CuPcAkE TiMe!!!

I have always considered myself a fairly organized person....okay...wait....some people, who know me, may be laughing their heads off at that. I think that I actually have split organizational styles. At work, I am a bit OCD. Very planned. Very organized. Overly specific. At home....not so much. I mean, my house is not a wreck or anything, but it is less than organized. I tend to forget things at home, too. Ask my mother or Margaret. I will not deny that we have often gotten specific grocery items from THEIR kitchens when I have forgotten them (and I can't completely blame it on the kids because I borrowed from mom before I even had children). Soooo....ok....I'll admit....maybe I am not as organized as a mother should be...or that I would like to be.....BUT. I. DO. TRY.

When you have kiddos, it's worse when you have forgotten or accidentally run out of something. They can't wait...won't wait...and you don't want them to, either. Although this is not a story of running out of milk, diapers, or juice (although we do that often), it is a story of....CUPCAKES. Yes...CUPCAKES. It all started like this....

I bought the kids these cute little aprons. I REALLY wanted to see them put to use. So, after nap one day this week, I asked them if they wanted to help me cook. They gave me an ecstatic, "UH-HUH!!!" Brownies was the baking item of choice (because I REALLY thought that I had some up in that cabinet!!!!). I got the kids all tied up in their aprons and the girls' hair all pulled back. The camera was close by, too (of course). When we get to the kitchen, yep, you guessed it....NO BROWNIES!!!! Faith said, "Oh, NO!" Now, who do you call when something like this occurs?.....your wonderful mother. I KNEW that I had the ingredients to whip up SOMETHING from scratch (although Betty Crocker or Pillsbury is more my style). These kids were ready to COOK! Mom could tell me what to do!

Mom found a quick cupcake recipe and then we went to work!!! In the end, we had some less than attractive, overly dry, chocolate cupcakes. The end product may have not been spectacular, but the process sure was fun....and funny!

So, yes. My house is less than organized. I often forget items at the grocery store. I obviously forget items that I do and do NOT have in my cupboards. OH WELL. My kids don't have the mother of the year by any means.....but we sure do learn how to improvise and have fun!!!

Here are the pics!

 Sneaky Faith. Stirring away.

 Trying out the icing.

Mmmmm...

Everything's Gonna be Alright

Well, today marks the last day of Cody's employment for Ford. There's been a whole lotta' wheels turning, butterflies in the belly, and prayers going up. A decision has been made, and, as I write, I am hoping that all who read will say an extra prayer for us!!!

Cody has decided to take his part-time business full-time. For those of you, who were unaware of ANY business, Cody is co-owner of Down South Diesel. As of right now, the business primarily orders and places performance parts on diesels. However, in the new endeavor, general maintenance repairs will be accepted to all types of vehicles.

For those of you doubters (and I am not accusing...just being realistic...I would be lying if I said that I didn't have my doubts), we know that it is not an ideal time to open a business. We know that things may get hard before they get better. We know that there is a chance that things might not get better at all, and we will be forced to look at other options.  I have thought of ALL of the negatives to this new adventure....trust me. However, this is what I DO know....

1. You have to trust and believe in your spouse. For better or for worse, right? Yes, those are the vows. I have never seen Cody so ambitious about something. He WANTS this. We've talked about it. We've thought about it. We've deliberated the topic. He prayed about it.....and he believes with all of his heart and soul that this is the path that God is urging him to go down. I believe him. I believe in him. End of story.

2. You must have faith. I will not sit here and say that I KNOW this will work out. I can't know that. We will pray. We will know that we will never be handed something that we can not handle. We will trust that all things happen for a reason. You live. You learn. You move forward.

3. Doors open and close for a reason. The door opened for Cody to become a parts and service manager at the Ford place two years ago. It brought him closer to home. It brought his stress level down. It gave him both service AND managerial experience. He has much of the knowledge that he needs to open a business. Perhaps that was all to prepare him for this newly opened door. Maybe not...but we shall see.

4. Success usually follows a risk. Most successful people HAVE to take risks. Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule, but sometimes you have to take risks. I understand that there is a lot at stake, here. I DO. Did I mention that we are going to pray, pray, pray???

5. You have to have a good support system. You have to have other family and friends that believe in you....trust in you....and are there for you.

So, having that all said, this is my first advertisement for DSD (Down South Diesel). I ask first, that everyone keeps us in their thoughts. Secondly, I ask everyone to bring us their business!!! For the remainder of July, Cody will be taking small jobs to keep the income flowing. We plan to open doors in Madison as early as July 31st. There are a couple of details to be worked out (such as getting the shop ready, etc). PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT US!!!

sUmMeR hEaT, sUmMeR fUn!

Summer has definitely heated up in the last week! WOW...the heat is awful! Most of my flowers are dying, and, unfortunately, it seems that some of our newly planted trees are, too. We have not been doing much playing in the yard, but early mornings and showers have seemed to allow us a few minutes of outside playtime.

What would summer be without watermelon???!!! Cameron, Faith, and Mallory LOVE the stuff. Here are some pics that we shot one afternoon before a summer shower. This is the only way we can eat watermelon....outside...and stripped down (only the kids, of course...ha)! I have posted most of these pics on facebook, as well.

We went out one morning just to walk in the shade (and for me to take pictures, of course). It's the little things in life. The kiddos LOVE to pick up and throw rocks. Although they can definitely have their disagreements, Faith and Cameron really try to look out for Mallory.On this particular day,  Faith was constantly trying to keep Mallory away from the road (although we were at least 50 yards from it).  They decided to hold her hands.

On a more concerning note, summer has thrown us a bit of a curve ball. The Ford Place in Greensboro has officially closed its doors. This has left Cody looking for a job as early as this Friday. As frightening as this is, we must not worry. We must know that "God has this (some words of wisdom that I have received)." We are not 100% certain what door will open as this one closes, but we do know that we must act fast. As everyone knows, bills don't stop coming. I have been comforted and so appreciative by the kind words of some. It's also amazing to me that others are so willing to offer help in whatever way they can. It's nice to know that people love you, support you in whatever endeavor we choose, and are willing to lend a shoulder or listening ear. THANK YOU....you know, who you are ;)

Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words (isn't that how it goes?)

Could it be that I am more exhausted this summer than I am during the school year???!!! To put it simply....YES!!! It's a good tired, though. It's a stay up late, swim all day, play outside kind of tired....and it's pretty great!  We have been totally lax with bed time this summer, but I figure we should let the kids have as much fun as possible while I am out of school...and before we have to get back into the monotonous swing of things in August.

There is really not that much to blog about. Potty training is going great for one and we've taken a step back with the other. Mallory reminds me so much of Faith and Cameron when they were at that age. She is SO busy....and into EVERYTHING. She has even started looking and laughing before she does something. I recall a time that I was overwhelmed and WORRIED that Faith and Cameron did this. I thought that it (and they) were terrible....BUT obviously it is a stage and it seemed so much worse with TWO.

We basically go on an adventure each night after dinner and take pictures like crazy. I am obsesessed with pictures-not doing too good with videotaping special moments. We recently purchased a new camera.  Since the kiddos have been born, we have had a wonderful photographer take pictures of them during their first years (lucky for Faith and Cam, they also had their pics made during all of Mallory's photo sessions, too). We are going to slow it down on the professional photoshoots, though. For that reason, we decided to upgrade on cameras (hence the increase of pictures taken at my house...ha!).  I am having fun with the picture taking....here are some of them!

Here we are at the lake (although you can's see it). They had fun running and playing. Here is mother hen taking care of Mallory's hair bow.

At the lake again. Faith taking care of Cam's shoe. Never a worry....Faith has it under control! ;)

Love this sweet pic.

My attempt to get creative...ha!

Here we are painting with watercolors....what was I thinking? This ended in baths. The children loved to paint their bodies rather than their papers.

Busy hands at work!

Father's Day

I am so proud to have married someone that is a loving a devoted father! Cody does far more than most daddies and I am not quite sure what I would ever do without him. Yes, he plays as hard as the kids do...and sometimes acts like them...ha....but we could not ask for better!


I always said that if I found a husband that was half the spouse and father that my dad was, then I had found a winner....and...in my opinion Cody is a winner. Sending love to all of the special men in my life!!!



We had a GREAT father's day...super busy and exhausting...and I might have been a grouch a few times during the day (so many gatherings in one day make me on edge)....but it was great to celebrate the great dads in our families! Cody was so tired by the time we returned home, that he immediately drank a cold one once the babies were in bed!!!....BUT...I guess that's a good way to end father's day!!! HAHA!

Lovin My Life

The summer fun is continuing at the Patrick house! I must admit...I am LOVING spending time with the kiddos, BUT I find myself bored at times. I want something NEW to do or somewhere to go! Therefore, I have been picking up a new toy per week to entertain myself AND the kids...ha! Last week, I purchased play-doh (I know, what WAS I thinking?). This week....more BUBBLES!!! They were a hit!

Typical little boy. Cameron wants to find out exactly how this thing works!

Mallory works very hard to blow bubbles! I think that she eats more than blows!

 Poor Mallory. She is having a hard time. She is at that age in which she THINKS that she can do everything that Faith and Cam do...BUT...she can't. She doesn't appreciate or accept that fact, either. She rarely likes help from anyone and becomes very frustrated when something doesn't go to her liking. I also think that tooth number seven is coming. Those mean teeth...they really get to her...and I mean...REALLY.  She might act mean....but she still looks so darn cute....below she is very upset that she can not get down from the chair. I tried to help...but.....no. 

In case you are wondering, Mallory fell flat on her face leaning over while she sat on steps....hence the monster scratch on her nose!...poor thing!

I am also finding time to make visits that I don't get to make as often as I should or want. Today we went to visit Granny and Papa. The kids love all of the old junky toys over there...AND...they got to play outside! They were so pooped when we got home. SO pooped that....

Yes....they were all asleep! Sorry...somehow I deleted Mallory's sleeping pic from my camera before I uploaded...BUT....YES!!!! They were ALL asleep!!! Faith NEVER, EVER takes a nap!!!

So, yes. We are having a fabulous time this summer! We wear our pajamas as long as we want. We pick up and leave when we want. We nap and be lazy when we want. Yep, that's my kind of living!

Party of SIX!!!

We have officially welcomed a sixth member into the Patrick party! With much consideration...yes...we basically debated the issue...I broke down...meet Stinker!!!

We have spotted several snakes in our area lately...one right on our front porch. We've been told that female cats can help with that problem. Well, I'm not sure if this cute, little one will be very ferocious, but it is worth a shot. Although I am more partial to cats, I still wasn't sure that I wanted ANY pets at this time...I think we have our hands and home full, here. After all, we gave our dog away when Mallory was born....too much trouble....BUH-UTTTTT....cats are not as much trouble and a snake scares me beyond belief. So, if it means that we get a cat to keep snakes away...then so be it.

Stinker is a cute little kitten! The kids love, love, LOVE her. Faith and Cameron are doing fairly well with being gentle and understanding that we must be "va-wey caful....aka very careful." Mallory, on the other hand, likes to kick, stomp, and dive on the poor thing. Check this out....little Stinker is under the chair....Mallory is just thrilled!!!