Boy meets Remote

Yes it's true. Mason is aware of the invention known as the TV. He is particularly fond of hunting shows (can't imagine where that influence comes from) and truly watches his Baby Einstein DVDs. And as a lark, JP decided to hold the remote in front of Mason. Rather than just looking at the thing in passing, Mason was thoroughly fascinated by it. He studied it for several minutes.


The mom in me wants to believe it has to do with all the colors but my gut tells me otherwise. Not only is he convinced he is the center of the world, but now he's discovered one of the remotes that could control it. Goodbye entertainment, hello Clifford the Big Red Dog!!

While he's learning things of the world, he truly is a sponge when it comes to developmental learning. We've been doing reading time everyday. While mom and dad may be getting tired of the stories, Peanut loves the pictures and inflection of our voice. And we recently broke out the Fisher Price piano/animal-sound-maker. He hasn't figured out how to make his hands do exactly what he wants them to do, but he sure loves trying.

When you find the end of your rope...

...hold on and don't let go, especially of your dreams.

JP and I have been prayerfully pondering our career paths for months now. We want to make sure we are doing exactly what we are supposed to do all while making sure enough money comes into this family circle to keep the wheels spinning. But sometimes walking the walk of faith STRETCHES your faith in what you may or may not have.

Suffice it to say, we have been feeling the economic strain that so many others have felt. We were talking this morning about the slowing real estate market and wondered how long we can hold on. JP has been applying for other part-time work to fill in the holes of our budget, with few positive responses. We talked about trusting God and then my husband said the saddest thing I've heard him say. He started talking about letting go of some of his dreams for the future...special family trips, memorable places to explore and special hunts to enjoy. He was at the end of his rope.

Without going into great detail, God met my husband and gave him peace about dreaming his dreams. At the precise moment of being at the end of his rope, God jumped right in, through an unexpected phone call, and gave my husband (and me) hope that better things were ahead. There is much more faith-walking ahead, but we both know that Jesus doesn't want us to give up on our dreams. He simply wants us to give those dreams to Him so that He can return them in the most unusual packages that gives Him all the credit.

So we tie a knot in our rope, we resolve to hold on and DREAM BIG as we take steps forward.

Where's Mason????

This post is dedicated to all the hunters in the family/friend circle. I'm certain my son is somewhere in this picture, but I just can't seem to see him. I do know one who will find him for sure...DADDY!! The little man is ready for hunting season, even though he is a little early. For all the camo-lovers out there, enjoy this momma's handy work.

Cancelling all jinxs

It's said that you shouldn't talk about something too soon, otherwise you jinx it (or so I've been told). So I've been keeping this news under wraps for a little while so as not to jinx our progress, but I'm ready to celebrate and share the news. Mason is sleeping through the night, most nights that is. In the last week he has slept from 10:00pm until 6:00 am for three nights. The other nights, we've been up once and only for 20 minutes.

I've been so thrilled to reach this milestone. I've always been a sleeper, not excessive but I definitely enjoy feeling rested. I've never been one of those that has prided myself on surviving with 5 hours of sleep. I am a card carrying member of the 8 hour club and I'm excited to see that I'm slowing inching my way back to those 8 hours. Ironic as it may be, JP snapped a picture of our son wearing a bib that says "I just pulled an all nighter!!" I should probably get rid of that so he doesn't get any new ideas.


There's something else I'd like to share without jinxing it...IT RAINED in Black Hill. The last time it rained, Mason was born. We had wind, thunder, lightening and glorious rain...over half an inch. The weather was very dramatic and in true Padgett fashion, my hubby was anxious to start snapping pictures (I hope Mason enjoys that hobby when he's older). Take a look at a few of the shots that JP captured.

Having a good week

Mason is refusing to take this world lying down (that's our boy). Mason has been working those abs like nobody's business. He sits with his dad to watch hunting shows and raises up to try and be upright on his own. He even surprised his Grandpa Corky Monday evening by leaning forward. Never mind he hasn't figured out how to roll over yet. He'd rather sit up like the big boys.

We decided to break out the bumbo seat and give it a try. While he can't sit in it for very long on his own, he enjoys looking around and is learning to use his arms to brace himself.


We had a family wedding this past weekend in San Antonio. We took the opportunity to spend some time with Cranky and Grandmommy (JP's parents). JP and I swam in the pool while Mason entertained his grandparents. Don't you think Mason favors his Cranky...they both have the same haircut!!

While getting ready for the wedding, we took the chance to get a quick family shot. We're still learning how to smile at the camera at the same time.

Believing

Wanted to share a thought about my devotional from this morning. First off, let me share just a little bit from "Streams in the Desert"

It is easy to trust Him when the singing birds have come,
And their songs of praise are echoed in our heart and home;
But it's when we miss the music, and the days are full and drear,
That we need a faith triumphant over every doubt and fear.

The faith that is waiting patiently while seemingly starving to death, with your only fear being that your faith might fail - "this is the victory that has overcome the world. (1 John 5:4)" this is genuine faith indeed.

We can all relate to the strength of faith in the high times...but our faith is a walk through all times...stormy seas and calm.

Mason reminded me of this faith walk this morning. He KNOWS his mom & dad will pick him up when he calls, especially when he is hungry. He gives no thought to time of day, circumstance or anything. He may not be happy with the response time but he is not moved from his call to us and never stops believing we will respond.

We are to believe in the move of our heavenly Father in the same. Unmoved and unwavering. He ALWAYS responds, in His time sure, but He always responds.

Dog days of Summer

JP has been deep watering our trees to help them through this really dry spell. He was going to move the water hose and rounded the corner to find our dog Budro enjoying the water. Budro was enjoying it so much, JP was able to come into the house, get the camera and snap off this picture.


We've tried to get the dogs to play in the water to cool off but they won't have anything to do with it. I guess they've had some bath-trauma in the past, but I guess 15+ days of 100+ temperatures changed Budro's mind. Looking into his eyes you can hear the question "when is winter coming back?"

He's growing

Mason will be 3 months old next week, weighing 16 pounds even and is 26" long. As you can see he is sitting up fairly well with assistance and he has found his smile.

Run Daddy Run

So you've gathered by now that we are shutterbugs when it comes to baby Mason. We ended up doing a commando-style photo op the other night. Mason is so very relaxed when he finally drifts off to sleep that he sleeps with his arms spread wide. So I slipped into his room, camera in hand to capture the cute moment. I successfully snapped a shot (flash and all) without waking the child. Daddy JP wanted to take an overhead shot. Now mind you, Mason was still sound asleep. JP got lined up and snapped the picture...


...after which Mason squealed and began to kick and wiggle. The flash resembled an obnoxious eye exam. My loving husband bolted out of the room like lightening, leaving me to be the bad guy (or gal as it were). After my hubby blew by, to my surprise, Mason slept on (Thank you Lord). Mason exacted his revenge on his daddy the next morning by pulling his hair. His little grip is mighty strong these days. That will teach daddy to run.

Missing Betty Boop

Granny Betty aka Betty Boop has been on my mind this past week. As I play with Mason I'm reminded of just how much she loved her 4 grandkids. Cheryl, Matt, Clifton and I were spoiled with food, trips to the coast, special gifts just because and much more. What I've been thinking about lately is how she and Grandpa gave us their time. They always made time for each of us whenever we came to their house. And after Grandpa passed, Granny poured even more of herself into us for some 20 years. And while Mason won't get the opportunity to know his Great-Granny, I'm grateful that he is blessed with 3 Grandmothers that are ready and willing to spoil him rotten with their time.

Grammy D

Grandma Leigh

Grandmommy Vicki

Standing Guard

JP was tending the grill when he caught our two English Pointers pointing. It's a natural response for these dogs, its bred in as a matter of fact. However, they were pointing at dinner. Gracie was sniffing around the pork loin and Budro was sitting down which is his way of saying "I'm sitting now, can I have my reward!!" Nothing like bird dogs pointing at pork...can we say crossed wires.

Holy Heatwave

This South Texas summer has gotten off to such an quick, intense start. I haven't seen the land in the neighborhood look this parched and scorched since my childhood. JP keeps asking me when was the last time I saw the tank in front of our house dry and I've laughingly said, "not since is was dug by my Grandpa." I'm thinking Grandpa Elton would be worried if he could see how far it's gone down.

Another by product of this summer heat has been our limited time outdoors with Mason. JP and I have been having family time on the back porch after 8:30 pm. We get to watch the sunset and we've found that we have a little outdoor boy on our hands. He loves the sights, sounds and is fascinated by everything that moves outside (dogs, cows, birds & bugs). Here are a few pics from a few evenings out.

Technological Irony

I'm one of those that truly love the convenience of technology but hate it when it doesn't work on my terms. We've been having problems with our wireless router at the house. Now mind you, our broadband connection is just fine and I'm totally able to connect when hard-wired to the receiver, but the wireless router has grown a brain, taken a vacation and it's frustrating me to no end.

Now here's the irony. I'm one of those that loves voicemail. I loathe the idea that I have to be married to my phone (short of an emergency) and I like to screen my calls from time to time. I'm also one that can actually leave my email box with some messages unread if I feel like it. But the idea of not being able to connect to the internet to google that random thought, check to see if those unread messages are still there or check the weather in a season of unchanging weather, frustrates me.

I've been bit by the technology bug of convenience and I'm pretty sure there isn't a cure. And do you want to know what's really funny. After getting my internet fix this morning, I'll unplug the hard-wired connection and continue to tinker with the router until I get the problem figured out. That's the other bug that's bitten me...wanting to solve problems, if only in my head.