Bluebonnets

Ashley's 2nd Birthday

It's hard to believe that March 25th marked two years for this little girl. What fun it is to have this one in our home! We delight in her exuberance, her contagious laughter, her squeals of delight, her dramatic tendencies…  Her favorite game is 'steal brothers toys/shoes/whatever and run around the house for a good chase! She tries her hardest to keep in step with her big brothers and most of the time she's not too far behind! You'll always find her holding her Strawberry Shortcake (shortshake) or a car. She wears no less than five pairs of shoes per day and is especially fond of flip flops. She calls her brothers by name (Bane, Nannin) and is independent as can be ("do it"). She's quickly figuring out that sharing is a requirement and responds with "turn!" or "mines". Her visits to the time out chair are frequent and she is a professional at verbalizing "sowweee". She loves all of her books but her favorites are The Napping House, Miss Mary Mack, Brown Bear Brown Bear, Goodnight Gorilla, Marvin the Ape, and I Kissed the Baby. Numbers are suddenly confusing, and what could you expect - she's number three in role call, two years old, but knows that she can't have gun like her brothers until she's four : ) Praise God for this precious little girl, what a good gift she is to us.

Rodeo Houston, Austin, Cabo

We have already packed a lot of activity into our 2013! We began the year with an adults only trip to Austin where we golfed and ate rattlesnake. Yup, we did!

Since Rodeo Houston is a can't miss, we invited our dear friends, the Crawfords down for a visit. The seven kids and four adults had a blast! You can't beat daytime rodeo and nighttime wine and good conversation with the very best of friends!

Blane, Addie, Jett

Ashley on her first horse ride

Daddy and Gavin trying to win!

Daddy and Gavin on a ride

Ashley (2), Addie (6), Blane (5), Gavin (3 1/2)

The kid crew and our 15 passenger van!

 In early April Scott and I took a "babymoon" to Cabo, Mexico. We enjoyed a lot of sitting, eating, swimming, walking along the beach, reading, more eating, and some great sleep. I'm so thankful that my husband is diligent to guard our time together. 

Baby #4 - Zack Ryan

It is such a treasure to see the way God orchestrates our time on this side of heaven to grow us closer to Him. We are humbled that the Lord would use us in any way to carry on His plan and His purposes; and we are so grateful that instead of leaving us where we are, that He is sanctifying us and working out our salvation each and every day. We recognize and acknowledge the Lord's hand in bringing this little boy to life, and while we did not anticipate him, we love him so dearly. What a treasure he is! God is already using this little boy to knit Scott and I closer together as we press into Jesus for reassurance and rest; and as we wrestle with the idol of comfort and at times even resist God's plans in favor of our own, we see His goodness and His faithfulness to not only provide for our needs but to stand firm on His promises. All five if us are waiting in such eager anticipation to meet the newest member of our family ~ Zack Ryan Patterson. {Zack means "remembered by God"}

I am delighted to add another boy to our family. My three boys will be the next generation's leaders. Whether our boys lead the country or a a corporation, within the community or their church, or if their leadership role spans no farther than their home, it is a noble calling. With an eternal perspective in mind we have started training them towards their leadership roles and we are so hopeful for how God will use them to further His kingdom and to love on His people. An excerpt from a book my Dad is reading for seminary tugged at my heart and we plan to "borrow" the author's family value statements for our own, as it seems to clearly depict all that we are working towards in raising our children: 

1. Independence from parents

2. Dependence on God

3. Responsibility for their own actions.

In just 15 short weeks we expect to meet this cute little guy!!! An interesting note - while his body is growing proportionately, his legs are extremely long, measuring almost three weeks ahead! In addition, we think he looks exactly like Gavin!

Left hand with fingers spread apart

Left hand with face buried into left arm/elbow

Two feet, crossed at the ankles

Cutest little face (eye, nose, mouth, chin)