Life with my sister

Tomorrow is my birthday and I've been reflecting on all my other 36 Birthdays.  I grew up in a house where birthdays were celebrated big. Not big in today's standards, but big in the children of the 80's / early 90's standards. It was all about me from sun up to sun down. I woke up to singing by all 3 in my nuclear family. They all sang it different but they always blended.   Opening presents before school at the kitchen table, maybe my dad would come eat with me for school lunch some years, if not, mama put a note in my strawberry shortcake or rainbow brite lunchbox (with thermos) and the evening meant presents from grandparents and aunts that came by mail. I got to pick my supper and on the monumental years I could invite a friend to go out with us.  I remember getting a 10 speed for my 10th bday and riding it out of the Walmart in the Quarry shopcenter ( when it was THE Walmart.) The patentals had put it on lay away so I got to release it from hostage and ride it ...

Henry Patton running into school this morning with his Razorback t-shirt on and ready to shout a little "Woo Pig Sooie" with all his little friends. Abby

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. --The Bible, Proverbs 22:6 If you missed it, Anna was saved two weeks ago. Sunday was the day she followed that decision with baptism. It was a great day! This is her before the baptism. She was scared and embarrassed, I was a little worried. She did it!I breathed a sigh of relief. I also cried a couple of tears. It was just so sweet. She was baptized in the same swim trunks that the boys were baptized in. Some people have christening gowns they pass down through generations, maybe we'll pass down these swim trunks! Oh, this church doesn't have robes for anyone to wear when baptizing, or for the preacher to wear. So Stephen wears his hunting waders so he doesn't have to change clothes before he preaches. I know those of you that attend bigger churches might think its a little hokey, and it is, but I'm just so glad that these little churches are doing church the right way and baptizing ...

Henry wishes you a "Happy Birfday Times!" (His way of saying Happy Valentine's Day)

9 years ago today I said "I do" to my Randall. I always loved this picture. It is in a little frame on my bedside table. It was taken in the brides room after the ceremony. I remember Mama and Mawmaw being afraid we might run off into a broom closet before the reception! We were so excited to finally be married, if you know what I mean! ha. I really like the Aqua Net can in the background the best. All good southern girls use Aqua Net for their 'dos. This is possibly the most priceless photo I have in my album. Because I share this blog with my favorite sister, I thought it was finally time to show this little snapshot of us. I was taking my photos before the ceremony and feared I forgot my deodorant so like any good sister, Jules applied for me. There are too many reasons why I love this girl, just sayin! Wasn't she beautiful in that dress. I loved my wedding. It was perfect. This was our first Christmas card photo. If you are familiar with our annual card, you kno...

S Family Christmas comes every year and every year it is great fun. We head to Daddy's house in Mississippi for a fun-filled day of family, gifts and food. And almost every year Daddy is supporting and sporting a new team's pullover....just kidding. He went from Arkansas to Ole Miss and now back to Memphis. I love it. He looks good in Tiger blue. S Family matriarchs , Babs and Bob. Meemaw and Peepaw did well. From Babs and Bob you have the beautiful brunette S girls. We are quite the trio. Jules and I love our cousin Hollye to pieces. She is like a sister to us. Coming from a small family, we bonded well growing up even though we lived a state away from one another. From the 3 of us you have this handsome group! Thanks to Jules for doing most of the work :) The S family produces such pretty girls. Meemaw would love pampering these two just like she did us. Claire and Anna are " our pretty girls". Meemaw used to say "my pretty girl" all the time. I love...

10 years ago tonight I looked into Randall's blue eyes for the first time at the back door of my cousin Hollye's home in Memphis. A blind date set up by Julie and my mother-in-love (click here for Julie's refelction on the arrangement). For that date I am forever grateful. I did not want to go, thought my sister had lost her mind and was crushing on another boy. Boy, boy, boy...did I ever change my course when I looked into those blue eyes standing at Hollye's backdoor! (The night of our engagement) Well I lost my heart on the day we met But I gained a lot that I don't regret (one of our favorite engagement photos) Then I hung around til you said 'I do' Knew I wouldn't have nothin if I didn't have youWell, it changed my thinking when you changed your name Neither one of us will ever be the same And I swear I'm never gonna be untrue Cuz I wouldn't have nothing if I didn't have you (5 year anniversary in Cancun) If I didn't have you I...

We all headed "home" for Christmas last week. Riding the train at the park during Christmas is always a fun family outing for us. This year we were so glad it was not as cold as it has been in years past. It was cold enough for it to be festive and that was great. We really are a handsome group. Mama always loves having all of us together at Christmas. Henry loves a choo choo. He had been looking forward to the train all week. He was so excited! Riding the train with family and friends makes Christmas in the Fort so much fun. Anna rode with me. I am so blessed to have a beautiful niece who loves me like crazy. Henry soaked up all the lights with his Daddy. He smiled the whole way around the park. Going "home" for Christmas is extra special because of the times spent with my best friend and her family. She has the cutest boys...even Sam looks pretty swank with his Christmas beard. (My man grew a Christmas beard also...not sure what all that is about) We were so glad ...

I posted this photo on purpose...Daddy is no longer a Rebel fan since they gave Houston the boot. He doesn't read this much anymore so he won't know unless someone tells him...don't tell him! This photo was taken at my house in Mississippi. Sweet and skinny times :) (Abby) Today is our heavenly father's birthday and we celebrate big..real big! It is also our earthly father's birthday. Our grandmother had a baby on Christmas. I can't imagine how incredible and inconvenient that must have been for her. Our Daddy shares a birthday with Jesus and Barbara Mandrel (Yes, we are reminded of this every year...all our lives we have heard this). We always have a little pity for him because everyone sort of forgets about him to praise Jesus. He loves Jesus also, so he looks past it. Bless him. He usually gets robbed in the presents department too. It is always easy to wrap one gift in blue paper and call it a birthday gift (not that we have ever done that....j...

Henry turned 2 last week and we celebrated with all his friends on Sesame Street. I bought these fun cupcakes at a local grocery store to take to his school on his birthday. He was so excited to see them. He dove right in and took Big Bird's head off. His friends were yelling "Elmo". It was a fun mess and everyone had fun celebrating with our Birthday boy at school. The day after his birthday we had his party. I worked on it for a few months. I love party planning. I may not be a polished pro, but I enjoy it and that is what matters. I love that Henry is covering up his 2 on his shirt. I purchased a Sesame Street shirt so I would also be in theme. Randall declined to participate. His party was a Sesame Street party, of course. We had it at our church in the old fellowship hall and rented a toddler bounce house. It was loads of fun. Since " monker " and Elmo are his favorite characters on Sesame Street I made only their faces on the cupcakes. They were fun and me...