We're Back!

Busy times around the Pate house. We had a great vacation visiting family and relaxing as much as possible. (see pics below and for the full album click the "Shutterfly" link at the right) Thankfully, between two families are the beautiful mountains of Arkansas and the wide open Oklahoma plain, which means although it was "just" seeing family (and an extra kid in tow) it was nice to get away for a while. And thanks G-ma and G-pa for giving us some alone time while enjoying their precious grandchildren. Fortunately we love seeing and spending time with our family :) Especially before the chaos started.

And it has started.

Our schedule was pretty busy through the summer, but this week ushered in a new chapter in the Pate family book: APAC. (Abilene Performing Arts Company) I was very anxious for Monday because I went back to teaching dance, something I haven't done in a long time. I am teaching Tap and Musical Theater to 3rd-5th grade kids. And not only was I a new teacher getting to know students and parents, I was also a new parent with two children in dance and musical theater class. All happened on Monday. And I'm happy to report that it was all fabulous and we're looking forward to this year. Both kids were beside themselves to start their classes. It is a fantastic place with wonderful people and a positive, encouraging environment and high priority on the kids. And what a blessing that I have the opportunity to teach there because that means my kids take whatever classes they want for FREE. Extra curricular activities for kids are not cheap, people! So it was worth squeezing a couple of extra hours into my Monday.

As busy as I am, I continue to remain so thankful that God has given me the opportunities to help us out financially doing things that I truly love and am gifted to do. And that still allows me to stay home with the kids and homeschool. Never thought all of that would work together. God has truly, truly blessed us. You won't catch us complaining. Or at least when we do we slap ourselves in the face and get our perspective back quickly :) And not to mention my very amazing husband who is right there in the middle of it all, doing everything he can in the middle of his busy schedule to support and help me out. The ministry part of our life is equally consuming, wonderful, and challenging. And not only that, but he goes above and beyond to be a tremendous father and husband :) It's all hands on deck around here. We're working it all out together, finding our life rhythm, keeping first things first, and loving what God is unfolding for us. Good times. Good times.

There is so much to say, but I've said enough for now. I will hopefully be more frequent in our snapshots of life so you can hang on for the ride around here. If you blink you might miss us, but if I can stop time long enough for you to glimpse into our sweet little home you will find laughter, activity, dress up, learning, singing, hugs and kisses, wrestling, bedtime Bible trivia (Addison's favorite game), wagon walks, puppet shows, late night Mommy and Daddy talks (no that's not code for something else...)and lots and lots of love :)

Riding on Sanchez, one of the horses (lots of riding horses)

That's Carter, our nephew, with the kids

Yay! We were there on Poppy's birthday!

Granna reading a nite nite Bible story

Going fishing at Poppy's pond

Not sure what to think!

Proud fish catching face

Carter's turn!

Catfish were plentiful!

The kids caught 18 fish between them!!

Sitting on the mule with Granna. This is a favorite for going on rides through the pasture. Lots and lots of mule and four wheeler rides!

Silly boys

(I also took some great video, but I haven't even had a chance to process that yet so hopefully one day it will make it on here...)

Unfortunately I can't figure out how to get any of the fun pictures from Arkansas off of Facebook and on here that G-ma and G-pa took, but I did have this cute one from when they came in town to pick up the kids. What good lookin' kiddos :)

Peace out from the Pate house.