slacker...

Hi my name is Emily and I am a slacker. My sweet boy has started waking up around 730, so I haven't had time to read AND blog....I need to find another time for blogging I guess. Our days are fun filled and busy. Work, school, and playdates. We are also looking forward to Grandma and Grandaddy's pool being completed. I am sorry this is so short and sweet, it is 730....going to hang with my sweet baby.

By the way, lost my camera, that is the reason for no updated pix. Sorry Mama, Papa, and Nana Pam :(

A is for Apple

So I am still reading my Dobson book (yes, I am a slow reader, especially if I want to comprehend). My books are very marked up and flagged....in hopes I can find information good points in the future. So I was reading about school and boys today, and just bought a CD on how to teach Camden to read....seriously! I think that I may have jumped the gun, but I will be ready (in like 3 years). I also bought another Dobson book Dare to Discipline, I love PayPal...don't know if Colin will so much. I just want to be prepared....I do not intend to start teaching Camden to read tomorrow...I just get anxious when I read and don't want Camden to fail. I understand that he will take risks (I want him to do that), and because of the risk, he will fail. In those moments he will learn so much. I just want to be there to pick him up, and let him know it is OK. I want to do my best to prepare him, I don't want to create a bubble. I want to teach him how to know the difference between right and wrong...and to listen to the Holy Spirit. I want so much for this little guy.....ultimately I know it is not about what I want though. So after calming down, I decided to pray and just give Camden to God for the millionth time in 14 months. So thankful that I am not alone in this. God has the plans....I am just hear to love, encourage, and pray (ALOT).

Now where are my alphabet flashcards....I have to teach that boy to read today!

Love

I am still reading my book about boys and am finding it so informative. For one, I am not a boy, so I am learning what to expect in raising a little guy. Two, this world is all about women. Women and men could say or do similar things, and men would be punished and women would be considered comedians. I am floored that there really aren't any shows on TV that depict men as masuline, leaders of their homes, biblical, role models. I am all about women being successful, but I am also about the male being the leader of the home, the bread winner. I want Camden to learn how to treat women with respect, open doors, use kind words and actions. We are already teaching Camden now about how to be nice to mommy and his friends that are girls. If he hits me, we take a firm grasp on his hand and look him in the eye and tell him not to hit mommy. I want Camden to be a gentleman, I want people to look to him as a role model, as a person who will stand up for them. I want him to see the good in people. I pray that God put Godly men in his path as he grows up. He has an amazing Great-Papa, Grandaddy, Grandpa, Uncle, Dad, ect but I want him to be surrounded with coaches, friends, ect that can help us raise him. I am realizing how much of a responsibility parenting is, and I know that God is the greatest example to follow. I hope to teach Camden to ultimately love God and love people.

Camden

As you know I have the fabulous son named Camden. He is so fun! I took him to the Dr last week (due to coughing and snot) and was so impressed with how he and the Dr interacted. Camden really understands what he is hearing....the Dr checked his ears and had all kinds of tricks to get him to sit still. He would whisper in Camden's ear not to move, and sure enough Cam wouldn't move. He loves hats, loves to put them on his head, take them off his head, put them on your head, take them off your head and on and on. We are teaching him to use gentle hands, please, thank you, kiss, and hug. He enjoys standing, no steps yet...I think we are close. He loves to put things in boxes and take them out. He loves his baby pool and bathtime. You will see him sticking his head into the water and blowing bubbles. Since he has been going to school and the nursery at church he has learned how to scream when someone tries to take his toys....so we are trying to teach the concept of sharing. He enjoys sweet potatoes, any kind of meat and FRUIT! The boys LOVES fruit. I am thrilled that I get to spend my days with this little gift. I just sat and stared at him this morning and thought about how much I loved him....

less or more

Quiet mornings are my new thing. I enjoy this time before Camden wakes up (although he did spend the night with Gma and Gdaddy). I have my Passion music blaring and am able to sit, listen, read, write, and sing....you should be thrilled you can't hear me. I can tell when I don't start my day like this....if I am rushed and miss this time. Today I am thankful for so many things and am praying for a few friends specific needs. (Em P and Leigh, love ya).

Romans 8:28

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.

The unknown is never easy. I like to always know what is coming next...I like to plan as much as I can so I can be prepared. I am learning to live in faith, which is opposite of my calender and my plans. I read the other day to give God a good laugh, tell Him your plans. I think I give God a belly laugh more then once a day. I want to be available for the Spirit to move whenever and wherever, I find that if I am focus on my plans, I miss those prompts. My prayer is I can become even more in tune to His working inside me so I can better love others. My goal, less of me and more of Him!

praise!!

I had a very good Dr's appointment today. The cardiologist said she could see why my doctor thought my EKG was abnormal, however there were absolutely NO concerns. She said she doesn't see any red flags and that I am healthy. I really liked Dr Rugg, she sat and listened to me and asked a ton of great questions...very thorough. So....a clean bill of health. God is so good. Thanks for praying and now celebrating with me!

Pictures....don't miss post below

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Happenings....

I don't know where this blog is going to go today. I am up early...enjoyed my coffee, some reading, and now I just feel compelled to write. I wish I was one of those great writers who could paint a beautiful picture, weave all my thoughts together and then tie it all up with a pretty bow at the end....but that isn't me. I got extra credit in college for going to the writing center so much. I have never been a great writer. When I take a look back at my past posts though, I see where I was, what I was thinking, and how I was feeling. I feel like this is such a great outlet and way for me to see how God is moving in my life. So, I am sorry if I ramble, but that is the way it is going to be! :)

My hubs has had a crazy week so far. I am so thankful that we had this past three day weekend together. We didn't do much of anything and it was so nice just to be together. He needs more down time like that. He is constantly on the go....he is an amazing husband and dad. Last night during Camden's bath, Cam just kept saying "da da" and I just kept telling him, dada loves you little man. Colin is a very hard worker....he gives everything 150%, and this week he is focused on work and moving the business. This is an unusual week, he is usually home for dinner and he always gives Camden his bath. So I miss him. I am so proud of him, and he has been sending me sweet emails and texts to let me know he is thinking of us.

Camden is darn near walking. He spends most of his time "Cruising" around furniture and walking behind things. I just think that he gets places faster crawling, so that is what he does. He has stood on his own for 2-3 seconds a few times. He is so proud of himself....especially when we all start clapping and screaming....hence the short time of 2-3 seconds, we totally throw him off. He is such a great little boy. Happy and hilarious. He loves climbing the steps (with help) and opening and shutting everything. I took him to the Dr yesterday, he coughs like a seal, and he spent our time waiting turning on and off the lights in the room. He would look at me as if to say "can you believe this?" He also enjoys his bath....he dips his face in the water trying to blow bubbles, and especially proud when he places a toy on the side of the tub. Last night we played a game where he would knock it off the side, I would make a noise and he would cackle...laugh hard. It was so fun! He is also obssessed with this pig bank on his changing table. As soon as he wakes up or walks in his room, he points and wants me to snort. Pure excitement these days at the Stout house....

I am loving my new job at church. It is so nice to have adult conversations. I love the people I work with, and love my job. Did I mention I loved my job? It is perfect for me....God knows what he is doing. See I don't know how to tie the pretty bow at the end here to tie all my random thoughts together....so ....cheers.

answers

Tomorrow is my appointment with Dr. Rugg, the cardiologist. I have been feeling great, and know that God has been giving me peace over the last week. Thanks for praying for me, I know that I have been covered. I am looking forward to finally having an answer as to if there is an issue with my heart OR if it was just the machine. I am leaning toward the latter (sp). It will be nice to know that I am good to go. I have been eating better and watching my caffeine intake. I have been advised that Zyrtec D causes your heart to race, add caffeine, and not eating right I thing would cause anyone to feel shaky and anxious?

We have big things happening over the next few weeks. Colin's company is moving locations, YIPPEEEE, closer to home and easier to sneak over there for lunch and a quick hug from daddy. It is going to be a long week with LOTS of stuff to move, but in the end it will be AWESOME! My parents are also in the process of putting a pool in their backyard....yeah. They have all kinds of hurdles they have to jump through before it is for sure. I am so excited, and guarded just in case it doesn't happen. Electric lines and septic tanks seem to cause problems with pool placement, makes sense. I am looking forward (guardedly) to many gatherings around that pool....please, please, please!!

I will keep you posted on my Dr's appointment. It is at 11:15.

Em

Refresh

Thoughts about serving....
My accoutability group has been talking about ways we can serve and love the community. We have been thinking that it is time for us to go and love others. Almost two years ago my Nana had a stroke. She was placed in the Hospice unit at St. Joe, and I have never seen such love in my life. She had the best care, and was truly loved over her final weeks. The nurses and Dr's not only took great care of my nana, but the loved us too. They sat in the room and told us incredible stories, they are amazing, faithful people. They deal with death, and have a firm grasp on God and His amazing love. Nana was loved until her last breath. She had a nurse that she just adored and when she heard that Nana passed, she came in and just hugged her. She had invested in my Nana, she had a few conversations with my Nana, and appreciated her fiestiness. She was nicknamed "sunshine" from my nana, and I know that when our family was not there, Sunshine was....and the rest of the Hospice staff. I can't say enough about how much Hospice means to me....I can't imagine walking through what they do each day. To be honest death scares me....which is why I find it wierd that God is opening my heart and I feel like leading me towards loving the staff and patients at Hospice. I dont know what that looks like yet, but I do have a contact, and I am praying that this happens. Even if it is simply praying, hugging, or giving a flower to a family member who is sad. I wonder if there is a patient who doesn't have any family....I am open, just gonna follow.