Merry Christmas, from the Pattons!
In an effort to NOT make myself crazy, I’ve decided to abandon the idea of real Christmas cards this year . . . so the blogged version is the best I can do! : ) The sad part is that I even have Christmas pictures printed to send . . . oh well . . .
So, where do I start for this year? Probably our biggest news this year is that we are officially homeowners! Yes, we built a house (and by “we” I mean our contractor!) in Pacific, MO (about 10 minutes west of Eureka) and we love it! It was fun to customize our own home (also stressful in some ways) and it’s awesome to have a place that we can call our own. We weren’t even looking to buy a house for another year yet, but God seriously just dropped this one in our lap. He is so gracious to give us things that we never even thought to ask for! : )
Now on to the girlies . . .
Julie is 2 ½ and is the sweetest little thing ever! (Am I allowed to say that when I have 4 kids?) She is a spunky, bright and active little thing . . . and always a joy. She potty trained in the spring and that was a breeze. It’s so wonderful to be beyond diapers for the last time!! She loves to jump, sing and read books. She is also a rather outspoken little thing . . . not afraid to take charge, and regularly needing reminders that she isn’t the boss of anyone. She is full of hugs, snuggles and is regularly asking for “besos” (kisses) I love it!
Megan . . . oh where do I start with Meg? She is 4 now and is still as tall and skinny as ever. Here lately she has been eating like crazy, and the standing joke is that all of that food is just growing her taller, because she is definitely not any wider. Meg LOVES to laugh. She really has a hilarious sense of humor. This year I put an Uppercase Living expression on her wall that says “girl, n: a giggle wrapped in sunlight” That pretty much sums her up! I guess the downside of that is that she is very “Anne of Green Gables-esque” – when she’s happy she’s really happy, and when she’s sad she’s in the “depths of despair” . . . awfully dramatic for a 4 year old! Meg started reading lessons this fall (though it’s something that I haven’t been very consistent with) and is picking is up very quickly. She’s also to the point now where she really wants to be one of the big girls – she especially love to have sleepovers with Ali & Emma!
Emma turned 7 in August. She is in 1st grade (by age) but academically she is doing all 2nd grade work. She continues to be my little math genius - a trait that very obviously came from her Daddy!! Here lately she has really embraced her inner bookworm . . . she is currently glued to the Little House series. This fall she started playing indoor soccer (the first of our girls to participate in a team sport). Her team is actually really good. (Currently 5-1, with 2 games left in the season) Almost all of the other girls have previous experience, and Emma has learned a lot from them. I am also learning . . . how not to hyperventilate in the stands! : )
Ali is now 8. She’ll be 9 in April. The other day it dawned on me that she is almost half way to 18! How is that possible? If the next 9 years go as fast as the first 9 did . . . I don’t even want to think about it! Anyways . . . Ali is in 3rd grade and doing great. She is pretty much the opposite of Emma is almost every way. She (unfortunately) inherited my brain for math, but is very strong in Language Arts and Geography. She is still taking piano lessons from Grandma Patton, and is really loving that right now. I find her at the piano practicing several times a day. She still LOVES her American Girl dolls. In fact, one of the highlights of her year was a trip to Chicago in May to visit the American Girl Place. In spite of the hand, foot and mouth disease that accompanied it, all 4 girls had an awesome time! Ali is also my reader . . . she would literally read hours every day if I would let her.
Aaron is still working for Boeing, and actually started a new position this spring. He’s now working on ground support. That change of position was accompanied by a raise (always nice when you’re buying a new house!!) He has had a very busy year with the move, then one of his Master’s classes this fall. On Saturday mornings he has been meeting with some of the fellas from church in a sort of discipleship group, which he is enjoying. He still enjoys Cardinals baseball and Rams football (though not so much this year for either of them!) Right now he is really looking forward to next semester . . . with no classes to take!
This year has been a deusy for me! It has really felt like whirlwind. Just way too busy!! I am loving my new house, but our move REALLY left me flat on my back. That surprised me, because this is the first time that we have moved when I haven’t been pregnant or had a newborn. So, I expected it to be easier . . . and that was SO not the case. By the end of the summer (which was busy with other things as well) I just wanted to crawl into a hole . . . but then it was time to start school! : ) It was rough semester (though I was honestly able to enjoy it – mostly) I am really looking forward to starting back in January . . . hopefully refreshed and better prepared! I still enjoy relaxing with a good book, hot bubbles baths and hanging out with friends, and keeping up with my blog. I am so thankful for my amazing hubby who keeps me sane and is always willing to help, and my sweet little girls, who are such a joy!
Above all else, I am thankful for my Savior, who willingly took on all of the frailties of humanity. Who was born as a sweet little baby. Who certainly took his wobbly first steps, and probably fell and scraped his knee as a boy. When I think of the life that He lived, and realize that each of those steps was just another step to the cross. I am unbelievably thankful for His sacrifice . . . knowing that He didn’t have to pay for my sins, but did so willingly. What a reason to celebrate!
I hope that this letter finds you rejoicing in His birth!
Because He Lives,
Aaron, Andrea, Alison, Emma, Megan and Julie Patton
