My First Born

Has 30 years really gone by so quickly? You were the "first" of many in our lives and in our family.
~The first to teach us the REAL meaning of family!
~Our first son...our only son.
~The first to name Mi'-Mi'
~The first grandchild sooooo much like your Granddaddy Thomas
~The first to teach us how to love and let go...allowing you to learn often times the hard way
~The first one parented and to teach us about parenting...that had it's downsides for you, I'm sure.
~The first to defend your sisters
~The first to carry on the Patterson name
~The first to make us proud Grandparents
~The first to make me laugh and cry as a parent
~The first to present us the "creative ways" to wrap presents
~The first drummer in the family
~The first to pee in my face!
~The first to question my beliefs and make them your own
~The first child to become our little brother in Christ
~The first one to be part me and part Dad...what a wonder and a miracle
~The first tenderhearted child of the family...not even wanting to leave the Christmas tree "all by its 'lone" at bedtime
~The first tiny one who stole my heart and still holds it, forever more.

I love you so much and am so proud of you! Always remember Whose you are and no matter what...Jesus loves you most of all!

My Girls

Well....we shopped till we dropped...quite literally! All of us took advil at the end of the day for some type of pain! What a GREAT time we had, minus cell phones even! Everyone spent their allotted money; some even grabbing gum and mints at the last possible minute trying to spend every nickel given! :) Calories didn't count all weekend either! So, if you notice a few extra pounds on us the next few weeks... it's really just a figment of YOUR imagination! Many memories were made and excellent wardrobe choices added. I love you Jaime, Kristen,and Emmalie!! Thanks for taking the time to spend your weekend with me. (Hubbies, thanks for letting them! You were all great sports about it all!)


Tomorrow is the big day...Daddies will be left alone with young children while my 3 daughters and I head out for a girl's weekend together. Normally we do round-top together but this past year was crazy so I decided that we would just do a local get away together. I am excited b/c being around them makes me feel young plus it makes me still feel like "mom" to these adult girls. Hopefully it will be fun for them as well. I'm sure the 2 mommies will just enjoy uninterrupted adult conversation; not too sure how the newly-wed feels about leaving her hubby on one of the few free weekends that they have at home together! Can't wait and hopefully someone remembers to bring a camera!

It's all a Racket

Is it just me? I think cable companies, phone companies, internet providers are all, as my grandmother would say, in cahoots together. Being the dutiful, frugal wife that I am, I have been looking for ways to save a few dollars every month on those bills that provide conveniences we love. Ok, for one I'm turning in one DVR box to save us $12.95/month. For pete's sake, there's only 2 of us now! Can't I record all the shows we can possiblywatch or need to watch on just one of those things??!!?? Then, I began calling about different internet providers...oh the things they promise! That is until you start asking questions and you really begin to compare apples to apples. I've talked to people that I am positive were not in the USA b/c we couldn't even communicate, to people that couldn't even figure out how to transfer my call to someone who could answer my questions! Did these people graduate high school? Anyways, to make a long story short, I think I am going to change my phone number from a metro number to a local number and "bundle" it (woo hoo) with internet service for a savings to my family of 2 of about $40/month! Now that's worth the frustrations I experienced this am. I hate to give up my coveted phone number that I've had for the last 25 years; the one I taught my kids little jingles when they were little to memorize it. I guess I will be making up new jingles to help this mind remember the new number once I get it. But heaven's to betsy....couldn't they just make a number that follows you wherever you go like a cell number. Maybe my sweet son-in-law could develop that computer program!

Another Grandbaby.......

I'm getting another grand-baby via Emmalie and Steven. Ok, ok, not the human kind but the canine type. Emm and Stevo are right now, this moment, on their way home from Oklahoma with their brand new boxer puppy, Abraham Lincoln (aka Abe, Abraham or Mr. President). He is 8 weeks old and has been planned for and named for over a year now. I must admit from the pics I've seen, he is a cutie! I'm sure this "baby of mine", Emmalie, will probably convince me to let him come inside my house. Oh the power of love and persuasion. But seriously, couldn't they find a puppy in Houston? Who knew you had to go all the way to Oklahoma for these things?!? The memories they have made.

I just met Abraham and I am in love with him....adorable does not begin to describe him. If I didn't have 2 labs, I'd get a boxer for sure!

Happy 4th

Today we celebrate our country's independence. So many long for that still today! We live in a free country yet many still choose to live under the bondage of sin (despite the freedom offered in and through Jesus Christ), thinking that is what true independence really is. I read a book this past week, THE BIG IDEA, and a thought has stuck with me. When children are given an area that is fenced in they play more freely, exploring and enjoying themselves. However, when given an area with no boundaries, they hover close to their caregiver and will not venture out or try anything new b/c they do not feel safe. I'm sure you see the spiritual application.

So Happy 4th of July (and birthday to my sis!)!! For all those that have fought for and still fight for my freedom, THANK YOU!!

Again Please

I'm ready to go back...maybe not Cabos, just anywhere with the ocean and sand. Well, not Galveston either (sorry all you Galveston fans). I grew up going to the sugar sand beaches of Florida and Alabama so the relaxation of hearing the waves, feeling the wind, and smelling the salt air is just a part of me. As much as I've tried to make it a family occurance this year, it's just not happening! Oh well, hubby and I will just have to go alone, again. Where do you like to relax and unwind?

Should I?

I have encountered several situations in my life where I have wondered should I?

~Should I tell someone I love that I sense that they are going in a direction that the Lord doesn't desire? Should I tell them I don't think they are making a wise choice?

~Should I confront strangers when I see injustice being done to a teen/child?

~Should I remain quiet or voice my opinion?

~Should I tell someone I have been praying for them, even though I may not know why the Lord has placed them on my heart?

~Should I say no more often?

~Should I no longer work in student ministry because I'm over 50?

~Should I take time away by myself?

~Should I hire someone else to iron? ;)

~Should I hug more and cry more?

~Should I? Should I?

~Should I ask questions to get others to open up or just wait until they're ready? How will I know if they are ready?

As a body of Christ we have certain privileges and responsibilities. How do those fit into and expand into our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ? Will I be held accountable for remaining quiet when I had those "Should I?" thoughts at the risk of hurting someone's feelings or making them uncomfortable? Could I have protected that person from pain? I think it is a precarious position to be in if you know God has given you the gift of discernment and exhortation and then knowing when and how to use it...when to speak and when to just pray. For everything there is a season...