Goodbye 2010

I sat down this morning and started typing  how 2010 had inpacted my life and I stopped about 15 min in. I thought about it all day and decided instead of going back to where I dont want  to go I will just put a quote that probably inpacted me more this year that sums it all up. "I AM MAKING PROGRESS. I MAY NOT BE WHERE I NEED TO BE YET, BUT THANK GOD IM NOT WHERE I USED TO BE". enough said.

So, for 2011 I have alot of goals. Here are my top 5

5.  Make regualr visits with my kids to the local nursing homes to visit with the lonely ones that dont have visitors.

4.  Focus on the more positive things in my life and quit worrying about the things I can not change.

3. Run a half marathon

2. Be a better wife, mother and friend

1. Be a better Christian. (Not judge others and pray for my enemies).

There is alot of little other things that I have in mind that I would like to accomplish in 2011 and I know " I can do all things through Christ". I look foward to find out what God has planned for me.

Happy New Year!!!!

Quick Trip

Well so much for resting. Last minute decisson to make a quick trip to Fay to Fleet Feet. I have really been having some trouble with my foot/right leg the last month and I was kinda thinking maybe it was time for new shoes. Well looks like the wear on my shoes were evened out so its not that Im putting more pressure on one side of my foot than the other. But, I did manage to leave there with just new soles and hopefully can make my shoes last a few more months. Now for the bad leg Im gonna just pretend its not hurting because I know what a doctor is going to tell me and I refuse to stop running. Just not an option. (knock on wood). It was a good fast trip up there with a sweet friend (thanks Tara). Even managed to take a 1 yr old and a 4 yr old with no big drama. They enjoyed each others company. Pate loves playing mommy. So, tomorrow IS going to be a "day of rest". :0)

Random things...

This has been a great last couple of days of just relaxing. Had to get up and around early this morning to help Craig register kids for baseball camp. After all that hard work(;0)) I treated myself to a litttle retail therapy with a friend. Found some great after Christmas deals. I think Ive had enough shopping for a while. Well, for a day or two. Not much planned for the rest of the week. Run, rest, clean, dinner with friends, and a fun planned New Years Day Party at the Whittington's. Here are a few pics I took the other day. The first one is Pate's first experiment with her new Easy Bake Oven. She LOVES it. She wants to make something everyday.

Rare photo moment with my baby.

Boys being silly. JT weighs almost as much as me these days, so he's no little tot anymore.

Christmas 2010

Today was a great day from start to finish. We were up bright and early to see what Santa had brought. I ventured out this year and made breakfast for the whole family also. That was overall pretty successful, other than the slightly overdone breakfast casserole that cooked all night in the crockpot. It was eatable, just a little dry. Pate is definetly at that fun age where every present is  better than the one before. JT was all electronic this year. They have played all day with all their new things. We even managed to sneak in an hour nap for Pate. (much needed). Everyone was here together this year, so it made for a great day. We finished up our night with our yearly dinner at B's. The kids are still up playing now and I am so tired but Pate doesnt seem anywhere near ready for bed, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to blog. I think we ended up having 4 Christmas' this year at different family memebers houses. Makes for a long couple of days but it's always great to see everyone. I will attach a few of the dozens of pics I have taken over the last couple of days. Oh, before i go I have to tell about the note "Santa" had left the kids. Well, to no suprise my cooking once again was a flop. We made cookies last night to leave out for Santa and I kinda forgot they were in the oven. They didnt burn but they were a little like hockey pucks. I decided they had to do and "Santa" would just have to deal with what he already knew to be my fabulous cooking skills. This morning when we got up there was the note Santa had left the kids " Dear JT and Pate. Thank you for the milk and cookies. Tell mom I will send a bill for my chipped tooth. Santa likes his cookies a little softer. Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas". Made for a good laugh. I love that Santa!

Eye opener

Before my sister came to town her and my mom had called ahead to two of the nursing homes here in Greenwood to find out if they had any patients that they could by Christmas for. They asked to buy for someone that maybe didnt have family around or maybe just none at all. Pate and I went with them to deliver their gifts. I never expected to be taken back like I was. I havent quit thinking about these 6 people. Our first visit to Golden Living we met 3 of the sweatest people ever. The first lady was so thrilled to have a visitor and even more so that we were bringing her gifts. She was so kind hearted. Come to find out she has family (kids) that live in Greenwood that havent been to see her in A YEAR!!! Same story with the other two residents. Family within minutes of them that just never come to visit. I was so sad leaving there knowing that we may be their only visitors for the next year. Our next stop was Pink Bud and unfortunetly it was the same story there. No family or friends that come to visit or bring them gifts. I told Craig that I have decided that once every week or two the kids and I are going to start visiting theses amazing people. They just loved Pate and just bringing a smile to there face is worth more than any present anyone could ever get you. I think it will not only be great for these sweet people but also a great experience for my kids. JT is so tendered hearted and I know he will be just great with them. Definetly a Christmas experience I will never forget.

2nd Annual Girls Night

This year Terri was gracious enough to host the "pj" party. First of all her house is absolutely GORGEOUS!! She definetly has the decorating nitch. Food was great and dirty Santa was even better. I ended up with a great gift; red scarf, bottle of wine, cute zebra box, basket and really cute "razorback themed" bracelets. Here is a few pics. I have more but am waiting for Tara to email them to me.

Tara in her cute one piece pj's

Michelle won the apron first, but didnt keep it long..

Tara stole it next

And finally Mer stole it for the third time, FROZEN!

Kim was imatating someone but cant remember who. But, it was definetly a show!! Love that girl!

Sleepy Head

Anytime we have a break from school Pate's nap schedule is all messed up. So, she has been finding the darndest places to catch some zzzzz's. 5 minutes before I found her here I was telling her she needed to take a nap and she told me "no! 4 year olds dont take naps".

She fell asleep as soon as we got in the car  and were headed to Tulsa! Made for a peaceful drive!

One year ago today!

One year ago today we were blessed with the adoption of Pate. All my friends that knew the tears and worries that lead up to that day can appreciate just how special that day was to us. I remember the day I picked her up from her daycare. She was this sweet, little, snotty nosed girl. She just sat in her carseat in the back and just stared at us. I remember just staring at her all night. Never could we have imagined we would  be where we are today. She has brought us so much joy. We prayed and prayed for another baby. Little did we know God had big plans for us. There was some days I didnt know if I could cry or worry anymore if we were going to lose Pate. The painful visits to DHS and episode of a 2 yr old pulling all her hair out from stress of visits with her bio parents was almost too much for me to handle. But, as they say, God never gives you more than we can handle. Im glad he gave us the strength to make it through. Thanks to our friends and family, we all did it together. I couldnt have done it without them. For the friends that are still in our life and the ones that arent, you will forever have a special place in our hearts for being a part of "Pate's journey".

One more day

Well one more day to go. I can do this. I really do have the sweetest class this year and they make EVERYDAY interesting. We had the best field trip today. We went to Home Depot. The kids got to make their own spice rack. They LOVED it. Then off to Chuck- E- Cheese. Thats always an experience. Tomorrow is our Christmas breakfast and then Megan and I's class have been chosen to sing at 2 nursing homes and Farmers Bank. The music teacher said our two classes are the" best performers. I can believe it. I see it everyday :0)
I am looking foward to 2 weeks off to relax, shop, run, and spend lots of time with Craig and the kids. Nothing big planned but that sounds good to me. I just want to sleep in one day!! Well, time to go snuggle with my babies, so, till next time.......

Merry Christmas!!

SO excited!!

We had our first "official" family pics made this past week since having Pate. They turned out so good. Kim did an awesome job. I am so glad to finally have updated pics of JT and "first" pics of Pate. Check them out at http://www.kimsingerphotography.com/  click on clients and then on jones family. Email is ljones@greenwood.k12.ar.us and passcode is jarrett00.

Pate's Party

Well, I think our "Birthday Week" is finally coming to an end. Pate is worn out and so am I. She had a fun party today with some friends and family that put an end to the celebration of her 4th birthday. Here are a few pics from her party. Thanks to all that came. Until next year..............

Pate's 4th Birthday!

What an eventful day. Pate had been counting down the months, weeks and days until she could say she was 4. Birthdays to Pate may be bigger than Christmtas. Last year when it was Craig's birthday she told everyone at school it was hers and even came home with a goodie bag they had given her. The teacher didnt think that it was right but said Pate was adament that it was her birthday so they celebrated it at school. Pate is NOT an early riser but yesterday morning that little toot popped out of bed and was READY TO BE  4!!!! She got a new pink bike that she has not quit riding(around the house mostly bc its too cold outside). She also got a baby high chair, and a pink guitar. Her "kid" party is going to be Sunday.  This has turned into a birthday "week" instead of a day. That's ok though, I wish I could live life through her eyes sometimes and enjoy the little things in life like she does. I just thank God everyday that she is still with us and is "OURS" now and will spend every birthday with us from now on. I hope that every birthday is as special to her as this one. She makes it fun for everyone!!

Pates morning hair!

Great shot of our hair we deal with every morning and this was after it was straightened the night before. So, you can imagine when it is curly!

She was so proud of her shirt

Pate and Uncle Bret

Pate's best friend Babs

Pate's Poppy