This is the Day!

Sweet, Sweet Ally and her Gifted and Talented Class

2009-09-22T19:01:00.005-05:00

I sat down for lunch today at work to enjoy my lunch with my students. I opened my lunch box and was most pleasantly surprised to see this note. It was a wonderful surprise! I couldn't help but to thank God above for caring, wonderful girls! I am so blessed!

As most of you know, Ally was accepted into the gifted and talented program at school. One of her teachers sent me an email today. It follows:

"As part of our visual/spatial stand of our Thinking Outside the Box (TOB) class, we have been working with tangrams and analyzing how to put them together to make geometric shapes. Today we moved on to outline shapes of pictures that went with our story about tangrams. Allyson was working very quickly through all of them and seemed to be able to visualize what was needed – a certain piece or a flip, rotation, or spin of the piece. She is very quiet and was not making a big production about being finished but I noticed how easily she was doing them. When she got to the harder ones she didn’t complain but just kept plugging away. I love to see our children’s minds work. What a joy!"
Miss Stringfield

I am so proud of you Ally! Keep up the great work.

"Blessing Received!"

2009-09-13T17:24:00.003-05:00

I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth...just been so busy teaching my sweet students. I have to say I all ready love all 18 of them! I had a great 1st week with them. I have one little girl (I'll call her Mary) in my class that refuses to go home with mom every afternoon. She tries new tactics to make mom go away! This past Thursday she saw mom come in the classroom to pick her up from school...Mary jumped under the table and refused to go with mom. She said to mom "I'm not going home with you...I'm going home with Mrs. Bethany." I eventually got under the table with her and persuaded her to go with mom.

I have also enjoyed getting to know the parents. God continues to bless me daily. I work with the most loving teachers. Since I have been there, they have welcomed me with open arms. I am so thankful for God's blessing on my life. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." I could have not listened to God and ignored his spirit in my soul in regards to applying for this job...I was content being a home mom...but in the end "leaning on my own understanding"...would have thrown God's wonderful blessing of this job away. That's why the verse says..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart and not in your understanding." He wants us to receive his blessings daily. Who wouldn't want that? Has he stamped your calendar for today..."Blessing Received!"

God continue's to Bless!

2009-08-27T20:35:00.001-05:00

These are only a few pictures of my classroom. I will post others later. These really do not do my room justice but I wanted to include pictures with this post...so this is what you get! A view of my classroom

Outside my classroom. Those are frogs on lily pads with my kids names on them.

My Circle Time Area!

It has been a busy week my first week at work (school). A lot of meetings! Open house was great yesterday! I can't wait to start teaching my kids.

Today God opened another door for me at school. The lady that had been leading the music programs had surgery and therefore cannot teach this year. I was told that I will be taking her position as well as teaching my class. So, I will be directing music for the preschoolers as well. As overwhelming as that may be...I know God has equipped me to follow through with His plan! He will give me all the tools I need to lead his precious children in music this year! Praise the Lord, because I know I am so unworthy of this job. I also know I cannot complete it in my own strength. I'm so glad I have Him to call on for strength. What would I do without Him? I love Him so much!

Happy Birthday Olivia!

2009-08-15T00:00:00.002-05:00

Today is Olivia Grace 9th Birthday!

Paul and I tried for 3 1/2 years to conceive a baby. I went to numerous fertility specialist's and cried many tears thinking I would never succeed in becoming pregnant. Then on December 18, 1999 I became pregnant. It was way to early for a pregnancy test to confirm it, but I knew within my heart God had blessed us with a baby. I loved being pregnant with her. I treated myself to gravy and biscuit very morning at Hardees. Then off to work I would go to the Oncology Clinic. I was a doctor assistant and loved it. Olivia was born August 15, 2000 and I became a very fulfilled stay at home mom.

Olivia, I fell inlove with you the moment I laid eyes on you and held you in my arms. Today, you are growing into a wonderful, sweet, and caring young lady. I have seen God work in your life the last year delivering you from many fears. I see you reading your bible at night before bedtime. We are so glad God gave you to us. You are our miracle! We love you so much!

I will post more pictures later today of the birthday party. We are taking her to Abuelo's for dinner tonight. She got her ears pierced as one of her birthday presents from us and $50 cash to spend. We are having another "Birthday Luau" celebration with her friends on Aug. 29th.

New Job Teaching!

2009-08-08T12:56:00.007-05:00

I changed my blog design because all three of The Patrick Girls are going to school. I'm teaching and attending school and the girls are in 2nd and 3rd grade. It's going to be a Fantastic year! Olivia on her first day of 3rd grade!
Ally on her first day of 2nd grade!
I have been so busy with our new schedule I haven't found any time to write a post. The girls got off to a great start at school this past week. Ally is in 2nd grade and Olivia 3rd grade. They love their teachers. I do too! I have also started teaching Pre K at "My Friends and Me" preschool. I have my own classroom and get to decorate it the way I want! Yippy! Usually in preschool's you are directed in your room to do what the director wants...well, I have been blessed to be able to come in this preschool and plan, give ideas to other teachers, and decorate my room. The director and I are talking about incorporating a music program...which I will direct. I have taught preschool/elementary choir for more than 5 years. My class name is "the Friendly Frogs" I came up with a bulletin board idea that says "Look who's hopping into preschool!" I have a blue background for water, then put my kids names on frogs and posted them to the lily pads on the board. I put a sign above my door that says "Welcome to My Pad!" I love teaching...I love coming up with new ideas and brainstorming! On top of teaching I will be going to school to get my CDA to complete my child development certification.

Here's the story of God giving me this job:

One Saturday morning Paul was in the kitchen cooking crepes. He is a wonderful cook. That's a God thing too, but I'll save that story for another day. I was sitting at the kitchen table looking for a rat cage for the girls pet rats cinnamon and caramel. Wait...that didn't sound right. I wasn't looking for a rat cage for the girls! Let me make that clear before DHS shows up on my door step. Their rats are currently in a small aquarium and need more room. I was looking at the newpaper on the laptop. I clicked on classified and saw a job listing for a lead 3 yr old teacher. Let me make this clear...I am content being a home mom, so I wasn't looking for work but God burdened me as I read the ad. I left the table, went to my room and prayed about that job. I continued to feel God moving me toward it. So, I told God I would go Monday and apply for it. I did. There were so many others there as well applying for the position. I gave it to God, because like I said, I am happy at home caring for my family. I was in a win/win situation. I went for my interview on a Thursday morning. As I walked through the front doors, I noticed the board room with women around it meeting. I knew they were interviewing another girl for the position. That's when the fear set in. I had butterflies and almost walked right back out the door. But it was then and there God whispered to me..."Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you." I have expereienced God's peace on many occasions. I knew that now I would have those butterflies but when I stepped the first foot in that room to be interviewed He would give me His Ultimate Peace! I stayed and waited for my turn and once the door opened for me to be interviewed His peace fell from heaven and saturated the room. I felt at home with all of these ladies. I was still not confident that I had the job. They had interviewed others previously that week. The board executive said during my interview "we only hire teachers with degrees" I replied...I don't have a degree, I have been taking classes as I could afford it..but I have a ways to go to get my certification." I was thinking maybe this job isn't meant to be. They told me as the interviewd had ended that they would call me later the next week with a decision. Two hours after my interview they called me giving me the job AND offering to send me through school for my last two years for FREE! Now, That is a GOD THING! As I sit here and type this I have goose bumps over me because God is SO FAITHFUL! I have been praying for years to be able to go to school and become a teacher. This has been my dream since I was 5 years old. This is not a normal everyday thing that happens. This is a miracle. I can't stop telling God how GOOD He is! He is So Good! All the time!

So as I end this post I will try to write as often as I can. Just know I love you all.

AWSUME!

2009-07-08T18:47:00.005-05:00

I was cleaning off Ally's desk tonight in the school room at home and found this beautiful drawing of me and words she used to describe me. It reads:

"Mom, you are AWSUME! Mom you are AMAZING. I can't describe you cause you are beautiful! When I look at you I can't believe my eyes. Cause you are everything to me."

I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear when I read those words. As a mother, my children regularly give me encouragement. I am blessed, so blessed to stay home with them. My spiritual gift is encouragement. It comes natural to me. I can't help but to praise and encourage others. No wonder Olivia and Ally are encouragers, they learn it in the home!

Ally, thank you for the beautiful picture and words of encouragement! I love you!!!!!
Mommy

Pancake Wiener!

2009-07-07T20:46:00.005-05:00

"Pig in a blanket"

Ally and Olivia were playing outside this evening with their friends Alexis, and Brittany, across the street. Olivia came in crying. She came to me and I asked her what was wrong.

She said, "Ally fell down outside, I went to help her up, but Brittany got there first. I told Brittany "I am her sister, let me help her." Brittany started screaming at me, calling me names, like loser, and 10 other names. Before I could think, I screamed back at her Pancake Wiener!"

Well, I first began to talk to her about letting her light shine for Jesus instead of stooping low to Brittany's games. Then I had to ask...Olivia, what is a pancake wiener? That's when Paul chimed in...I think she meant "pig in a blanket." It was that moment I looked at Olivia, then Paul and died laughing...Paul died laughing...Olivia died laughing. The crying stopped and we were all laughing! I could just imagine Olivia getting all frustrated. She was hurt by the cruel words her friend spoke to her and felt she had to get even by calling her a really bad name!

I'm so grateful my children do not know the words in the "Hell Book." You know what I'm referring too. Paul and I try our best to model Christ in our daily lives. If those words are not healthy for my children to use I don't want them coming out of my mouth either, much less my ears hearing them. I'm not glad she chose to call her friend a name, but pancake wiener is a lot better word than most kids speak these days. And, yes, I did make her go and apologize to her friend for calling her "pancake wiener."

Thank you Lord for my sweet girls. Help them to honor you daily!

A Book of Blessings!

2009-07-05T19:38:00.011-05:00

I didn't mean to write a book. I just began to list gratefulness...Two things I am grateful for...it ended up being long!

Paul and I...

God is so good to us. Lately, every night Paul and I have been going to bed reading our bibles. Our bibles sit on each of our night stands. We can't get enough of God's word! Isn't that a blessing! The blessing is...knowing our girls see us as a couple, as their parents, love Jesus with all our hearts, soaked in His word and conversing about it together. The girls know God is first in our lives, in our marriage. It's a joy to be able to sit in bed with my husband and have conversations about the Lord and His faithful promises! I have prayed so long for this moment. I relish it!

Thank you Lord for your answered prayer, for drawing Paul close to you...for teaching him how to love me and the girls...for you are pure love...for molding him into your likeness...for giving him a desire to serve and worship you...for his desire to read your word and apply it daily...for making him a new man than he was when I first met him...he is a better man...a patient, loving, God fearing man...something only you could do and I praise you for that. Thank you for teaching him to be the leader of our home and for teaching me to step back and let him fulfill your plan in that role...Thank you for giving me hope everyday not to stop praying for Paul, when I was ready to give up...You are so evident in our marriage, family and lives. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Me and the Girls...

They are my joy! I look back over the years when Paul and I first moved to Arkansas 12 years ago without any children...and think "Wow" God is so good to us! He is so good to me to be able to stay home with the girls and teach them. I am so undeserving, yet He has called me to be a stay home mom. He reinforces it constantly to me, when I think about and sometimes desire to go back into the workforce. He says, No! I know I am where I am supposed to be at this season of my life. I am so grateful God is in control of my life. I don't have to worry about anything. He has it all figured out! Hallelujah!!!!

I am grateful He gave me girls...they are minnie me's. Well, to be honest...Ally is minnie me. She is so matter of fact, sassy and smart just like I was when I was small. I knew what I wanted and how to get it!So many of her comments remind my mother of me. She also looks like me when I was small. I have a picture in my hallway of me and my brother. I was around 7 or 8 years old in the picture. I have a friend that came in to my home a month or so ago and asked..."Ally, who is that in this picture with you? " Ally said..."That's not me, that's my mommy." Elaine, my friend laughed when she realized it was me. Although, it definently could have passed for Ally.

Olivia is like her daddy...passive, low key, tolerant, sweet, and loving. Not to say that Ally and I are not sweet and loving. We know when to let the love flow! Me and the girls are the three muskateers. We stick together no matter what.

Before you think poor Paul...He has the best life! He gets a lot of love from Queen Bethany and his Princess' Olivia and Ally! God knew we needed sweet, loving girls to fulfill my joy and spoil Paul rotten!

Blessings,

Bethany

Your love is deep, high, long, wide!

2009-06-30T15:07:00.014-05:00

God has Never let me down. He is faithful to the end. I look back over my life and see all the unfortunate trauma's I endured as a child and growing into a young lady...trauma's no child should ever have to endure, but God used all of those circumstances to mold me and teach me of His perfect plan for my life. He has always been there for me...He is faithful, even when I am not.

You continually put your word on my lips. My tongue shall praise you all the days of my life.
Your love is deep, high, long, and wide!

Your love is deep
Your love is high
Your love is long
Your love is wide

Your love is deeper than my view of grace.
Higher than this worldly place
Longer than this road I've traveled
Wider than the gap you've filled.

Who shall separate us...Who shall separate us from your love? Nothing can separate us...Nothing can separate us from your love!

Your love is deep

your love is high

Your love is long

Your love is wide

Romans 8:38-39
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

All I have to say is ...hallelujah! I am so thankful nothing, absolutely nothing can separate me from God's Perfect Love! I am HIS...signed, sealed and delivered, I'm yours!

Thank you Lord for your grace, mercy, blessing's, and love each and every day. I know I don't deserve them.
I Love you!

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-20T16:55:00.011-05:00

Happy Father's Day, Daddy.

Thank you for working hard at your job. Thank you for keeping our yard pretty. Thank you for blowing up the waterslide, so we can have fun and play. Thank you for loving mommy and letting her stay home to take care of us. You make us laugh and have good times. You are everything good in us. Thank you for having a giving heart. We love you so much.

Love, Olivia and Allyson Click on the Link below, It's a video called

"I'll Need You Daddy".

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=d70636f29802637a99aa&sp=2

First of all I have to say Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband. Paul, God has taught you how to be a wonderful, attentive, responsible, fun-loving dad to our girls. I love you and look forward to the future memories we will make with our family.

To the other father's and father-n-laws in our lives...We love you so much. Our family would not be complete without you being apart of it. We pray you will continue to love the Lord your God and serve Him faithfully daily. Relax and enjoy this special day.

Love and Blessings,

Bethany

Grandparent's

2009-06-14T18:39:00.004-05:00

Paul's parent's Bob and Ann came to visit us from memphis, TN this past week for grandparent's day at school. We had a great time. They arrived Tuesday, June 9th. She had a wonderful idea to cook Muffaleta's for dinner, along side Guacamole, cheese dip and chips. those who love Muffaletta's like I do know what makes the sandwich...the relish! Her's are wonderful! We took a walk through tanyard Creek and came back for a birthday party for Bob. he turned 71 June 1st. Wednesday, was grandparent's day at school so the girls got to show nana and papaw around their turf! We then came home for a nap and went to dinner at Colton's. I love their baked sweet potatoes. We took them to church after dinner. I had choir practice, Paul showed them around church. Then Thursday they were headed back home. We walked to the waterfall at Tanyard Creek. They loved it.

Miss. Davis is Ally's 1st grade teacher at school.

Papaw looking at Olivia's work at school.

We had a great time with both of you...can't wait to see you again in July in your neck of the woods!

Colorado Friday

2009-06-07T08:29:00.002-05:00

Our day Friday, May 29, 2009 in Colorado Springs.

I think you can tell from the picture where we went...The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. It truely is the best zoo I have ever toured. We actually got to feed and pet the giraffe's. The giraffe's were the first thing we saw when we entered the zoo. Then...

We decided to hop on the sky lift at the zoo. It was way cool and gave us a chance to see where we wanted to go first at the zoo.

This is a picture of us coming back down in the sky lift...same thing as a ski lift.

The most beautiful three musketeers I bet you've seen.

At the top of the mountain zoo looking down

I know it's a bit blurry... Olivia riding the zoo carousel. Ally rode a real horse but Olivia has a broken arm, so she had to settle for the carousel. Despite her facial expression, she really enjoyed it.

Ally riding her horse at the zoo

Daddy orangutan at the zoo.

I'll break down what we did...

We started out eating a wonderful breakfast at our hotel, then headed for the zoo...came back to the hotel for a quick rest and swim. We then headed out to sight-see Colorado Springs. I got to see where Paul was stationed at Fort Carson when he was in the Army, many years ago. We ended up eating dinner at Old Chicago...Yummy! and went to the mall to shop for souvenirs. We had a great day!

Colorado Thursday

2009-06-05T19:59:00.007-05:00

This is our day Thursday, May 28, 2009 in Colorado Springs...
We left denver and headed straight to Colorado Springs. The first thing we all wanted to see was Pikes Peak.

It was breath-taking! Being 14,000 feet in the air. I couldn't believe God has this view all the time. I always carry a small bible in my purse. I couldn't wait to get up to the top and shout Praises to God! This is why it is so important to memorize scripture...To Worship the King!

Pike's Peak

Our family picture of us up on Pike's Peak!

You will be able to tell that Ally LOVES getting her picture taken

Isn't this a beautiful picture of the girls?!!! I love it. I am so blessed!

Paul wrote the girls name on the side of Pike's Peak! That was cool!

Me and the girls! It is VERY cold up there, but very worth the sight

Paul and the girls on Pike's Peak! My precious family!

We then had to go to Garden of the God's. That was very beautiful too.

" Little Miss Photogenic" at Garden of the Gods

The vast beauty fo Garden of the Gods

Denver, Colorado Tuesday

2009-06-02T18:27:00.008-05:00

Escalators going to the subway for baggage claim.

The Denver state capital building is breath-taking. It is so beautiful inside! We saw the state Supreme Court, Legislative and Senate. A must see if you go to Denver.

This is the inside of Casa Bonita.

The waterfall and skit they were performing before diving into the cold water.

Tuesday morning at 11:00 we landed in Denver, Colorado. The girls did great on the plane...it was me that needed help! Every seat was taken in the plane. I am claustophobic and Olivia had to have a window seat so I was stuck in the middle of her and another lady. It was hot on the plane...so right a way I began feeling nauseated and dizzy. Let's just say I was glad to land get off that plane!

We then went downtown and toured the state Capital Building. We tried to get in to see the U.S Mint. (where they make money) but it was booked for two months. We decided to head to our hotel.

We made it our hotel and got settled in...we then went to dinner at Casa Bonita. It was so much fun. We were there for at least 3 hours. Of course as you can tell with the name it is mexican food. I love mexican! While you are eating dinner, you watch a show. There is a waterfall in the restaurant wit actors that dive off in the water, flame throwers, arcade, gift shop, haunted cave (that was cool, we went through the cave a couple times). The girls got to break a pinata and grab candy. We had a blast Tuesday. I will let you know what we did the rest of the week daily. Check back for Wednesday fun!

My Kids Are Driving Me CRAZY!

2009-05-24T20:34:00.005-05:00

Well, It's time for "The Patrick VACATION". My kids are so excited about leaving in the morning and flying to Colorado for a week that they have officially lost their minds...It started with them putting the dog on the kitchen island (so she will jump off and break her legs)...Ally standing up on the back of the couch so she could fall off and break her head...and finally Olivia grabbing the tape and taping Ally to her desk chair, round and round again. It looked like a crime scene! They have lost it. All I have to say is...Lord, please help me keep my sanity!

I will keep you updated on the trip when I return...if I don't lose my mind there! ha! I am not bringing the laptop with me to update my blog because I need a true vacation!

Blessings,

I will continue to keep you updated on Sam when I receive updated emails from Susie(mom)

Sam Update 2

2009-05-21T14:10:00.003-05:00

I received this update on Sam today from his mom, Susie. Please continue to pray for him and his family! They need all the prayers they can get...

The MRI shows that the tumor has spread to the spine and there may be some left in the brain - enough that would warrant a 2nd surgery if it is a tumor and not a blood clot - the doctors are not yet sure. Not sure when we will hear a decision on that.
Pathology came back yesterday -- it is medulloblasta (malignant). He will require 6 weeks of radiation, followed by 8 mos. of chemo, because this tumor always comes back without rad/chemo. It has a 70% 5-year survival rate with this therapy.
We won't know when the radiation will start until we know if there will be another surgery. At the latest, it will have to start 42 days following the initial surgery. One of us will have to get an apartment in Little Rock for the duration of the radiation and Sam will be out of school for a year (there is school in the hospital).
We do plan to do radiation treatments here, as there is a state of the art radiation facility here - one of a handful in the country. Chemo will take place in LR 3 days a month and the remainder back home (as long as there are no major complications)
We still don't know when we will come home - he needs extensive physical therapy - but we may be able to do it as an outpatient at home. We are hoping to know by the end of the day, but may have to wait for a consult on the 2nd surgery. Seems like everything is out of control! Good news is that he is eating better, adn brushed his own teeth (while the physical therapist held him up).
he had to have a CT scan while Steve and I was meeting with the oncologist because he tried to walk without help and hit his head on the wheelchair. I'm sure he feels even less control than we do.
Thank to everyone for your continued support, prayers, notes, gifts, everything. The oncologist heard about Sam before he even got his file because people who heard our story called the doctor to let him know about Sam!
Susie

I will keep you updated when I receive information. Just keep praying...God is hearing! He is working, we may not see it at this moment but he has a plan for Sam, and his family!

Sam Update

2009-05-20T10:03:00.004-05:00

I will try to post all the updates as soon as I get them about the little boy, Sam who had a brain tumor. In this update there is not alot to say...they are taking one day at a time. The email that was sent from his mom, Susie follows...

Hi Bethany,

Thanks for the note. This is unthinkable. we had some good days since the initial diagnosis...we weren't sure if it was operable considering the location, etc. So a fairly successful surgery was a good first step for us. Watching him go through this is sad for me. He did have a good day today, because Jackson came to visit and he was like a new little boy. We will definently add you to our update list. We may not send one out everyday, but we will try. It is absolutely wonderful that you added him to the prayer list. It has been comforting to know there are so many people pulling for the little guy. I will let you know if there is anything you can help us with. Lucky for us my mom and step dad are in Bella Vista, so my daughter is taken care of. So many people have pitched in to help - it is quite touching.

Thanks again for the note. We do appreciate your prayers.

Susie

Please continue to pray for Sam. I saw a picture of him yesterday with mom eating lunch in the cafeteria at the hospital. It broke my heart, seeing him in his wheel chair with mom on his side. I couldn't imagine that being one of my children. Yet, here is a mother holding on to her child hoping he will pull through and be healed. God can touch him. He is hearing all of our prayers. I will send other updates as I get them. Thank you prayer warriors!

Please Pray for Sam...

2009-05-18T11:22:00.002-05:00

Sam is a little boy in Olivia's 2nd grade class. Last week he began vomiting at school. Thinking it was a stomach bug he went home from school early. A couple days later he was still vomiting at home. His mom took him to the doctor and they found a brain tumor. He was rushed to Children's Hospital in Little Rock. The tumor has been removed but the doctors believe it is cancer. He will undergo chemo soon. Please pray for Sam, his family and RE Baker Elementary. Olivia's class is heartbroken for this fellow student and friend.

Specifically pray...

*God will give the doctors and surgeons wisdom to help Sam.

* God will comfort and bring peace to the family.

* God will show Himself and make His presence known to all the staff at the hospital.

* God will bring comfort and peace to the students at school.

*I don't know if this family has a relationship with Christ, but pray for God to send someone to draw them to Him! Pray for their salvation.

*and ultimately, Pray for God's Will to be done.

I can't begin to imagine what this family is feeling. The roller coaster they will begin and endure for months. We don't know why God allows certain tragedies to come through our lives. I know God will receive the glory in the end. Nothing comes to us without going through His hands first. Thank you Lord for having a plan for our lives. Thank you for your Sovereignty. Thank you for loving us so much to die for us that we may spend eternity with you!

Thankful for a broken arm!

2009-05-13T19:04:00.004-05:00

Olivia's beautiful cast.

Dr Cooper setting the cast.

She is a trooper! This contraption is to try to straighten the broken bones out as much as possible, so Dr. Copper could put the broken bones back in place before he molded the cast to her wrist.

She broke both wrist bones. The doctor said "You did a doozy"!

Xrays show "Closed Fracture of Lower End of Radius with Ulna" and the other fracture is "Fracture of Distal End of Radius and Ulna"
My terms "Full broke wrist"

Let me take a minute and tell you about how this happened and her being a testimony to the doctors and staff at Mercy Hospital. This might be a little long and I apologize for those who enjoy short stories but stay with me, this will bless you!

She was riding her scooter outside with friends. She lost her balance and went crashing onto the sidewalk. She reached out her right arm to catch herself, when it snapped her wrist into. Pretty standard! Her friend came to the door and rang the doorbell and said "Mrs. Patrick, would you please come, Olivia is hurt really bad." Believe it or not I didn't panic. God was all ready working His peace in both me and Olivia. She wasn't crying either. She was laying down on the sidewalk like she was dead... but she calmly stated as I walked up to her. Mom, I broke my arm." I squatted beside her and said "yes, Ma'am you did! I was trying to figure out how to get her up to the car without moving her arm. That's when God sent an angel... This lady came over to help. She did everything fast and perfectly. She wrapped Olivia's arm up and tied it as a sling around her neck. Ally ran in to get ice and shoes. I grabbed my purse and we were off to the hospital.

We got to the hospital, they immediatley took her back to a room. She had and x-ray within 10 minutes of being there and had an IV inserted to start her Morphine. Still, she wasn't crying. Not one complaint came out of her mouth. I told her as we were sitting there "Olivia, God knew you were going to break your arm this morning when you got up to get ready for school. He knew last week when you would go through this." Her reply was "Thank you God for sparing my legs." What kind of child thanks God and doesn't say..." Then why did He allow this to happen?"No, She thanked Him! Some of us adults need to learn thankfulness in times of storms.

She was the talk of the ER. A lot of the nurses wanted to know this brave little girl that hasn't shedding a tear from breaking her wrist, having an IV inserted, a doctor inserting a large needle into her broken bone then pulling the fire out of her broken wrist. We had over 5 nurses that wanted to meet her. Dr Cooper (orthopeadic) said "It's never this quiet in here. This is not normal. You could have dropped a pin. Usually kids and adults are screaming while he is pulling their broken bones! I would've been!

My praise goes to God...No matter the trials you put in my life...I will love you and Faithfully follow you all of my life. You are my Savior, My God, My Redeemer. My All in All! I thank you for your peace that surpasses all understanding.

Busy, Busy, Busy...I'll start short!

2009-05-08T20:27:00.005-05:00

I have been busy trying to find ZoZo a good boarding house while we are in Colorado for a week. "Camp Bow Wow" is a neat place but I wanted something more homey! ZoZo is so spoiled...she is attached to me. When I leave the house, Paul says she sits looking at the door and whines the whole time while I'm gone. I don't know...I do know she sleeps with us and has to be touching me while she is sleeping. "Camp Bow Wow" was a little expensive ($210) So, I set up an appointment at "Waggin Tails Bed and Biscuit". The dogs have their own cottage suite and all suites are decorated per theme. So cute...the website address is http://www.waggintailsbandb.com/ if you're interested. Waggin Tails cost was ($120) a big difference. They really LOVE on the dogs too!

There is so much I need to update you on, all that has been going on in The Patrick house. I will write several more posts this next week.

Blessings!

Surprise Trip to Colorado

2009-04-23T16:50:00.004-05:00

The girls were shocked when we revealed this board to them telling them we were all flying to Colorado this May. They have never been on an airplane and have been begging us to fly. Paul lived in Colorado for years and has been wanting to take us and show us around the Rocky Mountains. Watch the video below to capture the girls reaction to the "Surprise" They are used to "Family Meetings". So we called them in to make them think we needed to clear some things up that needed to change in our house. Olivia said she thought she was in trouble...hence the Taylor Swift remark in the video! Watch and see their reaction.

I loved Olivia's reaction at first...she thought she was in trouble about Taylor Swift...how funny! but then you could tell she was stunned. Ally was absorbing all the information and then lights up with joy... That one part where Olivia hugs Ally she says to Ally "Come here you big ball of wonderful" of course Ally didn't like that! I love my girls!!!!!!!! Fun Times!

Earth Day

2009-04-22T14:17:00.004-05:00

Today is Earth Day. It is just one day I can stop and be thankful for all that God has given me on Earth. We are truly blessed.

The girl's school (kindergarten - 4th grade) walked to the Bentonville Square this morning to celebrate Earth Day. It was a lot of fun. All the 2nd graders (Olivia) sang several songs. We ate our lunches there on the square and visited all the booths set up. Mayor McCaslin presented our school (RE Baker) with a plaque of congratulations on keeping Bentonville beautiful and our eagerness to always participate on Earth day. It was a gorgeous day to walk to the square. I was toggeling back and forth to spend the same amount of time with both of the girls.

"Let's Rock" Children's Musical 2009

2009-04-19T19:56:00.003-05:00

These are not the best picture's...but I forgot my "real" camera and had to settle for my Iphone camera. Our church children's choir (grades 1 - 6) puts on a children's musical every Spring. I am one of the children's choir teachers. I love teaching these children to sing for our Lord and worship Him! There is no greater joy I get than this. We begin in January and practice, practice, practice teaching them a whole play... 10 drama scenes and 10 songs with motions (choreography) they learn in only 11 weeks. Wow! They did a fabulous job tonight. I ended up running the motion lighting for the musical. I love running the lighting board... makes me feel important...like I have control! Muwahaaa! Now I know how Paul feels sitting in that "Front of House" booth "giving us LIGHT"

The girls standing on the stage of "Rock Creek Park"

They really enjoyed performing for all the congregation. It was a wonderful musical and I know God received all the Glory tonight!

Tanyard Creek Park

2009-04-15T19:40:00.002-05:00

Today was the most perfect day to go to Tanyard Creek and hike on the trail

Ally is our monkey climber

This is my dad and step-mom. They sold their house in Bentonville and have purchased a house around the Nashville area. Isn't it so sweet how they are walking arm in arm. I had to capture the moment. I love this trail. It is a part of God's glorious creations!

Happy Easter! My Lord is Risen!

2009-04-12T09:02:00.005-05:00

Ally asked Jesus to come live in her heart today!

The girls dressed up for Easter!

Smelling the Easter Lily

My Lord Jesus Christ is Risen! Hallelujah! I can't wait to meet with Him in Heaven and sing praises FOREVER to Him! Singing is my passion. If you don't know, I am somewhat a perfectionist. I try hard to hit every note perfectly as I can...I had a solo for the Good Friday service at church. I felt God's peace take hold of me and I didn't care about hitting every not perfectly. I just had fun praising my God. I came home and told Paul "one day when I meet my Jesus in Heaven I won't have to try to hit every note perfectly...I will sing every note perfectly, singing praises to my King" I can't wait for the day.

This morning was a glorious Easter Morn at Church...Ally was saved today! Paul was on lights, and I was singing in choir during the invitation...There was a woman standing in the pew in front of her so she couldn't really see me. I saw her little head looking around the lady in front of her trying to get my attention. As I saw her, she kept nodding her head "Yes". I finally went down and spoke with her when she said..." Jesus is tugging at my heart, I want to be saved" so, we went down and she accepted Jesus into her heart! Both of my girls now have eternal life with Jesus. What a wonderful feeling knowing I will live in eternity with them in heaven. I began praying when they were born about their salvation daily in my quiet time. I also pray the prayers in the "The Power of Praying Parent's". What a wonderful book of prayers to teach you how to pray for your children. We have devotion before school every morning. I know prayer works. God cares more about their salvation than I do...and that must be a ton because I deeply care about that for them!

What a blessed day it has been!

Resurrection Egg Day 12

2009-04-12T07:47:00.004-05:00

Day 12 Empty Tomb

Jesus's tomb was empty because He rose from the dead!

Read: Matthew 28: 5-8

This was a very special time! At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. He said that no one had taken Jesus's body, but instead he had risen from the dead! The angel told them to go tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus was risen. Can you imagine how excited they were? They ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news!

As He rose from the dead, Jesus did what no one had ever done before or since. Being both God and man he overcame sin, death, and hell. So, sin, death, and hell no longer have any real power over those who believe in Jesus and have His spirit leading them.

Like the tomb, our hearts are emtpy and lifeless without Jesus. But as we repent, believe, and trust in Jesus's death and resurrection, he fills our hearts with life and the Holy Spirit. As we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit can speak into our lives in powerful ways.
Now when you think of the empty tomb, remember that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. he comes into empty, dead hearts and fills them with His Holy Spirit, giving new life!

I have enjoyed spending these days reflecting on the death, burial and resurrection. I know I learned more than I knew about His infinite plan of redemption.

Resurrection Egg Day 11

2009-04-11T07:35:00.003-05:00

Day 11 Stone at the Tomb

The huge stone that covered the tomb was found rolled away.

Read: Matthew 28:1-3

A large stone-bigger than a door and as heavy as a car-was placed over the opening of a tomb to prevent the grave robbers from stealing the body of a dead person or valuables in the tomb that had belonged to the dead.

In the case of Jesus, the Pharisees were worried Jesus's disciples or other followeres would take the body, and then say Jesus had risen from the dead. In order to prevent this, Pilate had soldiers guard the tomb.

Pilate even had the soldiers close the tomb with an official Roman seal on the edge of the huge stone. Pilate and soldiers were sure this would keep the disciples from stealing Jesus's body because the penalty for breaking this seal was death.

When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb of Jesus to anoint His body with spices, they were shocked to see that the stone had been moved away from the tomb. The soldiers were even gone, and all that the women found in the tomb was Jesus's empty grave clothes! They were fearful and didn't remember Jesus had told them He would rise from the dead. If only they'd remembered Jesus's words. They would have had faith instead of fear and confusion. Are there things in your life that cause you to be afraid and confused?

God wants you to remember His words. His words give us faith, hope, joy, courage, and direction-even when life is scary or confusing. Words about the stone being miraculously rolled away and about Jesus's resurrection from the dead are the most encouraging and hopegiving words a Christian could ever have!

See you tomorrow for the conclusion Day 12!

Resurrection Egg Day 10 "Good Friday"

2009-04-10T07:23:00.005-05:00

Day 10 Linen Wrapping

Joseph of Arimathea wrapped the body of Jesus in a linen cloth after He died on the cross.

Read: Matthew 27:57-61

Some Jewish leaders secretly believed Jesus was the Messiah (their Savior) but didn't want anyone to know of their belief. The Bible tells us that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both members of the Jewish leadership group, believed Jesus was the Son of God and trusted Him for their salvation. But they were afraid that if anyone knew they believed, they might be killed, too.
However it seems that after Jesus died on the cross, they couldn't hide their faith any longer. Isn't it exciting to know that Joseph from Arimathea loved Jesus so much he was willing to put his own life in danger?

Joseph was a very rich man and wanted His Lord Jesus to be buried in a proper manner. So Joseph went to Pilate and got the body of Jesus to bury Him in a nice tomb that he owned. After bringing the body to this tomb, Joseph wrapped Jesus in linen cloth. That was the way the Jews prepared bodies for burial in order to keep or preserve them. But little did they know that this was not needed for Jesus!

Joseph's courage and love for Jesus were really amazing! God must be pleased when we love Him enough to risk the things we own, even our very lives, to stand with Him. Will you be courageous and stand with Jesus?

See you tomorrow for Day 11!

Resurrection Egg Day 9

2009-04-09T07:11:00.003-05:00

Day 9 Soldier's Spear

Roman soldiers used a spear to pierce Jesus's side when He was on the cross.

Read: John 19:31-37

Here is an amazing fact about Jesus's death: When people were put to death on the cross, it was common for Roman soldiers to break their legs. With broken legs, people could not hold themselves up to keep from suffocating, and would die more quickly.

Two robbers were crucified with Jesus, one on each side of Him. The soldiers broke the legs of the first robber. Then they broke the legs of the other robber. But when they got ot Jesus, they saw that He was already dead. So they decided there was no reason to break his legs. That is amazing! Do you know that God foretold hundreds of years before in Psalm 34:20 that this would happen? It says, "He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken." Jesus gave up his life and died before the soldiers could even get to Him.

Because the soldiers had to make absolutely sure He was dead, they pierced Him in the side with a spear. When they did, out came water and blood. That was the proof they needed to show Jesus had died. And it's proof to us as well. The water and blood mixture that poured out from the spear wound in Jesus' side makes it absolutely clear that Jesus did really die.

Jesus must have loved us so much that He died in our place!

See you tomorrow for day 10!

Resurrection Egg Day 8

2009-04-08T07:33:00.000-05:00

Day 8- Gambling with Dice

The Roman soldiers used dice to gamble for Jesus's robe.

Read: John 19:23-25

Jesus hardly owned anything in this world. So, when the soldiers gambled for Jesus's clothes at the cross, it was sad that they were so selfish and cared so little for Him.

Jesus shows us what to do when others wrong us. He actually asked forgiveness from His father for the soldiers who were about to crucify Him. Luke 23:24 tells us what He prayed: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." We know from God's Word, the Bible, that we need to pray for our enemies. We are also told that we need to forgive them, just as Jesus showed us.

See you tomorrow for day 9!

Resurrection Egg Day 7

2009-04-07T08:08:00.003-05:00

Day 7 - Nails in the Cross

Three large nails were driven into Jesus's hands and feet to nail Him to the cross.

Read John 19:16-22

Jesus died so our sins could be forgiven and so we could live forever with God. In Romans 3:23 the Bible says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve and gave them the freedom to choose. Sadly, when given the choice to obey God, they chose to disobey Him instead. The result was that Adam and Eve were separated from God. And as offspring of Adam and Eve we are born sinful and separated from God. We also willfully disobey or rebel against God every day, which makes it clear we are sinners all on our own.

God does not sin. He is perfect and holy. He hates sin. So maybe you understand why our sin keeps us from God. Our sin separates us from Him.

Here's the good news!

God the Father provided only one way to escape the punishment of sin by sending His only Son, Jesus, to die. Jesus received the death that sinners like us deserve. Because Jesus is the perfect Son of God, only He could be punished in the place of sinners like us! By His death on the cross, Jesus built a bridge for believers across the the canyon of sin and separation.

Would you like to have a relationship with Jesus, be forgiven for all your sins, and live forever with God in heaven? If you are willing to repent or turn away from your sins and believe in Jesus and His death on the cross for sinners, just tell Him right now. He promises that if you turn and trust only in Him, He will forgive you and make you clean inside. Daily ask for help from the Holy Spirit, who Jesus gives to Christians to help us obey God every day.

Thank you Jesus for dying for my sins on the cross to give me abudant life for eternity with you.

See you tomorrow for Day 8!

Resurrection Egg Day 6

2009-04-06T08:04:00.004-05:00

Day 6- Crown of Thorns

The soldiers who crucified Jesus placed a crown of thorns on His head, so they could mock Him by saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

Read Matthew 27:29-31

The Roman Guards did not love God. They rejected Jesus as God. They teased, taunted, hit, and beat Him. They made a crown out of sharp thorns, put it on Jesus' head, kneeled before him, and teased Him by saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" even though they didn't believe He was a king. And then they spit on Him and took a strong, hollow stick called a reed to beat Jesus on the head. They crushed the crown of thorns into his Head and caused Him to bleed badly. And still, Jesus showed them the love of God by forgiving and praying for them.

The Bible says if you love God, you will love others. So if you don't love others, you show that you really don't love God. Remember, too, when you experience the thorns of others' hatred toward you, that Jesus responded in love even when He was hated and treated terribly. Take a moment and thank Jesus for all that He has done for you.

See you tomorrow for Day 7!

Resurrection Eggs Days 1-5

2009-04-05T14:25:00.006-05:00

Every year the girls and I enjoy "Resurrection Eggs". They are plastic Easter eggs that has an object inside the egg to tell the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. I plan on writing about one a day but wanted to get you up to date with where we are in the story. I plan on trying to keep these short so you are not spending a lot of time reading, but I wanted to get the message out about the true meaning of Easter. You can follow up reading on your own, the scripture I provide under each picture.

Day1- A lowly donkey was given to Jesus to ride into Jerusalem just before his death and resurrection. Read Matthew 21:1-9

Day 2- Judas accepted 30 silver coins for betraying Jesus into the hands of the Jewish leaders. Read: Matthew 26:14-16, 46-50, 27:1-5

Day 3- At Jesus' last supper with his disciples before He died on the cross, He used the cup of wine to explain His death. Christians still drink from a cup to remember Christ's blood poured out for us and our sins. Read: Matthew 26:17-19, 26-28 and Exodus 12:23

Day 4- Praying hands remind us that Jesus went to the Gardens of Gethsemane to pray with His disciples. Read: Mark 14:32-42

Day 5- After his trial by Pilate, the Roman soldiers used leather ropes with rocks and metal woven in to whip Jesus leaving 39 deep gashes in His skin.

Read: John 19:1-5 and Matthew 27:26-31

I will detail more every day in the last 7 eggs leading up to Easter this Sunday!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-03-31T18:54:00.011-05:00

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!

Spring Break 2009

2009-03-27T10:27:00.010-05:00

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!

Happy Belated Birthday Mom!

2009-03-23T14:19:00.007-05:00

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!

Happy 1st Birthday Zoe!

2009-03-21T18:57:00.006-05:00

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!

Happy Birthday "My Other Mom"!

2009-03-17T00:01:00.001-05:00

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

Finished Floors Project!

2009-03-11T08:38:00.003-05:00

The Girls' Room

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

Concrete Stain Paint

2009-03-08T12:44:00.004-05:00

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!

A Few Things

2009-03-05T16:47:00.010-06:00

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!

Gifted and Talented!

2009-03-02T18:52:00.008-06:00

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.

My New Bible Organizer Cover!

2009-02-24T17:34:00.004-06:00

I went searching yesterday for a bible cover. I didn't want just any bible cover...I wanted something that was chic and shabby! Well, I went to Wal-Mart, Christian Book Outlet, Lifeway, Barnes and Noble, and Borders. I couldn't find anything that I liked. Well, I did find a cute cover at Christian Book Outlet, but it didn't fit my bible. Figures! I really loved it. If you are interested in a chic bible/book cover. Check out www.ruthmichael.com

Once I have something in my mind...I'm bull-headed. There's no changing my mind! So, today I got up and decided to try Wal-Mart in Rogers. They didn't have any bible covers. I then went to Hobby Lobby and decided to make my own. However I couldn't find the fabric I liked at Hobby Lobby. So, I went back to Christian Book Outlet and found a plain black cover that fit my bible. I decided I could easily fancy it up, so I then headed back to Wal-Mart, this time in Bentonville and bought this turquoise ribbon with black dots and black buttons. I used an iron-on adhesive to apply the ribbon and black button to the cover I purchased.
This is a better picture of the turquoise color in the ribbon I added. I really like this bible organizer cover I bought...especially with the embellishments I applied.

Fun-Filled Friday!

2009-02-19T09:41:00.016-06:00

My mom and brother traveled from Memphis to visit us this weekend. They arrived here lastnight during the middle of "Private Practice". We are planning on having a fun-filled day today while the girls are at school and while my wonderful husband is at work providing for his family. ...Thank You Honey for all that you do, I wish you could be hangin with us today! I love you.

We are going to go eat lunch, shop, relax and catch up. Really, I talk to my mom SEVERAL times a DAY. If I didn't she would freak out and drive up here to see what was going on with us. So, to save her the time of driving 6 hours and freaking out along the way and to save me the lecture of not answering my phone and the freaking out...or as she used to say when I was small..."I'm gonna build a shoe shop up your butt." I'd rather call each morning. Yes, I would say she is a little over-protective, Actually, she calls for her only grand children, Olivia and Ally. She is in love with them. I can't tell you how many times I hear..."Please watch their hands when you get in the car,,,don't slam the door on their fingers." Ok Mom!

She has a phobia over closing fingers in doors. One morning, when I was small, she accidentally slammed my fingers in the car door. As if that wasn't enough, she pulled me out of the car in horror of what she had done and swung me around in the front yard like a rag doll. The neighbor heard all the screaming and comotion and couldn't get his pants on fast enough and out his front door to see what was going on with us. I thought he was going to fall down his porch steps or have a heart attack. It wasn't a hoot then, I was really dizzy and my fingers hurt. She had scrambled my eggs. I couldn't decide which ache to think about.

Oh Yes, I could tell you many more stories like that! I'll save the embarrassment for my mom.

We, as parents try our best to raise wonderful children. Mom, God just really had to intervene to help you with us!

I lead the 1st graders in a program this morning at school. They are so cute! Our program was called "Let It Snow" All the kids had a speaking part. I choreographed movements to the song "Let It Snow" They wore scarves and winter hats and threw up snow (cottonballs). That didn't sound right, they didn't throw up; like puke. Their hands threw the snow up in the air! They recited 3 winter poems; "Snowball", "Poor Mr. Snowman" and "The Impatient Snowman". They did a wonderful job. My mom and brother came to see the program at school because Ally was in it. They saw her "SHINE" on stage. Way to go, Ally!

Happy Birthday Paige!

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday. Paige, I hope you have a wonderful Birthday. We love you and pray blessings on your special day.

"You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

Psalm 139: 13, 15, 16

Sneaky, Sneaky, Olivia!

2009-02-18T11:00:00.009-06:00

I knew there would come a day when the girls or a specific girl (Olivia) would learn how to work the TV remote and rule our house forever!

The girls were out of school Monday in celebration of President's day. They decided to have a day of relaxation. They jumped in my bed and watched the Disney Channel on Tv all day. Now let me stop and say, I realize that is not healthy but I had my monthly visitor and was glad they were being "good" girls! I praised them all day for letting mommy rest and was so excited they didn't argue with each other or (this is more like it) rip each other's head off over what they were going to watch together.

Later that night, Paul and I went to bed. We have shows that we record on the DVR in our room that we watch together after putting the girls to bed. He (of course he, I never get the remote) took the remote and pushed "list" on the remote to see which show we hadn't seen. Well, low and behold...there were 58 shows recorded on our DVR. Yes, you guessed it...that sneaky, sneaky, Olivia had recorded 58 shows that day. I was ready to scroll down and see some our choices of shows to watch for the night. They were...

The Bonnie Hunt Show

The Price is Right

Hannah Montana (a ton of them)

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (a ton, ton, ton of them)

Needless to say...Paul erased all of them. I didn't even get my pick...I had to watch some guy show of "How it's made" or wait, maybe it was "Destroyed in Seconds." Anyhoo, I was amazed at that sneaky Poo! It's time to install parental controls on our Tv and Remotes! I'll make it possible! There may be some rebelling going on in our house... Guard YOUR remotes!

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T17:26:00.019-06:00

I have to tell you, I am such a perfectionist in my writing that I have editted all the word mistakes in this post 9 times all ready...Whew! The best is at the bottom but, don't cheat read the whole thing through!
We had a great Valentine's day. It didn't exactly go the way I had planned but that is ok. This is a game I came up with for the girls. I call it "Valentine Scavenger Hunt" I came up with 15 different valentine clues, I hid the Valentine's and the girls had to go hunting for them. Kind of like easter egg hunting! Some of the clues are: "A Valentine shaped as a butterfly, A Valentine with Smiley faces on it". To add a more homemade touch I used a die cut and cut the hearts, elephant, butterfly, car, etc. I'm somewhat a perfectionist. I wanted all my hearts to be the same size! You can cut your own out if you'd prefer.

Breakfast was delicious this morning. Sausage, Cheese rollups are a big hit at my house. I use 1 can crescent rolls, 7 sausage patties, 4 oz cream cheese. Preheat oven to 375. Cook sausage,crumble, drain, add cream cheese and mix together. Unroll crescent rolls, place enough mixture and roll up. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake about 12 minutes. I serve it with fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, peaches, apples and oranges) I came up with the rollups years ago when I wanted something new other than sausage and biscuit. I threw rose petals on the table for breakfast this morning. Paul and the girls loved the extra touch!
Ally made this beautiful picture for Paul and me for Valentine's Day! Olivia gave us Dove Chocolates...We love our babies!

The girls enjoyed their Valentine from us...Bears with Kisses

The best present of all that I received today was a Maytag 2 drawer stainless steel dishwasher. It is so quiet...I cringe at spending money, but this is well worth the $900. And that was a deal, it sells for $1500! My 1st priority in getting a new dishwasher was how quiet it is...Our family room and kitchen are open together. I could never run the dishwasher until we all went to bed. It was always louder than our TV. Paul installed the dishwasher and I couldn't wait to start a cycle of dishes. It is absolutely better than a Bosch! I love it.

I had planned to cook a nice candlelight dinner tonight, but I've had a stomach bug the last few days and Olivia has been feeling nauseated today. So, we are postponing the candlelight dinner for Monday night. I love you all. Hope you had a great Valentine's day as well!

My Weary Child

2009-02-12T14:50:00.017-06:00

With around 800 people being laid off from the Wal-Mart Home Office this week. I think all of us are feeling the burden of what this is going to do to our town and the many families who live here. These families who are left shocked by the reality of what they thought was some form of security. My heart is burdened for these families. There is one thing I KNOW...God is All Powerful and Sovereign. His time table is PERFECT!

I keep a poem in my quiet room and often look at it when I need reassurance that God is with me. A friend of my mom's wrote this poem for her and my step-father when they were going through a tough trial in their lives. I feel it very appropriate for all us to ponder on...

My Weary Child

As I look down my child, I see your troubled mind; bent with such confusion and peace you can't seem to find. I see you every morning my child, as you cry so many tears; but if you'll just keep pressing onward, I'll erase your every fear. Now I've seen you my beloved one, and your broken heart; and I've made every step you've made, right from the very start. I've seen every tear you cried, and caught each and every one; and I'll send them back as tears of joy, when this trial is done. Please don't think I've forgotten you, oh my blessed one; for you're just as loved as my other child Jesus...My Only Begotten Son. So just keep pressing onward, and seek me every day; For I am the "Great I Am", and I love you in a very special way.

We as believers in Christ Jesus cling to Him in these times. I'm not worried about the future because I know He is in charge. He is Sovereign! There is nothing that is going to happen in my life today that God and I can't handle together. God has grown my faith over the years. I'm not a worrier because God has never let me down and I know He never will. He is constant and true, never changing. Dr. Adrian Rogers would say "Worry looks at God through circumstances. Peace looks at circumstances through God." Worry is an admission that I'm putting something before God."

I will trust Him at all times. He has delivered me from all fears. He has set my feet upon a rock. I will not be moved. And I'll say of the Lord...

You are My Shield, My Strength, My Portion, Deliverer, My Shelter, Strong Tower, My very present help in time of Need!

Freshly Baked Bread

2009-02-10T15:30:00.006-06:00

Since I lost most all of my weight, I haven't baked fresh bread. I love it too much! Olivia loves bread too! I decided today to bake a wonderful fresh loaf of bread for me and the girls. They are home this week for intercession. Ally is not a bread eater but, she loves O'Charley's rolls... Who doesn't? She loves to flatten the roll like a pancake, then eat it. She has been known to fill her belly with 5 rolls in one sitting at O'Charley's. She will not eat bread/ rolls any where else. I'm serious.

Well, I just got an "A" approval from the one who is very picky when it comes to bread. That can be a very good thing not to like bread! Life is too short and with the recession coming on I may not be able in the future to have money to make bread. So, I'm enjoying it today.

Doesn't it look delicious? It is cooling just as I type this post. I can't wait to slice a piece and smother it in butter. Paula Deen, you would be proud! There is nothing quite like fresh, hot bread melting in your mouth! Yum!

Valentine Parties

2009-02-06T15:56:00.008-06:00

The girls had their Valentine parties today at school. Olivia's party started at 1:45 and Ally's party started at 2:00. Somehow Olivia and Camryn her best friend didn't hear the rest of their class come in from recess. They missed 15 minutes of the party...Camryn's mom and I went to find them after 7 minutes or so of waiting and wondering where they were. We knew they were up to something. Their teacher Ms. Brown was not happy yesterday because they were talking in class and passing notes! Yea! I was so excited that Olivia was being social and had a friend to have fun with. Anyway, I was running back and forth to both of the girls parties to show both of them that I loved them bunches!

Jack, the little boy in the red shirt took a picture of Ally with his mother's Iphone. She must look pretty in the picture ...cause he is smiling:)

Little Drama Queen posing for her picture at her Valentine party at school.

Olivia and Cami (Camryn) her BEST FRIEND at their Valentine party at school.
Olivia "enjoying" her sprite!

The girls are out of school next week for a break. Yea! We get to stay home in our pajamas and sleep late. I'm sure we will play school together.

For Valentines Day next Saturday night I am cooking a nice candlelight dinner for the family. Then the girls are going to have a Valentine scavenger hunt. I found a cute game sheet for them to find Valentine treasures around the house. Should be a fun night...I'm looking forward to it.

Oh the memories we make with our family!

1st Place Award; High Honor

2009-02-04T15:21:00.010-06:00

I went to Ally's school award assembly today. I knew she would be receiving an award for "A" honor roll but I was pleasantly surprised to see that she had won 1st place as an Awesome Author out of all the 1st graders. All first graders were given the topic "Winter" to write about. Then several judges read all the writings (150 or so) and picked the best for first grade. Ally was awarded 1st place! The only thing I could say when they called her name to receive this award was "Thank you God" and I continued to repeat it over and over, realizing all the blessings He gives me. I am so blessed to have this highly gifted child. Ally was so excited to receive this award her eyes flooded with tears, well mine did too. I was having a hard time holding them in...Ms Davis her teacher didn't know who would receive the award. When she heard "Ally Patrick for 1st place" She was cheering and thrilled just as much as I was. I received many compliments from other parents saying "Wow! You have a writer, Watch out New York Times." Parents complimented her and told her she did a great job. I don't have a picture of her writing paper yet. It will be posted for all the school to see. Once it is posted on the wall, I will grab a picture of our "Awesome Author Ally" with her "Awesome" Paper and post it to the blog. I can't wait to see it!

This is Alex and Ally. Alex is one of the boys in Ally's class that is fond of her. He insisted I take a picture of them together. You can see the delight on his face... How cute!

Ally, I am so proud of you for always doing your best. You never know who is watching you and learning from you. Great Job! I love you! Mom

Downtown Chicago is Beautiful

2009-02-02T10:58:00.009-06:00

The view looking from the east side of The Field Museum. You can see lake Michigan in the background.
Icy lake Michigan

This is a picture of us about to go through the underground highway. It was so awesome. It is a highway with red lights underground. I was so amazed and intrigued by this.
This was also amazing. This picture was taken Downtown Chicago. Look at the way they park there cars in this garage. They back them up! When you are there looking at this...it is so scary. It looks as if you would plummet into the ground below. You probably can't tell from the picture but, it is a very tall parking garage.
Iced over lake Michigan. Truely captivating!

I think this picture speaks for itself. It is the Downtown Chicago theatre.

This picture was taken from The Field Museum...Downtown Chicago in the view of Lake Michigan. The lake is so large it truely looks like the ocean. It is spectacular.
Looking up at The Sears Tower. To go to the top of the building it cost $15 per person. We took pictures of the skyline from The Field Museum which were great and saved our $60 we would have spent on the Sears Tower.
Going into the Downtown looking at Sears Tower.
Downtown Chicago...lake Michigan was frozen. It was 10 degrees and the wind was blowing so hard it felt -25.

We enjoyed the Field Museum and seeing downtown. I would have loved to go to the Navy Pier to shop. But it was to cold. They have a lot of outside malls. Isn't that amazing, considering it's so cold there? You can tell the cold doesn't affect them like us. We were all hunkered down in our coats layered like zombies...You could definently tell we were tourist. In my opinion, Chicago's food isn't any better than we have in Arkansas. As far as the scenery coming into Chicago...I definently didn't think it would look like Kansas. It does!

If you come to Chicago you will want to stay downtown and find attraction downtown. Also, pick a warm time to visit. The time of year impacts your stay. We may come back next year when it is warm so we can enjoy the lake more and outside attractions.

A Day in Chicago

2009-01-31T14:03:00.012-06:00

We woke up this morning ready to tour Chicago. We had decided the one attraction we wanted to see was the Field Museum. There were many to decide from but we chose the Field Museum because we knew we wanted to be able to say "We were there and saw that." Below are many pictures of the Field Museum. We took over 100 pictures so I'm not about to post all of them but, here are a few. And I had to include a couple of pictures that brought us to Chicago in the first place Paul's new car!

The reason why we came to Chicago in the first place is Paul's "midlife crisis" Ha! I had to show you pictures of our new addition. He made a great choice. It is sporty yet the girls have their doors to get in and ride around with us.
Paul with his new car. I was amazed last night when he picked us up at the hotel for the first time in his car that he learned quickly how to drive like Mario Andretti! Must be in the testosterone of these guys. The girls and I were a little scared on our way to eat at "The Cheesecake factory" Yum! Ally said to me "Momma why aren't you holding on to your handle?"
Us beautiful girls posing outside the Field Museum. Very cold and windy!
Inside the Field Museum

This is a picture of Olivia's head in the mouth of a dinosaur skull!
This is a picture of Ally's head in the mouth of a dinosaur skull!
Daddy and his Drama Queens!
The girls with the famous "Sue" dinosaur from the movie "Night at the Museum"

We love watching Food Network's Diner's Drive-in's and Dives with Guy Fietti. So, I'm notabout to leave Chicago until I eat at one of the famous restaurants on his show. We are still deciding which one to eat at. I'm so excited. I love food. I have lost 70 lbs and kept it off for over a year but I never deprive myself. So, I can't wait to indulge. It's a good thing our hotel has a fitness center. I will be on the treadmill tonight...burn baby burn!

Endurance to Chicago...

2009-01-30T18:13:00.015-06:00

It took me forever to connect to Wi-Fi in our hotel. I finally managed to get connected to upload some of the pictures I took along the way to Chicago. We left Bentonville this morning at 6:30 and arrived in the outskirts of Chicago at 5:15 tonight. WOW! Long trip in a truck cramped with 2 little drama queens and a dog that will look at you like she needs to go Pee! Endurance pays off...I was so glad to see the hotel. I couldn't wait to open the laptop and post a new blog.

As we would get closer to "The Windy City" Ally would get giddy and silly. So, I had to take this picture of her.
This is a picture of a water tower painted with a big smiley face on it. It made me think of Wal-mart. Olivia used to see the walmart smiley face and say. "Live Better, Save Money, Wal-mart! Home Sweet Home!

This is a picture of Paul and Olivia in the truck on the way to Chicago.

This next picture I had to take for my benefit to show that we weren't going in circles. We actually were getting close to Chicago! Yea!

This is a picture I took about 200 miles from St Louis. going toward Chicago. I thought it was funny. When I read the sign I saw "To: Wanda"! (Hi Mom) But actually this sign was in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes.

This is the view coming in to the outskirts of Chicago. I never thought Chicago was this flat, hence the windy city. Now I know why it's called the windy city. There are no hills to calm the wind so it roars in to the city. Well, we are about to go find a place to eat. We are tired and ready to crawl in bed. Tomorrow should be a pretty exciting day touring the museums and the famous Sears Tower. See you all tomorrow with a lot better pictures.

Mid-Life Crisis to Chicago!

2009-01-29T19:50:00.006-06:00

My husband is turning 40 this year and is supposedly going through a mid-life crisis. He traded his truck in for a sports car (Mazda RX8) over the phone today in Chicago and we are leaving in the morning to go pick it up. We are driving to St. Louis in the morning. Then Saturday morning driving the rest of the way to Chicago. The girls are so thrilled they can't wait to go to the Sears Tower and the Museums there. We will only be there to sight see Saturday. Sunday morning we will get up early and drive home 9 hours in the new Patrick-mid life crisis! I am taking the laptop to keep my blog updated with pictures of all us in Chicago. I would appreciate your prayers for our safety.

You are Winter

2009-01-28T13:06:00.011-06:00

The weather outside is still frightful...I hear rumors of school being cancelled again for tomorrow. The girls have enjoyed playing in the snow and ice today. Zozo has even enjoyed running around sticking her face in the snow. It is beautiful here. Although our power was out most of the day yesterday God still provided for us. Our electricity went out at 8:45 yesterday morning and didn't come back on until noon. God gave us an hour to cook stew, cornbread and mashed potatoes! Just enough time to feed us some warm food. It came back on at 5:30 for 15 minutes, just enough time to fill our bellies again with warm food. Both times as we sat down to eat the power went out. It made me realize that God was still taking care of us. He is an awesome God. It reminds me of a song Nichole Nordemann sings "Every Season"...

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

This is a beautiful picture of the birthday girl outside in the snow!

This is a beautiful picture of Olivia outside in the snow.

I did eventually have to pull out the freezer baskets and put them outside in the snow and ice. Our power didn't come back on until 10PM last night. And then it would flicker on and off so I decided to keep them outside. Didn't want that yummy ice cream to melt!

Doesn't Zozo look so cute here? She couldn't wait to get outside to run and play in the snow this morning. I have enjoyed today with the girls. We are celebrating Ally's birthday tonight at home. Thank you Nana Ann and Papaw Bob for the gift. We will call you when she opens it. If we can get her to wait until dinner tonight!

Happy Birthday Ally!

2009-01-28T06:05:00.001-06:00

Ally is 7 years old today! What can I say about this beautiful girl? When Ally was born she had a high bilirubin blood count. That is fairly common in babies born earlier than 40 weeks of pregnancy. I wasn't worried until she was admitted to the hospital a week after she was born. Her bilirubin was getting higher and the doctor couldn't find out why. I was scared when they admitted her. I knew I could only turn to the Lord in this time. The nurses shaved her head and inserted an Iv into her scalp. They placed her under the lights to get her bilirubin to go down. I knew right then, she was going to be a strong child. She was a fighter! She grew and we knew we had a "strong-willed" child. God showed Paul and I how to break her strong will without crushing her spirit. Thankfully we mastered that when she was young. Today, She is a gifted child, very intellectual and balanced. She is a leader. She is not afraid to tell her opinion or how to do something effectively. Her grammer is precise and she is a perfectionist which can be bad at times! Her heart is tender and pure. She is one of those that people gravitate toward. She is bubbly and lights up a room with her smile and laughter. She reads her bible and loves Jesus with all of her heart.

Ally, you are a gift from the Lord. We are grateful God put you in our family. You make us complete. I am so proud of you for the young girl you are and the young lady God is creating you to be. My prayer for you this year is that you will continue to read your bible. That you will love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. He will direct and guide you. He loves you more than you could ever imagine. We love you so much! Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mom, Dad and Sister

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful...

2009-01-27T13:17:00.005-06:00

Oh the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful and since we've no place to go...Let is ice, Let it ice, Let it ice...

Our power was out about 2 1/2 hours this morning. It came back on and has been flickering on and off about every 30 minutes or so. I was beginning to think I was going to have to pull my freezer baskets out of the freezer and put them out in the backyard! HA! At least my food would stay frozen. Who knows I might have to do that tonight. It is still freezing rain and will continue into the night hours. I'm sure there is no school for tomorrow. Ally would be thrilled if school was let out for her birthday.

We have been playing games... Charades, Whoonu, and we started Monopoly when the power came back on. Yippee! I jumped up from my chair and started cooking beef stew, mashed potatoes and gravy and sweet cornbread. It was delicious! I never thought it was possible to cook beef stew in an hour...but it can be done! I was running around with my head cut off. The power would flicker on and off so I would run around having to restart everything...the oven for the cornbread, the dryer for the clothes and we must have restarted the TV four or five times all ready! Whoo....I'm exhausted.

You don't realize how much electricity impacts our lives until its gone. Like, No coffee. I didn't think about purchasing instant coffee yesterday when I was stocking up on comfort food. Hello? I'm a coffee addict. Migraine...no coffee! Get it?

The fireplace is wonderful. It has kept us warm and cozy. We will see how the electricity holds up tonight. We can always sleep by the fireplace. Thankfully, I am a woman who loves comforters and quilts. My hall closet is packed to the ceiling with those things! No kidding! I have enough blankets to wrap around the subdivision at least once. Well, ok maybe not that many but, you get the point.

I'll keep you posted on the frightful weather...Stay Tuned!

Lost Tooth

2009-01-26T16:28:00.005-06:00

Ally lost a tooth this afternoon. She pulled it herself. Isn't she pretty? Yea Ally, Way to go! I love that beautiful smile!

The girls got out of school early today due to the icy weather. We are home roasting by the fireplace. Not sure yet what to expect the next 24 hours. Suppose to be around an of inch ice and widespread power outages. We are stocked with food, blankets and lots of Dove chocolates! Yum! Ally is hoping to be out of school through Wednesday because Wednesday is her big day...her 7th Birthday! I'll keep you posted on the weather...

Ally's Celebration Book!

2009-01-26T11:08:00.007-06:00

This past Friday, Ally was presented with a Celebration Book at school. A Celebration book is a book bought in her honor and given to her in front of the rest of the school.

Ally was so shocked. She didn't even realize she was the "Allyson Patrick" they had called to come to the stage and get her book. Me, Dad and Olivia honored her for her 7th birthday coming up on the 28th.

The name of the book is "Big Words for Little People" By: Jamie Lee Curtis. When you open the book it has a picture of Ally on the left inside cover. And inscripted, "This book was donated by: Mom, Dad and Olivia, In honor of Ally Patrick, Happy Birthday to our "exquisite" girl. We love you! Mom, Dad and sister Olivia."

When Ally was two years old, she came up to me while I was washing dishes and said "Momma, you're exquisite!" Therefore, She is our "exquisite" girl. We love you Ally!

Rat Poop!

2009-01-22T17:53:00.006-06:00

Olivia bought a rat with her Christmas money a few weeks ago. After dinner tonight I was washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen when she runs into the kitchen screaming..."Thats disgusting, oh my goodness, while holding a brown something that very much resembled her rat's poop. She then preceeded to put it in her mouth. By that point I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I was so stunned I couldn't scream fast or loud enough, "get that out of your mouth. What are you doing.? You are going to be sick". She then laughs so hard...Yes, I realized I had been punk'd It was a small piece of tootsie roll which she made look like rat poop. The kids are growing up! Yippee! Lord help me now!

Mom, I love you, I'm so proud of you!

2009-01-19T13:24:00.017-06:00

Last night Olivia, my eight year old typed me a letter on her computer. I wanted to share it with you. I will type it in the exact words she used. She did a marvelous job, which brought me to tears.

To: Mom

Subject: I love you, Im so proud of you!

I love you. you are so sweet to me even though we get on the wrong foot sometimes I still love you in that momint. You take care of me. you even stad up all night in the hospitle with me. Now that is true love. I love you mommy. I'm so proud for what you have done. you have taech me so much about God. Thank you for that. Thank you for everything you have done mom. But most of all thank you God for making my mom. I love you.

Love, Olivia

P.S. have a happy night.

When I read that letter, my heart sank, my eyes flooded with tears. I felt utter love, gratefulness, appreciation, and sincerity from my daughter. When we stop to appreciate and thank God for all He has done for us and is doing for us, think of the feeling of pure love, gratefulness and appreciation He must feel. It gave me hope back that I am a great mom. So many times we lose that hope and focus. I am only this great mom because I yearn on my knees for God to teach me how to be a pure, tenderhearted, yet just mom. He is the best parent we could model. yes, we all have our short comings. Thankfully He is there to forgive us when we mess up. In reading her letter, this is the blessing of being a stay at home mom, teaching my children of Jesus and His infinite love!

"Her children stand and bless her. her husband praises her also: Many women do noble things but you surpass them all!" Proverbs 31:28-29

Thank you Lord for your grace in parenting my children. I would'nt want to do it without you.

Harper Brown Stamps

2009-01-17T08:36:00.009-06:00

My friend Kelly went into the hospital yesterday to have her baby. We were all so excited to finally meet baby Harper. Kelly was so excited to finally be induced and meet her new, beautiful baby. Harper was born weighing 9 lbs 12 oz. She was born in critical condition not able to breathe. The hospital flew her to Tulsa to a NICU hospital to treat her. She was born with pneumonia. She will have heart/lung bypass today. My heart is heavy for Kelly and Scott. I feel as though I have been there with Kelly and experienced a lot of her pregnancy with baby Harper. I was up all last night (literally) praying for this family. God has a perfect plan for Harper. We dont know what His plan is but I know God is Sovereign and He will receive the glory, honor and praise through this. It brings me to the verse in Isaiah 55:8-9, "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Pray for this family. They are precious people who love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind. I love you Stamps family.

Blessings,

Bethany

New to blogging!

2009-01-16T20:00:00.002-06:00

I am really new to this blogging stuff. I have been following my friend Kelly's blog for some time now. I will add her blog to mine in case you would like to follow her too. Paul was really shocked that I started my own blog. He was really proud of me. Thanks Honey!

I thought this would be a great way for family and friends across the miles to stay in touch and know what is going on in our lives on a constant basis.

The girls came home from school today happy it was Friday, The Weekend! Ally, my first grader had received a boy's phone number today. Supposedly she sent him back my cell phone number. Smart Girl! She is so beautiful inside and out. She has one of those personalities where people flock to her. Especially the boys! She said today. "Momma, Luke writes in his journal at school everyday, "I love Ally". But, Momma I don't love him." Daddy is saying "Thats my girl!"

Olivia my 2nd grader had a great day at school today. Yea! we finally made it a whole week at school since the last month. She suffers from Migraines, which she has battled for two full weeks in December not being able to go to school. Then she came down with Strep throat, Ear infections then Pneumonia. She has Asthma, so winter is not good for her lungs. Through all that we go through with her. God is with us. I feel Him here. I am blessed.

Blessings!

Bethany