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!!
