Happy 36th Birthday: Daddy, Bebe, Greg!

We went to lunch at Rockfish for Greg's birthday with his parents. It was a yummy treat! We captured a great family shot while we were there. Yeah!

Carlee and I made a yummy M&M cookie cake for daddy and decorated it. Carlee licked so much icing from the bowl while helping... It was her favorite part! She says she wants this cake for her birthday too. She actually ate her whole piece, not just the icing.

Daddy got lots of help blowing out his candle. So cute!

Happy Birthday Bebe! You are the Best husband, father, and man! I love you so much! You make life fun! I look forward to many more memories with you by my side. I hope your day is special!

Josiah David Paulding

Proud Papa

Sweet kisses from cousin Carlee

More kisses from cousin Zachary

Happy Aunt and Uncle

Josiah David arrived today at 3:25pm. He was 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 21 in. long. He has dark reddish brown hair and beautiful eyes. He is adorable! I'm so proud of my sister, Rachel. She had a 14 hour labor (just like mine), but her water broke at the beginning which made things pretty intense. She delivered Josiah at Nativity birthing center and had him in the bath tub completely natural. Way to go sis!! You did it! God Bless the Paulding family! Please pray for a smooth transition for them. He is their first born!

Zachary's Accomplishments

For those who are wondering, homeschooling is going GREAT!! It just took a couple of weeks to get into the routine and establish some boundaries and now I have found it was the "missing link" for our family. Praise GOD!! Zachary has learned how to sit quietly and do other things while I am working with Carlee and he now sits still during dinner and eats just like the rest of the family. This is a huge accomplishment seeing as before I would chase him around the house putting food in his mouth throughout the day because he was too busy to stop. Adding structure and boundaries has helped him get used to being still. He's learning too. Since Carlee loves to teach, she is helping him learn his letters. Don't get me wrong, we still have our moments.... but they're fewer. Thank you for your prayers!
This past August we spent a lot of time inside since it was hot and decided to give potty training a try. Zachary has always been interested in the potty- I was the one putting it off since it took almost a whole year to potty train Carlee. He had gone peepee and poopoo here and there and had the concept down when we started, so the first week was more me getting used to taking him every 30 minutes and helping him understand that his peepee's and poopoo's needed to go in the potty now. He had several accident's the first week (we put him straight in underwear). Thank God for prego floors and for a joyful attitude! Then the next week he started telling us half the time when he needed to go and by the third week he was totally potty trained (poopoo and peepee). It was that easy! Thank you LORD! I don't think I could have done it a whole year and dealt with the whole "poop strike" thing Carlee did. Fortunately, Zachary has loved going to the potty all he needed was some encouraging words from mommy and daddy to help him get through the process (no lollipops, sticker charts, reward trips to Chuck-E-Cheese's, etc.).
While potty training, we decided to limit Zachary's paci time to nap time and bedtime only. This picture was taken right before we started limiting paci's. Zachary loved his paci's. The more the better! He connected them all together in this picture to make a paci chain. Every morning in order to get rid of the paci, Zachary tosses his paci in his drawer like he is making a basket. It has worked for him.

Zachary loves to play dress-up. He especially loves wearing Carlee's tu-tu's. This is what happens when you have a girl first. I know one day he will probably demolish this picture, but as of now he adores being like his big sis. Don't you love the big boy underwear underneath! :)

Zachary loves to paint. I normally give him an array of colors on a plate and what ends up happening is they all run together and Zachary ends up with a beautiful brown picture. He doesn't understand why red doesn't come out red after rub the paintbrush through all the colors before painting on the paper. I love the moments he sits down and enjoys a quiet activity.

Zachary, mommy and daddy are so proud of you! You are such a fun loving kid, who is passionate and full of life. You love people and love to talk to anyone. Your extrovert personality is over the top sometimes, but you always find a way to calm down and enjoy being held. You are a snugly little "buddy" who loves his mommy and daddy. We love you too! Thank you for always telling us and showing us through your hugs and kisses.

A Birthday Wish

To the Best in-laws a girl could have- You two are such a tremendous blessing to me. I could not have asked for better in-laws. You've exceeded my expectations in every way. I love you both and am so thankful for all you have taught me. The best way to explain you two are generous, caring, kind, compassionate, honest, authentic, FUN, beautiful, and amazing. Anyone who has the opportunity to be your friend has found an opportunity to know Christ a little better because you two shine Him in every way. Thank you for the example you set for me and for the rest of the world. May this year be blessed by the Lord! I love you and wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Love your daughter in-love,
Rebekah

Carlee's All Smiles

I made Greg, myself and Carlee a dentist appointment a few weeks ago. Carlee was going to have a "Happy visit" while watching the hygienist clean my teeth. Little did I realize that the hygienist on the other side of the divider was available to clean Carlee's teeth because of a cancellation. I asked Carlee if she wanted to get her teeth cleaned today and she jumped up and said, "Yes!" I think Carlee was already expecting to get a cleaning anyways. Greg and I were getting our teeth cleaned on the other side of the dividers so we could here all the conversations Carlee had with the hygienist. She told her about her vitamins she eats every morning and how her favorite vitamin is purple. Carlee learned about "Mr. Thirsty," the straw that sucks out all the liquid from her mouth (which is Carlee's favorite thing about the dentist) and "Mr. Sunshine," the bright light the dentist uses. After the cleaning, Carlee picked out a hot pink toothbrush to take home and also received a timer and some blue toothpaste. Carlee said that she loved the dentist and could not wait to go back. She did such a great job and had no cavities. After the dentist we headed to her ballet class.

Homeschooling here we go...

We have our curriculum and "Yes, it does say "Kindergarten." My Father's World is very much a God-centered curriculum and all inclusive. Carlee will learn how to read, write, some math, and a little science this year. To think I will be the one teaching her these things, blows my mind. You can all say a prayer for me. It's going to be an adventure!
(Sorry about the naked little boy, Zachary is learning how to use the potty in this picture, that's another post)

It's hard to believe that we are a homeschooling family. There are so many reasons why we have decided to take this road less traveled. One being: more family time. Carlee is so smart and so ready to learn she will make homeschooling a breeze I'm sure, but Zachary on the other hand has not spent a moment apart from me since he was born and does not share me well. Just today, I was working with Carlee on her creation lesson (it's a 10 day lesson prior to starting the real lessons, which only took 45 minutes) and Zachary was having a meltdown every 5 seconds. He did not like me spending time with Carlee and wanted my undivided attention. I gave him plenty of things to keep his attention, but he was not going for it. He spent most of the time in his room sitting on his bed until he was done crying. I knew it would probably be that way, but it was still hard. After it was all over, I found myself crying and feeling so ill-equip for the task of homeschooling... thinking to myself, "what if I can't do it? what if I yell and get mad? what if I teach her the wrong thing or don't teach her enough? why me?" It's all very overwhelming, just the responsibility of it all. I know I could teach Carlee during Zachary's nap, but then I would never get a break and Zachary might never learn how to share me.... Breathe.

So I will persevere and trust God that He spoke to our family regarding this decision and lean on His understanding and ways. He will direct our paths each day and it will be His plan. I know He wants to accomplish something great in me and through me and in our family. I will bend the knee and surrender to His will because it won't get any better until I do. He knows what is best and He is for me! Everything will get better as we take one day at a time. I know my kids will adjust and I will too. With God on our side... all things are possible!

Summer Fun

We went to Carnebrook pool this past week and made it their early to play on the playground. I finally took my camera with us to capture the fun. Zachary had lots of fun running and climbing all over the playground before it got too hot. Thank you Lord for the cloud cover.

Splashing around... Zachary jumped up and fell on his knees several times in a row- laughing and having the best time.

I love this picture of Carlee! She was able to work her way across a couple of monkey bars. She still needs more muscle power. She doesn't quite understand why she can't make it all the way across yet. She is so brave to try!

Carlee learned how to swim this summer. Greg and I worked with her and she gained the confidence to do it. After watching her friend- Henry swim she started to try to put her face in and about two weeks later- she was swimming. We're so proud of her!! No more floaties!!

Here she is swimming under the water. I guess she is ready to be baptized!! :)

We have spent so many days at the pool this summer. It's been so much fun! Aunt Rachel has joined us for many of the occasions and has made it very easy to watch Carlee and Zachary. We're going to miss our pool days. It's hard to believe summer is almost over.