More Positive

I'm trying to be more positive. Right now it is tough. I feel like I'm drowning. I'm reading a book called "A Complaint Free World" and it is great....but challenging. I am such a negative complainer. In all fairness to me, I often feel like I have a lot to complain about (haha, I don't). I genuinely feel that positivity brings about the positive.

I've got a new motto: "Get your hopes up". Usually we say the opposite but I feel that not getting your hopes up can sometimes be a lack of trusting in the Lord. While He doesn't always give us what we want exactly, He always gives us what we need. What is best for us and His kingdom. Anyway, I'm trying to get my hopes up about stuff but this is harder than it sounds. Getting your hopes up means trusting in the Lord with ALL your heart to do what you need Him to do. It means allowing yourself to be so vulnerable that you are not afraid to feel hopeful for what you desire. It means believing in what you want so much that you are shameless about your hope. Its okay to hope and not get what you want. We all have wants and its okay. The best thing is that God knows better - He knows what you need.

The Long and Short of 7 Months

7 months - how did time fly? Only 7 months, feels like years! Those are the feelings I have on a daily basis! Here is a pic of Colton with mommy. He is regular hair and chubby cheeks. No teeth yet though but lots of drool (as you can see).

Getting ready to go to his cousin's high school football games.

Auntie Traci and Colton are soooo cool!

Colton and his pal, Jackson, had fun times together. They finally recognize each other and they interacted! Colton is on the left and Jackson is on the right - they could be brothers (actually they both look like miniatures of their fathers). Jackson is such a sweetie - look at those eyes!

Colton's First Trip to Hawaii

Colton and I traveled to Hawaii just for the long weekend. We went so his grandpa and grandma could get a "Colton fix" and I could say goodbye to my Uncle Sonny who is living his last days with lung cancer. We had a nice visit and I was able to see my uncle who looks very thin and sick but will soon be in a better place.
Dad is absolutely in love with Colton and Colton loved him! It's easy to love the little guy because he basically laughs and smiles all the time. Here he is in his super cool sunglasses.
Grandma Beth loved having a baby in the house. She was even willing to wash all the bottles, bowls and spoons we used!
My dad gave Colton his first taste of poi and he LOVED it. I call it "crack poi" now because he couldn't get enough of it. Best of all for me - after he ate poi he slept longer and better than ever!
I was a little worried about the airplane and his ears but he was fine. He laughed and smiled the entire plane ride (and slept some of the time too). On the way home we sat next to the women's volleyball teams from Penn State and UCLA. The girls fell in love with Colton and he got passed around the airplane (which was nice for mommy too). All in all, Colton loved his trip to Hawaii.

Half a year!

I know, I know! It has been way too long since I blogged. Here are some highlights of our lives since I last wrote:
1. Found a job - praise God! It is bittersweet because I loved my old job, my coworkers and my clients. I felt I was in my niche. But my new job allows me to be at home 3 days a week and the other 2 days are only 10 minutes away at the office. It's not practicing law but its doing research for a tech company. My research could eventually provide a great service to the community so I still feel that I'm helping people indirectly. I'm so thankful every time I get to wake up and not have to say goodbye to Colton.
2. Childcare is pretty much solved - hooray!
3. Clark started back at school - the first day he had a crier and a puker but he survived!
4. Colton is drooling like a bulldog but no teeth yet.
5. Colton has a new exersaucer - the best thing in the world as far as he's concerned.
6. Colton is almost able to sit up all alone.
The number one question we get is: "Is he always this happy?" Answer: yes, always.
Handsome like daddy!
Colton haha. I can't believe it has been 6 months. I've been a mom for half a year - I've survived half a year! Wow, it has been the shortest and longest 6 months of my life.

One of my new coworkers shared with me a concept I hadn't realized: Babies laugh because they are pleased, not because they are amused. Adults laugh because we are amused and think something is funny. Babies will just laugh out of pure joy. I'm glad he put it that way - when I'm around Colton I want to laugh out of pure joy too!

Recent pics

No time to write now b/c it is tough balancing work and home! It is Saturday and I need to go be with my fam.

1st trip to beach - went to Zuma
First attempt at surfing - on land!

Best pal, Jackson, hanging out. Later Jackson peed on Colton in the bath - a story to last a lifetime!

PS Colton's health is really great. He has caught up on his weight and he continues to grow. We are very thankful to the Lord for taking care of him. We are hopeful he will continue to grow and be strong. Thanks for your prayers and love!

Some Cute Pics

My wonderful little family : Clark and Colton on Father's Day! Clark is such an amazing father, I am so blessed to be partners with him for life and in parenting Colton.
Our friend from Pepp, Lauri, and her husband Jon, had a daughter shortly after Colton was born. Here is Colton meeting his friend, Kirsten, for the first time! Believe it or not she is 2 months younger than him and weighs two pounds more than him! Cute and chubby!
Colton giving his Father's Day card to his daddy. He was going to eat it but decided against it...
Colton playing the "Stand Up Game" with his Papa (Clark's dad). I didn't realize this was a movie! Hopefully you can see it if you want to. We took Colton on his first trip to Hanford (or as our friend, Katy, calls it - "Podunk") Haha! When Clay said "up", Colton pulled himself up to his feet with his own muscles (Clay just holding his arms to steady him). We are so proud of our boy! Colt absolutely loved playing this game with his Papa.

4 Months

Colton was four months old on Father's Day! Here are some new pictures of him. I'll post the Father's Day pics later this week.
He has started grabbing his clothes a lot - not sure why but I think it shows good fine motor skills....
Colton went to work with me a couple of times this month. Here he is reviewing a file. He is very smart! He was the hit of the office.
Pig in a blanket? No...baby in a blanket!
Cool Colton wearing his sunglasses with his friend, Nancy (she teaches with Clark and is a great friend to all of us)!