Random Photos

I'm getting a new cell phone today so I emailed myself some pictures that I wanted to save. I figured putting them on my blog was the best way to go... They are in no particular order.

Fire Season

It's only the beginning of fire season and I already hate it! Isaac and I haven't seen much of Shaun lately. A few weeks ago he was sent to Chico (Northern Cali) on a strike team. Since then, his department has sent out other teams so Shaun has been working overtime at the stations to cover their shifts. Right now he's working a 96 (hours). He left Thursday morning (our anniversary) and won't be back 'til Monday morning! Today Isaac was really missing his daddy so we decided to go and visit him! Isaac is always fascinated by the big trucks! Shaun works so hard and is dedicated and passionate about what he does. Sometimes I struggle when he's gone and I even feel like a single mom, but he's doing what he loves and for that I'm so proud of him!!!

Happy 1,461 Days of Marriage Baby!

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."

"Love is a symbol of eternity that wipes away all sense of time, removing all memory of a beginning, and all fear of an end."

Today Shaun and I have been married for 4 years! Sadly though, I don't get to see him today ('cause he had to work) but I did wake up to a dozen pink roses and the sweetest card. He is also taking me to Hawaii in September!

I wanted to post something that would remind me of the promise Shaun and I made to each other on our wedding day. I loved being a princess for the day and getting the royal treatment, yet the most important thing about June 26, 2004 were the words that Shaun and I spoke to one another. These were our vows...

Entreat me not to leave you
Or to return from following after you
For where you go, I will go
And where you stay, I will stay
Your people will be my people
And your God will be my God
And where you die, I will die
And there I will be buried
May the Lord do with me and more
If anything but death parts you from me

We also had a special moment where we took each others hands and acknowledged the gift that they are. When I held Shaun's hands this is what the pastor read:

Erica, these are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of your life. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you. These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes; eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

Then Shaun took hold of my hands and the pastor read this to him:

Shaun, these are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of your life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, and knowing when it is time to let go. These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evening after you've both had a long day. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life. These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish can be realized.

Thanks for the wonderful years baby! I love you!!!

If you go to http://www.theknot.com/ and enter in my name (Erica Paajanen) you can see our wedding web page and find out how Shaun and I met and how he proposed. It's still there!!!

Imitating Daddy!

So, I know I'm getting carried away with this blogging thing but how can I resist not sharing a face like this!?! This is the tail end of Isaac's new trick. He wrinkles his nose, squints his eyes (so you can't even see them... No, they're not closed), and then blows really hard through his nose! It's the funniest thing in the world!!!! Can you guess where he learned it!?

Isaac's 1st Best Friend

Through the years my friendships have changed. When I was single most of my friends were too. When I was dating, I would hang out with other dating couples. After Shaun and I got married we began relationships with other married couples. Now that we have Isaac, we've realized that most of our friends also have kids. It's easy to relate to people who are experiencing the same joys and difficulties as you. When Isaac was five days old we went bowling with some friends. Well, I of course didn't bowl because I was still feeling the pain from birthing a watermelon. I just needed out though! Anyway, there was another couple there, Mike and Laura, that were expecting their first child. We got to talking and filled them in on our hospital experience and wished them good luck on theirs. A long story short... We are now friends and it is such a blessing. I was praying that I would meet someone who was at my exact stage in life. Our boys are 24 days apart and already enjoy playing together! Austin is relaxed, mellow, and such an easy baby. He loves attention and is always smiling. Isaac is a little different. He's a mini version of his daddy... Loud, crazy, and can't hold still! We used to spend our nights going to movies and staying up late. Now, as parents, we love to watch our little guys stair at fans in amazement and eat their hands and toes! Yes, friendships change over the years but each one is unique and a true gift from above!

Hoover & Suds

It's official... I have to start vacuuming and mopping EVERYDAY! Isaac is crawling!!! Can you guess what his first mission was? Weezer and Cloi's tails! I froze as I saw his little hand slowly reach out and land in the furry mess (it was one of those slow motion moments that seemed to last forever) but quickly calmed down when the cat ran away instead of turning around and scratching him. After Isaac was done with the cats he decided to move on to their food. I was of course right there so he didn't get to enjoy an afternoon snack. He was amazed by the tile. Not only was it something new to see and feel, I think the coolness felt good because he was hot from working so hard.

After he crawled all over the down stairs we took him up stairs for a nap... Or so we thought! Now that he can pull himself up and has figured out how to take the bumper off the crib, everything is a game. He is constantly on the go and can be entertained by the smallest things. When we heard the squeals coming from his room (five minutes after we laid him down) we peaked in to see him sitting up with his legs sticking out through the crib's bars. It used to be easy when all he could do was lay there so his only option was to just fall asleep. It's a whole new story now.

Summer Days...

We got Isaac a little pool and he loves it... We think! He would much rather play with the water on the ground than in the pool. We're constantly having to pick him up and put him back in the middle.

The Apple of My Eye!

I wanted to have the perfect grand event for my first entry... A new home, an amazing vacation, something outrages to announce. Yet, I realized that's not everyday life and what I will be "blogging" about the most are the simple pleasures in life! Today was like many others. Shaun went to work and I woke to Isaac's squeals in the monitor. I changed his diaper, fed him, and then he crawled all over me 'til his morning nap. I did laundry and dishes until he woke up, we ran some errands, and hurried home for his afternoon nap. Simple... Yet, no matter what's going on, I'm in awe every time I look at my little guy. He's so precious. Yes, a little crazy like his daddy, but a true miracle! I guess in a way he's my grand event that I get to enjoy everyday!