First Field Trip

Henry had his first field trip last Friday. They went to Children's Theater to see Cinderella. The highlight--riding with two of his favorite people to and from the show. The low point--realizing that Cinderella only has one boy character: the prince! Henry said next time the play better not be so girly!

A Day on the Plains

Power nap on the way down!
We had SO much fun in Auburn on Saturday. This was Grant & Grace's first game day experience. We tailgated, road the Tiger Transit (a highlight for G & G), went to Tiger Walk, and visited lots of friends! We are finally at a point where all the kids enjoy it, and it isn't too much trouble to go down for the day. We are going to have to do it more often since it was such a great trip!

Grace's New Dresser

My talented friend April painted and distressed this dresser of my mom's to go in Grace's room. I love it! It turned out just perfectly!

My Little Reader!

On Tuesday Henry read his first book entirely by himself! I was so proud of him. (I know this milestone requires a lot more practice, sort of like walking, but it was a "first step.") The book was appropriately titled I like Bugs. While his vocabulary is still limited, he is learning new words every day and getting better and better and sounding them out on his own. This book was 21 pages, and he read the whole thing! Way to go Henry! We are so proud of you, little guy!

Little Stepping Stones

Carter (7), Will (7), Kate (5), Reid (5), Preston (5), Henry (4), Grayson (2), Grant (2), Grace (2)

On Sunday we went to pick Henry up in Cullman. Here are a few pics of all nine Patterson grandchildren in birth order. They are just little stepping stones! They are already getting to the age where they really have so much fun together, and I'm so thankful that they are all blessed with so many cousins so close in age. What fun!

Football Party!

Henry went to Cullman to play with his cousins after his soccer game on Saturday, so we invited one of the twins' friends, Riley, to come over with her parents to help us cheer on Auburn. They were quite the cheerleaders, but apparently they did not cheer hard enough.

I had to take a picture of David's post game setup. He had one of these TVs on the porch during the game. After the game he brought them both inside, dedicating one to football and the other to playstation. Men & their TVs :)

Let the Games Begin!

Henry had his first soccer game of the season Saturday! He had a great time despite the very muddy field. He scored, he got dirty, and he got a snack. What more can a little boy ask for? Unfortunately, I brought the wrong camera lens so I got better pics of our little fans than of our little player. I'll do better this weekend!
Henry celebrating after scoring a goal!

"His Compassions Never Fail"

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness." Lam. 3:22-23

I like to thing of this blog (and our life in general) as a bright spot, a place to find humor and appreciate life, and hopefully give people a happy respite from this crazy world, a little encouragement along the way, and a good laugh as they read about our happenings. However, it seems over the past month our community has just been rocked with some tough blows, and I just feel broken.

It seems the past few weeks we have had to be there to support friends as they deal with things everyone hopes to never face. My sweet friend Lauren who I blogged about a few weeks ago begins 40 weeks of chemo this coming Friday. I'm praying for her. I teach the youth at my church, and one of our youth was tragically killed in a car accident Thursday morning. I'm praying for our youth and trying to be supportive of them. Then yesterday morning one of my best friends awoke at 5 am to discover her two month old had passed away in his sleep the night before. Yesterday was a day I will never forget as long as I live. It's 4:48 am & I 've been up since 3:30....just finding it hard to sleep as my heart just breaks for her.

Here's a pic of baby Walt at our house a few weeks ago for a playdate. What a sweet little angel.

At times like this I find myself reflecting on verses like, "God is close to the broken hearted...." Psalm 34:18; "The Lord is my strength and my song." Exodus 15:2; "He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3; "There is a time for everything...." Ecc. 3:1-8; "For those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31........and I could go on and on. As I try to draw strength from scripture and prayer for myself, but primarily to be encouraging for the sake of my friends, I just find myself on my knees. There are just some things (wait, make that everything) that God can handle better than we can if we'll just let Him!

My sweet sister in law made a statement this week that I found profound and encouraging. She is such a wonderful woman of God. She said, (and I hope you don't mind me sharing this Lindsey), "No matter what happens in this world, our hope in Christ is sure. We will worship God in his greatness, enjoy God in his goodness, and one day never experience evil again." (Rev 21 & 22). Amen & Amen!!

I know that God can be glorified in all things and all circumstances, but that just doesn't make days like today any easier. Praying for my sweet friends, their families, and all that love them dearly....

Wee Flip Gym!

We are super excited to have a Wee Flip Gym open in our area now! The kids had a blast today at open play. Henry even skipped MDO to come with us. He didn't want to miss out on the fun!

(Henry prefers only to pose while making silly faces these days.)

Grace had a blast and was hamming it up for the camera too!

It was hard to get more pics of Grant when he spent the majority of the morning riding this silly train. He loved it! He struggled to even share with his friends, because that could require him to get out of the train for a minute.

First Dance Class!

Grace got up this morning and you would have thought it was Christmas. The long awaited day was finally here, and out she pranced in her leotard at 6:30 am! I had to explain that she needed to wear clothes to school, and that ballet would be later in the day. (I also had to explain to Grant that dance was for girls!) She was so excited, and I wanted to share in her excitement! I snuck over to her school from my office and took a few pics while trying to hide behind a door so she would not see me. This pic is nothing special, but it was the best I got (and I had to go back to work!) They had just gotten dressed & were all learning about standing in their spots. When I picked her up from school today she told me, "I dance! I a ballerina!" Sweetness :) Even if she doesn't learn a thing, she sure is going to enjoy Wednesdays this year. My little princess has found another outlet for her girly ways :)

Party Palooza :)

We had a fun weekend celebrating birthdays with friends. Grant and Grace had a blast at Gymboree helping Ansley celebrate her big third birthday!

Henry had a great time with his buds at Pump it Up helping Elias celebrate his 5th birthday. Henry ate his dinner next to his sweet friend Austin. Austin asked him, "Henry will I see you in God?" (He meant heaven.) Henry said, "Yes, I'll see you in heaven." (At this point the room sort of quieted down as people were eating and also ears were perking up as they listened in on the boys' converation.) Henry then continued, "But you don't go to heaven until you die, and you don't die until you get REALLY old. Old like that lady over there (and pointed at a gray haired woman in the room.)" If it were possible to die of embarrassment, you would be planning my funeral right now! While incredibly embarrassing for me, it was also hysterical and absolutely one of those stories I had to blog about so I will remember it one day! Henry, you are a sweet little MESS!!

Parks, Playgrounds & Picnics!

Last Thursday I took the Grant & Grace to one playground in the morning. Then that afternoon, I took Henry, Grant & Grace to another playground (sans camera!) We are enjoying this beautiful weather, and we are so thankful for so many nice parks and playgrounds nearby to help us enjoy it!

Answered Prayers Already!

An update on my friend, Lauren (from her mom). She has been given a better diagnosis among other things! God is so good. Thanks for all of your prayers!!

"Thank you to all of you who are keeping my family in your hearts and prayers. I wanted to give you an update on Lauren because we received some good news this past Fri. UAB and United Health Care have agreed to take on Lauren as a singe case excemption which will open doors for her. MD Anderson called and put Lauren's info into the their computer system and we are now awaiting an appointment date. Someone has generously donated a private plane to take Lauren and Lyle to and from Houston whenever they need it. The pathologist at St. Vincent's called late Fri. afternoon to tell her that her diagnosis is extraskeletal Ewings Sarcoma which is way better than desmoplastic cancer. We are humbled and amazed at the prayers that have been made for Lauren and her family. Please continue to pray for her as she recovers from her surgery and gets ready for her first chemo treatment. May God bless each and everyone of you with His peace and grace. We love you all."

Not Your Ordinary Daddy

David does such a good job with the kids. He loves to get his guitar out and sing their favorite songs or make up songs according to their suggestions. This pic was taken a few nights ago while they enjoyed a bubble bath and David made up a silly song about fingers (hence the reason they all have their hands in the air.) They are crazy about their Daddy. It's not hard to see why! :)

What a Trooper!

Sweet Grant was sent from the pediatrician to the Children's Hospital ER yesterday due to mysterious back pain, fever and vomiting. They were worried it could be anything from pneumonia to pancreatitis to a variety of other things affecting your "middle." However, after much testing everything came back normal and we left the hospital pleased to know that our sweet little toddler merely had a virus that was making him achy! I can handle that. We were thankful for the prayers and know God performs little miracles every day! Grant was so brave, and we rewarded him repeatedly for being such a good patient!

Praying Without Ceasing

This picture makes me laugh every time I look at it! We took this picture last February while celebrating Jennifer's (the girl in the middle) 30th birthday. I have known Jennifer and Lauren almost all my life, and the six of us (including our husbands) have the best time. We laugh until we cry, cut up like we are nowhere close to being adults, and have more inside jokes than I can possibly keep straight.

Lauren (the girl in the orange shirt in this pic) was pregnant back in February when this picture was taken & gave birth to a precious baby boy in May. She also has a two year old little girl. Lauren & I cheered together in high school, pledged Phi Mu together at Auburn, and have always remained close since we both moved back to Birmingham after college.

My sweet Lauren has had a rough week. Last Friday she found out what she thought was a hematoma was in fact a cancerous tumor the size of a grapefruit in her abdomen. This was totally unexpected and left her doctors speechless. While in surgery, they removed the tumors, her left ovary and part of her small intestine. We all felt like we'd been punched in the stomach. I sure do have a lot of questions for God when I get to heaven. We may need more than a few cups of coffee to discuss them all. :)

By Monday she and her sweet husband Lyle had learned that Lauren had a very rare and aggressive form of cancer: desmoplastic small cell cancer with round blue cells. She just left the hospital today and will be heading to MD Anderson soon to seek further treatment. She's looking at a least a year of chemotherapy.

Lauren is a strong and Godly woman, a wonderful mother and an extraordinary wife and friend. I believe in the power of prayer, and know God performs miracles every day. In times like this I really realize what it means to "pray without ceasing" as I just can't get her off my mind for a second. I hope that you'll join me in praying for Lauren. I'm praying for strength for her and her caregivers and those caring for her children, wisdom for the doctors, and a miraculous recovery. She has the support of so many, and I know that is exactly what she needs to beat this. We believe in you, Lauren, and we are cheering for you every step of the way! Love you so much, sweet friend!