ICE day!

The electricity has been on and off all day. Thankfully, as I type, it is on, and it's almost bedtime. We're losing trees...but we have a nice, safe, warm place to sleep tonight, so we are blessed.

Just the two of us!

The house is quiet. Darryl left on Wednesday for the Dallas Midwinter meeting. Tonight, Bren has gone to Kennedy's for a sleepover, and Blake left around 6:30 p.m. to head to New Life Ranch for Chill Out '09 for the weekend. So, it's me and Beeper. So, I told him he could pick any place to go out to eat. Kobe...his pick. He loves sushi! I jokingly told him, we could go anywhere but Olive Garden...have you seen the commercial where the parent's take their college daughter out for dinner? I might have been able to eat there...but not without tears!

We had a great dinner. I enjoyed our conversation. He's just an absolutely incredible kid! I'm so blessed and thankful.

Alicia

Today was a great day! I was asked to be an aide for one student...the best part, he is in Alicia's class! So, I spent the whole day with her! And, the student had a great day too! They asked me to come back tomorrow and Friday. Actually, they asked me if I'd be interested in doing it full time. I had to say no. And it PAINS me to say no. What a perfect gig, working with my best friend, helping make her day easier...who could ask for anything more?! (Ok...so maybe a few thousand dollars more, but that's not why I said no!) I've been a stay at home mommy by choice for 18 years, and I'm just not about to give up this time, when Braden's down to his last 4 months of school. Can't do it! I'm looking forward to the debate weekends, awards assemblies and such that a working mom would find difficult. So, I said no, and I'm happy. I've always loved being a stay at home mom. I've been so blessed, and I've always know that. I've tried never to take for granted the opportunity that I've had. And as this senior year flies towards the end, I'm so so so so thankful! Grateful! Thankful that my husband has supported my being home. Thankful that my kids have always appreciated my being home. Thankful that we've always been able to afford groceries while I've been home!

But...I'm going back tomorrow and Friday. :-)

A New President!

I've been glued to the television most of the day! I'm sure Mrs. Swalley appreciated that I tore myself away to complete my "Monday folder" job at school, but I ran back home in hopes of catching the beginning of the parade.

As I've watched, I've been overwhelmed with emotion. I didn't vote for President Obama, but as I said after the election, I know that God is still in control, so I am proud to welcome our new President to office. I am so blessed to live in America. What a day!

What brought tears to my eyes most was seeing all the sights in Washington, D.C. and how thankful I am that I've had the opportunity to walk those streets and see those incredible sights with my husband and children. This morning, as I watched Diane and Robin on GMA, I asked Bren if she knew in what building they were sitting...and she did! The Library of Congress! What great memories we have!

Disco Time!

The kids are out of school today. It's an "In-Service" day for teachers, so technically, they are not out for MLK Day. I feel bad for my teacher friends...they deserve a holiday too! The kids are all asleep, and I so wish I could sleep in too, but Darryl's alarm went off, and I just couldn't find sleep again. It's a busy day, so rather than "prattle" on the computer, I should be showering. But, I know it's very cold out, and I'm postponing going out until I really have to. Tonight is Braden's 18th Birthday Dyn-o-Mite Disco at Roller City! I've got to get atleast a 100 cans of coke (since he invited 203 people on Facebook!), and pick up the cookie cake and some plates. I guess I should also figure out what we're having for dinner, since the party doesn't start until 7:30 p.m...ugh, I'd better quit stalling and get ready!

Happy Birthday Braden

Busy weekend...sort of

I already mentioned in a previous post that I was working last week. I worked Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Friday, when I got home from school (work), I realized that in a matter of minutes, 90 to be exact, my parents would be driving in from Kansas City to spend the weekend with us. So, I quickly pulled the house together, checked on the dinner I started in the crockpot that morning, and awaited their arrival. Always on time, they pulled in the drive at 5:15 p.m. They beat Darryl home, since he had a meeting in Tulsa. We watched a little tv and visited on Friday night. On Saturday, we all went to Olive Garden to celebrate Beeper's birthday with lunch. Mom and I spent the rest of the day (and night!) working on a scrapbook for my Grandma Billie. I've been working on this scrapbook for years, literally, so mom and I decided to finish it together. Darryl and dad spent the entire weekend playing xbox. They left early this morning, just as we headed out the door for church. Whirlwind weekend for sure!

A huge bright spot to my weekend occured when Debbie Luttrell dropped off a few groceries on the porch and some delicious dessert that was still warm from the oven that she made just for us. She knew I had been working for 3 days straight, and thought a nice warm dessert might be just what the Paterson family needed...boy, was she right! Thanks, Debbie! Love you!

So, tomorrow, my little baby boy will turn 18. Wow! Words can not express...

Pizza Night!

I can't work full-time. Why? Because my family would disown me if we had pizza every night for dinner, and it seems it's the only thing I can come up with after working all day long. Sad isn't? Working moms everywhere are playing tiny little violins for me. I can hear them. As I left the school today, they asked me to sub again tomorrow. I asked which class, because honestly, I was ready to say no. But, it's Abby's class. They won't let me sub in my own daughter's class, so the absolute next best thing is in her best friend's class, so I said yes. So, I'm heading to recipezaar.com to find a recipe that I can make after working tomorrow. I already said yes to Friday a couple of days ago, so I'd better figure out something for Friday while I'm there too. And mom and dad are coming on Friday night...so my house may very well be declared a disaster area by then. Oh well!

Sad day

Braden learned this morning that one of the teachers at his school died in a car accident on the way to school. The kids don't have school today, but the teachers returned from Christmas break today for an in-service. A young man with an 23 month old daughter and a baby on the way. It's just so horrible. He was a much loved biology teacher so tomorrow many students will return to his class with heavy hearts. I pray that God will reveal himself to those students, and that he will wrap his arms around that sweet little family.

Sleepy Bren

Abby, Bren's best friend spent yesterday and last night with us, after we returned from her house for the sleepover. She's still here this afternoon, and she just came in to me and said "Miss Christy, I think Bren is asleep." I asked her where...and she proceeded to show me exactly where...in the hall closet on the floor!! I snapped a picture for my Project 365, though the actual albums are sold out. I don't know what I'll do!!

A Sleepover with our best buddies!

Bren and I had a sleepover with Debbie and Abby last night. The rest of Debbie's family were out for the night, and we had already made plans for Bren to sleepover. But then Debbie got the brilliant idea for me to come join them! We had a blast! We spent most of the evening scrapbooking together. I worked on my Christmas card album. I've scrapped all the photo cards that we've received since 2003. It's so much fun to look back through the years and see how much everyone has changed. Kids just keep growing up, don't they? Debbie is the person who first showed me her album of Christmas cards, so I was pleased to be able to share mine with her. She brought her own Christmas cards out and began to work on her album too. I gave her a very hard time about not sending out cards herself though...she gave me the idea in the first place and her family is missing in my album since 2004! We took a break to grab some late dinner at Flying Burrito, and then went back to scrapping. Finally, somewhere after midnight, we settled onto their comfy couch to watch "Mamma Mia". I deemed it "appropriate enough", though I questioned my own judgement a couple of times during the movie. I think most of it went straight over the girls heads though I'm certain the day will come very soon when I have to explain how Sophie can think she has more than one father! Hopefully, I've still got some time to come up with the answer for that one. We finally turned out the lights and snuggled into our sleeping spots on her huge sectional sofa. The girls thought this was just the greatest...us all sleeping on the couch together! We had enjoyed our time so much, we found it difficult to leave, but I finally came home in my p.j.s with the girls in tow a little after noon and found my boys ready for some lunch! Mom saves the day!

2008, part 2

July brings fun times at the Paterson house! For the July 4th holiday, Mimi and Papa brought Matt and Miah up for a visit. We always have lots of fun when they are here. I love this picture of Matt "playing Guitar Hero" with Braden and Blake!
Matt stayed with us for a few days while Bren and Miah went to Kansas City with Mimi and Papa while Papa worked there. If only Burger King had made sure their Icee machine worked the whole time Matt was visiting, the entire week would have been a success!
Bren decided over a year ago that her next birthday party should be a "Camping" birthday. Her plan to take the motor home to Beaver Lake for a weekend camping trip with her friends was a great idea. The only glitch in the entire plan was that gas prices at the marina were almost $5 a gallon...so boating was very expensive. The girls loved taking a boat ride up to War Eagle Cavern and panning for gemstones. They also loved tubing and kneeboarding! Though we probably could have gone back to Chicago to American Girl Place for the same cost as her camping party...great times and great memories were had by all!August brought the trip we had waited all year for....Disneyworld with Mimi and Papa. Mom and dad decided early in 2008 that they wanted to take all of us to Disney for their 40th anniversary. Of course, I was thrilled to spend the next 8 months planning every detail of the trip. Since I've blogged about it already...I'll just say it was the best!!
The 1st day of school 2008. Braden's senior year! Blake starts 9th grade, and Bren begins the 4th grade in Mrs. Swalley's class. What great looking kids, right? Blake ran cross country for Central again this year, and improved his 1st race time by 5 minutes over last year on the same course! He continued to improve all season, and again, was awarded the Most Improved runner. Way to go Blakester!!
Homecoming dance 2008 with Lindsey. You both look incredible!

My 40th birthday surprise party! Thanks Darryl! Thank you wonderful friends!

Halloween 2008

And then Thanksgiving and Christmas and we're done with 2008! We enjoyed ringing in the new year with the Green and Wiegel families last night. I woke up this morning with a house full of boys who celebrated the new year until somewhere around 5 a.m. here at our house. (And we were still able to sleep! What great boys you are!)

Happy 2009!