Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday. I woke up this morning with a verse in my head and heart..."You saw me before I was born. Everyday was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14,16

The girls wanted to stay home from school and declare my birthday a national holiday! So, I decided to take the party to them...I took cupcakes to school and we ate lunch together. Ally made me this birthday card. (below)


Dove is my favorite chocolate...These Dove Bananas Foster are heavenly. Thank you Honey for the chocolates!
Ally made me this beautiful bracelet. It says "MOMMY IS THE BEST" I can't wait to wear it all the time!
Olivia made me a key chain that says "I LOVE JESUS, I LOVE MY MOMMY"


I received so many birthday wishes...here are just a few I wanted to remember:

Paul Patrick: Today, many years ago... Well, not THAT many... God gave the world a gift. One that I will treasure always, my wife. I thank and praise him for you. Without you & your support, I could not be near the man God wants me to be. We are a team. Love you honey, have a wonderful day.

Ann Patrick: I hope you are having a wonderful birthday. you are a living testimony to God. He did make you special.

Kelly Martin Stamps: Happy Birthday Bethany!!!!

Angie Nix Slone: Happy Birthday, Bethany! Knowing your testimony...that verse fits you to a tee!! God had a precious plan for your life and you are a living and breathing testimony of Gods amazing grace!!!! (((hug)))

Cindy Upton McCorkle: Happy Birthday!!! Lots of good people born on this day...haha!! Have a great one!!!

Carolyn Russell Larimer: Have a great B-day!

Amber Brown Williams: Happy Birthday Bethany!! Hope your day is very special!!

I couldn't imagine not having friends and family to share my life with. Thank you all for making my life SWEETER!
We are celebrating my birthday Saturday with some close friends. I will post back then with the neat gifts and cards I received. There's nothing like having multiple birthday parties. We celebrate all week long!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Spring Break 2009

We stayed home for Spring Break this year. We needed the rest and relaxation of some down time.The girls had a great week. Here's a break down of what we did:

Monday: Pajama Day! Play outside on trampoline. Had a nice picnic in our big backyard with the wind and dog...Ally's tomatoes flew off her plate and Zozo our dog caught them and ate them! HA!

Tuesday: The girls went to a friends house and played all day, while I stayed home and had some great quiet time with God!

Wednesday: Picked up Susie Q Burgers and ate lunch with Daddy, then went shopping together.

Thursday: Spring Cleaning, they helped clean the whole house! They did an excellent job, Yippe!

Friday: (Today) Rest and movie day!

Saturday: Well, we're gonna see how much snow we get. Cook: 15 bean cajun soup, play games and watch movies. 

Sunday: Worship the King in His Sanctuary! My favorite day...teach Children's choir

School will start back Monday. AND

TUESDAY is MY BIRTHDAY, THE BIG 32.  
The girls are home bodies. They love eating at "Mamma's Kitchen". They had rather me cook than go out to eat. Ally bought me a sign for my kitchen. She wanted me to showcase it on the front entrance of our house so others can enjoy my home cooking! She keeps asking when am I going to open my own restaurant. I will be the first to tell you "Thats not happening". I don't mind cooking but it's not a passion of mine. 

I surprised Paul with a Weber Charcoal Grill. He has been begging for a Weber grill for a couple years. I went to Home Depot, purchased it, loaded it up, brought it home and unloaded it in the garage where he parks his car. When he arrived home that day and pushed the remote for the garage to open...well, he was surprised there was a Nice Weber Grill waiting for him! I didn't get a good picture of his face. You can imagine he was shocked! There it is sitting next to the gas grill. We grilled the most delicious hamburgers on it. I am sold on Charcoal Grills!



Monday, March 23, 2009

Happy Belated Birthday Mom!

Ok...Before you think poorly of me writing a belated birthday wish for my mom, I just want to say, I sent her a card and called her on her birthday which was Friday, March 20th (3 days ago) The girls and I sang Happy Birthday to her over the phone. My mother isn't a computer savy gal and I knew she would probably never see this post, But then I thought, others see my blog and I want to take a moment and brag on her. My mother is a very sweet and caring person. Growing up we had funny times, sweet moments and our mother/teenage fights too. God has grown us so much over the years. My mother has always been there to help us (me, Paul and the girls) no matter what the cost. She has always put herself last when we needed help. I talk to her daily. She works full time for an opthamologist in Memphis, Tn. She has a servant's heart, caring for my grandmother daily, and visiting her sister-n-law in the nursing home. She is always on the go providing for everyone and seems to barely have time to take care of herself. She is a hero to so many people.
Mom- You have the heart of Jesus. You extend yourself to the fullest and in the end when you feel unappreicated you still serve. Jesus see's your heart. I see your heart. We love you. You are appreciated more than you know by people who see you serving everyday.

This is for you..."God Is Crazy About You" Max Lucado
IF GOD HAD A REFRIGERATOR, YOUR PICTURE WOULD BE ON IT. IF HE HAD A WALLET, YOUR PHOTO WOULD BE IN IT. HE SENDS YOU FLOWERS EVERY SPRING AND A SUNRISE EVERY MORNING. WHENEVER YOU WANT TO TALK, HE'LL LISTEN. HE CAN LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE UNIVERSE, AND HE CHOSE YOUR HEART...FACE IT, MOM, HE'S CRAZY ABOUT YOU!

Wishing you very Happy Birthday...We Love you!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Happy 1st Birthday Zoe!

Zoe 8 weeks old
Zoe 1 year old birthday party!
Zoe eating her cupcake...well inhaling her cupcake!

Zoe was born March 22, 2008. She is one year old. She had a fabulous day with her family. We fixed her a tenderloin dinner. We then celebrated with cupcakes (which she loved, she tried to eat the cat's cupcake too) and presented her with her presents which were a squeeky cupcake toy and real Ham Bone with lots of meat on it. After inhaling all the goodies, we took her on a walk through the walking trail we love to go on. She loved it. I'm sure she is pooped and ready to go to bed. Well, as I'm writing she is still gnawing on her ham bone. Here's a little about Zoe.

She is a Brussels Griffon breed. If you've seen the movies "As Good As It Gets" or "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" you will see her breed in those movies. They are very smart dogs. She was easily house trained. She loves all of her family but is constantly at my side. Wherever I go, she is my shadow. Paul jokes that "heaven forbid anything happen to momma...The dog would surely die!" She sleeps in the bed with us. Usually like a human, under the covers with her head sticking out on my pillow. We tried making her sleep in her own bed down in the floor by ours but that didn't work. She is a very good, loyal, affectionate dog. We love her so much and she is a permanent part of our family! Happy 1st Birthday ZoZo!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy Birthday "My Other Mom"!

Today is my mother-n-law's birthday. This is a picture of her with "puff" her cat. Don't be fooled by this sweet looking kitty, she is really a terror! But, occassionally she lets you love on her. Mom, we are so blessed to have you as a mother, grandmother and friend in our lives. This is our birthday wish for you
God gave a gift to the world when you were born—
a person who loves, who cares,
who sees a person’s need and fills it,
who encourages and lifts people up,

May the love you have shown to others
return to you, multiplied.
We wish you the happiest of birthdays,
and many, many more,
so that others have time to appreciate you
as much as we do.
We love you,
Your Children and Grandchildren in Arkansas!
Paul, Bethany, Olivia and Ally

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Finished Floors Project!

The Girls' Room

Playroom Closet, Wow! Organized
Playroom Livy's desk area
Playroom, Ally's Desk area

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Concrete Stain Paint

I wanted to post a picture, so you could see the concrete floor project we have been working on. I purchased some nice rugs to go in the rooms. This is so much healthier than carpet. We were stunned at the filfth under the carpet and absorbed padding. Paul posted some pictures of the floors on facebook. We have received so many positive responses from people about how great the floors look. We have never done this before but with both of us being perfectionists, it had to turn out great or we would've covered it with other flooring! We are not done, but are close. We still have to apply a protective coat, then we can take off the blue tape around the baseboards. We then will need to nail in quarter round around the baseboards. It is so nice looking. Exactly what I invisioned in my head. We will start on the master bedroom (yippee) next weekend. It is a lengthy process. I am hoping we will be back in our room by the following Saturday. Then we will be done for a while with HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

A Few Things

This is Addi with the girls in our backyard. She is 5 years old. She is one of the little girls in our subdivison. The girls love to "Baby" her and play with her. Isn't she so cute and precious? 

Preparing the concrete to stain it. 

We are in the process of staining the concrete in the bedrooms as you can see above. It's harder work than I first thought. Actually, it's just time consuming. Paul is the one with patience, not me. I want it all done at the snap of fingers. Where is my fairy God-Mother? All of the furniture, clothes, toys and junk is in my living room. I am going CRAZY with all the clutter. If you know me, I like a crisp, clean house, everything has a place and is in it's place before I go to bed each night. Even the throw blankets have to be folded and placed nicely on the arm of the couch/chair or I can't go to sleep. I know life is too short to worry about things like that but, I like getting up to a nicely organized house and enjoying my coffee and quiet time without a to-do list running through my mind. 
The girl's clothes are laying on a chair in the living room. Flower, our cat decided to find her a comfortable place to nap. She is so sweet and FAT! 

The 1st grader's performed a musical last night called "When I Grow Up". They did a wonderful job. 
"Free to Be Me" Soloist: Ally Patrick

Ally had a solo and said she was a little nervous...you couldn't tell! She held that mic like a professional. She was a cowgirl. She is shy and I hope she begins to come out of that. She has the personality to be in the spotlight and a voice that will knock your socks off! My friend Glenda heard her one night while she was visiting us at our house. She and I were in the Family room talking about this-n-that. The girls were in the living room. Glenda had to stop me mid sentence and ask who was singing? If it was a CD? No, it was Ally. Ally got up and performed the musical for Glenda. She has performed the musical for all the neighborhood kids too! I believe she is growing out of her shyness. She did a fabulous job tonight! Yea! Great job Ally!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Gifted and Talented!

All of the kids in school take standarized tests. The score results of these tests are tallied and complied on a spreadsheet. Scores that exceed the screening guidelines for Gifted and Talented children also known as "TREC" (Think, Research, Explore, Create) are highlighted and a conference is held with the child's teacher to receive further input about the student, including teacher's observations regarding emotional maturity and responsibility. Well, I received a letter today from the "Gifted and Talented staff with the Board of Education". Ally is in 1st grade. She has been recognized as a gifted and talented learner. I always knew and expressed that Ally was a gifted child. She learned fractions at the age of five with ease. Also in kindergarten on the AR Reading (Accelerated reader) she recieved 140% on her reading in the 1st semester! She has always pronunciated all of her words precise and corrects all of us when we are wrong. She uses large words that I don't even know the meaning of. She will probably correct me now for using a preposition at the end of a sentence. yes, she reads my posts, she is my little editor!

Let me tell you a little more about the "TREC" (Think, Research, Explore, Create) program. Ally will be given a battery of tests which include... Acheivement, Perceptive Reasoning, Creativity, and Intelligence. Once we receive those scores "TREC" will place her according to her knowledge of those tests. We (all of our family) always knew Ally was beyond her peers in learning. Heck, she's beyond us sometimes!  She would come home from school and tell me. "School is easy. I all ready know all of that stuff. Why do I have to go to school? " I knew she was gifted and wanted the school to see her potential and giftedness. 
Thank you Lord, for your never ending blessings. You created her long before I knew she was in my womb, to be the gifted child she is today. My prayer is that she will continue to grow in your knowledge. That you would lead and guide her in your footsteps to do the plan you have laid out for her. That she would realize early that you created her giftedness. I pray she will honor you and give you the glory daily for this blessing.