A Year Ago

A year ago this week, Natalie has just had her 4th open heart surgery.  Can you believe it has been an entire year?  I know, I can't. 

Natalie a year ago, the day of surgery

Natalie, a year ago, the day after surgery and not too happy by the way

I love this picture...A Daddy's Heart
Larry holding Natalie's hand after surgery
Priceless

She is doing amazing!  In fact, we just went to the pediatrician today for a check and the old flu shot.  She currently weighs 28.8lbs!  I am hoping that maybe by Christmas, she will finally hit 30lbs. 

 

Her oxygen was 86!  I am so proud of her and all she has accomplished this past year and to be honest her entire life. 

 

She has been going to 4 year old Pre-K and is doing wonderful!  She is still having an adjustment, not being with "mom" all day, like last year.  We have been working on writing her name.  I can not believe she is almost 4.5 and writing her name.  It makes me want to cry sometimes, with how big she is getting and so fast. 

Natalie at her 4th Birthday!
Lalaloopsy Heaven, Thanks to Uncle Sterk, Aunt Holly, Kate and Luke

Princess Sophia, Oh, I mean Natalie
A possible runner for Halloween this year

Carter and Natalie in Galveston, back in June from our Vacation

I am a firm believer, she is her with us and doing so well, because of all the prayers and support since she has been born.  Thank you...

Cousins, Lego Camp, Ballet Camp and Oh, Natalie is now 4!

I know, I know it is almost the end of September and I have posted back to school pictures, but I am playing catch up so here is our end of June/July happenings.

We got home from our Galveston/NASA trip (back at the end of June, I know) and my niece and nephew were in town and ended up being here almost 2 weeks.  My kids loved it!  

The recently moved to Colorado and Natalie has just gotten clear to go to that elevation, but Larry and I are still not ready, not with her oxygen still in the low to mid 80s.  The one thing Dr. Zellers told us, was she would be tired during the day more and at night is when their oxygen levels are the lowest, so that is just something we are not ready to do yet, until her oxygen improves a bit more.  We are still playing the cautious, over protected parents.  I am not sure how long that will last, maybe forever, but I am trying.

Luckily, Amarillo actually had a cold front move in...80s!  It was so nice compared to the 100s we have been experiencing.  We took the kids to Wonderland Park one night.  For those who are not familiar with Amarillo, Wonderland Park is a miniature version of Six Flags, but bigger then a Boardwalk like Kemah.  Carter had a blast with us cousins, not to mention how perfect it was, because we did not have to go on the water rides with them.  Natalie had a blast too, but she did not like being left out of the bigger rides, because she was so short.  

Luke, Natalie, Kate and Carter
Patiently waiting to get in Wonderland

After the big kids did a water ride, Natalie was still too little

Natalie not so happy that she can't ride

Cousin Fun

Fourth of July is always fun.  We went to our cabin outside of town and they always have a little parade. The kids love it, because the always decorate the golf cart we have.

Gigi and the Grandkids ready for the Parade

Kate and Natalie all ready to go

Natalie turned 4!  Can you believe this all started about 4 years ago?  Four open heart surgeries, three heart caths and I do not even want to know how many blood draws and X-rays.  I feel so blessed each day I look at her.  

Natalie's 4th Birthday
Celebration at School

Natalie with her new Strawberry Shortcake Gang

Carter, Larry and Natalie with her Minnie Pillow
Thanks Grandmommy!

The following week, Carter had Lego camp.  That is right, there is a place here in Amarillo that does Lego camp.  I asked Carter what he did all day, and he looked at me and said, "build Legos, but we also go to the gym for a bit too."  How 4 hours of straight legos for 5 days would be fun, is beyond me, but I do not care, because he loved it.  Plus, he and his sister need some time apart (Mom needed a break as well).

Oh yes, he did take pictures of all the Legos he built

The following week, Natalie had ballet camp.  She went for an hour and half everyday and loved it.    She has been counting down the days until ballet camp for over a week, but lets be honest, what 4 year old really understands how many days or minutes are there, so it was a bit challenging. The camp is through DOXA, it is a christian based camp, so the dance to christian music.  She woke up every morning, super excited to go, which is always nice.

We then had a week off before we headed to Dallas and Texarkana.  Natalie had her yearly appointment at Scottish Rite.  I left on a Tuesday to head to Dallas with both kids and stayed with a friend and Larry headed out of town for work (our world this summer, we were always going in different directions).

Natalie's appointment went great!  Her curve in her spine had not changed in a year.  She is still between 27 to 31 degrees.  The doctor said the first 5 years of a child's life are high growth periods and then again for girls around 10 to 14, so we are almost done with the first 5 years and have not had much change, which is a huge blessing!  I can not image making her go through back surgery some day after all she has been through on her heart, plus I do not think anyone wants her to have surgery on her back, because of her heart complications.

Well, Natalie's appointment was not all the easy and uneventful.  I showed up early so I let the kids play on the playground there before heading inside, something we always do, because their playground is awesome.  Carter had to show me one more thing before heading inside (I am sure you can figure how this is going).  He was on the monkey bars and must have hit his face on the bar coming down.  It took a few seconds to set in and then, BOOM, hear came the tears and screams.

I will let the pictures speak for themselves...

Seriously, I know, it looks horrible

This way 6 hours after

Seriously, I know, it looks horrible!

Everyone at Scottish Rite was nice.  I got ice for his eye and told him, that if he was going to hurt himself, at least we were at the hospital and a good one at that.  However, he was fine.  He is my dramatic child (I mean dramatic too).  I am thankful it is not Natalie, but man.  I have to admit, it did look like it hurt bad. His eye was almost swollen shut by bedtime, but the next day it started looking so much better.  Now, you can not even tell, expect I think he might have a small scar to add to his already 2 scars on that same eye.

We then headed to Texarkana for a few days, where I was able to leave Carter for 2 weeks.  I know that seems like a long time, but man, it was nice.  Carter is non-stop action and Natalie just can't do it, though she tries.  This was Carter's special time with Larry's parents.

I wished Larry's parents luck, as Natalie and I drove back to Dallas to meet up with Larry for some one on one time with Natalie then head back to Amarillo.

Tears and More Tears, Natalie's First Day

When did my baby girl grow up? Probably after her first open heart surgery, or maybe after her fourth open heart surgery. Needless to say, that girl has had to deal with more then most grown ups will every have to.

I had to fight back the tears, as I was walking Natalie to her Pre-K class.  I will probably cry at every milestone, even the thought of a milestone, I will cry at.  I am overwhelmed with joy to all who have prayed to get her here where she is today.  

She is the strongest and bravest little things, I have ever known and she has no clue, because this is her life and always has been and always will be.  

As for now, I am thankful for one amazing first couple weeks of school...I promise to not cry everyday when I drop her off...

First Day of First Grade

As school was approaching, I started to feel a bit guilty.  I was so worn out from my kids this summer, that I was so happy school was starting.  I was tired of the whining, the fighting, the constant; I am bored statements.  I was even thinking of changing my name from "Mom" to anything my kids could not repeat over and over again all day long.

Do not get me wrong, I love my children, but summer was a bit challenging by the end.  I am going to believe I was not the only one out there; that had all these dreams and visions of this awesome summer;'where we did fun things and everyone played great.  Well, that only lasts half the summer, then the kids flip and I flip and well, lets just say I am glad school started.

Like I said, I felt guilty.  I mean, how many more years will my son want to be with me?  How many  more years will he let me hold his hand as we walk up to Meet and Greet at school?  How long will he tell me I am the only girl, he loves? Hopefully, a whole lot longer; boys and girls stress me out, but that is for a future conversation (hopefully years from now).  I can live in denial for a while.

He loves his teacher and class this year!  Carter has an amazing new teacher this year, which I am excited about.  He has some friends from last year in his class again this year and he will soon have a whole bunch of new friends.

I actually did not take Carter on his first day of school.  Larry has been out of town so much, that Carter just wanted Larry to take him. However, when I asked Larry how it went, he said Carter did not want him to walk in with him.  It was the first day of school!  Has it already started?

Maybe it has a little, but he still at the age where girls are just friends (thank goodness).  He was telling me, that his friend was, "girl trapped, " meaning he had a girl on either side of him during lunch.  The boy said, I know know, with that face like, this is horrible.  I know someday, the boys will want to be "girl trapped" but I am thankful it is not now.

My First Grader

Vacation! What Vacation? Oh The One 3 Months Ago...

I know this is 3 months later, but better late the never, right?

Back in June, we took the kids to Galveston and NASA.  We went from Natalie's doctor's appointment in Dallas onto Galveston for a few days and the went to Kemah and NASA.

We traveled with our good friends from Texarkana, that we normally do at least one trip a year with, which is always fun.

My kids had been begging me to go to the beach this year, so I thought Galveston would be great.  I am not comfortable taking Natalie too far outside Texas just yet, but time will come soon when I will.  For now, I thought Galveston would be great and it was quit honestly.  However, have you actually seen the beach there?  Not white sand and pretty water.  I knew it would not be, but it was kind of gross. Not dirty gross, just lots of seaweed and brownish water.  We did not even step foot on it. For one, we did EVERYTHING at Moody Gardens and two, we did not have proper beach shoes for the ocean.  I know, I know, I should have known, but this mama does not go to the beach all the time and trust me when I say, we do not live anywhere near a beach.

Moody Gardens was great!  We did their beach-water park, the aquarium, the rainforest and the dinosaur exhibit.  The kids loved it and had a blast at each one.  I can say with certain that we did everything Moody Gardens has to offer and had a blast!

We then went on the Kemah and NASA.  Natalie was not a fan of NASA, but Carter loved it.  He is tall enough to ride the simulation rides with Larry and soaked it all in.

I went to NASA several years ago, back when Apollo 13 was in the theater. NASA still looks the same, but not quit as much activity as before, which I personally think is sad.  I remember when kids wanted to be astronauts.  They still can, it is just a little harder these days. NASA is still building and designing Rovers for space, so we could to see things happening.

I was kind of taken back by what all had unfolded since I was last at NASA; USA does not have shuttle launches anymore and the most impact was the Discovery Shuttle, which killed several astronauts, one of which was from Amarillo.

We took the kids to Kemah Boardwalk one night.  Carter is a thrill seeker, I am afraid.  He loves roller coasters and rides.  He would actually be upset when he was not tall enough.  Natalie would be upset too, but I am a little more comfortable with the fact that she is too small, so I do not have to worry so much about her heart and rides.  I am sure that time will come, but I will probably give her a few limitations, plus I have no idea if the doctors will say either.

We had a wonderful trip!  The ride home was a little brutal from Kemah to Amarillo all in one day, but we made it home safely.

Oh and if you did not read a previous post from forever ago, Natalie's doctor's appointment went great! Her heart function is looking good, so we do not go back for a year.  We still need her oxygen to increase and for her to gain weight, which is challenging.

So here are the pictures that sum up the trip (notice the two boys at the end, that is how they were the entire time, too funny)...

Moody Gardens Aquarium
Hinsley Patterson, Carter, Natalie and Hunter Patterson

Hunter, Natalie, Carter and Hinsley
Aquarium Stamp Passport
They were suppose to learn about the exhibit too, but that is too much for 7/6 and 4 year olds

Hunter and Carter
Moody Gardens Rainforest

Hunter and Carter in the Rainforest

Carter and Hunter in the Dinosaur Adventure

Natalie
She was just happy to be out of the car

Natalie and Hinsley
First Night at Pleasure Pier in Galveston

Natalie, Me, Carter, Hunter, Danielle, Barrett (in stroller) and Hinsley

Natalie and Larry waiting for Carter to go down the Log Ride

Carter at NASA getting ready to rock climb

NASA

Natalie and Larry
I think Larry was way more into this simulation than Natalie

Carter

Carter and Hunter
Same PJs, what else do you say?

Happiest Kid Ever
Barrett Patterson

Michaelyn Liles
Bravest person ever to hang out with us and our kids all weekend

Carter, Natalie and Hunter
Best Ride Ever!  They rode is probably 10 times in a row, laughing ever time

Carter and Hunter after the Log Ride at Pleasure Pier

What should I say?

Hinsley and Natalie at Rainforest Cafe in Galveston

Hunter and Carter
This was the first night we were there

Laces of Grace

This past weekend, Larry and I were blessed to have help out with an amazing organization at the Back to School Bash.  

I will let the founder of Laces of Grace tell you about the organizations...

"Laces of Grace, Inc. was started in 2010 by myself, Matt Graves and my wife Corey (we have 3 beautiful kids Baylie, Drew and Casey). After spending years at the collegiate level of football, I came home to Texarkana to coach high school football.  After getting close to one of the players I coached, Corey and I took the young man shopping for shoes to start the school year.  When we walked in the store, he had NO IDEA what size shoe he wore.  He had on a decent pair of shoes in a size 9.5.  We wound up buying him an 11.5!

I could not image walking around with shoes that are 2 sizes too small.  Since that day, I began noticing kids shoes and what terrible condition some of them were in.  When I saw a kid with a nicer pair, I couldn't help but wonder if they were 2 sizes too small.

I began feeling as if God was tugging on my heart to DO SOMETHING! About that time, I came across the verse

1 John 3:17-18 "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us notl ove with words or tongue, but in action and in truth."  And after much prayer and counsel, Laces of Grace was formed.

Our goal is to share God's love and grace while meeting a need by providing children with a paire of shoes."

Over 2200 paris of shoes were given away! 

The family that started it all, The Graves

The right fit

This is at 7:00am

Over 2500 pair of shoes were ordered this year
With every pair of shoes, the child receives a new pair of socks as well

A family with their new shoes

Check in Table

The line is still going strong

The after lunch
Thank you for an amazing experience

I feel so blessed have been able to help with this amazing event this past weekend in Texarkana.  Like Matt said to all the volunteers before the doors opened that morning, "This is not about you.  We are here to love on the kids and show them God's love by providing them shoes."

There were several kids wearing the wrong size of shoes and then, there were the kids that came in with no shoes.  

One volunteer told us about a boy, who brought his shoes from last year.  Another volunteer told us about a little boy, who put on his new shoes and took of running and came back and said, "these are fast shoes!"  

What a blessing Laces of Grace is!

If you want to know more about Laces of Grace or want to see how you or your organization could help, check out their website

www.lacesofgrace.com

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth"

1 John 3:17-18