We're going to DISNEYWORLD!

1ST DAY OF COLLEGE!!!

Today, Braden went to his 1st college classes. I couldn't wait to hear what he thought. He said he liked them all, but thinks his Honors Old Testament class is going to be very hard. Hmmm...guess Sunday School might have paid off about now! Oops! He is having lots of fun, and even managed to go to bed before midnight, without his mom telling him to do so! He says that he's eating, though it was pizza 4 days in a row! Good thing he plans to play lots of Ultimate Frisbee! I miss him bunches! I am so proud of him. He's such an incredible young man, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for him.

Love you beeper!

Happy Birthday Bren!

Bren celebrated her 10th birthday yesterday! We've spent the last week saying her new favorite phrase "Holy Schmidgitz! Double Digits!" She invited lots of friends from school over for a cookout in the backyard. Darryl worked very hard to get the stone floor on the patio so we could get the furniture and fire pit out there for the party. It looks great! The kids spent time feeding the 5 enormous catfish who've decided to visit us every evening now. Between the ducks and the catfish, my bread bill is skyrocketing! We grilled hot dogs, and served a double decker cookie cake which seemed to be a big hit. The kids played some yard games, and then had a 3.5 minute water balloon fight! Thanks to Tori and Blake who spent hours filling the water balloons! Darryl made a fire in the pit and the kids roasted marshmallows before it was time to go home. Bren said it was great...and that's really all that matters, right? Before she left for day camp at church, she opened her present from us...Josephina! She was thrilled. I can't believe my baby girl is 10!

Pray Today!

Today, my Grandma Billie is having surgery. Eight years ago, she successfully battled ovarian cancer. The battle was horrible, but she is an unbelievable warrior, and she is ready to fight again. We visited her in Tulsa on Wednesday. She is in good spirits. Thank goodness, she has a God who she knows loves her and will be with her every step of the way. If you happen to read this, please join me in praying for my grandma today.

Christy

Great Time, Great Friends, Great Memories!

Braden and Jake ride Top Thrill Dragster...Front Row!

Cedar Point!!!

A friend told me years ago about a great amusement park near their home. We'd never heard of Cedar Point, and quite honestly, no one we told about our vacation plans to Ohio had ever heard of it either. What began as just a stop along the way to "our real vacation", a Cleveland Indians game, Cedar Point quickly took top billing on places the Patersons love to visit in Ohio! We've visited twice as a family, in 2001 and 2002. Cedar Point isn't a place we compare to Disney, it's definitely in a different class. Cedar Point is an "amusement park", built around 17 roller coasters!! This morning, very early, Darryl and Braden took off for Sandusky...and Blake, Bren and I are home. Bummer!! BigTime! I am happy that Bren was so excited to be chosen to participate in the school talent show, that we decided only Daddy and Braden would go on the "Senior Trip", but boy, I wish we were going too. And, I HATE ROLLER COASTERS!! They'd better take lots of pictures or this is going to be one sad mom!!