School 2014

Well, school has officially started for both Maddox and Paxton! Maddox is joyfully and eagerly
jumping head first into first grade. He absolutely loves it. He loves his teacher so very much (it's pretty amazing what an impression she has made on him in just one short week). He is playing with plenty of friends. He is enjoying being a "big" kid at school and doing all the big kid things. He makes this whole school thing look like a piece of cake!! Great job Madd-man. We are so eager to see what all you learn, the friendships you make and how the Lord uses you this year!!

Oh Mr. Paxton. Oh, this kiddo. He has started PreK 4 with a.....bang! Oh my mercy. He is giving me, Brad and his teacher a run for their money. The first day he had 8 major melt downs (crying fits) over anything and everything. He was too hot. His feet hurt. He wanted a snack. (All normal 4 year old "complaints" but he took it to a new level). He was given a firm talking to and his things were taken away at home. His behavior is 100% unexaptable. The next day seemed to go a bit better with just one major fit about a water bottle. Whew....nope. Don't get too excited yet. The next day was rough again with massive amounts of impatience and rude talking to his teacher. What the heck kid. Oh but Friday topped the cake, when my 4 year old was sent to the principals office on the 5th day of school. What in the world!?! Yup, he wouldn't be quiet during nap time because he wanted a drink of water. Good grief kid, a drink? So, when the teacher moved him because he was disturbing other kids, he freaked out and started SCREAMING. He wouldn't stop and she took him to the principals office where he continued his fit in a closed room and then he got to have a chat with the principal on what is expected of him. When he was escorted back to his classroom, he was told to lay down again (and now all the other kids were up because nap time was over). I was told, that he laid down without a fuss and got up and played his little heart out. Whew. This child. This child is wearing me smooth out. I have acne on my face like a teenage girl all because of the stress I feel over him.
This is going to be a huge growing year for Paxton. There will be a zero tolerance policy put in place for him when he is at home or with grandparents. He is absolutely trying to manipulate the situation to get the desired results. He will eventually learn that this behavior gets him absolutely no where and he is not going to enjoy the consequences.
I know none of this is a surprise to the one who created him. I know the Lord knew his personality when he choose Brad and I to be his parents. I know the Lord will provide me with the knowledge and the patience I need to handle each circumstance that will arise. I also know that the Lord has amazing plans for Paxton's life and He will guide us all.
Please join with me in  praying peace over Paxton. Pray for self discipline for him and that he would make good choices. Pray for an amazing school year for him as well. Please pray for his teacher. Pray she would remain patient with him and that she could influence his life and his school career in a life long manner!

Oh my stars. What a week it was. I am hopeful for a better week this week!

Blown Away

I have so much to catch up. What we have done this summer, the adventures, new learned tricks and simply adorable pictures of the kiddos....however, this evening my heart is full in a way it hasn't been in a while, and I feel it is important to document it!

We had meet the teacher this week at the boys school! We are blown away at the kindness, organization and the overall love they have already shown our boys in just one visit! I can feel the power of The Lord and I am completely confident both boys are placed in their specific classrooms for a Devine purpose! 

This evening, after we met with the teachers, there was an all school worship time and prayer! Oh my mercy, this was amazing. To sit in a sanctuary with all of the students and parents, led in worship by the high school worship team, all joining together to sing songs of praise to our Lord....together, as a school family. It was amazing. Then to top it off, they bring each class up to the front and the teachers pray over the students, the families and the entire class. I was brought to tears. These teachers genuinely LOVE our kids and desire to influence their lives for all eternity. I am blown away and I am eager for the school year to commence. I know The Lord has great things in store for the boys this year!!!

Memories

The boys had the privilege to go spend a full week in Oklahoma City with Grandmom and Grandad Voda. They had a blast. They played outside, shot the BB gun, played with spears that grandad made for them, baked and decorated a cake with grandmom, stayed up late watching cartoons, fought like brothers do and made great memories with their grandparents!!!

While the boys were away, Brad had some serious homework he needed to complete, so Harper and I decided to take a little trip to Midland and spend a few days with Sarah and the twins!!

We had so much fun. The 3 kiddos played well together (unless anyone came near Harper's baby and then it was full on melt down from miss priss). 

Sarah and I were able to get lots of girl talk in during nap times and after the kiddos went to bed! I am so thankful to have such an amazing girl in my life. She lifts me up in ways no one else can. Such a blessing!!

Family Reunion

Over the Forth of July weekend, we had our annual Malone family reunion. Once again, we had the get together at our house and it was SO much fun. It's always so nice to get together and watch our kids interact. I'm sad we can't do this more often throughout the year!

The whole crew

The kiddos

Getting ready to swim

Sweet Maddy

Kyndall

Paxton showing his moves jumping off the side 

Cousin Adam throwing Maddox super high 

Love that smile on Harper girl's face

Harper girl figuring everyone out!! (My cousin Konni, aunt Karla and my momma)

Daddy and his little firecracker

On the evening of the 4th, Brad was amazing and picked up a ton of fireworks for the kids to shoot in the front yard. It was so much fun....well, for everyone except Harper. She was not a fan of the sound and she was even more frightened by the explosion and the pretty parts. But the boys thought it was all pretty fantastic! And all the grown ups enjoyed the show and watching the kiddos experience the fun of lighting your own fireworks!!

Basketball, Little Gym and Pig Tails, Oh My

Maddox has attended basketball camp with his school this week! He has loved it!!! He's learning how to dribble and shoot the ball and how to play on a team!!

Paxton started a class at the Little Gym here in town. He gets to do a little gymnastics (swinging from bars and balance beams) as well as develop more coordination and get rid of some excess energy!! He is flourishing there. He is gaining so much confidence and he does well with the other kids in the class!!! He loves it and asks to go back every day!!

Harper hasn't started any new classes, but she did allow me to put some pig tails in her hair....and for me that is a momentous occasion!!!

Cayman Island

The week prior to Harper's birthday, the 5 of us had the amazing opportunity to travel to the Cayman Islands. Brad had business meetings there and the rest of us were lucky enough to tag along to visit the most beautiful beach I have ever seem. We were also fortunate enough to have my mom travel with us (3 kids and only one momma on the beach is zero fun for anyone). The beach was stunning. The clearest and calmest ocean water I have ever seen! The water was so clear that the kids could see the fish swimming around without even having to go under water. Maddox, of course, snorkelled and loved seeing the fish close up! We were also able to feed the fish bread each morning. They would jump out of the water and eat the bread out of your hands! So much fun! Harper loved it and kept calling the fish "doggies". One of the fish actually nibbled on her finger trying to get a piece of bread and she just laughed. She had tiny little fish teeth bite marks on her fingers and she wasn't phased a bit!! Paxton was true to form and laid low a little during this part, but he still enjoyed it as long as he was holding on to someone!! He did however get super brave in the swimming pool while we were there. He decided he wanted to learn to swim without his floaty     He is pretty amazing! No more floaty for him, he is quite the fish now!!

We had such a wonderful time and I can't wait to go back!!!

Such an amazing trip with unforgettable memories!!! 

Harper is 2

Our little Harper Grace is two! How in the world is that possible? How has she only been a part of our lives for two years? How did the rest of us ever make it through a single day without her in it? It seems like yesterday she was our tiny 5 pound itty bitty baby and now she is a babbling, walking, running, exploring, temper tantrum, the best huger, baby loving, two year old!
We started the weekend off with my best friend Sarah and her twins coming to visit and celebrate with us! It was so much fun. I always love watching the 5 of our kiddos playing together and I look forward to nap times when Sarah and I get uninterrupted girl time!!

We played at the mall

A yummy dinner at Rosa's was a must!

We even braved a trip to Target with all 5 in tow.  I've never received more crazy looks than I did when I was pushing this basket-o-babies.

The next day we played at Jump-n-Jungle and then prepared the house for the birthday party!!
I decided on a Flamingo theme for Harp's party since we were doing it pool side! It was so much fun. The decor was cute and miss Harper was adorable and loved on by so many!!!

The 5 kiddos all decked out in their flamingo swimsuits...ready to Party!!!

Sweet sweet friends

Probably my favorite picture of all time! 

sweet snuggles with Aunt Kim

Brad was super sweet and brought her some pretty flowers for her big day!! Melt my heart

She LOVED them

Ha. I thought these flamingo coasters were so cute....Brad humored me

How is it possible that she is 2?