Let wonder replace worry

Things Jaxson will Never Use: #2

This is a blog series where from time to time I'll list things prevalent in my lifetime that will see extinction soon and Jaxson will never use.

#2 A Checkbook

Over the past 7 years, I have ordered 3 boxes of checks. My first box came with the new account I opened when I moved to Washington in 2001. Before I even came close to writing all 200 checks, I married Nicole and we ordered new checks for our joint account. It took us 4 years, but a couple of months ago we ran out and Nicole ordered another box.

All of our bills are paid online. It is convenient, fast, and most importantly, free. I'm not sure what this says about the church, but tithes and offerings are about the only things we ever use the checks for. Guess we are not ready for debt card readers in the offering plates.

I found this info tonight. In 2001 72% of all monthly recurring bills in the US were paid by check. In 2003 that number was down to 60%. 2008 hit 49% and that number will never again rise to more than 50%.

Jaxson will be surprised that to pay a bill, we would write a check, buy a stamp, put it in the mail and wait up to a week for that money to be removed from our account.

In his lifetime, he will never use a checkbook.

Things that Jaxson will never use: #1

This is a new blog series where I'll list things prevalent in my lifetime that will see extinction and Jaxson will never use.

#1 The Phonebook

A couple of months ago someone left a phonebook in a bag hanging on my front door. They might as well have hung a bag of trash on the door - because it went straight into the garbage. I have not used one in years. The internet is killing phonebooks at a faster rate than newspapers - which are sinking like a rock.

Jaxson will be shocked that we grew up with huge 10 pound phonebooks taking up a whole drawer in our houses.

7 Months

I

Only 7 months ago, January 16, you entered our family.

Yet I cannot imagine my life without you in it.

You have changed every reason I ever had for living.

I don't blog about Jaxson nearly enough. His mom does a much better job than I do. Speaking of Nicole's blog, be looking for a major blog upgrade in the next couple of weeks. We are hard at work on the new site.

Nicole's Garden

About 2 months ago Nicole came across 4 tomato plants and for our first time, we decided to try our hand at gardening.

Here is Jaxson and the plants the day she brought them home:

Now, just about 8 weeks later, here is where we are in the tomato growing process:

Although no tomatoes yet, we are pretty proud of ourselves.

This gardening thing is pretty fun.

Fourth of July and Mariners Baseball

This morning we loaded up 2 chartered buses and headed down to watch the Mariners play the Tigers. Even though the Mariners are having a tough year (to put it lightly) it was still fun to go with the group. Seattle even pulled out a win. This was Jaxson's first baseball game- he had a great time.

Here are some pics from the day. Click for full size.

Jaxson Pics

I just added some pictures of Jaxson to Facebook.

Check them out if you are interested.

3 months

Wow, January 16 to April 16 flew by for us. The biggest reason is probably that he is a great little guy. He started sleeping through the night before 2 months and before that he was only up once. He has made this parenting thing seem pretty easy so far.

My Wednesday morning staff meeting was pushed to this afternoon this week, so I volunteered to stay home and keep him this morning. It is after 10:30am and he is sleeping away.

Jaxson is definitely not a morning person... just like me.

Being a dad is pretty cool.

Our First Easter

I promise to not make this a blog of Jaxson stories, but a couple of pictures are ok, right?

Lazy Blogger- Proud Father

I've had so many things I have wanted to write about over the past couple of weeks, but I have been pretty lazy about posting. Every time I have a few minutes to write I choose to hang out with Jaxson instead. We are pretty proud of him.

I'm going to post something in a couple of days that I am publishing in the church newsletter about the first time he smiled at me. That could be the coolest thing that has ever happened to me.

Jaxson Isaiah Ross

The emotions of fatherhood:
Exciting
Scary
Humbling
Unnerving
Thrilling
Invigorating
Unqualified
Undeserving
Satisfying

He has captured our heart.
How have we lived without you?

Born on January 16th at 9:23 am.