Something I have been learning is to remember that God's plan is perfect - now sometimes I might disagree and say that my plan is better but it's not. I have to remember to look to Him and what He wants me to be doing not what I want. I also have to remember that my choices effect others mostly Payton and Kevin. I know that if I am still and listen for His voice he will lead me where he wants me to go. It is amazing how His plan includes all the things I want just in a different way or at a different time.
Right now I am waiting to hear if I got into grad school, if it is what God wants then it will happen and the finances will work out. I had applied 2 years ago but crummy financial aid and getting pregnant it just ended up not working out. God will close the doors he needs to show me what I should be doing - sometimes I am sure he has had to slam a few to wake me up. One thing that I know for sure - He will guide me no matter what it takes or what he has to do.He will be there to lead me back the the path I often stray from. It says so in the Bible - Jeremiah 29:11-14 was in my Bible study this past week - it says 11 " For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you
So I ask you, are you doing what God wants or what you want? Are you the person He wants you do be ? It is hard and we can easily stray lead by jealousy, greed or many other things. We think we can do a better job and really we can't Because His plan and only His is perfect - all others pail in comparison.Think about how great things will be when you follow what he wants. I always love that feeling of not having to worry and just knowing he is in control - it will be ok no matter what I am facing. When I put my trust in Him and let Him lead me amazing things happen and everything I was worrying or stress about falls into place. God Is so GOOD! This song is a good reminder of that.

You Are Good - Nichole Nordeman ( Sing Over Me)

When the sun starts to rise and I open my eyes
You are good, so good
In the heat of the day with each stone that I lay
You are good, so good

With every breath I take in
I'll tell You I'm grateful again
When the moon rises high before each kiss goodnight
You are good

When the road starts to turn around each bend I've learned
You are good, so good
And when somebody's hand holds me up, helps me stand
You are so good

With every breath I take in
I'll tell You I'm grateful again
'Cause it's more than enough just to know I am loved
And you are good

So how can I thank You
And what can I bring
What can a poor man lay at the feet of a king
So I'll sing you a love song
It's all that I have
To tell You I'm grateful
For holding my life in Your hands

When it's dark and it's cold and I can't feel my soul
You are still good
When the world has gone gray and the rain's here to stay
You are still good

With every breath I take in
I'll tell you I'm grateful again
And the storm may swell even then it is well
You are good

So how can I thank You
And what can I bring
What can a poor man lay at the feet of a king
So I'll sing you a love song
It's all that I have
To tell You I'm grateful
For holding my life in Your hands

18 months

It is hard to believe it has been 18 months since Payton was born. It is amazing to me to see the changes she has gone through. She is now little miss independent she wants to do everything herself, she loves to help and understands so much. I can ask her if she wants something and she will shake her head yes or no some times she says it too. She talks - tonight she was pointing to a picture and saying dad and mom - it was cute. She is a little mother to Daniel - wiping his drool or showing him how to do something. She is kind and loving but she can also be sneaky and get into things she shouldn't. Payton loves playing in the water, animals, ice cream or anything chocolate and most of all us. She is amazing little girl and we love her so much. Happy half birthday day Payton!
Tonight we celebrated with ice cream she picked out. She finally got to have her own Ice cream and not have to share with mom or dad and she LOVED it. 1 year ago she had her first sold food and now she is eating so many different things!

Family Photos

We had an amazing photographer take some family photographs and some of just Payton at the UW campus. It was a nice sunny day and we had fun walking around the campus. She had a lot of great locations for the pictures . Payton loved chasing the squirrels and being in the tree. She didn't even want to get out of the tree, I had to bribe her with Cheerios. She sat down and ate those for a few minutes and went right back to the tree! She had fun running around the campus and she did great. This weekend we got the pictures back and I thought I would share some with you. If you need a photographer for family pictures or just pictures of your kids Christy is great -www.christycowanphotography.com

Just some cute things

I wanted to write about some cute things she has done the past few weeks. I thought I would put them together since it seemed silly to do separate ones.

The other day we were eating and I was reading the UPC bulletin and asked Payton if she wanted to go to France - she shook her head no - it was funny then Kevin said good neither do I.

I had some flip flops on the floor and Payton decided she wanted to wear them so first she just had one she was trying to get on and then she tried two - she thought it was fun.

She loves splashing in the water and one night Kevin and I were splashing her in the tub and when we stop she would bring our hands back in for more - or she took our hands and say "up" and push them down and say "down".

Payton and I were hanging out up stairs Sunday so Kevin could work on some training - I needed to put some laundry in the dryer so we went to the laundry room - also where the cats stuff is and while I was putting the laundry in the dryer she was grabbing handfuls of cat food from the bag and putting it in their bowls. It was so sweet of course after that she had to splash in their water but hey at least she didn't eat the cat food.

A splashy 4th

The fourth of July was spent splashing in fountains at U-village. It was the perfect day for playing in the fountains and getting all wet. We met Grandma and Grandpa Verver , Teri and Frank and Rosie at the fountain near Jcrew.Then we walked to the big Starbucks to get something to drink before heading to the frog fountains - Payton loved these! They squirt water from their mouths of course she got squirted in the face a few times but she didn't cry. She just kept playing until she was soaking wet!I am sure it felt good in the heat - it felt nice to hold her. Payton, Grandma and I went to H&M to look for Sundresses while everyone else ate a yummy cupcake from Trophy Cupcakes ( we save ours for later) Then it was back to the Verver's for a BBQ.We ate lots of yummy food - Payton loved her hotdog and corn on the cob. After she was done Payton got to play a little more and ended up on the piano with Grandma. It was so cute and she had fun "playing" the piano. It was a great day - we headed home and put Payton to bed to the sound of fireworks all around our house. I don't know how she slept through them but she did. It was the power going off and on that woke her up!

Fun In the Sun

Sunday we took Payton to the pool at the hotel my parent were staying at for her first swimming experience. I wasn't sure if she would like it or not but I thought we had a chance to go to a pool and the weather was perfect so why not. We got in and she started splashing and laughing she was a natural in the water.We jumped and I bobbed her up and down- she had so much fun. She sat on the steps and tried to jump to me , she kicked and splashed - she loved it!! She even tried to go back in after we got out. I am glad she loves the water and with this warm weather we are having she will be able to swim a lot.

The family I work for lives close to Greenlake and the wading pool. We went for the first time Wednesday and she just had so much fun splashing, playing with the balls and other kids. Daniel did ok with the water but after a little girl knocked him over he was done. It is funny how some kids love the water and can spend hours playing and other just don't care for it at all. He had fun watching and throwing balls in and I would retrieve them.We spent 2 1/2 hours playing and watching the other kids play I know they were both tired when we got back. We plan on going as much as we can since we know it will only be here a short time.

She has been fully enjoying the warm weather as she should because before we know it the cool weather will be back.