Happy 1st Birthday Axl Joe!

Axl Joe is one year old today! He was born 3 weeks early at 12:19 pm on a Tuesday. He was a tiny little guy weighing in at a whopping 5 lbs 14 ounces and only 18 1/4 inches long! Jared and I loved how tiny he was! We really cherish those times now, because he his one BIG one year old! We love his chunkiness now though too! It's all such a blessing from the Lord!Little Man, I'm beyond blessed to be your mommy! We've both been through a lot in your first year! You've always been a healthy little guy, but have been through the ringer with tests making sure you are healthy. You've had an ultrasound, x-ray and ct scan all in this first year of life! Always turning out well, but sometimes a little nerve wracking at the time for your momma. You've always been such a trooper through it all. You're a pretty laid back little dude yet extremely rambunctious! You're a sweetie pie too! We love you little personality! You love animals! You love to explore! You love walking and trying to run! You are for sure a go-getter! One of your very favorite things to do is take a shower with daddy! I mean, you LOVE it! Daddy loves it too! Daddy and I are so blessed to be your parents! We thank God for each new day he trusts us to be your mommy and daddy! He has great plans for you Axl Joe Steven!

Earrings

Sb got her ears pierced a few weeks ago for the second time! We tried a few months back but they got infected because one ear didn't pierce all the way through the first time. Yikes! Not a good experience. But this time was great! Spicer Beth didn't even cry! She had asked me to do it earlier this week and was persistent, so I told her if she was ready we could do it!

Sweetness...

Thank you Jesus for these two precious little blessings!!!

June!

This is a long one... Wow! Did June fly by or what?! I've decided that it for sure is one of my favorite months of the year! Not too hot but hot enough to swim and full of fun summer time activities! love it! Man, was our June cram-packed! We kicked it off with VBS at church. It was such a joy to take "both" my kiddos with me this year! I love working at VBS. This year I was able to teach scripture to the kiddos! such a blessing seeing the kids learn God's word. And they learn sooooo fast!

June was a month of mini-vacations for us. We went to Mt. Magazine, OKC and Branson! Three of our very favorite places! Actually, I think we hit up Mt. Magazine twice recently... at the end of May and then again on Father's day weekend. It's so close to us so it's such an easy get-away! When at Mt. Magazine we pretty much chill, swim and eat! In OKC we visited with our sweet friends, hit up white water bay, went to the zoo, took a carriage ride, stayed at a super sweet hotel (for half price!) and ate some amazingly yummy food! One the carriage ride our driver told us our hotel was supposedly haunted, Freaked me out! Jared loves that kind of stuff doesn't bother him a bit, not me! I kept thinking some weird lady was going to look at me in the mirror like people had said. I know, i'm so silly that stuff just really bothers me. Jared got a kick out of that though! I honestly was ready to pack our bags and get another hotel (of course, i didn't tell jared that). I just prayed through it! You know, we all have our weaknesses and stuff like that is mine for some reason. Anyway, it was nonetheless a wonderful trip! Our last little vacation of the month took us to Branson for a some work/play. I attended a Juice Plus Bootcamp which I recently began distributing (I'm loving this by the way). Jared ended up hanging out with the kids most of the day Saturday while I got educated. Saturday evening we went to the Landing. Always fun! and then Sunday we went to White Water! Our family LOVES waterparks! After the waterpark we ended up riding some little rides on the strip with SB and then Jared and SB rode go-carts together for the first time! They both loved that! They are such big buddies! I love it! What else in June? We celebrated Father's Day! My kids are beyond blessed with an amazing daddy! I mean amazing! Spicer Beth got her ears pierced! We've tried before but didn't work out. This time it has worked out great and she's been super excited about it! She didn't even cry! Tough girl! Spicer Beth and daddy went on their very first date together. Jared brought her flowers home before the big date! They went to Chuck E. Cheeses and to see the movie Brave! I'd say that makes for one awesome date! That girl is going to know how a guy should treat her! She was especially excited because it was her very first time to ride in daddy's truck. We recently got her a car seat that we can move from vehicle to vehicle. ;) And Axl Joe graduated to a forward facing car seat too! Do kids grow up fast or what?! Crazy! We finished the month of June off with Swimming lessons. SB kinda has a love/hate relationship with swimming lessons. Some days she likes it just fine other days she has major melt downs about swimming under water for long periods of time. I'm confident in saying she can now swim across a good size pool under water! It's unbelievable to me! She just has to continue working on her "Big" arms! Axl Joe wasn't slighted, he took lessons too. He only lasted about 25 minutes each day then needed a nap! He went under too! Scared me to death! I actually screamed as the teacher swooped him under water! We love miss Jane though! She's been teaching lessons for years and years so i trust her! Thank You Jesus for these precious times with my sweet family! We don't take a moment for granted!

11 months old!

Height: N/A Weight: I'm guessing 24 lbs + (he's a heavy little fella) Food: Lots of formula. He's started eating some table food this month. He loves it. We also began giving him his juice plus gummies this month, he really loves those! Sleep: He's been sleeping great lately, he gets 11-12 hours each night. Naps in the morning for an hour or so and in the afternoon for a couple of hours! Clothes: 12 months and some 18 months. Size 6 shoe. He wears size 4 diaper. New stuff: He got his first tooth this month! Yay! with several more on their way! He took his first steps this month! The day before father's day he took 3 steps! The most steps he's taken at one time is 6 steps. He isn't completely walking but he's beginning. He is a perfectly happy crawler so I'm not sure when he'll give that up! :) and boy can that boy bear crawl! lol! Favorites: He loves anything and everything mechanical. You show him a mower and the boy can't contain himself! He love, love, loves Ma's cows! When we are at her house he looks out into the pasture and says "Moo" constantly. When the cows come up to the fence he gets beside himself excited! I love it! Guess he's all boy between the cows and mechanics! :) Axl really likes to push things while crawling or walking. He likes playing with big sister especially in her kitchen area! I love to watch them play together! It's so hard to believe he will turn one this month! Where in the world has this year gone?! We've had a great one though and look forward to watching this little man grow up! You are such a sweet sweet boy Axl Joe! You are constantly on the move and keep your momma hoppin! You really like putting everything in your mouth so I'm constantly making sure things are picked up or out of your reach! haha! You are extremely strong. I honestly don't think I've ever met a baby who is as strong as you! Everyone is always commenting on how cute and big you are! You are a really big boy for your age! Some people say it looks like you have muscles on your shoulders and arms. I think you are going to built just like your daddy! You are pure joy and happiness and your mommy, daddy and big sister love you with all our hearts! Happy 11 months JoJo! :)

He's gonna love this some day! lol!

Sweet sleeping baby!