Sunday, July 27, 2008

Okay, I know what you are thinking...


Well, my addiction to the internet (or the computer, in general) has not infiltrated my blog. I started this darn thing almost 9 months ago and this is only my third post. Pathetic, I know. I will try harder next time, I promise (I have my fingers crossed as I type this!).

My daughter, Rylee, will tell you I am no good with promises. I am learning not to promise anything! Especially, if the only reason I make the promise to stop the incessant whining of my children. My children have memories like elephants. Do elephants really have good memories? Sorry...got distracted. I will google that later and report back.

I am officially started the school countdown. I think there are 27 days left of summer! I am ready. With gas so high, taking the kids to do fun stuff is not really possible. Of course, they are given the "Mom and Dad are not made of money" speech every other day. That memory thing doesn't apply to every detail, I guess. :) I was able to take the kids to see my folks. They had a great time. Nana and Papaw tend to spoil all of us! I was able to take the kids to a water park with my sister and her family. Ethan wore me out! I could not get out of his eyesight. He surprises me. One minute he hates me and says, "Leave me alone!" Then he is hugging and kissing me and asking if he is my "punkin." What a stinker! The trip was pretty uneventful. We did, however, go out to Brent's grandma's for a tractor ride! That was fun. The kids loved that.

This semester should be fairly light for me. I am only taking 12 hours and 2 of those classes are math classes (EASY!!!). I am looking forward to seeing my friends. I live vicariously through them! I like to hear about their carefree summers! Don't get the wrong idea! I love my life, but I never got to be a traditional college student. I don't think I could do it now. I have led too much of a sheltered life, as a young wife and mother.

My summer, as whole, has been pretty boring. I have no time for excitement or drama. I get to hear about all the drama I could possibly want at Home Depot. I work with some people who are really warped in the decision-making skills (if they have any at all). It keeps things interesting each weekend.


Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Holy Cow! It is almost summer!


Well, this semester has been CRAZY!!! Lots of change in the zoo we call the Patterson family! We have a new monkey in our clan. My brother-in-law has a fourth little one to take care of. Her name is Isabelle Dalia. She was born on February 28th (this close to being a leap baby!). She was a surprise to say the least! Izzie was 6 weeks premature and spent about 3 weeks in the NICU. But she home now and growing like a weed! (started at 4lb 10oz and now if 7lb 15oz.)


My mom-in-law is caring for her, as she cannot go to daycare. That has been a big undertaking for her. Sue has done a wonderful job. Having as many as 7 kids to care for can drive anyone insane, but she manages to hold it together.


My first semester as an education major has been wonderful! I am taking 16 hours. It sounds like a lot, but it has been very do-able. I hope to end with a 4.0 gpa. I have come to the conclusion that I want to teach upper elementary and not 6-8. I am going to be certified to teach math in grades 4-8. I don't know if I have the patience to handle teenagers! But I have also discovered to not make any definite plans. You never know what you will love doing when it comes to your career.


I plan on going to summer school. I am taking 6 hours, which should be easy. The fall and spring semseters are going to be a breeze at 12 hours each! I am stoked about that!


As a few of you know, my mom has been recently diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. She met with the surgeon yesterday and the prognosis is very good. She has to undergo a lumpectomy and have a course of radiation, but no chemo!!! Thank the lord! She is staying positive and will continue to work. Pray for a speedy recovery and energy as she goes through her treatment.


I hope to spend a week or two in the Dallas area in July. We will see what happens with that. Gas prices are insane and I have to drive downtown everyday in June for one of my summer classes. If my plans work out, I will y'all know. I know some of you feel like I am avoiding you when I go to my parents, but the real reson is that my parents live out in the sticks! I have to drive 25 minutes just to get to Mckinney. That makes me not want to leave my folks! I promise to make a better effort to see everyone next time I am in town.
I would love to hear from you! You can also keep up with everything crazy going on with me through my myspace page at www.myspace.com/vallietx. Take care!

Friday, December 14, 2007

I might as well give it a try...

Well, many friends have blogs to tell the cyberworld about family happenings. Why not the Patterson's? Anyway, I apologize in advance. This is new to me, so give me a couple of weeks to figure this out.

My first posting is going to take the place of my Christmas letter. I know...many of you are in shock. I have NEVER been good at letters and don't count on that changing anytime soon. Brent and I just finished up with finals on Monday and are still recovering from a rough semester. I have changed my major for the umpteenth time to Interdisplinary Studies. In short, I am going to teach math to 4th through 8th grade. I am so excited about this, while some people (or namingly one ) are not. That is their problem. I am going to attempt 16 hours next semester. Pray for me! I think I might need all the help I can get! I also survived a major milestone. I turned 30 in November. I have come to the conclusion that I will not dread any birthday until my 40th. FYI, I will not be turning 40. 39 is going to be a great age!!!!

Brent is studying Mechanical Engineering. He is resting up for a challenging spring semester. He is looking forward to spending some much needed sleeptime in front of the television. But he will find time to do a few air conditoning jobs. He just can't say no!!

We both look forward to some much needed quality time with the kids. School keeps us so busy. We would sometimes go a couple of days without seeing them. Aaron is 9 and a 4th grader. I can't believe how tall he is getting. His favorite subject is science. He has loved learning about the body. I hope this curiosity continues. He has his hands full with scouts (he is a webelo!) and all his aniamals. He has a betta and a fire-bellied toad. He loves his Grandmama's puppy, Sugar. Aaron is always ready to go run with her in the backyard.

Rylee is 7 and a first grader. Rylee just loves school! She even wants to go on Saturday! She did not get that from me! She has taken to her new job as "big sister" to her cousins. She loves to help out with my brother-in-laws three daughters. I think she likes to be the "boss." Rylee is excelling in all her subjects at school and loves to read. When she is not reading, she is listening to Hannah Montana or the High School Musical soundtrack on her iPod.

Ethan is our dare devil. He has no fear and loves to prove that fact. He even broke his collarbone this summer. It took me over 24 hours to realize this. Great mom, huh? Just so you know, even if it is broken, the shoulder won't necessarily swell or bruise. He recovered and was even jumping of the furnture in the ER. I figure that won't be the last broken bone with him! Ethan has also taught himself to hit a baseball. Brent will through the ball FAST and he nails it about 80% of the time. I want to get him in T-ball this spring. It is hard to believe that my baby is turning 4 in week?!?!? As cliche as it sounds, they sure grow like weeds!

Brent and I look forward to a wonderful Christmas season. We will spend Christmas afternoon to the 30th of December with my parents in the Dallas area. Actually, my parents bought a new house in October. They live in the country on an acre of land just off a lake. They are loving it! The kids are excited because Papaw bought a 4-wheeler! Brent is thrilled, also Thank goodness we have insurance!! :)

This past year has been a dramatic one for the Patterson household. Shawn, Brent's younger brother, has very suddenly become a single dad. With Kristina out of the picture, Sue, my mother-in-law has stepped in to take care of the girls. It has been an adjustment for the entire family. We are making it though. Dustin, Brent's youngest brother, and his wife Tonja are living in Houston, as well. Their daughter, Katherine, is growing so fast! She is a darling. She reminds my of Rylee. She is a tiny thing, as was Rylee. They are praying for Dustin to get a much deserved promotion. He has sacraficed a lot time with Tonja and Katie.

My sister, Denise, has remarried (April 2006) to Daniel Phelps. He is the most wonderful father to her three boys. We love him dearly!!! They are living in a suburb of Dallas. Dan is a firefighter/paramedic. Denise works for Centex Homes. They are hoping to move to Grapevine, TX, where Dan works.

As 2007 comes to a close, we hope and pray 2008 is a joyous and prosperous year for you and your faily. Happy Holidays and God bless you!!