just walks over.  Here’s how it went down:

Me:  Hello?
Laura: Um… hi… what’s Brian doing?
M: I dunno… why?
L: The boys were playing and SAW A MOUSE in the garage!
M: Bwahahahahahahaha! (I know… I’m not all that nice)
L: They left the door open and everything. I’m not coming out!
M: *still laughing*
L:  So… does Brian by any chance want to come over here and shoo a mouse out of my garage for me?
M: Yes… I’ll send him over. Bwahahahahaha!!!

That’s what we do here.

Here, the boys are all trying to help Brian find the mouse with the legs of patio furniture.  Very helpful…

So… how do you get rid of mice?