Mark's 1st Hair Cut

At 3 months of age, he needed a hair cut! I cut almost 2 inches off and he still has a lot left!

Nana & Papa Visit!

From July 25-28, Nana returned with Papa this time to visit. Mark had a great time as you'll see below:











One of the things we love is waking Mark up--he just smiles and smiles...

June 2007 & Troy’s First Father’s Day

Early June was a busy month for all 3 of us. Troy’s sister Tonya visited June 1-3 for a short weekend...









(and happened to pick-up some Noe—If you don’t know what Noe is, here’s a picture (smile Noe!):

Troy’s mom and Nana (Mark’s Nana and SUPER Nana also came and spent a week, June 9-16. You can read from my posting on Monday, June 18^th titled: “Nana and SUPER Nana time!” On Sunday, June 17^th – Father’s Day, our Pastor again had a special sermon for dads—a first for me, a real reason to PAY ATTENTON to the parenting talk! He spoke on Six Principles for Fathers (my notes):

1. Principle of Consequences: What you do today, affects tomorrow (Gal. 6:7); Life demands long-term thinking and God’s perspective; delay gratification.
2. Principle of Authority: If you’re a Christian, then submit to God by submitting to authority (Romans 13:1-2)
3. Principle of Opportunity: Leave the world better than you found it; affect the world for God’s kingdom. Be a part of something bigger than yourself.
4. Principle of Duty: Teach your kids to do what’s right, because it’s right, until it feels right—whatever the cost; you can’t teach what you don’t know.
5. Principle of Significance – We are important because Jesus suffered and died for us—our relationship with Him is what matters; we don’t find identity in others, careers, things.
6. Principle of Reverence – Make God understood with an accurate view of who He really is; Love God with all your heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37).

It was a great event to finally get to stand with all the other dads to be prayed for, and yet the overwhelming responsibility had been laid before me. I think 35 years of thinking about it rushed in all at once—any chance Blakemores’ think TOO much? My dad called and the first thing out of his mouth was, “I’ve waited 35 years to wish you Happy Father’s Day.” I’ll remember that phone call…

On June 25^th, Mark went in for his 2 month check-up with the pediatrician. 15.2 lbs., 24.5 in. Yep, he’s gonna be BIG!

May 16-31, 2007

May 16-31, 2007 – We spent the next two weeks on edge over the paternity testing issue. We would debate on how “helpful” we would be in volunteering to have a test done without a court order and locating a facility in Arizona. We eventually came to the point where we wanted the test done, so we could simply not stress over something that might be in our favor. Our attorney agreed that cooperating would only help our case. So we located a local DNA testing facility that would work with an out-of-state person and gave that information to our attorney. Our waiting process began again…

Mark, of course, was wonderful and we actually were getting more sleep than we thought we would!

Studio Portraits

I can't say I'd recommend Wal-Mart for portraits, but these were pretty good, actually.

NEW PICS!.....(before Kim admonishes me again!)

If you click on any of the pictures, you can view a larger image.


In honor of G'pa Dwain, Super Nana got me this outfit!


I'm cool with bath time....as long as....what have you put on me Mom?!


ah, yes, that's better. And definitely more sheik!



I even look good sleeping! Oh yeah, and did I tell you I
found my thumb?



How can you resist this smile?

May 10-15, 2007 & LaDonna's First Mother's Day

The first week at home was glorious. We slept in our own beds, had familiar faces to greet and encourage us. In fact, the very next day, Troy’s brother Terry and his family came over (and brought our dogs back). It was great to see family and to enjoy time together.

Our first Sunday back was May 13^th—Mother’s day; LaDonna’s first as a Mother. Our pastor had a special sermon for mothers and “helpful advice for parents.” Great timing! Of course, if you know Tom, he’s not your typical, seminary-trained, pastor. So he started with this:

11 things you can do to ruin your kids
Tom Shrader – Advice to Parents
May 13, 2007

1. attempt to live your life through them

2. refuse to fulfill your GOD–given role

3. give them stuff instead of consistent love

4. withhold discipline

5. let peer pressure drive your parenting

6. never tell them you’re sorry

7. teach your child to be open–minded, especially regarding spiritual matters

8. don’t restrain your mouth

9. accept the “two income” myth

10. when problems come into the marriage, “split up”…it’s best for the kids

11. hold onto them too tightly

some positive, helpful advice…

1. remember, you are the boss

2. there is no “one size fits all” approach

3. teach what is truly significant

4. you can’t teach what you don’t know

5. your actions cannot be separated from your words

6. parenting can be over emphasized

7. they need you in their corner

It is a difficult job, but know that

IT IS WORTH IT!

It was great to be back at our church home and to receive encouragement as new parents. If you’d like a copy of the sermon, let me know…

The 15^th was a busy day for us—we had our first in-home post-placement visit with our social worker in the morning. It went very well; she even brought some great gifts for Mark! We are grateful for Teresa. That afternoon Mark was circumcised & LaDonna and I were in the room for the procedure. As a man, I must say, it didn’t look pleasant, but Mark actually didn’t cry that much and they had plenty of people there to assist and comfort him. We were lucky, he was 3 weeks old and another day past that we would have had to go to the hospital to have the procedure done!