Some Catching Up

 Catching up in many ways this week.  Since the last post, life is back to normal, crazy busy life.  Went to Lubbock last weekend to see Annie and it was so much fun.  The only downer was that the friends we had arranged for Cadence to stay with during the show got sick, so Chris ended up staying with her while Mom, Addison, and myself went.  It worked out because she was sick, too.  Addison did really well.  He was all into it, and I took him down to the orchestra pit at intermission to let him see all the instruments which he enjoyed as well.  I was impressed but not that surprised that he sat fairly still and was very well behaved through the entire show.  Though he has his moments, he really is such a good boy. 

The next day we went to the Science Spectrum before we headed back home.  We all had a good time.  That's really a neat place.  I'm posting a few of the pics, but for the full viewing, go to the Shutterfly link where I posted all of them.  The highlights for the kids included the bubble exhibit and seeing some reptiles, fish, and other interesting creatures.  It's been fun now that the kids are getting a little older and we are starting to enjoy some things as a family.  We are going to attempt (finances and schedule willing) to take our first "family vacation" this summer to Sea World.   I can't wait to see the kids there- they will be blown away.  

The other catching up we're doing as a family is our bodies trying to catch up to feeling well.  All four of us are battling the "junk" and trying to stay on top of it.  I missed work on Tues. and Addison and Chris missed baseball and the four of us just sat on the couch and watched Madagascar 2, popcorn and all.  It was nice to just all be there and be together like that, even if we weren't feeling all that well.   Trying to gear up for Easter weekend and hoping it will be better by then. 

 The gym is closed tomorrow and Saturday, so we will actually all have a weekend to be a...... weekend!   Sleeping in and everything!  That hasn't happened in a really long time, so we're really looking forward to it.   Probably me the most :)   One of the eventful things from this week was our garage door completely cratering yesterday, which ended up rearranging our day.  The good news is that it got fixed today and the beauty of renting was that we don't pay for it!  And even better news is that the owner told us he wants to put in a new shower in our bathroom (which is really needed) and just kind of redo a lot of it!   But we get to pick it out.  Yessss!!!  So some of our leisurely weekend might include picking out new materials and colors.  Okay by me!   By the time we are able to buy it all of the work will be done for us!   

In random Pate children news, Addison has started some new curriculum for school and is doing really well in it.  These days if you ask him what he's going to be when he grows up it's a Pastor.  Sometimes he also thinks it would be really cool to be an astronaut though.  He begged and begged to go with Chris on Sunday evening to the college meeting.  He told Chris that he wanted to go help him make some money- pretty funny, huh.  Already feeling the manly burden of being the provider :)  But Chris explained that they were just praying and having praise and worship that night, and Addison was still insistent on going.  Chris said he ended up doing pretty well.  During worship, Addison leaned over to Chris and whispered in his ear, "Daddy, what if God and Jesus were actually here worshiping with us right now..."  He sort of understands the concept of God being present all of the time in knowing that He is in our heart.  Still trying to wrap his five year old mind around not seeing but believing....don't we all?

 Cadence is just being Cadence- she has been princess Cadence some of the week, putting on her costumes from head to toe and dancing around.  Last night at church someone gave her some star shaped sunglasses and she put them on telling everyone, "I'm famous.  I'm famous.  What's your name?" I have no idea where that came from except her own little Diva mind.  I joke to Chris that she's already demanding an entourage around her, because when she sits on the couch (or our bed or anywhere else) she just has to bring along the 20 friends that sleep in her bed with her.  I wish I was exaggerating, but I really think it's almost gotten to 20.  It's a little bit ridiculous.  But she knows when one is missing.   I need to get better about documenting more things they say, because they both daily say the funniest, most random things that crack us up.  

Probably will post more pics this weekend because I'm going to take Easter pics early like I did last year.  That was great on so many levels and takes out the stress of feeling like I have to do it on Sunday when it's never a good opportunity.  Plus I think it's supposed to be rainy on Sunday.  If we don't blow away in the West Texas wind and end up covered in dirt, I hope we'll end up with some good ones.  Until then....peace out from the Pate house!

B-O-R-I-N-G

Well, this marks the last evening of my time alone in the Pate home.  I have certainly missed the flurry of activity and life that is my family.  Honestly, it's been kind of a frustrating few days for me.  Frustrating because I was kind of hoping if I had this opportunity I would at least have some time to myself to do things I enjoy.  I had grand visions of curling up with a good book, doing a project on my when-I-have-spare-time (ha) list, or making something like scrapbooking or other artsy goodness.  The truth is I really knew that wasn't going to be the case.  I have been going and going, and I feel like these days have been sucked into the vacuum of the daily grind and now they're gone.  My family brings me so much joy and fulfillment that doing day to day life without them is so boring.  But at the end of the day that's the reason this arrangement was set up- I had too much going on to run off and have fun with everybody else.  

On the bright side I had my life group girlies over last night which was fun.  And because of that my home got a much needed cleaning, something I'm glad got done but didn't want to spend my alone time doing it!  And I did have some time to do a little shopping trying to gather something fantastically coordinating for Easter for us (as a result I have two sets of fantastically coordinating outfits for us and must choose). And I've been jamming to the new Israel CD, which has made it a little less boring.  And sleeping in this morning before my noon class was nice. And I made some money because I stayed.  Thank you Lord for provision.  I remain very thankful for that, and it continues to be a blessing in our life. But I'm not gonna lie- hearing about my kids playing in snow drifts as tall as they are, Chris having a great conference in NC, and Alesha and her kids having a blast in Arkansas made me long for the days I could just pick up and leave!  

And now I'm done.  Pity party over.  Just needed to whine about it a little to a captive audience (hey if you're still reading I didn't make you!)  This evening I actually do have some time (aside from doing laundry), so I plan on having some good time spent in the presence of the Lord where He will refresh and renew me.  I'm sure we'll have some stories to tell or pictures to show from everyone's adventures.  And now you know mine (try to contain your excitement). I will meet my parents half way tomorrow after church to pick up the kids who probably don't even want to come home because I'm sure they've had  a blast.  Basically I'm just ready to see everyone again and get back into the groove!  I love my little family so much!  

March Madness!

Of the Pate family kind, that is.  The question is not what are we up to this month, it's what aren't we up to this month!  That's why this little bloggity-blog hasn't gotten a lot of love lately.

Hmm, let's see... since the last post we've had a fabulous Little Einsteins birthday party for Cadence (I'll refer you to the Shutterfly link on the right to view pics from the party), me traveling to Lubbock the next weekend to help Mom with a three day pom clinic (including a visit to our wonderful friends whom I have not seen in ages), baseball season starting back up again with Chris assistant coaching this year (which means two practices and two games a week), me having one of my last Pilates trainings this weekend (this is me cheering on the inside), Chris leaving on Wednesday for Campus Harvest for six days (and a 21 hour drive both ways), and the kids going to Granna and Poppy's for a few days (yes,that means I will be completely and utterly alone for a few days and have mixed feelings about it), and the last week of the month/first week of next month includes going to see the Broadway production of Annie in Lubbock and coming back to launch all of our new group fitness programs at the gym which is a lot of outside practices.....      

Okay you can take a breath now.  Incredibly long run-on sentence and bad grammar intentional.   With baseball season in swing it means we have something every single day of the week, and most days lots of things in one day.  There are days I wish that we were all just relaxing on the couch after 5 every day, but we are enjoying all of the things in our life right now.  As hard as it is as good as it is.  

We started off baseball season with a bang- or should I say banged up.  The first practice was at a school field that was covered in stickers.  When I say covered, I mean when the ball rolled and they picked it up it had like 20 stickers on it.  Well, naturally within the first ten minutes of practice starting, Addison was running and fell.  Into the stickers.  Wearing shorts.  There is no denying that really hurt, but that was the wrong kid for that to happen to!  Let's just say he doesn't handle situations like that very gracefully.  It caused a huge drama that left us thinking we were quitting after the first day.  But luckily we all slept on it and the next one was better. And a different location.  Tonight's practice had him getting nailed with the ball right on the collar bone.  Geez.  Hopefully at the end of the day we're all still having fun and learning!

Well, there's many other things to discuss in the world of all things Pate, but considering that I started this post two days ago and am just now pulling it up again let's just call it a day.  Pray for our little family as we're all scattering in different directions.  Back soon with more breaking news!

 

Java Night Superstars!

Some moments from a great performance....

So I am a little behind getting this posted... I have already put these pics on Facebook but wanted to share them here and give some behind the scenes stories.  We had our big college ministry fundraiser last weekend called "Java Night".  It consists of big giveaways, a raffle, a live auction, and a talent show.  It is always a lot of fun, and this year it went really well and made a lot of money!  Last year Addison made his debut singing in front of people and was so cute!  He had one of those moments that could have come right out of a movie of getting scared and then everybody started chanting his name... then this change came over him and he stepped up to the mic and delivered!

Well, this year little sis definitely had to get in on the action.  I never had one doubt in my mind that Cadence would walk right up to the microphone and sing her little heart out.  She runs to the stage every time after church is over and tries to sing on the microphones.  Addison, however, I was thinking was not going to go through with it this year.  As I mentioned in earlier posts, he is gaining more self awareness as he's getting older so he's not so fond of getting up in front of people.  The first conversation we had about it was a big fat no.  He told me he didn't want to do it this year.  So of course I did what any parent would do in my situation: offer a bribe.  And of course he responded like a typical child: okay.  As the day approached we kept trying to pump him up about it and he seemed like he was doing good.  They practiced a couple of times.  On Sunday he told me that he wasn't nervous anymore.  He said he had prayed last week in the car and had asked God to help him not be scared to sing.  He said, "I'm not even nervous- I'm smiling."  And in the car on the way he was telling me how everyone was going to say how great he did.  Funny thing about Addison is that he's had this little shy stint, (which apparently is more short lived than I thought it would be) but he has no problems in the self confidence department.  He's great and he knows he is.  He's very matter-of-factly about it, really.  

So they rocked the house.  They sang the song that I posted a video to a while back, "When I Praise Him".  Everyone was going crazy over Addison doing that rap.  He actually ended up winning in his category.  He was just beaming all over.  As soon as I can get the video downloaded into the computer I will post the live performance.  One of my favorite things about it is that during the little interlude when they sing about clapping for joy and dancing for joy, Addison tells the crowd to clap their hands and then "everybody dance".  So great.  And Cadence was her usual entertaining, cute little self and proudly belted it out right alongside him.  Definitely a proud moment for Mommy and Daddy.  The cute factor was pretty much off the charts.

When I picked up Cadence from her class last night at church, the teacher was telling me how funny she was being.  She said she was gathering everyone around and getting all the other little kids to sing.  Apparently she had a little piano and was trying to get them to sing potty power, which none of the other kids knew.  And then other songs.  The teacher was joking saying she was going to be just like me!  She is very good at taking charge, that's for sure!  Perhaps a future worship leader...

To the one...

To the one who came into this world in a hurry when the doctors were not even set up for her yet and hasn't slowed down since...

Who looks at the clothes churning in the washing machine and says, "Look mommy- they're dancing!" and proceeds to spin around the room in her own interpretive dance...

Who is almost potty trained and when the mood suits her right will do it perfectly... and when she could care less, well- she could care less. 

Who has a new phrase when she gets mad or upset about something (or gets in trouble): "I quit!" and stomps off (even when that phrase makes no sense to the situation)

Who is really into girly things these days- mommy's jewelry, flowers, My Little Pony, shoes, and her hair looking good

Who has the ability to bring two grown adults to their knees... in frustration, in exhaustion, in prayer, in laughter...

Who has made up a song to sing to me about mommy smiling when I get a stern tone with her or she knows she's done something wrong.  (When she sang it to me yesterday Addison looked over at her and said, "Cadence, that's not going to work.")

Who loves to dance and has the moves to prove it

Who has more drama than the Academy Awards 

To the one who brings joy, laughter, frustration, fun, and color into our home- more colors than the rainbow...we love you Cadence Faith Pate.  It is as much fun as it is challenging to have you around.  I find it hard to believe you're three years old.   Your beautiful blue eyes, charming smile, and multi-faceted personality have gotten us all...  

Flowers for Cadence (among other things)

Well, Chris came home last week (before V-day) with some flowers for me.  Yes, I know- my husband is the bomb.  When he walked in the door Cadence saw him and got really happy and said, "Yay Daddy!  My flowers!"  We laughed and I thought that was really sweet.  I love how she's becoming really girly.  I love it except when she's raiding (breaking) my jewelry :)  I'm about to invest in some dress up clothes and jewelry! So I went out to the store the next day and let her pick out some "flowers" (fake ones).  She picked the pink ones that looked just like mommy's at home.   She has carried them around ever since and I took this pic because she kept holding them up to mine and saying "My flowers, Mommy's flowers."  So now Chris will have to come home with two surprises when he wants to surprise Mommy :)  I appreciate having a husband that demonstrates that kind of standard for his son and daughter.  I want Cadence to know and expect nothing less so when she's having suitors tripping over themselves (when she's like 30) for her affections she will know her value and how she is to be treated.  Our children will be such a tremendous blessing for their future husbands/wives.  We pray for them even now, even though it's hard for me to even think about that right now!

In other news, this mommy and daddy enjoyed a wonderful quick getaway together this week.  Not even 24 hours, but one of the best times we've spent together in 8 years of marriage.  We had been talking about it for a long time, but I just decided to do it and surprise Chris.  He's been wonderful to help so much during all of these trainings I've had, and our pace has been so maddening- we both needed/deserved a break.   Finished up the V-day weekend with us both getting to talk about sex in church this morning!  How many times do you get to do that?! We had a lot of fun (even though I felt myself blushing several times and I'm pretty sure I saw a lot of sweating in the seats), and we believe that God moved in a powerful way to bring restoration and healing in the area of intimacy.  

Life is coming at us very quickly these days- if you blink you might miss us!  In a typical day we go through a gamut of emotions and experiences.  Cadence is particularly extreme right now, one moment frustrating us to no end with potty training (still going so-so but not amazing) or temper tantrums and the next doing something like the flower story to manifest her undeniable cuteness.  Addison is a little more even keel, but he has his moments.  

I'm very frustrated because we shot a cute little clip yesterday to put on here for V-day, and I've tried like 20 times to load it on here to no avail.  I will keep trying, but who knows.  Oh well-Just imagine two cute little kids saying "Happy Valentines Day" and kissing the computer screen.  

Words of the Wise

I could fill a book with the funny, random, and precociously wise things that come out of Addison's mouth.  I thoroughly enjoy the process of him processing life as it comes at him.  For some reason a lot of our deep conversations happen on the little six minute drive to church on Wednesdays.  When I say deep I'm not being sarcastic.  At five years old he is already delving into some theologies and philosophies that I find myself searching (and praying) for ways to communicate properly and effectively to him.  We (mostly him) had a funny and random conversation on the way to church last week, so I will relay it to you here:

(Literally out of thin air:)

Addison:  Mommy, I'm just glad I'm not a girl.

Me: Why is that?

Addison: Well, because then I would have to push out the babies.  And that would really hurt. 

Me: (thinking how wise my son is and how he should always remember to appreciate that) Yep.  It really hurts.

Addison: But I do want to have kids one day.  (pause)  It's more fun when you have a family.

Me:  You will be a really great daddy.  

Addison: Yeah, but it's not up to me if I have kids.  It's God's decision.  He's the one that decides if you have a family.  

(pause)  I hope I've been good enough for God to pick me to have kids. 

Me: (pause, wondering how to answer that) Well, it's not about how good you are.  God knows in your heart you want to have kids so you will have a family one day.  He gives you the desires of your heart. 

Addison: Oh.  I don't know why some people don't have kids.  It's not very fun.

And leaving you with a conversation he had with Chris about the tooth fairy:

Chris: Maybe since you lost a big front tooth you'll get more money from the tooth fairy.

Addison:  Yeah, well maybe.  But I shouldn't get too much money because then I might love money more than God.  And some people do like money more than they like God.  And that's not good. 

Um, yeah.  I don't ever remember having a conversation about that with him.  Maybe similar things, but not that specifically.  Good grasp of the Kingdom, kiddo. Makes me wonder what else is floating around in that little head...