Russ' Classmates

In 2002 we began having an annual picnic with

some folks that Russ attended 6th grade with.

This year it was held at our house.

Due to many circumstances, this

year we had less people than before.

But, no matter the size of the group,

we had a great time of fellowship,

laughter and food.

These are the classmates:

Leonard, Melodye, Russ & Pam




And these are the spouses:
Steve, Karla, John and Janet.

Maybe next year we will have more people -

but no way could we have more fun!

God willing, we will all meet in September -

maybe at Mackinac Island again.

Memorial Day 2008

Memorial Day 2008

Bay Pines National Cemetery

Florida

Here are a couple of pictures taken where my parents

are buried. Had to get this posted today -

a Boy Scout troop puts out flags for

Memorial Day each year and another

troop will come to collect the flags a few

days later.

We give thanks to the service men

and women who served and do serve

our country.

They certainly do make a difference

in all our lives!

Friday's stuff!

Well, the good news it that Kari was able

to come home from the hospital late yesterday.

They had to do another ultra sound to be

sure there was enough amniotic fluid.

Last pregnancy that was low - and it is low with this one too.

But at least she is home to recoup and rest some -

until Monday when she is supposed to work again.

Rich has left for his bear hunt.

We will be hosting a group that Russ attended

6th grade with on Sunday afternoon. Now

6th grade for Russ was a long time ago!

These Memorial Sunday picnics started in 2002.

We have had folks from the UP and as far away as TN come.

This is the first year that it will be held at our house.

Lots of things to do before "company" arrives though!

haha

Hope you all have a great weekend!

When will this slow down???

Kari was back in the hospital this morning to have

that stent in her kidney removed and replaced.

They were able to do that and then she began having nice

labor contractions every 2 to 3 minutes - for about 5 hours!

They finally got those stopped but decided to keep her overnight to keep a

watch on the baby - who had a few d-cells (maybe she doesn't

like being squeezed!) Baby is in the 2 pound range

now - so we sure do not want to meet her yet!

Please pray that Kari can get some much needed rest and relaxation

before the "real" thing begins!

Rich will be leaving for a bear hunt in Canada Friday if all

goes well with Kari and baby.

Megan just rolls with the flow - she's enjoying spending a couple

of nights with Grandma & Grandpa. We called Kari

today and Megan took the phone and told Kari that she

was in the hospital and hope you feel better and did

you get my baby sister yet? She is so cute!

Hugs to all of you - and many thanks for the prayers for Kari and Baby!

A big praise report!

Many of you have joined us in prayer

for Sydney, Karsten and Kaitlyn's babysitter,

Erica.

The big praise is -

not only is she feeling better but

she is back to work!!

Everyone was excited to see her this morning -

and she was glad to get back to them too!

Praise God!

ps - trying a new color again, we will see if it loads up correctly next time I post a picture!

It's A New Day!

It's a new day -

but back to the old green layout!

Had several people tell me that the beginning

of my blog was not coming up right away.

Will have to figure out what was happening!

Have a great one!

Mother's Day Pics

A great Mother's Day!

Here I am with my 4 wonderful kids!

Kari, Michelle, me, Kim & Steve

Here is Russ with Kaitlyn, Karsten, Megan & Sydney.

Red eyes not fixed and a little blurry -

but they were willing to sit still for a quick photo!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all!

We are looking forward to a great day with family.

We will start as usual with church at 9:15 a.m.

Instead of our usual routine of going to Romeo Restaurant for breakfast

we will head home - the kids will arrive between 11 & 12.

We will have a simple barbeque of hot dogs and hamburgers

with all the trimmings.

There is nothing better than spending the day with loved ones!

On a side note - our neighbor, Peg, is now a Grandma!

Her daughter, Nicole, gave birth this morning to a girl -

Lily Kathleen

7 pounds 12 ounces

21 inches

lots of dark hair (like Daddy Adam)

We have known Nicole since she was in 8th grade and moved in

next door when Peg married our neighbor Chuck.

Nicole even worked for us for awhile too while in school.

Hooray for Motherhood!

Off and Running...

We are off and running today -

headed to Alabama to see Russ' parents and family.

It will be a quick trip since this is the big start to the busy season

at work. Will return by Monday evening.

No internet access at his parents house,

our cell phones will not work there

and I did not renew the connection for the satellite radio

in my car (Poor Russ!).

We are praying for a quick and easy trip - especially for my knee!!

Also praying for an easy work day today for Kari! She is having

problems with that stent in her kidney - lotsa pain if she moves at all!

Make a difference - and check in with you soon!

Happy Birthday Steve!

Happy 30th Birthday Steve!!

You are a great son - and we are so very proud of you!

I could go on and on with the embarrassing stories of things you have said and done - but since this is your birthday I will spare you this time!

Instead I will remind you again,

We love you and and are so proud of the man you have become!

The best laid plans....

Michelle and Mark along with Sydney and Kaitlyn left for the Orlando area yesterday morning for a week of rest and relaxation. Due to Sydney's food allergies they rented a vacation home near all the fun activities - that way they can cook the things she can eat. Got there fine - beautiful home - built in pool - Princess bedroom for Sydney - all the amenities! They enjoy their first partial day and evening. About 9:30 Mark gets off the sofa to lock up for the night - and bing bong his back is out! He made it upstairs but was in great pain all night. Michelle thought they would have to call 911 to get him back downstairs - but he managed to make it down the stairs and then use one of the strollers as a walker. Off to the hospital on Sunday morning. It seems that he has a herniated disc and pulled muscles - so they are having him enjoy a drug-induced happy party right now! The docs have cautioned him to not lift or drive, and to sit, lay or stand only short times. To visit Disney he will need a motorized wheelchair - since he cannot roll the wheels himself and Michelle will have 2 kiddo's under 3 to push too. Also Michelle will have to pack all those bags and get them down the stairs and into the van too - and yes, they had to bring 2 car seats and baby paraphernalia along with all the clothing for 4 people for a week!

All the plans we make......can change in a moment!

Praying that Mark feels better soon !!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!