Friday, June 19, 2015

Our Superman, A Father's Day Post

He Never Looks for Praises.
He's never one to boast.
He just goes on quietly working
for those he loves most.
~Karen Boyer

This is a special Father's Day as we have the honor of celebrating our true hero on his first Father's day. On this day I get to brag on my husband and father to our little spunky boy. My husband is no where near perfect and neither am I. We have our struggles as we parent like many new and seasoned parents do. Lack of sleep, special medical needs for Caed, crazy schedules, crying baby, worn out mom, exhausted dad, but we manage to keep our sanity and a very happy baby most of the time ;-) 

We are a team, we function as a team and have since this little guy arrived on the scene. I couldn't survive without my other half and I mean that with all honesty! I knew when I married Josh that he would be a great dad but I quickly find out he turns out to be an AWESOME dad.  From day one, Josh was there to snuggle the chunky little guy and help out with him in any way possible(dealing with 3hr fussy times every evening, waking for feedings at night, tackling those newly baby dirty diapers...etc etc.). We had a hard and what seemed like a LONG start to Caedmon's journey with him being in the NICU for 2 weeks. The nurses were so impressed with Josh and how everyday immediately after work he would come barreling in throwing on that yellow gown and ready to bottle feed and hang out with his son. Caedmon at the time (well still does haha) was fighting his bottles and daddy was the only one that could get him to drink it all. I grew to appreciate Josh more and more as I saw other dad's in the NICU and how they had no clue what to do, how to help or some were just there taking up a seat playing a game on their phone. Josh was hands on and wanted to be a part of everything that involved Caedmon. I know it killed him to have to go to work and not be there for support for Caed and I during that time. He continues to be very hands on and Caedmon is all about his daddy. Their bond has been amazing to watch grow over the past short 9 months. As soon as Daddy walks through our door Caedmon turns into a ball of energy ready to play and spend time with him. I am proud to say that I have a man that accepts his role as a husband and father with great respect for the title and knowing what it entails. So many men these days are so distracted by the world that they lose sight of the relationship with their family and what matters most. They come home and plop on the couch to play a video game and wait for their wife to feed them like another child to take care of. Josh is juggling school, providing for our family, being a very present and involved father, and keeping up with all the many bills and financial stuff. Caed and I are blessed to have such a super and godly man leading our family. He is not a man chasing a worthless dream of becoming the richest man, owning the coolest truck, biggest house, traveling the world, or the man with the highest score on a video game. He works hard in a job that he may not love but he realizes that God has provided the job in order for him to provide for his family so his wife can stay home and raise their son. I see how he depends on God and longs to know Him and lead him and our family. It is hard to find that in a man these days so Caed and I count ourselves again blessed to have this man in our life. He was raised by a man who also works hard to provide for his family and a mother who taught him how to respect his dad, others, and his own family one day.  He gives 110% in whatever he does and is far from lazy. The Tripp's raised a boy into a man. Caedmon has an amazing godly role model to look to for the rest of his life. Josh you may not be the richest man or see much of the world, but know this, you are leaving a legacy behind, you are rich in how much we love you, and you are our world! We love you! Happy First Father's Day!

"American Dream"~ Casting Crowns

All work no play may have made Jack a dull boy
But all work no God has left Jack with a lost soul
But he's moving on full steam
He's chasing the American dream
And he's gonna give his family the finer things

Not this time son I've no time to waste
Maybe tomorrow we'll have time to play
And then he slips into his new BMW
And drives farther and farther and farther away

So He works all day and tries to sleep at night
He says things will get better;
Better in time

And he works and he builds with his own two hands
And he pours all he has in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are comin' crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands

His American Dream is beginning to seem
More and more like a nightmare
With every passing day
"Daddy, can you come to my game?"
"Oh Baby, please don't work late."
Another wasted weekend
And they are slipping away

'Cause he works all day and lies awake at night
He tells them things will get better
It'll just take a little more time

He used to say, "Whoever dies with the most toys wins"
But if he loses his soul, what has he gained in the end
I'll take a shack on the rock
Over a castle in the sand
Now he works all day and cries alone at night
It's not getting any better
Looks like he's running out of time
'Cause he worked and he built with his own two hands
And he poured all he had in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are coming crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

All they really wanted was You

Matthew 7:24-27English Standard Version (ESV)

Build Your House on the Rock

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”









































Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Fun Weekends full of Family and Friends

"Family, like branches we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one"

We have enjoyed the past couple of weekends full of family, friends, graduations, and "See ya later"s. almost three weekends ago, My youngest brother Gabe graduated from Highschool(King's Academy Homeschool) The last of the King kids. My parents did a superb job homeschooling us all. They encouraged us on our journey into the real world which wasn't hard because they equipped us well to take it on but, yet still stay grounded in our relationship with Christ. We definitely weren't the sheltered homeschool type. My mom always had us involved in sports, co-ops, drama, and many activities. We met many people from all over the world and made lifetime relationships with dear friends young and old. I am planning on Homeschooling Caed if God wills it and I have great role models to look to for support and encouragement.
So as my parents said "CONGRATS YOU MADE IT" to Gabe they also got to celebrate with my older brother Caleb as he graduated from Virginia Tech with his PhD in statistics(yeah he was always the smarter one) haha. Quite the accomplishment! So that weekend was full of celebrations and cherishing every second of family time that we could as my oldest brother from FL was up for the festivities and we don't get to see him very much, our dear friends whom we call family Dave and Kath were in from over the pond, Scotland, my grandparents were up from GA and then Caleb and Lindsay left that week for Albuquerque, NM. So, by that Sunday we said far too many "see ya later"s and shed a few tears. Caed really enjoyed getting to hang out with his Uncle Josh as he hadn't seen him since back in November. They hit it off instantly which is amazing as Caed doesn't go to many people these days. I see fun Uncle adventures in their future! He has a ton of Uncles(6) to enjoy different fun moments and gain lots of wisdom for down the road. I look forward to those fun times! He is one spoiled nephew already! He has many Aunts who love him and dote on him whenever they are around him too. He enjoys the family get togethers I know, cause when we leave and its quiet again he looks around looking for everyone. He loves this crazy family he has been born into and we love him so crazy much!!

The following weekend we headed down to NC to see MeMe and Granddaddy(Josh's parents) and the Tripp Family. Caed takes to his Uncle Brian like he does to his Uncle Josh, instant smile! We enjoyed getting to show him off at Josh's home church, Bethel, and seeing friends with new little ones as well. Caed sat with his granddaddy and watched PAW PATROL for a lil bit and got his uncle Seth to be his personal PUFF boy, I think Caed almost turned into PUFF with all that Puff intake. Caed also got to pet a dog for the first time and I'm sure, thanks to Paw Patrol, he took right to the dog. He would put his hand out for licks and to pet it. haha. So, sorry Daddy, but looks like we may have a dog in the future or a kitty. Caed met a VERY tiny kitty that my parents found and I was so surprised at what a natural he was with petting it. SO GENTLE! This boy is going to need a pet down the line ;-) But, anyways, we had an absolute fun time laughing with Josh's family at the dinner table, shopping, and eating Sweet Frog for dinner. We are looking forward to the TRIPP BEACH TRIP in July! Excited for Caed's first Beach experience.

Ok, now to catch up on all the Caed happenings recently. WE HAVE A SCOOTER! He found the use of those legs and when determined he will scoot himself around. His motivation sometimes, the tv remote ;-) Hey if it gets him moving! He has also gotten used to his oxygen and pulse ox! PRAISE THE LORD! He knows it is bedtime when we start putting it on and he helps me hold the tape as I tape the cannula down. Such a blessing! He is still waking every three hours at night hungry but seems to have a lot more energy throughout the days. His heart checked out great and normal. We loved the doctor and he said he will see us in a year! My mind and heart were at ease when I heard that. It was stressing me out a little bit not knowing. He has his 9mnth check up with the pediatrician in the next week or so, hoping all checks out ok then. He is learning how to eat with his new teeth (4 top and two on bottom) and is gritting his teeth now which is driving me crazy and sends shivers up and down my spine when he does it. Hoping that stops quickly. He is a HUGE fan of breads and cake and ice cream! I am trying to get him to FEEL different textures(cucumbers, bananas, strawberries,rice, scrambled eggs) but he isn't a fan and it doesn't last long in his hands or mouth and usually ends up on the floor. He has quite the arm. We are also learning the word "NO" which has been interesting. He at least knows for a few seconds that what he is doing needs to stop. He is stubborn. We are about to get a pool membership so we can take the lil guy swimming. HE LOVES THE WATER! I found a lil plastic container and sat it out on our front walkway, filled it with some water, and let him splash in it. He probably would have done that all day if I had let him. Can't wait to start taking him to the BIG pool. Our little boy is growing too fast! Can't believe that in a swift 3mnths he will be 1! When they said time would fly they mean't it! Cherishing all the little fun moments :-) Even if I want to pull out my hair and close myself in a closet and take a long nap sometimes. He is a boy full of energy, stubbornness, personality, many noises(no words yet) and a great big contagious smile. We are so happy to have him in our life ;-) Now to bombard you with pictures! Enjoy!
 Family Gotta love 'em

 Oldest brother and Youngest brother

 Our Friends From Scotland, Dave and Kath




 My Brother Caleb
 The Graduates

 The Graduates and The Proud Parents
 Goofin' around
 Caed's "Are we done with pictures yet?" face
 Caleb and his wife, Lindsay

 My Grandparents(Dad's side) Boog and Nana

 The Beautiful Vanessa
 My Brother Micah and his wife Vanessa

 Josh and I
 Caed in his Superman outfit that Uncle Caleb and Aunt Lindsay gave him.

 Caed and Uncle Josh


 "Father Than a Speeding Bullet..."
 The King Crew
 Caed and Granddaddy Before Church, just Chillin'

 Caed at The Cardiologist
 Caed and his truck from the cardiologist
 First Krispy Kreme experience
 Hanging with Uncle Josh
 Treated the Family to homemade Pretzels(my first time making them) Turned out great!
 Saying our Farewells
 The Little Kitten Gabe Rescued and that Caed got to pet

 My Morning child.....
 Saying Our Farewells to Dave and Kath

 Fun times with Daddy
 Our Trip to NC
 Again chilling' with Granddaddy!

 At Josh's Home Church
 Crazy Daddy
 "Look I am Uncle Seth"
 Having fun with Uncle Seth
 Shopping at the Smithfield Outlets
 Helping daddy pick out a dress shirt

 Watching John Wayne with Granddaddy
 Our walk to the mailbox
 Always smiling
 Trying out our new bathing suit
 And the hat that cousin Zander gave him. best of both seasons!

 Playin' in the water
Helping Daddy write his paper
 His favorite thing to do during bath time!
 Eating Poundcake with uncle Gabe
 ALMOST showing off those top teeth!
 Selfie with Mommy
 This boy <3