I'm still here.....

Howdy hoo to all of you that read this silly old thing.

We've been a bit busy around my place and I took a bit of a sabbotical as well from blogging. I could spend hours reading blogs and posting, but don't really have that kind of time in the day to do that.

But just a quick update on the Patten's. We will be spending Thanksgiving with family and are looking forward to that. Halloween came and went so quickly. I tried posting some pics, but yet again, was unsuccessful! Ok so Rachel...let me know how you get all those pics on yours and then all the comments in between and all that fun stuff. I need some help.

Asher is doing great in school and so is Sienna. They both love it. Sienna says she's tired of Pre-K though, because they take long naps. That's funny because I know she heard Asher say the very same thing last year....he really never slept, but Sienna snoozes the entire nap time usually. She wants to go to Kindergarten though. We feel this is a good sign. She will probably do a half day Kinder next year.

Asher is really starting to take off reading on his own. His aunt and uncle bought him some "Magic Tree House" books and he LOVES them. I am so excited to see his love for books coming alive! He reads really well and is gaining more and more confidence in himself.

Sienna is always telling me that she's pretending to be a teenager.....yes, she's 4. I'm in for it, I know. Sienna LOVES to bake anything, especially in her EasyBake Oven. She LOVES makeup and jewelry and anything girly....but it's cool because she isn't so girly that she won't go make a good mud pie or wrestle with her brother. She is such a blessing though. Our family wouldn't be the same without her.

And Sydney...well, let's just say she is following suit!! She is as feisty as Sienna ever thought about being at 18 months old...and BUSY. I guess the girls can keep each other busy. Sydney loves to dance and throw in her two cents in whatever conversation is going on. She is also starting to dress up alot now, with high heels and all, a purse, necklace usually and a stroller with either a baby in it, or her sippy cup. Go figure! For the most part, she is happy. She says "apple, na-na, Ashoo (Asher), dada, mama, ook (look), bas (bath), shoe, so (sock), baw (ball), No, sta (stop), biboo (bible), sasha (sorry)" and a few other things I can't make out yet. She loves to talk.

Todd, well, he is one busy man. He's at the end of another semester trying to finish up classes. He's good though. He is a good teacher and a good student. He's an awesome dad and husband. He wears alot of different hats and still finds time to go fishing once in a while with Asher. We love him. I love him.

I'm good. Just feeling very thankful at this time of year. Hope you all are too.

God bless!

Be careful what you pray for....

I had an interesting afternoon yesterday. It had been cold and raining most of the day, so we, the girls, stayed in. We went to pick Asher up from school and got home to catch up on the day, get snacks, you know the usual after school routine.

Sometime around 4 pm, my doorbell rang. I went to answer it and it was a woman with her adolescent age daughter. (This same woman came to me in the drive way the other day asking for money, to buy her daughter something she needed. I had a few dollars on me and gave it to her and she went on her way. I was talking to my neighbor that evening about the woman and she told me that this same woman also asked her for money, but my neighbor was in another part of town when she was approached. The lady gave her the same story. I gave her more than enough money to buy what she needed. So I immediately became skeptical, naturally. So this is the background to this encounter yesterday.) Anwyay...I prayed that God would bring her back my way, because it really bothered me that she was using her daughter in the way it seemed she was. I wanted to give her a talking to!! Well she came back yesterday asking for a ride to some hotel up the street a bit. She said she didn't have any place to stay that night and was going to be staying at this hotel. I immediately became skeptical and didn't feel it the safest thing to take all of my kids in the car with her to this "hotel". I told her I couldn't right then and that I was sorry. She said ok and went on her way. When I closed the door, I felt so bad for doing that to her. More so for her daughter, because it was cold and rainy and it was a good bit of a walk. I started praying and pacing and became aggravated that I turned her away. After all, I did pray for her to come back. I called Todd and talked to him briefly about it and thought that maybe I should leave my kids with my neighbor and try to go find her. He told me to do what I thought best. So I called my neighbor and mulled it over with her a bit, and took the kids to her house. I quickly got in my car, and started looking for them. I looked and looked, even did a couple of trips down the path I thought they may have taken and never found them. I was praying in the car, and I didn't know if I was doing the right thing or not. When it seemed as though I wasn't going to find them, I called Todd back. When he answered, I immediately began to sob. I'm not afraid to write this on here. I need to deal with this. I cried hard. I cried because I had prejudices, because I was afraid, because I didn't seize the opportunity I had prayed for, I cried for her daughter. I don't know anything about this woman really. I have to think that she may be doing the best she knows how to do. I didn't trust her though. I believe that the H.S. gives us direction in many situations and I just didn't trust her. I sure didn't want to put my kids in a potential situation that could have been bad. They are my primary concern always. Even still, she came back. I'm praying she'll come back again and that God will give me the boldness and confidence to talk to her, really talk to her. You who are reading this may not know me well, but this is for sure, I want to be used by God, I want to be an instrument of peace. I want it so bad, it hurts sometimes. There is so much more in my heart that it's hard to articulate. So I'll end this post here. If you want to, pray for me to follow God through the doors he opens and to not get in his way.

I'll update this story as it unfolds.

All I know is, God is good and has blessed me so stinkin abundantly and I want to pay it forward....without fear or condition.

Love my girls...

This morning, I wasn't feeling too good and Sydney must have been able to sense it. She climbed up on the couch with me and laid on me, for a long time. She never does this since she always has so many other things to do that are important. She was kissing me over and over and talking to me. It was the first time she really did this on her own. She was rubbing my face and my head. It was so sweet. I love that about my kids. All of them, at different times, have ministered to me without trying to and this is such a humbling thing to me. Especially because I can be so hard on them. I'm thankful today that even when I mess up, they love me. Being a mom is the hardest thing I've ever had to do so far in my life. I love it!!! I'm so blessed. Just wanted to share.

Magic Erasers Rock!!!!

Tonight, I got the crazy urge to pull out my newly bought Magic Erasers. If you have never tried one, oh baby, you need to, especially if you have little hands that attract dirt, jelly, peanut butter, chocolate milk, and well, you get the idea. Todd came into the kitchen and said, "it looks like you painted in here." I actually felt really good hearing him say that. It does look like a new kitchen. This means only one thing: my cabinets were filthy! And they're white, so I'd clean one and then see how absolutely disgusting the next one was, so I couldn't stop until the whole kitchen and some walls had received some long overdue attention.

Would that we could have a "magic eraser" for the moments in life that we'd like to forget about and erase. That would be so great, wouldn't it? Well actually, we do. "We" being those in Christ. He erases our mistakes and aren't we so thankful for that. Those stains that go deep into our lives, he took them away. Praise God! Isn't that something we should want every person we know or don't know to have that knowledge? I mean, I wanted everyone to go out and buy a magic eraser. Because they work. Really. And Jesus' blood, really works. He really did take away the sins of man. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us....Hallelujah!!!! And we don't have to do the "scrubbing", we just receive the blessing and absolute freedom from "dirt". God is amazing. And since we already know this about him, we must share that with those that don't.

I'm curious, how is God using you lately to share the "good news" with others?

Blessings...

This is a test...

I'm testing my skills using Flickr...so bear with me. I'm trying to figure out how to put more than one photo on using this service because for some reason, I am not able to post multiple pics just using Blogger. Now...I know that some of you out there are way more computer savvy than me so phooey on you! I'm still learning. And I think I'm getting it!

Sydney is the sugar in my coffee...she just brightens everything up. Even when she climbs on the table and gives us a heart attack. She is such a happy baby for the most part, especially when she is stealing the show from her brother and sister. She loves to spin and hop and dance. I love to see when my kids are happy. It makes me happy. Even when I've had a bad day. It really makes me happy. I'm reminded of the innocence of childhood and how God sees us....innocent, forgiven, redeemed....so we have reason to spin, dance, sing, hop, do cartwheels, and whatever your heart desires. And God must be so happy when he sees us living out that joy as well. So....laugh, by yourself, with your kids, with a friend....do something out of the ordinary...heck, twirl if you so desire. Just enjoy life, your family, your friends, your heavenly Father will be smiling!

Sydney

Sydney
Originally uploaded by thepatten5@sbcglobal.net.

She's a climber!

Sydney

Sydney
Originally uploaded by thepatten5@sbcglobal.net.

Sydney

Sydney
Originally uploaded by thepatten5@sbcglobal.net.

This girl loves to climb up on my table and play with the candles!

What in the World!!

I just watched a newscast about the man in Pennsylvania that bound and executed 6 kids at an Amish school. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out cnn.com and you'll see it. I am just floored as many all over the world probably are as well at the actions of this man. This guy was a father, husband, and only 32 years old. That's how old I am, so his kids are little. He wasn't Amish either. It seems like some random killing. He did leave notes at home for all of his family and called his wife right before he started shooting to tell her he wasn't coming home.

Ok...so I'm processing this. How? Why? The world is broken people. WE, as a people, must be the arms, eyes, ears, hands, feet, heart, and mouth of Jesus. Not that we can fix it. I don't want that job. I like playing dumb sometimes. It's easier that way. But I'm not called to play dumb or to turn a blind eye. I am called to be salt and light in a very dark twisted broken world. If you're like me though, there are the days that I don't want to be salt and light. I just want to be that one spice that gets pushed to the back of the cabinet and only used like once a year, it's a good spice, but not one used everyday, like paprika! Yeah, paprika. Why is it that some of us (I'm assuming that there others who share my feelings) shy away from brokenness? I mean, we are all broken, but some are shattered into pieces, like that guy that shot those kids and himself. Some of us are just chipped. Nonetheless, brokenness. Which is why we cry out to Jesus. But why, as a body, do we run from others brokenness? I wonder if that young man felt isolated and like he had no one that was "with him" heart and soul. We bail on people, don't we? I have. I hate to admit it, but I have. And I've been bailed on. Not a fun feeling. I bet Jesus felt that way, like no one was with him "heart and soul". I am so thankful for Jesus and his example of not bailing on others when the "water started boiling." And really, we know going into this thing called christianity, that it isn't going to be an easy ride. Like those Staples commercials, with the big read "EASY" button. Boy how I wish I had one for real though. But we all knew that being children of the King meant that we would, at times, invite danger. There I said it. Danger. Or did we know it? I don't think I really got that at 18 years of age. At this point in my life, I just feel so strongly, that Jesus called us to live life on the "edge" with him. Can it be dangerous? Yes. When we dive into others brokenness, in an effort to help them, is there some risk? Absolutely.

It's a good thing Jesus didn't (and doesn't) bail on us when we were chipped, shattered, bruised, beaten and just stinky.

What is God teaching you right now about brokenness and helping to "mend"? Let's pay attention! And act when you are compelled to, whatever it may be.

By the way, if you don't have an account and you sign in as "anonymous", don't forget to sign your name at the end of your post. I want to know who you are.

Thanks

The Enemy...not too quiet

I am reminded alot that the enemy, who so badly wants to see us fail, doesn't ever stop. Why is this? I mean, I know why, I think, but why does he care? I'm thankful that Jesus has already won the war. When it comes to the battles, however, who is winning in your life? I know for me, it's a constant struggle to take myself off of the throne. I am reminded also that we, as a body, have a responsibility to do "battle" together. Are you praying for those you say you'll pray for? When you ask someone how they are doing, do you really stay around long enough to find out, or do you look over or around that person to move on to who you really want to talk to? When you see someone hurting, how does it affect you? Jesus was so good about showing us how to respond to the unlikeables and unloveables....moved with compassion, literally, a stirring in his gut. There are many around us that we may not "see", but they are hurting. Satan works hard to see them/us fail. If you're reading this, and you're having a good day, look for someone that may be on the brink of failure, and pray for them. I mean, really pray for them, on your knees. If you're reading this, and you're not having a good day, please email me, I promise I will pray for you. And remember, God is not far away.

Blessings....
thepatten5@sbcglobal.net

Catching up...

It's been a while since I've been able to post and I've had some trouble with posting pictures, because let's face it, pictures of my kids are the most important things on this blog, right? Feel free to agree!!

We have been very busy and I'm thankful for that, at times. If you know me, you know that I always say, I have no complaints. I could complain, believe me, but I won't and when I do, I catch myself usually because I know that there are others in this world who have it so much harder than me and my "bubble like" existence here in Searcy. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful to be here, but sometimes it's almost too good to be true. Anybody feeling me? Give me a shout out and give me your thoughts on this.

Blessings to all!

My girls..

Thought I'd post some recent pics of the girls. Sienna loves to wear her Bison Cheerleading outfit (we train 'em early here) and Sydney is just cute. I'm figuring this blog thing out.

Todd and I are so blessed and grateful for our kids. More later...

Sienna's glasses

Here is a picture from the first day she had them. We think she looks really cute in them.

Glasses....

So many of you don't know this, but we had to get glasses for Sienna. We had her seen by an opthamalogist last week and confirmed that she is indeed farsighted. He said that we caught it early enough that we should be able to "reset" her vision basically. So hopefully by the time she turns 9 or so she may not need them anymore. We shall see. She did really great and they look really cute on her. We've also ordered a pair of pink Barbie glasses that should come in this week. I thought you all might enjoy seeing some pictures of her with them on. She also got her 4 year shots today and did fantastic. Because she did so good, I got her the "Highschool Musical" soundtrack and we have all been singing away since.

Sidenote...for some reason I am not able to put the pictures on right now. I will asap. It's probably my lack of knowing what I'm doing. Patience flee!!

Pretty cool...

Just a quick post to say that I am so proud of Asher. He has been reading this Beginning Reader's Bible all evening and he is so proud of himself. In fact, after class tonight at church, instead of running around and playing with his friends (those of you who live here or have visited know what I'm talking about...it's crazy with kids) he sat in a corner, reading his Bible. He read it all the way home, a whole 3 minutes, but still, he read while he was doing a breathing treatment and just seems to be so excited that he can read all of a sudden!! I mean, he's been able to read for some time now, but says he can't. I'm very thankful for the confidence growing in him to try things that may seem hard, and even more so that he picked up his Bible!! God is good. My thoughts tonight are that I pray that the Lord is blessing your families as well.

Sick day!!

Well Asher stayed home from school today because he wasn't feeling good. He ran some fever yesterday afternoon and this morning also. So we went to the Dr. and sure enough, he has a throat infection. We got medicine and went on our way. So today he has been in his room, doing the things that boys do: watching Return of the Jedi, coloring, laying around. Pitiful really. I assure you that he is ok.

I think I can!!

I think I added a picture. Cool!

Here we go...again.

I have tried this before, and gave up, and because some others are getting brave, I thought I'd try again. Sorry girls for being nosy...you know who you are! I hope to keep you all updated on the ins and outs of the Patten's. I know, it's a tough job, and i'm the only one that will do it. Be patient with me as I venture out in the world of technology, for I am technologically challenged. That is all for now. Check back soon for pix and other misgivings.