Jana Hope Floyd

Heart Monitor - Polar FT7

2012-02-08T13:50:00.000-05:00

Make It and Love It is giving away a heart rate monitor and I want to win it to maximize my calorie BUUUURN.

Pricked by a Memory

2012-02-03T09:29:00.001-05:00

I feel like God brought a memory back to my mind I had long forgotten about to help me in parenting my little guy.

I was back in kindergarten, so wide eyed and a sponge to all things learning. We were learning numbers, and apparently I wrote my "8" with a very large upper circle, and very narrow bottom circle. My teacher responded with exasperation: "Your eights look like TREES." In another instance, we were learning to write something, already had learned to read, and we were filling out a form from the teacher's example. She had written out the sentence with a blank, and "(your name)" in the blank, which we all copied exactly. Once again, frustration bubbled over and she instructed us to write our actual name in that space. I also recall that she had written a very curly, fancy rendition of a "2" that I thought was an "S" or vice versa, which brought on frustration again. So easily influenced by my teachers, and in true childhood fashion, I feel everything is my fault. Now I can imagine she probably was burnt out, or had other life stressors that spurned her frustration with kindergartners, and it was not a reflection of our inadequacies.

Being reminded of how that made me feel at five years old makes me stop and rethink my parenting. My son doesn't know that I've had a rough day at work, or that I'm not feeling well. If I snap in frustration at him, he feels directly responsible.

Lord, please help me to think before I speak, and be responsible for my reactions, regardless of my circumstances. In Jesus' name.

Caught Paxton in the sink.. Looking at himself, of course!!

2012-01-26T19:12:00.001-05:00

PaxMan

2012-01-10T22:45:00.001-05:00

See the full gallery on Posterous

This little bookworm wild child just counted to 30-10 (40) UNPROMPTED! When did he learn to do that??!

Paxton really enjoying our hike

2011-12-31T21:25:00.001-05:00

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T17:20:00.001-05:00

Paxton 'reading' his Baby Bible

2011-12-04T23:36:00.001-05:00

Floyd Family 2011 Year in Pictures! (11 months, actually)

2011-12-02T14:46:00.001-05:00

via animoto.com

Floyd Family 2011 in Pictures

2011-12-02T14:44:00.000-05:00

Floyd Family 2011 in Pictures

Enjoy what I've missed posting! :)

Sweetest time for a mom...

2011-12-01T23:13:00.001-05:00

Oh Christmas tree..

2011-11-27T16:28:00.001-05:00

God chastises those He loves...

2011-08-04T14:46:00.002-04:00

I have to think back to the times when God has chastised me with a little grin on my face, sensing His love for me in those moments. I don't usually enjoy it in THAT moment, but later... I so appreciate it.

One such event happened last night, when I was rocking my little boy to sleep. I was praying quietly, and thinking about all the things that would be positive outcomes of losing weight. I made a quick list in my mind, and couldn't come up with any negatives, other than buying new clothes. And is that really a negative?? Not to me..

I thought to myself, "There are no negatives - I know it will be so good for me, and I will be happier with myself. So WHY am I resisting making this jump wholeheartedly back into this??"

God prompted me with another very similar situation.... I've been trying to gently prod my friend, Tasha, to jump wholeheartedly into what God has for her, to turn her life completely over to God. She knows it has no negatives, and it will be the best thing for her and her girls, but SOMETHING just keeps her back.

We are not so different after all. :) God reminds me over and over again and prompts me to keep trying, acheive those goals I've set for myself, and rely on His strength. In the same lesson, He teaches me to be more lenient with my buddy, Tasha, and understand where she is coming from.

Isn't God just GOOD??

Peachtree Road Race - first 10k

2011-07-06T11:05:00.004-04:00

The AJC recommended taking MARTA transit (Atlanta's subway system)...

here is the line from our first stop going to the starting area:

Rachel and I waiting to start the race.. and some silly guys behind us.

(As it turns out, Rachel realized she knew them from her youth group after looking at our picture)

This is a view of our group (U) waiting to walk towards the start line. 60,000 people participated in this race, which is the largest 10k in the world.

Helicopter news coverage (I zoomed as much as possible with my cell phone)

Finally! The start line... and a huge American flag suspended by a crane.

During the race.. about halfway.

Crossing the finish line!

After completing the race, THOUSANDS of people were ahead of us, walking the few miles BACK to MARTA..

AAAAAH FINALLY SEATED in air condition on the train!

My gear..

I got a little emotional crossing under the finish line (official pics from AJC.com will be available in the next week), because I remember starting my training last November with Couch to 5k. I remember staring down the treadmill time to just run 90 seconds. I never thought I would complete a 10k! That being said, I will not attempt another Atlanta, GA summer race. It is way too hot and too humid to run. It was a dangerous situation for a lot of people (two people had heart attacks) - lots of heat exhaustion, and I could have had a heat stroke. Fortunately, I had read all the symptoms and recognized it in time to prevent anything too serious.

The real prize is that my husband, Scott, said that he is so proud of me for finishing the race, and that he is really impressed. That means the world to me!

I did it!!

Paxton's Third Trip to the ER

2011-06-15T08:25:00.002-04:00

Paxton loves to grab laundry and run while I am folding it. He grabbed a shirt, shot across the living room, ran over a pillow, lost his balance and.... this happened.

We were pleasantly surprised with the service we received at the Wellstar Cobb Children's ER! They did a great job administering glue to Paxton's wound, even if it did take four people to hold Paxton down.

He was EXHAUSTED from all the fighting and screaming, and slept all night... He is on the mend!

Spark of Inspiration...

2011-06-14T14:08:00.000-04:00

This dress from Anthropologie, called Artist's Rendering Dress, has my creative antenna tingling! Ooooh.. I just want to buy some white cotton fabric and start painting. The possibilities are ENDLESS!

Hammad Zaidi: Joplin's Red Onion Cafe Has A Need To Feed! By Ham...

2011-05-24T10:42:00.000-04:00

Please read this - our friends in Joplin own this restaurant and are spearheading an effort to feed those affected by this devastating tornado.

Hammad Zaidi: Joplin's Red Onion Cafe Has A Need To Feed! By Ham...: "I'm sure there are thousands of local heroes in Joplin Missouri, pulling together to help one another through their current nightmare. That'..."

Paxton + Ernest = Buddies

2011-04-06T16:41:00.001-04:00

I won a giveaway at my friend, Misha's blog, www.mommyhobbiesandkids.com, and my prize was this sock monkey named "Ernest"! Paxton adopted him instantly, and I think he loves his long, swingy monkey appendages best! Misha makes smaller sock monkeys as well, in all sorts of awesome sock patterns! Take a look...

First 5K~!

2011-03-19T17:25:00.000-04:00

I have been working toward this race since December... Along the way, I have grown deeper in my relationship with God, relied on His strength, formed some wonderful friendships, and I have seen a new potential in myself that I didn't know I possessed.
I ran it in 37.40 minutes... wow.. I thought it would take me at least 45 minutes.

It is so much more than running 3.1 miles. It is setting a goal, pacing myself, practicing and actually completing the goal! My heart is full. :)

Handmade Sock Monkey Giveaway

2011-03-15T18:44:00.000-04:00

Mommy Hobbies Giveaway

My friend, Misha, has a blog called Mommy Hobbies with lots of inspiring recipes, sewing projects, photography, encouraging, thought-provoking posts and exercise for the every-mama. She is currently offering a giveaway for a handmade sock monkey - here are a few she has made so far (her babies love them, too):

Go check it out to possibly win a custom sock monkey!

Check out Made to Crave Webcast - Replays

2011-03-08T10:15:00.001-05:00

Check out Made to Crave Webcast - Replays

UPDATE! 11 pounds lost.. :D

2011-03-04T14:29:00.000-05:00

MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

It has been a while since I updated everyone on my progress. There is so much to say about how much God is changing my thought processes about this whole journey. I'm pushing myself harder in exercise than I ever have in the past, and I have come to really love it. I want to encourage anyone trying to lose weight and grow closer to God to KEEP AT IT! He will meet you at the first step towards Him.

Epiphany

2011-01-29T16:26:00.002-05:00

I had an experience that I've never had before during exercise. I was reading Made to Crave and really taking every word to heart. One chapter was centered around making this a lifetime discipline, and the prospect of giving certain things for life. A few months ago, I may have thought that to be extreme. However, when looking at this journey as getting closer to God and taking away the temporary things I've used to silence my soul's cries for God in areas, I see this as another part of holiness. I used food and was inactive instead of turning to God. I don't even think twice about going a lifetime without cutting my hair or wearing pants, so why would the way I treat my body be any different? Thinking this way makes this journey seem a lot easier, because I can rely on His strength. Once I recognized this as a spiritual endeavor instead of physical and mental only, I have God's power on my side. It also changes this from temporary changes to a permanent lifestyle. Now I'm starting to understand why God has lead me to weight loss, knowing I wanted the results enough to incorporate accountability in my life, which, in turn, has kept me engaged long enough to uncover these issues. Thank the Lord!

Oh - back to the experience - I was running on the treadmill, having this epiphany, and reading Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion". That scripture spoke so directly to me, and I said it out loud. I got this burst of strength and energy, knowing I don't have to do this on my own strength! The Holy Ghost just filled the room and I started to worship as I ran. I read on in the chapter, and it referenced an excerpt from a blog post of someone else in a weight loss journey. She was talking about not forgetting everything once you get to goal weight, making permanent changes, and "I know this will be a life changing deliverance from my emotional eating. I will have to deal with the problem instead of smacking away at it". That statement reminded me of the Israelites who went into the Promised Land, but didn't utterly destroy all of the people in the surrounding kingdoms God had promised them. I don't want to settle, and "smack away" at these inner addictions to foods and inactivity. I want to conquer and live in daily victory.

I am SO thankful for God choosing to speak so directly to me while running, and pushing myself beyond what I thought I could do. His timing is perfect, and I don't think it is an accident that I was going beyond my comfort zone when it happened. I also was so blessed that I don't have to rely on my own strength, and that it can be a spiritual experience at the same time.

God is good. Aaah....

I'm not an expert on this..

2011-01-25T13:59:00.001-05:00

But what I am learning in this weight loss journey is to replace my cravings for food with cravings for God, inspecting each craving for the root emotional cause. The craving is "I deserve this because, I need this because..".

There is no formula except battling these cravings with scripture, prayer, and relying on promptings from the Holy Spirit to let me know when I am about to make a bad decision. I know I would have thought it sounded crazy and a little "out there" a while ago, but... it is working. God is teaching me self control and discipline, slowly but surely.

I have to recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a similar journey:

Made to Crave

Hmmm.. Gained back 2 lbs. :(

2011-01-18T10:25:00.002-05:00

I was thinking yesterday about having a budget and planning ahead for an unplanned financial emergency. If we don't plan ahead, the slightest unexpected expense will overdraw our account. I thought how that must apply to healthy eating without exercise. If I haven't exercised, the slightest change in sodium or one poor food choice could cause weight gain. If I exercised regularly, I would have calories saved up so that a slight bump in the road would not cause such an impact.

Goal - exercise!!!

My Fitness Pal...

2011-01-14T14:44:00.000-05:00

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

Yessss! Another pound lost! I can't figure out how to add this ticker as a widget to my blog...

The Skylands Kitchen – A Most Functional Space - The Martha Stewart Blog

2011-01-14T13:28:00.000-05:00

The Skylands Kitchen – A Most Functional Space - The Martha Stewart Blog

How awesome is this kitchen????

My Mission Statement... of weight loss

2011-01-13T15:25:00.000-05:00

1) Overcome gluttony, laziness, discover inner issues that fuel the vicious cycle.

2) Be comfortable in my own skin and clothing.

3) Have the body God intended for me. (Story: When I found out I had high cholesterol at age 21, I started eating a strictly low cholesterol diet and taking spin class 2-3 times weekly. I had never felt better in my life, and I remember thinking, "So THIS is how we were created to feel.") I want that again.

I have been struggling with my weight a very long time, and I truly feel like God has nudged me into a deeper evaluation of myself in the past few months. I'm unearthing issues that I didn't realize I had - fear of failure, envy of others, a lot of talk, little action, full of knowledge about health but my heart was not engaged in it, complacent with current situation despite really wanting to change. I suppose the familiarity of my comfort zone was easier to handle than the discomfort of change, even though with it came the outcome I wanted to achieve. I've had to get very honest with myself, and through the help of an accountability partner, I'm further into this journey than ever before (from a spiritual and mental perspective).

Despite this progress spiritually and mentally, I have not had much progress physically. I have only lost two pounds. A swift kick from a devotional referencing 1 Kings 20:11 (One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off) whipped me into shape by telling me that I should save the talk for after I show results.

This post is not to boast in anything I've accomplished. It is to add a level of accountability for anyone reading this post, and to help someone who may be encountering the same battle.

Merry Christmas... New Year... :D

2011-01-06T14:06:00.000-05:00

White Christmas.

PawPaw and Paxton.

Scott + Paxton + Me!

More snow!

Normal GA weather...

Maddox, Barrett, Grayson, Dylan, Garrison, Paxton.

Preston + Paxton

Dressed for church.

In his new favorite spot - his Mickey couch.

Paxton Grows Up - A Little

2010-11-20T15:12:00.000-05:00

Modern Bird Studio Giveaway!!!

2010-11-02T13:39:00.001-04:00

http://inspiremebaby.com/2010/11/02/giveaway-250-gift-certificate-from-modern-bird-studios-ends-117/

I really want one of these canvases of my precious Paxton!

This is an example -

Jana Floyd

Young Me Now Me

2010-10-19T13:06:00.000-04:00

I really have to recreate some of my childhood photos... this is HYSTERICAL!

Charlotte, NC

2010-10-06T15:17:00.002-04:00

We were able to visit my brother, Joel, and his family in Charlotte, NC last weekend! We had so much fun. There is just something so special about family getting together and catching up where we left off. I am not sure if it works this way with everyone, but with the Walburn family, we generally spend most of the time in STITCHES laughing! I treasure these times together. :)

3/50 Project

2010-09-22T14:21:00.000-04:00

I have suggestions for local stores here in GA: The Bagel Meister http://www.thebagelmeister.com/ and Lake Dow Garden Center and Gift Shop http://www.facebook.com/pages/McDonough-GA/Lake-Dow-Garden-Center-Gift-Shop/323477113715

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face...

2010-08-23T18:54:00.000-04:00

I was sitting at my desk, working and listening to Pandora, when "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" started playing. I started thinking about the first time I saw Paxton's face. Then it hit me - my baby that I longed for, prayed for, enjoyed for nine months in vitro, and poured over his sonogram profile picture... turns a year. Wow - I started pouring tears at my DESK!!!! And it happens every time I think about it again... This may be an emotional week. :) I love my baby, and I don't know what I would do without him. The quality of my life has multiplied immensely in the past year. I love being a mom.

New seats make me sleepy...

2010-08-15T09:08:00.000-04:00

Confirmation # 8

2010-08-11T08:08:00.001-04:00

God has really been speaking to me about this topic.. and this encouragement was in my email this morning.
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/encouragement/

Excerpt:
I want to encourage you to not allow your heart to dwell on ugly thoughts. God is a big God and He's crazy about you. You are a treasure to Him. He did not make a mistake when He created you! I pray you will believe and stand on that truth my friend. For if I know one thing for sure, it is that Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and bind up every one of our wounds, including our beauty wounds.

Dear God, I know You see the deepest places of my heart and know the lies and words that continue to haunt me and hurt me. Will You take that hurt away, please? Heal me and help me to accept and understand that You didn't make a mistake with me. You made me perfectly wonderful. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

104.7 The Fish - Freedom Celebration Concert Competition

2010-07-31T10:48:00.000-04:00

Everyone please take a look at Brandon Marin's submission to this contest - he has made sacrifices his entire life to use his musical talent for God. Please support him in winning this contest! (He gets to open a massive local Christian music festival)...

Sweet Paxton..

2010-07-02T10:50:00.000-04:00

I just have to say Jennifer Puckett has truly captured my little Paxton's personality with this photo shoot... I am a happy mama.

First Memorial Day!

2010-05-31T19:49:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: 7707227498@vzwpix.com
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 23:26:42 +0000
Subject: First Memorial Day!
To: janahopefloyd@gmail.com

And it was hot, hot, hot!!

--
Jana Floyd

Changesssssssssssssss.......

2010-05-20T09:52:00.004-04:00

Things are a'changing... My little pumpkin has learned to wave (and refuses to perform said wave). He kisses, and says "dada" and "baba" and RARELY "mama". Maybe his little ears are clearing up and he can hear again! We will follow up with his pediatrician on Tuesday to see if the fourth antibiotic did the trick.

Another change is that I will no longer driving 102.8 miles round trip to work starting Monday. I will be driving 3 miles round trip. One part of me shouts HALLELUJAH that I can reclaim 2 hours a day for my family and myself, and the other is sad that I will be leaving such wonderful coworkers after 6 years together. Thank goodness for Facebook where we can stay in touch!! :)

I welcome the change... and will do my best to stay in touch with my friends I leave in McDonough.

Here are some pictures to commemorate our wonderful times together:

Jana and Julie - ever the duo - in full tacky Christmas regalia:

My coworkers decorated my desk with all things BOY when the ultrasound showed Paxton was a boy!!

Emily, Julie, Kimmie & Kim:

Julie and Jana - fairies for Halloween!! (and we went to vote in costume as well)

A massive Kleenex box I created from a paper box:

My coworkers decorated my desk for my birthday this year (and I left every piece of confetti as long as my desk mate could handle it - and then she cleaned it all up):

Love

2010-05-17T10:55:00.002-04:00

I am sure this is just for me, but I want to document this so I remember. Over the past few weeks, I had gotten so consumed with my to do list, and what I need to get done, how much I do, how long it takes, etc... I had become quite the porcupine. Very prickly. Not fun to be around. God had to give me a reality check through Scott - to remind me that my words do have power - of life or death. Most recently, I had not been considerate of how my words were affecting anyone else, I was only concerned with what I had to get done. It's ugly - but I was being very selfish.

God had to speak Corinthians 13 to me - that if I don't have love - regardless how heroic my task, it is worth nothing. Then I started replaying a song from childhood in my head from Corinthians 13:4-8, listing all the attributes of love. Love is kind, never boastful, never jealous, never rude, love is kind to everyone, speaks no evil, holds no grudges, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails. I did not possess any of those things.

I am so thankful that God stops me, and is faithful to chasten me, which tells me He loves me. And I'm thankful I have a forgiving husband.

Mini Me Baby Gear/Make It & Love It

2010-05-07T09:20:00.004-04:00

I recently started following this blog "Make it and Love it", and I generally love everything they post. But I ESPECIALLY love the most recent post featuring "Mini Me Baby Gear". They have a great selection of baby boy items, which is rare.. let me assure you!

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2010/05/new-sponsor-and-great-giveaway.html

http://minimebabygear.com/catalog.php?category=54

Another drop along the way...

2010-04-26T07:58:00.003-04:00

:) Once again, I am certain God has a sense of humor.

Yesterday, I had a bit of a panic, fear-driven experience. Paxton was sleeping REALLY hard and I started worrying and started working myself into a panic, thinking he was going to have another seizure (precisely what I am NOT supposed to do - be driven by fear - see last blog entry). Of course, he didn't, and I was left feeling embarrassed and convicted for handling things in a less than productive manner. I know that God has everything in control, and panic will get us no where even if there is an emergency. SOooooo... as I am pondering my actions last night, God brought something to my mind in a little Bible study.

My sister-in-law, Morgan, has a Yorkie puppy named Olive. Morgan and Olive came over to visit Saturday night and have dinner with us. (Even though this has nothing to do with my lesson, I just have to add that Paxton and Olive are "star-crossed lovers" and never shall the twain shall be together - at least until Paxton can have Benadryl. They ADORE one another and Paxton squeals with glee at everything Olive does. Olive will do anything to lick Paxton's face, hands and feet). Olive kept going to our fireplace and picking up little rocks and chewing on them. Morgan would say, "Leave it". Then, Olive would drop the rock. (The fireplace had rocks in it when we moved in, so we have left them).

Last night, as I was thinking back on my day and how I handled it, I felt God speak "leave it" to me. God prompted me that I cannot keep going to the fireplace and picking up a rock to chew on. Obviously, a rock isn't good for teeth or digestion. Why continue to pick it up and chew on it? Just leave it, and continue with something that is productive and beneficial.

In my prayer this morning, I prayed that God would help me not live in fear of possible dangers, but in the joy and peace of knowing that He is in control. I trusted Paxton to God and released him into God's hands for protection and not my own.

These scriptures kept repeating in my mind: Matthew 6:27 - Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life/single cubit to his stature; 1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your cares on Him; 2 Timothy 1:7 - God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.

Faithful. He is faithful.

God's Gentle Reminders..

2010-04-21T07:13:00.004-04:00

I love when God is leading me into a new territory and is so faithful to drop hints along the way. My current new journey is believing for Paxton's complete healing from seizures. I feel so strongly that God has touched him and now it is my responsibility to praise Him daily, and resist the temptation to worry and obsess over Paxton's well being. God is in control regardless, and I am to step out in faith.

As a gentle reminder this morning, God dropped this encouraging passage of scripture in my path this morning:

Isaiah 43:16-21 (The Message)
This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves, The God who summons horses and chariots and armies - they lie down and then can't get up; they're snuffed out like so many candles: "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say "thank you!" - the coyotes and the buzzards - Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me.

Isn't He just so faithful to be strong where we are not? His strength is made perfect in our weakness. It is so sweet to KNOW that verse through experience. Selah.

Creative Impulse

2010-04-16T09:16:00.001-04:00

Hey guys - I got a creative impulse this morning and created a new background for my phone and also doodled on some note cards for future use! Just thought I would share. :) It feels good to do something creative.

Lake Dow Garden Center & Gift Shop

2010-04-14T12:28:00.000-04:00

Scott, Paxton & I stopped into Lake Dow Garden Center & Gift Shop yesterday and we love it! I purchased a bib for Paxton and a reusable water bottle for me! Heather is so creative, and the Gift Shop is so inspiring and fun. Tommy has done an amazing job with the Garden Center and Scott and I were so impressed. For someone who has little to no knowledge of plants, just being there makes me want to get out in the garden and grow something!

Paxton's first tooth

2010-04-01T08:42:00.000-04:00

Do I ever post anything except milestones anymore? Haha! Maybe not... To keep with my previous trends, I would like to announce that Paxton got his first tooth on March 30, 2010 at seven months. He worked on this tooth for quite a while. He has been teething for MONTHS, it seems! It looks like a little line on his gums, hardly visible, but we are so proud. :D Oh the joys of parenthood...

In other news... wait. Do I ever have other news?

Is it possible to have a conversation that doesn't center around Paxton, baby food, bowel movements, diapers, baby clothing?

Hmm... I'll get back to you on that.

Pulling Up

2010-03-22T07:12:00.000-04:00

Last night, I was putting Paxton to bed and he learned to pull up in his crib. Thank goodness Scott moved his mattress down last week or else he would have been over the top! Paxton was THRILLED with his new discovery. He was bouncing, laughing, and cooing!! Big smiles for his mama! His motivation was the monkey mobile. :D Thank you for that, Aunt Carol! Oh - speaking of gifts - I was looking around Paxton's nursery last night at all the representation of love. Almost everything in his nursery was a gift from someone. I got teary thinking about how much everyone loves us to give each item. Love y'all!

Another milestone...

2010-03-18T12:14:00.002-04:00

Can you believe this little turkey stood up for the first time today??? Slow down, already!!! Paxton's motivation was his toy basket. He crawled over, and pulled himself up to standing. UNBELIEVABLE.

Paxton 6 months

2010-03-08T07:22:00.000-05:00

Paxton is starting to show a lot of personality - verrrrryy curious and "social", as the doctor described him. We just call it "nosey". Hehe! He is a lot like his mama! And he is also so active. He started crawling last night for the first time at Poppy Jason & Mama Bess' house! (I just realized I didn't tell Edith this morning - how could I forget that?!!) His 6 month checkup is tomorrow - can't wait to find out how much he weighs. :)

Family Trip!

2010-03-01T07:44:00.000-05:00

We went on a family road trip this past weekend - here are the pictures! :)

Inner Monologue

2010-02-15T15:55:00.003-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEz1QhDF3JE

(the video is too long to insert)

I watched this speech by children's author, Lois Lowry, uploaded by the Library of Congress. She told children how/when she knew she would be a writer. Which brings this question to mind: Everyone doesn't narrate their life in their mind from the perspective of the "reader"? Hmmm...

Pondering Personal Valentine

2010-02-12T07:22:00.002-05:00

I have seen a lot of posts about individual memories and experiences as a couple on Facebook, which caused me to ponder my own love life. Scott and I grew up together as children, and I had my first *crush* on Scott in third grade. My heart would be fluttering on the way to church because I knew I would get to see him. He was just SO CUTE! Scott only had eyes for my cousin, Rachel. (To hear him tell it, he always liked me - but he had strange ways of showing it. For instance, "You're pretty - pretty ugly." Why didn't I know??? Haha!)

The situation changed when we became teenagers. Suddenly, I was being pursued by Scott. What a change of events! We went on a "double date" at fifteen with Cheri and Russell. Scott probably called me one hundred times the next week, and I was feeling a little overwhelmed. I would go stand in the bathtub and tell my dad to answer the phone. He would tell Scott I was "in the shower". And I was!! Haha!!

Our senior year, Easter Sunday - Scott walked up the stairs and my heart dropped to my toes. He looked SMASHING. I was hooked. It took a few months for me to convince him to take another chance on me, but once we started dating, we hardly spent a day apart. Scott and his family went to Indiana on vacation for a week and I went to Myrtle Beach for a vacation. I thought my heart would fail me. I had never experienced any emotion like this before! That weekend, we went on a youth trip and sat together on the fifteen passenger van. I was too shy to tell Scott "I love you", so I wrote it on his arm with my finger. He did the same back!

We got married that September. We will be married ten years this September!! We have a wonderful baby boy, and are still in love.

eShakti- coolest clothing line ever!

2010-02-10T09:58:00.001-05:00

eShakti- coolest clothing line ever!

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GREAT website for hiding veggies..

2010-01-29T08:09:00.002-05:00

I am not to this point YET with Paxton, but I am sure that I will encounter it some day. My friend, Amanda, is having trouble getting her 1 year old to eat his veggies. Being the lover of knowledge and research that I am, I was on the hunt! I found this AMAZING website and thought I would share it with you all:

http://www.thesneakychef.com/

The website showcases recipes that kids typically love, and lists all the vegetables hidden inside. Love it!

Shabby Apple

2010-01-22T07:20:00.002-05:00

I am in love.

I love soooo many dresses on this website. MUST HAVE goal dresses!!!

25th Annual Stellar Awards

2010-01-19T08:07:00.002-05:00

Here are some pictures from our last night, after we sang at the Stellar Awards... too much to tell. All I can say is God showed up. He is amazing! We met so many gospel artists, and it was incredible. The best part was ministering to the artists Friday night at the pre-show. God's anointing was so thick, and He moved in such a powerful way. I pray that God refueled & refilled the artists, producers & professionals there that minister full time.

Dylan was so excited when he got up this morning & Paxton was here! -Cheri

2010-01-14T09:44:00.001-05:00

Dylan was so excited when he got up this morning & Paxton was here!

Paxton's new expression..

2010-01-10T19:43:00.001-05:00

We think it is HILARIOUS, but we may be biased. Please excuse the shadow!

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One of Paxton's favorite toys - a green-nosed reindeer

2010-01-08T13:16:00.001-05:00

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Multiple Choice and Fave Spot

2010-01-04T16:06:00.002-05:00

Paxton choosing a toy!

Paxton LOOOOOVES his changing table!

Paxton ready for a bath!

2010-01-03T20:40:00.001-05:00

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Ugh.

2009-12-15T12:13:00.002-05:00

I know that some countries consider certain insects as delicacies. I do not subscribe to this belief.

While eating my edamame this morning, I discovered the creature circled below. I do not know why I opened this one with my fingers instead of pulling the soybeans out of the pods with my mouth (the way I had eaten the previous 20 pods). I am going to believe it was God's will, and that there were no worms in the other pods.

I finally recover from gagging and shuddering about the worm. I decide that I am still hungry and go to heat up my soup.

I had to take a picture because I wouldn't believe it unless I had seen it either. There is a squished fly underneath my bowl in my lunch bag.
Maybe I am not supposed to eat today.

Mr. T. Scott Floyd

2009-12-10T09:14:00.002-05:00

This original photo was taken in the Detroit airport. Scott and the guys were attempting to do "model" poses. Edith was their paparazzi. Scott's turned out great and his look is timeless. Sooooo... I took a picture of the picture on a stack of paperwork, then edited the photo with film grain, & warm tones to make it look vintage. I like the result.

And I like the guy in the picture. :D

It's time..

2009-12-08T07:46:00.004-05:00

It's time to update my blog. :) Not that anything especially extraordinary has happened, but I need to keep track of all these special little things. We took Christmas pictures in the back yard against an old red shed, which I LOVE. Scott's dad was jumping around and acting HILARIOUS - hence the genuine grin on each of our faces. I am enjoying the Christmas colors and dressing Paxton accordingly. Paxton is moving from chuckle to full out laugh when tickled (he is VERYYY ticklish), and still offering grins to special people. I still feel privileged that Paxton has chosen to shower me with smiles. I am not so good at the tickling, so Scott, Pawpaw, and uncles get most of the laughs. I just listen and laugh like it was intended for me! Hehe!

Paxton is in love with his thumb. He is displaying symptoms of teething, so we may see a tooth soon! He is pulling everything to his mouth and learning new sounds every day. One of my favorites that makes me laugh every time is the high pitched squeal of excitement!

Paxton is a morning baby!

2009-11-21T10:24:00.001-05:00

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First Hiking Trip

2009-11-16T08:57:00.003-05:00

I made a collage of Paxton's first hiking trip for you in addition to the two mobile uploads..

We love Jason, Bethany, Shean & Heather! We had a great time and Paxton LOVED the water, people, animals... he couldn't stop taking it all in! He was exhausted by the time we turned him around in the carrier, and he fell asleep immediately. We will definitely be going hiking again!

Hiking adventure

2009-11-14T21:03:00.001-05:00

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Hiking with the Jones fam Shean Heather! So much fun!

2009-11-14T21:02:00.001-05:00

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NATIONAL How Sweet the Sound WINNERS

2009-11-09T09:53:00.004-05:00

This is from Lisa Winan's blog on http://www.howsweetthesound.com/ from the Atlanta Regional competition:
Last year's Atlanta winner Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir took to the stage and opened powerfully with "Anthem of Praise". With fantastic control, perfect pitch and worshipful intensity they had the audience on their feet in the first few lines of the song! This choir was explosive and came prepared to magnify the Lord and defend their title. They turned Philips Arena out and the crowd erupted in praise when they were finished. It wasn't over though, because the praise continued! The director started dancing, Kurt Carr was dancing... everybody was dancing!! The judges could barely get their job done because the Spirit was so thick! Once we all finally calmed down, Marvin Sapp was able to say, "You cannot mess with an Apostolic, Pentecostal church."

Atlanta West won the National competition in Detroit... this video is a clip after finishing "Anthem of Praise"!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWS16X4BxrY

Marvin Sapp said, "I don't care what y'all say, just give me some ol' hand clappin', foot stompin', tongue talkin', annointed, Holy Ghost filled, ain't worried about who's shouting or dancing... because they didn't come here to entertain nobody! The yokes are being destroyed! Hallelujah!"

The finale video will be on How Sweet the Sound's website soon & I have linked to a video from the live simulcast at AWPC on my Facebook. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

10 Weeks Old

2009-11-05T07:27:00.002-05:00

Paxton is already 10 weeks old!! Here are some pictures of his newly emerging personality. He obviously loves his Mawmaw. We are having the best time with "Little Mister" as he smiles, gurgles, coos & giggles. I love being a Mama!

First Laugh..

2009-10-29T07:05:00.003-04:00

Scott and I got to hear Paxton's first laugh last Friday, October 23rd! Now he has started laughing more, mostly when we sing to him or clap his hands together. I have included an embarrassing video (because I am singing "I like 'em big" from Madagascar 2) but so cute because he is grinning at me. Enjoy!!

First Day..

2009-10-26T08:01:00.003-04:00

It's my first day back at work. My email password has expired and I can't remember my old one... :)

On to more pressing matters - I left my baby boy at home with his MaMaw. I was a very sad Mama on the way to work this morning, and probably will be again if I let myself think about it.

I am waiting for someone to arrive that can help me get a new email password!

Talk to y'all later!

~Week 37 Update~

2009-08-11T07:14:00.002-04:00

I had a doctors appointment yesterday and discovered that I am dilated to a one (10 days ago, dilated to zero, cervix was thinning). So this means that I am progressing, but does not necessarily indicate any certain time frame. :) Woohoo! Forward, MARCH..

35 Weeks

2009-07-29T07:50:00.005-04:00

We are getting so close to finishing the nursery!! Scott took me to Ikea Saturday to purchase the rug (to cover the lovely rose carpet) and to purchase the curtains. I ordered pictures Sunday for the room from our maternity photo session. Wal-Mart has GREAT prices for pictures online, so I ordered the picture above as a 16x20 sepia poster print, and bought a frame Sunday as well. I can hardly wait to go pick it up this week! When the pictures go up, the nursery will be COMPLETE!!

Here I am Sunday, ready for church, at 35 weeks!!

Update

2009-07-13T08:03:00.002-04:00

Scott had an all guys "Diaper Shower", where several of his friends/family come bearing diapers and wipes! Basically, they just eat guy food and watch sports. :) Brittanie Davis (the host's wife) made this adorable diaper cake with lots of essentials as a centerpiece. Even a guy shower needs decoration, right??

Fun Night...

2009-07-02T07:29:00.003-04:00

Last night, I spent the night at my parents' house and had a great time. My mom cooked dinner for me with careful consideration of sodium levels. My mom, dad & I had steamed green peas, squash with vidalia onions, corn, coleslaw and grilled chicken. :) Yummm.. Then my parents went to church and I did my prenatal yoga DVD (1 hour). They got home and my mom & I went for a late night swim! Hahah!! To top it all off, Paxton rewarded my mom with a resounding kick/punch before we fell into an (exhausted) sleep. Whew! What a night..

So EXCITED!!

2009-06-26T10:02:00.003-04:00

I am so excited about my shower tomorrow!! I worked 12 hours yesterday so I can leave at half a day today. I have lots to do: buy thank you cards, get a pedicure, find something to wear to the shower! I can't wait to meet up with friends that I haven't seen in a while and celebrate with those I see frequently!

The best part is - Morgan and Cheri have kept everything a surprise except the invitations! I love that it is all going to be wonderful and new. I know they have done an amazing job. :)

Design Your Own Fabric...

2009-06-19T07:43:00.002-04:00

I can't tell you how many times I've had an idea for the PERFECT item of clothing, and could never find a material with the pattern I had in mind. I should have created a website... Haha! Too late - it's already been done! Check it out! http://www.karmakraft.com/

Professional Maternity Pics..

2009-06-17T08:40:00.000-04:00

This is what I have so far, but Dawn (Everlasting Memories by Dawn www.evmem.com) took over 200. :) She rocks!

Timeline

2009-05-26T15:33:00.000-04:00

Here is the pregnancy timeline so far! I love the collage option on Picasa 3!

New Pic!

2009-05-26T13:27:00.004-04:00

Keep in mind this is not a COMPLETE profile view, so objects in photo may seem larger than they actually are. :) Hahah!

I met Jessica, Olivia, baby Olivia & Cole at Chick-fil-A for lunch and had a good time catching up!! I haven't taken any pics since Mother's Day, so Jessica is always good to remember these things.

Nursery Inspiration Board

2009-05-21T10:28:00.002-04:00

I have compiled an inspiration board of the types of decorations I would like to create for Paxton's nursery. I plan on painting the monkey silhouette and possibly the "Jack" name canvans or the tricycle. We have registered for the Pop Monkey collection @ Babies R Us (center). I didn't want anything TOO babyish for the walls & decoration other than the bedding collection. I want something that can grow with him. Let me know what you think!

HOOORAY!!!

2009-05-18T13:50:00.001-04:00

I checked my glucose 2 hours after a meal today and it was 111!! (Normal is 120) Things are LOOKIN' UP! I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow, so we will see what she has to say. :) I am so excited!!

Another Update

2009-05-08T08:17:00.001-04:00

Boy, am I confused now!! My sugar was 76 this morning when I woke up, which is lower than it has been since I've been checking it. So I had Cheerios, milk and 1/2 a banana for breakfast. I checked my glucose an hour & a half later & it's 136, which is 16 points higher than it should be! I'm so confused about getting this under control...

*Sigh*

Update..

2009-05-07T09:11:00.004-04:00

For those of you that don't know:

I almost passed out at my desk Tuesday morning, so I had to go into my doctor’s office immediately. (Thankfully my mom was able to leave her job immediately and pick me up!!) My doctor thinks it is my glucose. My glucose test was normal 4 weeks ago. Right now, I have to check my sugar a couple of times a day for the next two weeks & do another glucose test in two weeks @ my next appt. I have to eat every two hours with balanced protein & carbs. My blood pressure has been good each time & was really good Tuesday, so they don’t think that’s the cause. My hemoglobin has been normal each time, so they don't think it is anemia.

I was so worried that I had gained 10 lbs since my last visit, but I haven’t gained anything since last time. However, I’m measuring 28 weeks (I am actually 23 weeks & 4 weeks ago I measured 25 weeks). No pounds gained, but my belly grew 3 weeks!! I haven't changed my diet except it was my birthday & we did some traveling over the past month (so probably a little more restaurant foods), and I lowered my sodium intake to prevent swelling.

The past two days have been trial and error, with a lot of help from my mom on food choices! We are trying to figure out why my glucose is still so low after balanced meals. Thankfully, I am a member of the "Future Moms" program through BCBS and they have RNs & nutritionists on call 24 hours a day. I should be getting a call from someone today or tomorrow with some advice.

We'll see what happens & hopefully no more fainting!!

Welcome Back Surprise!

2009-04-20T09:47:00.003-04:00

My coworkers decorated my workspace while I was away at IBC Music Fest to celebrate that I'm having a boy!! :)

So sweet.. :)

And another one..

2009-04-02T07:57:00.002-04:00

I really enjoy updating my belly pics!! I hope y'all aren't bored by the timeline!! It happens like this: new maternity dress from Rachel Adair, I curled my hair on a whim... PICTURE TIME! Hahhaha!

Best Feeling Ever...

2009-03-30T08:12:00.002-04:00

I am convinced that I've now felt the sweetest feeling in the world - my baby kicking (hitting, squirming, whichever). I was talking to my boss, Kim, and I told her that Scott felt the baby kick for the first time this past week and I began to get all ooey-gooey about the baby. Sooo... I will share this with you.

Usually after I've been sitting at my desk a while or going to sleep, the baby is more active. Last week, I was sitting at my desk, feeling the baby kick while I worked, and I realized that I would really miss this feeling after delivery. To me, feeling the baby kick is an unspoken communication between the two of us that only we share (for the most part). I still continue with my daily activities, but I find myself wanting to slow down just so the baby will start kicking again. I am starting to feel that mother-baby bond and I'm already being won over by this little person's movements.

I am not usually someone that struggles to express myself, but I really am having a hard time putting this feeling into words. :) I guess the mothers know what I mean.

Oh - we have to wait until 22 weeks to find out the baby's gender (Apr 22nd). My doctor's office waits until then for a few reasons: (a) health insurance covers one ultrasound unless otherwise proven medically necessary, so best to wait & get everything they need in one visit; (b) they are doing the ultrasound for the sole purpose of checking the baby for specific milestones in development; (c) they are not doing the ultrasound to find out the gender; if they do, it's a bonus. :) I get all that! But it sure would be niiiiice to know sooner!

4 1/2 Months!!

2009-03-10T10:00:00.002-04:00

Here is another belly pic!!

We should find out what we're having in 4 weeks! We are SOOOOO excited! Then we can talk to the baby by one name instead of "Scotlynn or Paxton".

Rekindle Youth Revival

2009-03-04T08:36:00.004-05:00

Our Youth Revival is this weekend @ Atlanta West and the theme is "Rekindle"! In the recent renovation of the Youth Center, two walls were painted with the chalkboard paint so Brad asked if I could draw the theme for the Youth Revival on the walls. So much fun!! I took pictures because I'm certain someone will "accidentally" brush against them over the course of the weekend. :) It's chalk - temporary!! It's okay! I can always fix it up. I love chalkboard walls - the possibilities are ENDLESS!

ENERGY!!

2009-02-27T08:44:00.004-05:00

This morning, I woke up feeling quite different than I have in the past 13 weeks.. I feel like I have had several cups of strong coffee without the shaking that follows. I have so much energy I don't know what to do with it! I feel like I should get up and run around the room or something. Yeehaaa! I love it!

I've been singing nonstop and I can hardly sit still in my chair! :)

Belly!

2009-02-06T15:23:00.000-05:00

I have a preggo belly!!!

Near Disasters & Tragedies

2009-01-21T09:43:00.003-05:00

I said NEAR disasters & tragedies... :D Hehee!

First: Joel & Jessica (my brother & his wife) went to visit a friend Sunday night. They parked beside a white truck. The owner of the white truck went outside to warm his truck up & go hunting. His truck caught on fire, setting off all of the ammunition & catching the surrounding vehicles on fire as well. Joel & Jessica were going to leave literally a minute before the truck caught on fire and would have been in the line of fire! Thank God the children were not in the Explorer! Everything the car was ruined except Jessica's new clutch purse! Haha!

Second: My dad has been having pain in his chest since August. He went to the doctor and they told him it was a pulled muscle. It was time for a medication refill, and his regular cardiologist was out of town, so my dad saw a new doctor Monday. They did a routine stress test and his blood pressure skyrocketed. They ran another test with radioactive dye, which is supposed to show a horseshoe shape when scanned, and it only showed half the horseshoe. The office scheduled my dad for a catheterization Tuesday. As it turned out, my dad had blockages in all three major arteries and had stints in two on Tuesday. He has another stint put in today. The blockages: 99%, 80% & 80%! The doctor said he could have had a fatal heart attack at any time.

Praise God for keeping my family safe!!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!!

2009-01-19T08:43:00.002-05:00

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.(Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)

Just want to spread the good news and share our excitement with you! Thanks be to God for blessing us with this gift!

Julie's Lip Gloss

2008-12-10T10:17:00.003-05:00

It all started with a purchase of Clinique's Root Beer SuperBalm... delicious, right?That's when it went WRONG WRONG WRONG... Julie brings her lipgloss around for everyone to SNIFF.

Surprise of all surprises - Its scent is a combination of the following:

What do you do when you smell something awful?

Make everyone else in the office smell it!!! :)

Christmas Sweater - 2ND Episode

2008-12-05T08:44:00.001-05:00

You guessed it!! CHRISTMAS SWEATER FRIDAY IS HERE!! The picture really doesn't do the sweaters justice. Why, you ask? BECAUSE THEY JINGLE!!!

Project Christmas Sweater Launches!!

2008-11-28T08:08:00.003-05:00

We've been talking about wearing Christmas sweaters in December and thanks to some charitable donations, IT'S A REALITY!! McDonough Billing Hub, you have no idea what you are in for! :) Jingle Jingle Jingle!

Great Friends..

2008-11-24T07:13:00.003-05:00

We were so grateful to spend time with our friends Saturday. We caught right back up where we left off when we saw each other last - LAUGHING!! As always, we had a great time together. Rachel & Nick had a baby shower for their upcoming addition, Caleb James Adair. It was wonderful to see Rachel & Nick's moms again as well.

Below: Angie, Nick, Patrick, Scott & Ilyssa.

Below: Rachel, Jessica, me & Ilyssa.

Below: Ilyssa & me. Notice a recurring theme?? :)

Here are the sock monkey paintings for baby Caleb James Adair!!

Close Quarters....

2008-11-21T13:46:00.001-05:00

We are in close quarters until we get our desks....

See???