Paxada Day. 3-Month Reflections.

Oh. Happy. Day.

Canada Day was extra special this year.

Not only was it my Dad’s Birthday (Happy Birthday Mullet-Man!)

and Canada Day (Happy Birthday Country!)

but it has now been appointed Paxton’s Day!

This was the day that Jared & Amy were able to take P-man to the Temple and have him sealed to their family. Hurray! I am pretty bummed that I was stuck in Canada for this monumental event but I know that a good chunk of Amy & Jared’s friends and family were able to attend and celebrate with them, so that takes the sting out, just a little.

Jared & Amy are blessed to live very close to a Temple. In fact, you can see it from their front yard. It also happens to be on the way to the Wal-Mart in their area (love you, Wal-Mart!) and they often drive past it. Paxton has always been in love with the Temple. Whenever we drive by he looks at it and often asks to go inside.

Davis View of the Temple

Wish granted!

I am so delighted for the Davis Clan. They have been so patient and I am always so impressed with them. They deserve every happiness and I am blessed to be a part of their extended family.

While I was pregnant with Bennett and building my relationship with Amy & Jared, I would often tease that Bennett & I were a two-for-one deal. Well, now I am a five-for-one deal. The Davis Family is a very real part of my family, and a huge part of my life. They have a huge chunk of my heart and know me inside and out and I could not imagine being linked to a better family for all eternity. So, Future Husband (we can just call him Mr. Wonderful), you may be shocked to find out that you are joining such a large family, but we are the best there is. Our cul-de-sac in Heaven will be hosting Block Parties nonstop.

Speaking of Bennett,

I do have some new photos of him!

(And the crowd goes wild!)

Ta-Da!

Can I just say, 

and I know I say this all the time, 

but 

HOW CUTE IS HE?!

Seriously. 

I made that.

Weird, right?

SIDE NOTE: Bennett is rolling over. Crazy, yes? I joke that he only has to go ½ way, then gravity pulls his chunky baby body back to the ground.

Bennett and Teddy

I was showing a friend some photos tonight and I pulled up some pregnancy photos and it was surreal. I didn’t feel like that pregnant girl was me. I know it was me. I know I have a beautiful son. But it is so odd to think “that is me” and that it was only three months ago. Does anyone else ever feel that way? Maybe it is partially due to the fact that I am in Canada over the summer and am somewhat removed from the entire situation...but still, that feels like ages ago.

With Paxton’s sealing complete and Bennett’s three-month mark so close together I have had a lot on my mind. I have so much respect for Amy & Jared, and I hope I have conveyed at least a fraction of the love I feel for them. I am over the moon to see their family coming together, but when thinking of Bennett it comes with a pang in my chest.

Sometimes it is hard for me to think about Bennett’s Adoption being finalized and Bennett attending the Temple with them. Not that I don’t want him to be sealed to them. One of the most important factors when considering Adoption was that Bennett would be sealed to a wonderful family for time and all eternity. But when the Adoption is finalized, Bennett will receive a new Birth Certificate. My name will be removed and Amy & Jared will be listed as his parents.

Now, please understand that I do not feel as though Jared & Amy are removing me, but it almost feels as though the world is removing me. It is hard to feel as though I am losing one of our special connections when at times I feel there are few left. Jared & Amy honour me. They really do. And I know that will never change. I can have confidence that Bennett will know who I am, and how much I love him. They will help him understand that the situation I was in was less that superb, but that with Heavenly Father’s help, I was able to make the best decision for Bennett. We are all blessed because of him and he is my greatest treasure and joy. Placing him was the hardest thing I have ever done, the hardest thing I ever will do, but we did it, we are doing it, as a family, and Heavenly Father is watching out for us.

There is a movie called Mom at Sixteen.

Why yes, it is about a girl, who does happen to be 16, and she gets pregnant. She originally decided to place, but changed her mind after her son was born and parented for 5 months before realizing that the best thing she could do was make the best decision for her son; so she ended up placing him with a wonderful family that she formed a relationship with throughout the film.

There is a brilliant clip at the end of the film, the last few minutes, and it just brings me to tears. Happy Tears. But I LOVE it. I think it is so perfect.

This is my family. 
I may not have the last name Davis,

But I have a Davis heart.

How Much Cake Can One Person Consume...

William Richard Herman Falke 

Michae and Hayley...roommate love

So. In the last few months there has been what I feel is a large number of birthdays.

William (my brother) May 31

Hayley & Michelle shared June

Je t'aime, Patti Daniels!

My Dad (1^st), my Mom (13^th), my French Buddy Patti Daniels (10^th), Myself (15^th) and Team Canada Companion Amanda (17^th) share July.

Amanda and myself this summer

And there are more I am sure (ahem, Andrew Hall also on the 17^th) 

But I just wanted to do a little blurb on birthdays have come and gone without enough recognition and show everyone how beautiful all these people are. I am super lucky to be in the company of such good looking people. I am sure I look better just standing by them.

So Happy Birthday to all, and to all…more blog posts.

Suckas!

You Are Being Spammed...With Posts

So.

I have made a decision here people.

To blog my heart out.

And attempt to catch you up on everything.

While 24 hits me like a brick wall.

…Speaking of…

4 and 20.

How did that even happen?!

Do you remember when you were 16 and you thought by the time you were 24 you would be married to Mr. Right (this wedding would obviously be a double-marriage with your best friend and her husband), have 1.5 children, a dog named Rufus and a perfectly manicured lawn?

Ya.

So didn’t happen.

Did I ever think I would go back to school? Nope. What am I doing? Finishing my Accounting Certificate. Did I ever think I would be spending copious amounts of time in Utah? Heck no. Where is Price? Smack-dab in the middle of NoWhere, Utah. Did I think I would own so many college sweaters? Nope…buuuuuuuut those are just a bonus.

Truth be told I love the way life has turned out. With Heavenly Father’s help I have become more than I ever thought possible. I have been able to stretch and grow and I can truly appreciate God’s ability to take difficult situations and create blessings for those who trust in Him. l nowhere near perfect, but it has been an amazing journey thus far and I am sure it will only continue.

So, what’s in store for 24?

Well. I’ll finish up my Certificate for sure. This next semester will suck, but it has to be done. My “fun” class this fall? Business Law. Mr. Vogel, please save me. I may also look into getting an Associate Degree, but that has yet to be determined. (Yes, yes, everyone who has been harassing me to get a Degree can now pat themselves on the back. Good job kids.)

I’m hoping to end up back in Edmonton after everything is said and done. I think that is where I will “settle” for a bit. None of my family lives out here, but it almost feels like home.

And you better BELIEVE Bennett and the Davis Clan will be a big part of 24. I’m telling you, if I could pack them in my car and bring them home to Canada with me, I most certainly would.

But. Before I continue to whine about 24, let’s begin to recap what’s gone on lately, shall we?

Ode to Paxton

The One and Only Paxton

Alright. Let’s do a little bit of background here. Amy & Jared were selected by Paxton’s family to Foster him through the state while Paxton’s mom took some time to sort her life out. A&J had hopes to eventually adopt him as it slowly became clear that permanent placement with them was in Paxton’s best interests. While completing the (lengthy, in my opinion) process of fostering to adoption, Paxton’s Birth Mom willingly signed over her parental rights, making it much easier for Amy & Jared to continue the process.

Amy and Her Boys

So. After countless training sessions and evaluations and prayerful nights, a court date was set: June 20^th. And it went swimmingly! Or. Courtingly? I doubt courts swim at all. But it went well! And Paxton was officially adopted.

And that means I can PLASTER this blog with photos of his adorable face.

Brothers

Paxton is definitely one of my favourite three year olds. It is amazing to watch him learn and grow, and he just picks up on everything! Two of my favourite Paxtonisms:

-He loves to dance. But only to You Spin Me ‘Round by Dead or Alive. He will listen to that song five times in a row, no problem. And just do his little bobbing-dance. (Video to come soon!)

Texting Santa

-He loves to text. He will ask me for my phone saying “I need to send a message.” And as we have become closer friends he has confided in me the Recipient of these messages: Santa.

Obviously hand-writing Santa a letter mid-November is a thing of the past. I better get his cell phone number so I can text him my Wish List for this year.

Since the Official Adoption he has also been sealed to Jared & Amy in the Temple... but we will chat about that later...

 

But here is to you Paxton. I hope you continue to be my friend as long as I have a cell phone.

Breanna & Avery

Avery and her cousin

Last month (ummm...where is the time going...seriously) Breanna was able to come up to Edmonton and have a delightful Baby Shower with her sweet little girl, Avery. And I do mean little; compared to Bennett she seems like a porcelain doll I would have received at Christmas. Bennett is like a really cute sack of potatoes. The cutest sack of potatoes.

Anyways. The shower was wonderful. Lauren and I went in together on a gift that Lauren selected and it was incredibly cute. I seriously think baby girls have WAY more options than baby boys. Unfortunate for the mini-gents. Oh well. Breanna also requested some goodies from the States and I was more than happy to bring them up for her.

Babies bring out the best in people

Doesn't Rach look great with a baby!?

Props to the ladies who organized and hosted (hostessed?) the Shower. The games were cute and full of delicious prizes and the Treats Table was AMAZING! It was my first experience with Cake Pops, definitely a trendy treat.

Breanna had a loooooong labor, and so I loved hearing about everything that happened and ranting about how ridiculous our experience was at the hospital. Don’t get me wrong, it was great, but it had its moments. Ahem…next time Jared is NOT allowed to chat up the man attempting to give me an epidural, apparently that fellow cannot multi-task and needs to focus on his job.

It’s weird how an instant connection is formed between you and any other mother ever after you have had the experience of Childbirth. I think I could talk to a complete stranger about it and be alright… and it’s not just because I have this weird thing for being way too friendly to strangers.

Anyway, it was a delight. We had a blast. I stayed way too late…Seriously, who stays at a Shower until like, 10pm. Me. Apparently.

Breanna and the 3-0-6 crew

Me, Brea and Avery

NKOTBSB

Hey Kiddies,

In case you don't know what the heck NKOTBSB means, it translates in to New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys. As in a mash-up concert of awesomeness.

And guess who is going.
Yes.
Me.
Not you.
But me.

It's OK to be jealous for a quick moment here. Rachael and I scored tickets yesterday afternoon for $16... $21 with all the silly fees and such. Umm. Heck yes. 100% worth it. And I have heard great things about the concert. So, needless to say, I am way stoked.

I know, I need to update you on all sorts of fun things. And I SHALL! Don't you worry about that.
Including:
Breanna/Avery Baby Shower
3-month Reflections
Ode to Paxton
Canada Day, renamed Paxada Day...or...Canaton Day...?
And also this week, which is The Week of Birthday Festivities.

Seriously.
So excited.
So much great stuff going on recently.

As for tonight, I will leave you with this: