Sunday - what a great day

I love Sunday! There was a time in my life that Sunday didn't mean much to me - a time when I stopped going to church and led my own life - but now, it has a different meaning. I'm trying to pass that trait to my son Jake - he gets so excited when it's church time!! He pops out of bed on Sundays asking "what time are we leaving". He knows we are going to both services and he doesn't care that we will be there from 8:00 - 1:00.....he wants to be there and be involved. He gets to play in the youth band and he LOVES singing and playing and worshiping. It's makes me so proud to look up there and see Jake's hands raised and his love for Jesus showing on his face. You see, he has the knowledge of being a miracle. I have never stopped telling him that Jesus healed him and that if it weren't for Jesus' love and healing power - Jake might not be with us today.

I love knowing that I'm meeting good people who love to worship and honor God. I love knowing that hearts will be touched and lives will be changed.

Today was no different.

Awesome move of the spirit in both of our services during the praise and worship and then, I had the honor of teaching the toddler class - not once - but twice! They are so sweet and have such a desire to learn more about Jesus. Our lesson today was about Lazarus and the friendship that he had with Jesus. We talked about what it means to have friends, what it means to love our friends so much that we would do anything for them.....I have several friends like that - most of whom read this blog. What would you do for a friend? How far would you go to let someone know how much they mean to you? Jesus traveled a great distance to raise Lazarus from the dead when he could have just spoken the word and Lazarus would have been healed - but I feel he wanted those around to know how much he cared for him by traveling to his gravesite and proving his love for Lazarus. Can you imagine the people's awe when they saw/heard Jesus raised him from the dead - can you imagine the feeling that must have come over Lazarus to know that his friend cared enough for him that he would come and raise him from the dead? Wow - what powerful friendship.

My point - find someone who means alot to you and let them know....don't let today pass you by without someone knowing how much you love them.

To all of you - my love.

Crazy day

I think that all days from now until Christmas are going to be crazy busy! I started out the day thinking that I would go shopping - but it didn't pan out that way. Woke up early enough - but Jake wasn't in the mood to get going.....I made coffee, breakfast, worked on email, took a shower, got dressed - all before he decided it was time to move....

My day wasn't wasteful by any means - I went to Sams and bought snacks for the children at church. We always serve snack during Sunday School and I wanted to donate some snacks - so Jake and I went to Sams and loaded up. Then, I had to rush Jake to choir (because we were late going to SAMS) so he could practice for the upcoming WayStreet Kids showcase....Jake is in the drama/skit, hip-hop dance, choir and band!!!! He signed up for everything - and he is doing a great job with all the practices. While he was at practice, I got the opportunity to have coffee with my friend Aaron, who is here for the holidays. It was great to catch up with him. Once choir was over - it was off to my sister, Deniese's house to help her with some computer sutff......then, back home at 5:00! It's amazing how fast the days seem to get by you.....I never made it to any of the stores I intended to hit today.....

Needless to say - next week - I will be trying to hit some of the stores in the afternoon to get some christmas shopping done so that I don't wait until the last minute. I have to remind my self to slow down and enjoy the season. It is my favorite time and I don't want to be in such a rush that I don't have time to enjoy. My house is decorated, my yard is lit up - so I'm enjoying some good christmas music and making all my list......I live by list (and I get made fun of because I do!).

I have a neighborhood party at my house this Friday night - I'm going to be utilizing Tracie's "Charming Hospitality" site and using a bunch of her dessert recipes......should be lots of fun. It seems like I have something to do every weekend until Christmas - but I'm determined to keep my spirits up and not get bogged down.

Hope everyone has good church tomorrow! Love to all

Thanksgiving - what a great week!

what a whirlwind week I've had!!! I spent Monday and Tuesday getting my house decorated for Christmas because I knew I wouldn't have time this weekend and I wanted my tree up for Thanksgiving day! Wednesday I spent all day cooking - I made Grammy's dressings, Tracie's green bean bundles and hash brown casserole - we had bread, sweet potato's (made by my sister Deniese), corn casserole, ham and my sweet husband spent all day on Wednesday smoking two turkeys!!!! Whew - so much food.....took a break around 5:30 - got dressed for church, went to church, came home around 9:30 and cleaned my house!!!!

Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Got up at the CRACK OF DAWN to go to the Thanksgiving Day parade downtown. We go early to get a spot and then wait for 2 hours for the parade to start....however, that time is well spent - looking at all the people, eating kolaches, donuts and drinking hot coffee. We also get to spend some time with other family members who will having Thanksgiving with their in-laws. My brother, Kelly and his family, who pastor in Mississippi, were there, it was great to see them for a short time before they left to have Thanksgivng with the McClains.

Then, back to my house where 10 of us gathered to give thanks for all our blessings and dig into all the great food!!! It was wonderful. My mother-in-law made two homemade pies (pecan and cococut) - they were fantastic!!! I need to learn how to make that homemade crust!!!

After cleanup - myself, Jake, one of my sister's Carla, and my mother-in-law, piled into my car and headed to Conroe to visit with Popsie and Grammy (my parents). My sister Paulette and her two kids were there and later - some of my extended family arrived - Kent, Tracie and "bishop" the new puppy (which, Jake did not want any part of!) Redonia, Courtney, Kyleigh, and Scott came by and Jarod - a friend of the family......and guess what we did there - EAT MORE DESSERT!!! By this point - I'm having a major sugar rush!!!!!

Back home at 9:00 and I'm ready to pass out!!! I'm tired, full and the Aggies lost!!!!

Today, my husband is decorating the yard - putting out all the lights......we are ready for Christmas at our home........4 weeks left to shop - OH NO!!!

I hope you all had a blessed Day. Happy Black Friday to those of you brave enough to shop!!!

Love to all

Turkey trot.....whew!

All I can say is ......."Good night nurse!". I had no idea what I was in for when Jake asked me to come to the "turkey trot" at his school today.....I mean, I know there is a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot which is a 3 mile run - but, I must have still been sleeping when I said "sure, I'll leave work and come to your turkey trot".....

Picture this - I get there today, the PARKING lot is roped off and I realize that the parents are supposed to RUN/WALk the parking lot with the kido's!!!!! It's relatively warm out side and for each lap that you "run" (trot) you receive a popsicle stick and it counts towards your class.....so, here I am - all made up - "trotting" around the school parking lot!!!! Cute, let me tell you! I had sweat running everywhere (because I went to work with a long sleeve shirt, jeans and closed toe shoes - not TENNIS shoes to run in - work shoes!!!)

I realize I'm making lasting memories - but, next time - I should check into what exactly he is asking me to do!!! LOL

Jake was so excited that I was there - I couldn't complain - he was introducing me to all his friends (everytime I'm there - I have to meet everyone again and again and again)......LOL

Can't wait to wake up and go to the Houston Thanksgiving day parade. It's been a long standing Patrick tradition - as long as I can remember, I've been going to the parade. Then, it's home to my house for lunch with the in-laws and then over to grammy and popsie's house for leftovers! This is definitely one of my FAVORITE holidays. Believe it or not - as I get older - family is becoming the most important to me and I find myself wanting to be around them much more! There is a bunch of us when both families are together (Patrick/Thomas) but it's alot of fun. Grammy is a special lady as she has always welcomed us into her home and has never made us feel like the "step" kids. All the grands are her grands - there is no separation and that is something to be thankful for as well! She is one special lady and I love her much.

Hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving day! We all have so much to be thankful for this year - Paulette is healthy, Timo is healthy and on his way to a great recovery, and all the other nieces and nephews are doing fine. Popsie and Grammy are well and Tootsie (my mother-in-law) completes her final radiation treatment on Wednesday, December 3rd! We are so blessed, above and beyond.

Ok - that's enough sap from me!

Love to all

Be blessed.

Thanksgiving Feast - Kindergarten style

I love being able to participate in Jake's school activities. I know that some mom's are not fortunate to be able to attend all their kids activities - but God has blessed me and I'm able to attend most of them.

Today was "Thanksgiving" according to the Kindergarten class and it was a hoot! Of course, the food - was just like I remember school cafeteria food to be - AND it was turkey and dressing at 10:30 AM - but, it was fun to be there and to see Jake get so excited that his mommie was there. He kept asking his friends - "have you met my mommie yet". too cute.

I know, I know, I need to treasure these moments - but like I posted yesterday - give him about 20 minutes and he'll find a reason to slam the door in my face....LOL. He is a good kid most of the time - everyone tells me he acts up for my benefit only. Don't you love it when they stay with the grandparents and you go to pick them up and the grandparents say "he was an angel" and you, the parent, wonder if they are talking about the neighbors kid???

Anway - hope you enjoy the photos that I took today. They were little indians for the luncheon.

Be blessed.

ok - what is it with 5 year olds???

Am I really being paid back for my young, precious, attitude that I had as a child??? I'm sure I was NO where near as crazy as my son is....(no comments from my family - extended family included!) LOL....how can someone so cute......be so.....not cute!!!

Ok - here is the deal - if I'm not being hit, I'm being looked at with non adoring eyes, growled at, pinched, kicked, door slammed in face, drums sticks thrown at walls, tongue stuck out, eyes once again rolling back in the back of his entire head - I mean - come on - you would think that I'm the worst parent on the block and it could be as simple as something like - "No, Jake, you can't stick your hand in the oven door while the cake is baking!"

Now, don't believe for one minute that he doesn't get in trouble for this kind of behaviour - but some of it is so hard to not laugh at because I can totally see me giving my dad and mom some of this same grief (and Mom Shirley too if the truth be told!). However, I know for a FACT that I would have been picking myself up off the floor if some of this attitude had been given to my father.....whew - I don't even want to think about that....those were the days -when you could discipline your child without having to worry about who was watching you.

Of course, for those who don't know me - I was exactly like him and the funny thing is - I get the blame when my nieces and nephews act just like me - like I had anything to do with them being created - but whatever!!! (ROFL). Hannah and Kidron are alot like me and probably get in the most trouble for just acting like Aunt Karen - but, oh well - when it's not my kid - I think it's funny!!!

Anyway - terrible two's are officially extended into the terrible five's and I'm just wondering..........when does it end????

Love to all

Another hearing test.....here we come!

so, Jake has officially failed his hearing test at school twice now!!!! We had an extensive test down about a year and a half ago where they had to put him to sleep and they monitored his brain waves for 4 hours.......it showed that he show some signs of less hearing in one ear - but not enough for a hearing aid......however, since he has failed both of the hearing test at school....

The nurse at school has recommended he be tested by the district audiologist - which I will do - it's a more extensive test. I will however, consult my pediatrician before going back to TCH for the test that requires a sleep agent.

Just when I think we are on track - bam - here is something else.....please know that I'm not complaining - I've had my share of trials with Jake....I just get comfortable that he is on the safe track and then I get a blast of reality. Let me explain - Jake is a little boy who was 3 months premature - weighing in at one pound....he has seen his share of doctors and hospitals.....he is a miracle - pure and simple! God has answers our prayers everytime and I know this is just another speed bump to cross. What I mean when I say a blast of reality is that Jake doesn't show his disabilities on the outside - so when you see him - you don't even know that he has them - sometimes I get caught up in the "normalacy of Jake" and I get sidetracked by him doing so well and then something will show up and I'll be like - oh yeah.....this is a struggle for him. Now that they have told me that he has failed his hearing test - I realize that he has mentioned a couple of times that he "can't hear" - can I turn the music up......or can I talk louder.....maybe it's all that drumming he does!!! LOL......

Jake is my hero - he doesn't even realize he has issues - he could care less if someone thinks he can't do something because he is going to prove that he can! I know that even if it's time for a hearing aid or some kind of implant - he will overcome whatever is placed in front of him. He already knows that God has brought him this far - he will tell you real quick that he was very tiny when he was born and Jesus healed him.....so, I'm not worried - I'm just "motherly" frustrated!

Please keep us (as well as my nephew Timo who is also struggling with his own hearing loss issues)in your prayers! Everything works out according to his plan for our lives - I believe that and I know that Jake was born into this world for a reason and a purpose and no matter what is thrown in our direction - we will overcome because greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world!!

I will keep you all posted!


Love to you all.

Out of the mouth of babes.......

I have to post this - what a sweet heart my niece Hannah is.........as most of you know - my sister Paulette has struggled through this past year with Breast cancer and is officially a survivor! Well, yesterday, a friend of her's was listening to KSBJ and heard this email being read over the air....it was from Paulette's daughter, Hannah. It is too sweet not to share. Hope you enjoy it as much as we all did! I'm very proud of you Hannah - I love you!!!

Email from Hannah to KSBJ:

Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 7:51:31 PM
Subject: Thank You/ My Testimony

Okay, this is just something I thought I would share with you. So here it goes:

My name is Hannah, and I'm a 13 yr old girl in Houston, Texas. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer about last year, and she won the battle, but now she is fighting infection for the same reason. Well, the other day, my aunts and I were praying for her, and while my aunt was praying, she said, "God, we know that Paulette has been to death's door and came back because of you," and today I realized that I disagree. I like to think that she never made the trip to "death's door", I like to think that God had her in his hands and all she had to do was keep believing and she would make it through. And I just wanted to thank everyone on KSBJ because every time I felt down or sad about my mom, I would just switch my radio on and would listen for a while and it really calmed me down, and made me see that God was in control. So thank you very, very much!

Simply Me

~Hannah C

Beautiful weather........makes me feel like dancing!

I love this time of year - it always makes the holidays feel much more like "holidays" when it's cold vs. hot! I can remember going to the Thanksgiving Day Parade downtown Houston when it was FREEZING and we were all bundled up, with hot chocolate......and then, I can remember times when we were sweating like pigs....it's just hard to get in the spirit of the holidays when it's hot - but, when the weather is nice and cool.....I'm ready to celebrate!

I love to make my mom's famous chicken and dumplings when it's cold.....it's my favorite fall food. My husband, Mark, loves chili - the hotter the better for him. If you are not sweating bullets while eating it - it's not chili.....or so he says!

Jake is such a picky eater! However, I was pleasantly surprised when I made Mexican cornbread the other night (without the jalapeno) and he ate the whole thing off his plate!!! Score one for mom. I recently bought the "deceptively delicious" cookbook that Jessica Seinfield wrote where you puree the veggies and "hide" them in the food - I'm hoping that I can trick Jake into eating more healthy.

I made an great, easy cake yesterday - here is the recipe if anyone wants to try it....it's simply called "good cake"

1 yellow cake mix
1 cup pecans
1/2 cup oil
1 cup orange juice
4 eggs
1 can coconut pecan frosting

Mix ALL ingredients (even frosting) in bundt pan - 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. turn to 300 for about 30 more minutes. Cook until test done. Can lay foil on top so it won't get too brown for last 30 minutes. This is very good and SO easy!

Be Blessed.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk

I've always been a proud sponsor of the Susan G. Komen foundation - not only because they are a great cause - but because I would walk in honor of my mother, Euna Patrick, who passed away from breast cancer in 1983. This year, I had a very proud moment in my life when I got to walk with my sister, Paulette, who is a ONE year SURVIVOR! What a great moment it was to see her walk down the survivor path and cheer for her! She has come such a long way and has been through so much this past year - but has always kept up her spirits and took what was handed her without complaining!!! Way to go Paulette - you are my hero! I love you!!!

Be blessed.

Jake's 6th Halloween!!!

halloween is so much fun at our house.......this is the first year that we decorated the yard - every year - we'll add a little more... nothing spooky - just good, clean fun. Look at Jake - big, bad spiderman! I'm surprised the costume lasted until halloween - he played in it for days prior to the 31st! This is the first year he would wear a mask - and even then - it only lasted about 10 minutes into trick-r-treatin'.......he got so much candy!!! WHEW. His Dad gets the honor of walking through the neighborhood with Jake - I stay home and pass out candy.......after they toured the "hood", Jake helped the prisoner pass out candy........

One of the funniest stories that we have from a past halloween is a couple of years ago - Jake was a pony with a big, long bushy tail.....he was too young to walk - so Mark carried him around the neighborhood....little did we know - several of our neighbors saw Mark from the back and thought Mark was trick-r-treatin' with his DOG!!!!! We found out a couple years later - after getting to know them - that they thought Mark was out trick-r-treatin with his dog!!!! Poor Jake!!!

enjoy!

My first attempt

Hello everyone - this is my first attempt at blogging......so hang in there! More to come as I figure this all out!!!