Saturday, April 26, 2008

Megan Moments


We enjoyed having Megan today while Kari was working.
She was quite busy checking out flowers and helping Grandpa!
She got out the kiddie lawnmower and was trying to help out!


Grandpa was vacuuming up leaves and Megan was right on his trail! He turns and she turns, he zigs and she zags!

She was helping get all the leaves/winter gunk out of the patio pond here.


And of course she remember to stop to smell the flowers - except she was pulling them instead!


What a great day we had!











Fun with Grandma!





Thursday I had all 4 grandchildren for most of the day.

Thought I would try to get a good picture of all of them sitting together.

Megan was ready in this one - but Karsten though Kaitlyn needed his attention and Sydney was wondering what he was doing behind her back!


After several attempts I realized that this is as good as it gets!
Sydney is usually the one who looks and smiles in the pictures (she is our budding photographer) but she was busy this time putting her arms around Megan and Karsten! Megan rarely looks but she is laughing, Karsten wasn't looking either but he was laughing and
Kaitlyn is just wondering what is going on!
Maybe this was the shot where I told them there was a monkey on Grandma's head and they had to laugh to get it off!
Make a difference in someone's life!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

March 29 picture




We had a great time on Russ' birthday at the Piston's VS Cavaliers game at the Palace!


This is a picture of the Patterson Clan -

Michelle, Kim, Karla, Russ, Kari & Steve
We LOVE it when Michelle's boss thinks we need a family night out!



Thursday, April 17, 2008

Two in One Day!

Whooo-hoooo - Kari was released from the hospital! She is on the way home to do some serious resting! And Megan was very glad to see her Mama!

Kari Surgery

Kari had surgery this morning to put a stent up into her kidney. Hopefully that will give her the relief she needs from this kidney stone! The stent will stay until the stone passes or until after she gives birth. This whole thing came on suddenly and hits like a ton of bricks! Please remember her in prayer!

Correction: While it SOUNDS like a kidney stone - no actual stone has been sighted on any of the scans.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

When it Rains...

When it rains....it pours!

As I try to recoup - our daughter Kari is in the hospital! Kari is due in August and suddenly has terrible pains - she suspects a bladder infection. No, that would be too easy - seems it is maybe kidney stones! They have done a couple of ultrasounds on the kidneys (baby is fine) and may do a procedure tomorrow. She is on pain meds too. Only one "attack" today - but if you touch her in the kidney area she is jumping! Please pray for her - and also for Megan (who spent the night with Aunt Michelle and then has been at Grandma Shirley's house) and for Rich too.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Kicking - not quite!

Well, I am surely not "kicking" yet - but I sure am hobbling around! Surgery came off without a hitch - even took me in a little early. They gave me a great little cocktail in the iv and I don't even remember kissing Russ goodbye! When I came to a couple of nurses were admiring my pedicure! Always nice to have your feet admired! haha Anyway - wrapped from my toes to my thighs with an ace bandage which keeps me from making the leg straight and from bending it too. So long story short - I am mending and will be trying not to overdo!

Hugs to all of you and thanks for the prayers!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Bumpy cake cupcakes!

Wow - what a treat we had today for Kim and Steve's birthdays! We had bumpy cake cupcakes! My favorite thing to eat is cake - so right up my alley!

We enjoyed having the whole family here together - and the grandkids enjoyed seeing all the cousins too!

Will post some pictures as soon as our official photograher, Michelle, sends me some! ;-)

On a side note - I will be out of commission for a couple of days - having arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday, April 14. Tired of having my knee dictate where I can go and what I can do! Please pray for a sucessful surgery and a quick recovery!

See you soon - and make a difference!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Hello Mudder, Hello Fadder

Seems like yesterday sometimes - seems like a million years ago other times.

Today is the 9th year anniversary of the day my mom left us and went on to Heaven. And today is the 9 month anniversary of the day my dad followed. Funny how they both died on the 12th day of the month (she in April and he in July).

Mom died on Kim's 26th birthday - there was no celebration for Kim that year. But we knew that Mom would want us to always celebrate Kim's day and we have. Tomorow, April 13 we will all gather to celebrate the April birthdays of our family - for Kim, 35, and Steve, 30. We look forward to all being together - and we know that my mom and dad will be with us in spirit! They loved birthday celebrations!

Make a difference!

Happy Birthday Kim!

35 years ago today we had our first child - a beautiful 8 pound 8 ounce girl!

As the story goes, I awoke with back labor at about 1:45 a.m. but didn't wake Dad until about 6:00 a.m. when he would normally wake to go to work. So we got ready to go to the hospital - but with a stop off at work to open the building and get things straight for the day. Dad was inside with all the customers that were arriving and finally some of the other employees began arriving. All the while I was in the car having contraction after contraction after contraction. Finally one of the older employees came by the car and began to tease me about when was I finally going to have this baby - and I began to cry telling him any minute now! He went inside and had customers move vehicles and told Dad to get out of the place and get to the hospital now! And then you were born about 6 hours later - how was I to know that things had not progressed as much as I thought they would in that time! ;-)

You were well worth the loss of sleep (for that night and many others) and the fun 12 hours of labor!

We love you Kim - and are so proud of the great woman, wife and mother you have become!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Erica

Join me in making a difference in a young lady's life!!

Erica - the babysitter for Sydney, Karsten & Kaitlyn - has not felt well for awhile. All the sickness was attributed to her pregnancy. But then it continued after the delivery of her beautiful baby boy. After much pain she was finally diagnosed with a problem with her gall bladder and had that removed. And then even more pain. They discovered then that she had a gall stone in her liver - so they cut away part of the liver to remove the stone. Then they found the pancreatitis - and then pneumonia. She is one very sick cookie! She has been in the hospital now for 2 weeks - and they say she will be there for quite some time. She is still in major pain, very swollen, high fevers and has infections of her entire gastro tract.

The grandkids really miss Erica and the fun they had with her.

Are you wondering how you can make a difference in Erica's life? You can Pray, Pray, Pray for her health! You can pray for the medical staff that is working with her. You can pray for her infant son who needs his mommy. You can pray for her fiance who has a new job. You can pray for her parents who are beside themselves with worry for their daughter and are taking care of baby Christian too. Your prayers will make a difference not only in Erica's life - but in yours too! Thanks everyone!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

And Easter Sunday continues....

We are very fortunate to have all our children and grandchildren all right here within a half hour drive. We were able to all gather today for food and fellowship and to celebrate Michelle, Mark and Russ' birthdays - so that means we had deviled eggs and birthday cake with a bunny on it! ;-)


Thought you might like to see pictures of each of the grandchildren as they visited with the Bunny this year.


Megan visited the Bunny at Lakeside Mall. She was thrilled to see him and touch him - and when she left she made sure to turn around and throw him kisses. She left out some carrots for him last night - and surprise - He ate them!



Sydney saw the Bunny at Lakeside Mall - but no pictures for her there. She was not so sure of that thing! She did visit this one at WalMart later on. It took awhile for her to warm up - but she did a good job then but was certainly not going to sit on his lap! Holding the candy didn't hurt either!




Karsten saw this Bunny at Bunnyville at the Detroit Zoo. He enjoyed riding in his new wagon to see all the animals playing. A nice sunny day for a trip to the zoo!




Kaitlyn visited the Bunny at Lakeside Mall also. She didn't seem to mind at all! She is a very happy baby!
And now that all the visiting and playing are over for the day - Grandma and Grandpa are resting and thanking God for all our wonderful blessings!






He Is Risen!

We had a FANTASTIC service today! We met at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts rather than at our church. There were very few open seats that I could see. We had great music, two dramas and some good preaching too! No one could say they had not heard the gospel today during that service.

On a funny note - the Pastor was talking and Sydney looked at us and said, He is STILL talking! Out of the mouths of babes!

Megan went to church also today - and something was said about Jesus and she spoke up and let everyone know that Jesus Loves Me. Then they had some bells and she said - Oh that is a lamb! Maybe she meant the Lamb of God? haha

We hope YOU had a Blessed Easter!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Baby Barch will be wearing...

Kari had an ultrasound today - and baby will be wearing
PINK!!!!

How exciting - we really have never had a preference - just always prayed for a healthy baby with a safe and easy delivery for mom too.

Megan will make a great big sister - she loves to see cousin Kaitlyn and hug her.

Hooray - another blessing from God!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Happy Birthday Mark!

We have 2 birthdays in the family today - Karsten and also Mark!

We will celebrate Mark's birthday along with Michelle's and Russ' on Easter Sunday.

He will celebrate tonight with the special cupcakes that Michelle and Sydney made - Sydney is much like Grandma - she loves cake!

Mark is treasured by his growing family and we are all blessed by having Mark in ours!

Happy 2nd Birthday Karsten!

Let me check your teeth Horsie!
Yum, I love getting a sucker because the girls go potty!

Who is Grandma's favorite boy??
(I can still ask this since we don't know if the new baby is a boy or a girl!)
Karsten is practicing answering this question with "Here I am!"
"Two" is going to be an exciting year!
We love you Karsten!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Funnies from Kids

Children really do learn in Sunday School! Check out these funnies!

LOT'S WIFE: The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, 'My Mommy looked back once while she was driving,' he announced triumphantly, 'and she turned into a telephone pole!'

GOOD SAMARITAN: A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, 'If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?' A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, 'I think I'd throw up.'DID NOAH FISH? A Sunday school teacher asked, 'Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?' 'No,' replied Johnny. 'How could he, with just two worms.'

HIGHER POWER: A Sunday school teacher said to her children, 'We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a Higher Power. Can anybody tell me what it is?' One child blurted out, 'Aces!'

MOSES AND THE RED SEA : Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. 'Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt . When he got to the Red Sea , he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.' 'Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?' his mother asked. 'Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!'

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line. On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know.'

UNANSWERED PRAYER? The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why. 'Well, Honey,' he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. 'I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.' 'How come He doesn't do it?' she asked.

BEING THANKFUL A Rabbi said to a precocious six-year-old boy, 'So your mother says your prayers for you each night? That's very commendable. What does she say?' The little boy replied, 'Thank God he's in bed!'

UNTIMELY ANSWERED PRAYER During the minister's prayer one Sunday, there was a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Tommy's mother was horrified. She pinched him into silence and, after church, asked, 'Tommy, whatever made you do such a thing?' Tommy answered, soberly, 'I asked God to teach me to whistle, and He did just then!'

TIME TO PRAY A pastor asked a little boy if he said his prayers every night. 'Yes, sir,' the boy replied. 'And, do you always say them in the morning, too?' the pastor asked. 'No sir,' the boy replied. 'I ain't scared in the daytime.'

ALL MEN / ALL GIRLS? When my daughter, Kelli, said her bedtime prayers, she would bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past). For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say, 'And all girls.' As this soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this at the end, my curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, 'Kelli, why do you always add the part about all girls?' Her response, 'Because we always finish our prayers by saying 'All Men'!'

SAY A PRAYER Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away. 'Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer.' said his mother. 'I don't have to,' The boy replied. 'Of course, you do,' his mother insisted. 'We say a prayer before eating, at our house.' 'That's our house,' Johnny explained. 'But this is Grandma's house and she knows how to cook!

Friday, March 07, 2008

Babysteps

So if we are to all try to do things that will make a difference in others lives - then you have to start with baby steps! (Flylady says that is the way to make changes in our home lives too!)

We started with a Baby Step this week - we helped to serve dinner at church on Wednesday night to the McRest folks. These are people who, for whatever reason, are homeless. They are taken daily out to work/interviews etc. and then return in the evening where they are fed and housed. Different churches donate their buildings for a week at a time throughout the year. This week we at CWC are hosting.

Everyone of these people were so very polite - some smiling and some not. One particular woman came several times for hot tea with honey. I mentioned to her that I love honey in my tea and she said it was not for her but for her child who was sick. We had men, women and children.

A big thanks also - Wednesday nights meal was donated by Rio Wraps on 26 Mile near Van Dyke. The owner stayed also to get to talk to people. Always good to support the businesses that donate to our community.

There are lots of ways to make a difference - passing on a smile, helping with a door, donating time to charities, noticing when someone is having a bad day and telling them you will pray for them, babysitting for a busy mom - just look around and you will see opportunities! This was a baby step for us - and we look forward to more opportunities!

Make a difference!!

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Happy 66th Birthday Karen!


Happy Birthday to you Karen!
We are glad to have you in our lives for the past 7 years! Dad saw something special in you - and together you had a good even if short life together. We still laugh at the time we went to Universal Studios in Orlando! You were like a little kid - we loved showing you Jaws (glad you were on that side of the boat!) and Shrek! And getting the nice wheelchair ride from Russ!
The idea now is to make a difference in someone's life - you have certainly made a difference in ours and we hope that we have made a difference in yours too.
Hugs!

Saturday, March 01, 2008

A New Thought

Greetings everyone,

In many of my posts I end it with "Enjoy Life" - seems like a good thing to do. God has given us this life and we really should enjoy it!

Something has been on my mind a lot lately - maybe instead of trying to just enjoy life we should be trying to make a difference in someone else's life. Hmmm, just a thought. Seems to be what God would want us to be doing.

Anyway - just a thought! (And I thought you would rather be hearing that then hear me complain that I am so tired of gray skies and winter!) ;-)

Hugs to all - and Make A Difference!

Karla & Russ