what's in a name?

Galatians 6:14- But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

It has come to our attention that, as is the tendency with blogs, ours has become a bit of a soap box lately for self-glorification. All this time it has been Hooray for the Paks, when really it should have been Hooray with the Paks. As in Hooray for Jesus, our Lord and Savior from whom and through whom all good things come. So after careful consideration, the Paks have decided to retire with love the Hooray for the Paks blog in favor of a new, shorter, simpler URL: www.thepaklife.com. Please continue to follow along as we make the transition; we look forward to sharing with all of you Jesus’ work in our lives.

it's a boy!

And we couldn't be more excited! Sam and I had talked both about the possibility of it being a boy or a girl, and I had thought I was equally excited for either. So when we had our ultrasound, I was surprised to realize just how happy I was to find out it was a boy! A little ball player for Sam. After he had himself a bit of a weep, Sam immediately went looking for a glove and ball for his little man.

Kayla, of course, is getting less excited by the day, and has gone from kissing my tummy and pointing to the "baby" to crying and turning away anytime I mention his impending arrival. I think it's finally sinking in for her what's to come and she is not at all happy about it. We always tell her how much we love her and how much fun the new baby will be, but I guess you can only explain so much to her at this point.

Thank you to everyone for your well wishes and support for our growing family. We are so blessed to have such wonderful community around us and look forward to raising our brood here in Seattle. For Christ's Glory!

mother's day

Since Mother's Day is always inevitably a Sunday, we didn't think we'd really get to celebrate. BUT as a surprise blessing, Sam ended up working only a half day, so we got to go out for a late(really late) Mother's Day brunch. More like dinner actually.



Who knew there'd still be a wait at Spaghetti Factory at 2:30 in the afternoon? Kayla and I passed the time doing a little photo shoot outside in the parking lot. Doesn't she look fierce?



Then we took a little walk around the block and were lucky enough to catch the train go past. Kayla was so impressed, she couldn't stop clapping. "Hooray train!"



Kayla did her best, of course, a toddler can only be patient so long... Luckily we were seated just in time, not a moment too soon. There are no pictures from lunch, alas, we were all too ravenous to take time to pose for any glamour shots.



Afterwards, we followed up our scrumptious meal with an even more scrumptious family nap, something we never get to do on Sunday afternoons. All in all, a fabulous laid-back day to celebrate the ups and downs of being a mom. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! Hope you all had a blessed day as well.

livy's birthday

I'm SO EXCITED you came to my PARTY!



Here, put on this hat



Check out this cool bouncy house!



This is so fun!



Livy come jump with me!



I'm good, thanks



Suit yourself, you're missing out



Time for a swing break



Everyone smile for the camera!



Kayla, you too!



C'mon Kayla, say "Cheese!"



Oh were we taking PICTURES?



Happy Birthday dear Livy,....



Dude, whats up with my candle?



Happy 3rd Birthday Olivia!