"Mommy...stop kissing me..."

Do you ever have one of those days when you seriously want to permanantly attach your lips to your baby's face...?

My Cup Has Been Refilled....

Is it me or are we staring the beginning of August in the face? Is it me or is the beginning of school going to be here before I can say, "What am I going to do with 3 children for three months?" three times fast? Where has the summer gone and how do I make everything around me slow down? These are questions that burned in my heart as we were driving back into town on Wednesday night...we were returning from our family vacation and I wasn't quite ready to return to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We took our children down to the coast to play on the beach for a few days (only to be cut short by Hurricane Dolly) and while we were there, I found myself wanting time to stand still. We found a place on the beach that was deserted and calm, and spent the entire day as if we were the only 5 people on the planet...it was wonderful. We moved on to San Antonio and had a great time swimming, strutting the River Walk, eating, and touring the S.A. Zoo. It was so good to get away, focus on eachother, and not be forced to make big decisions. (Unless, of course, you think that the decision of do we eat at Cheesecake Factory or Pappasito's is a life-choice. I guess it could be....)

We are back to the grind, back to the upcoming decisions that have to be made regarding our home situation, and back to the busy-ness we call "life". It was precious while it lasted, and lots of memories were made. There are fewer greater gifts.

I pray that you and your family have been able to get away SOMEWHERE this summer. Whether it was/is the beach, the lake, grandma's house, or your own backyard...take some time to JUST BE this summer with your family. These days are passing too quickly...

Craziness Continues...

Since I last posted, I have successfully spent 2 days in the Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital trying to get over my lovely-timed kidney infection, (which I did) travelled to the coast with my precious husband and three children, sunburned myself to a crisp, travelled back from the coast due to Hurricane Dolly, spent 2 days in San Antonio, and returned to Sweetwater. I return to the idea that as of September 1st, we are officially homeless due to the lack of rental property in this town I call home (and some other expletives at some not-so-proud-moments) but grateful nonetheless that we sold our home (fishbowl) in 6 days. I assure you that I will give some more details of our trip, complete with the SAN ANTONIO pictures due to the fact that my camara erased all of the pictures from the first half of our trip...including the ones of my babies enjoying the beach. Yep, there were some serious tears regarding that catastrophe....Soon. Right now, I have to go wash clothes or there will be 4 people at Wal-Mart tonight purchasing new underwear. And those of you that know me well know just how difficult that would be for me.....So until then, just know that the Paty's are alive. Barely.....

We Heart Dr. Kassis

Has anyone ever seen those Luv's Diaper Commercials where the mom says, "Coupons? I don't have time to cut coupons. I don't even have time to take a shower every day..." I used to see those commercials and scoff at that mother. Who doesn't have time to bathe? Obviously, this was BEFORE I gave birth, most definantly before I gave birth three times. Needless to say, I've eaten lots of crow since I had kids. I am careful to bathe daily, I promise, but there are other things that I DON'T have time for...one of them was discovered today. I don't have time to be sick.

I went to the doctor today for what I felt confident was a yucky bladder infection. Upon receiving my lab reports from the lovely sample I had to donate, the doctor walked in the room and asked if I felt as bad as my labs looked. I have a severe kidney infection. He proceded to explain that he needed to admit me to the hospital to receive repeated rounds of some potent IV antibiotic medications to alieviate this condition. Excuse me? Thankfully, this man is a colleage of Cody's and knows our family. I chuckled softly and took a deep breath....

I kindly explained to him that I have three small children at home and I don't have time to be admitted into the hospital. I have a 4 year old that would be standing at the door waiting for me to return from the doctor so that I could read Rufferella to her for the third time today. I have a three year old that would be devastated if he was late for Vacation Bible School tonight because he has been talking about it all day. And I have a 6 month old (yes, she is six months today...sniff sniff) that would need to be fed, changed, birped, and tugged around on my hip while I made dinner. He smiled warmly at me and said, "ok, Mrs. Paty...I will give you a shot and 24 hours to feel better. You have to call me tomorrow and let me know how you are feeling. If you are not alot better, you will need to be admitted. No excuses. "

I agreed. I'm waiting for the shot to kick in. Wish me luck...we have small group at our house tomorrow night.

Claire read most of Rufferella to me this evening. Thank you, Dr. Kassis, for not making this busy mama miss that moment.

P.S. We have a contract on our house...

Farewell Fishbowl...

I have always said that living at 807 E. Broadway Street in Sweetwater has made me feel like living in a fishbowl. Why, you ask? Because Broadway Street is the MAIN road through this tiny town we call home, and my house sits in the middle of a commercial district that includes the Chamber of Commerce, a State Farm Insurance Agency, and oh yea, Pizza Hut. (Nothing like having your home described as, "You know, the one across the street from Pizza Hut"....Classy.) There are two random houses that were built at the first of the 20th century, and they have remained to this day. Let me say that I LOVE this house. I could go on and on about how attached I am to the place that Cody and I have called "home" for 7 years. I cried on the day we signed the papers to purchase it because I was so happy and felt so "grown up". We have laughed here, cried here, had 3 precious babies here (well, not literally, but you know what I mean) and made too many memories to count. Every fall, tons of people come to sit on my wrap-around porch and drink lemonade and watch the Homecoming Parade go by because it's the best seat in town. And speaking of porches, its the best one around for watching lightning storms roll in from the west...one of Cody and I's favorite things to do together. So, like I was saying, it's a GREAT house that I have come to love immensely. BUT, the one downside to living here is that it is on BROADWAY street, and so everyone in town knows exactly what's going down at the Paty house at all times. For example, when we first moved here, I had purchased some furniture at Haverty's in Abilene. When the delivery truck came to deliver my new furniture, I actually had a handful of people say to me, "I saw that you bought some furniture...what did you get?" EXCUSE ME? Hence, the fishbowl description.
Yesterday was a pivotal day for the Paty's at 807 E. Broadway...we have officially put our house on the market to sell. We have purchased a lot across town (in a real neighborhood...with kids and a place to ride bikes, and there are more than 2 houses on the street...it's the little things that make a girl's heart flutter) and we are preparing to build a new home to house these little ones. Now that we know our family is complete, we have outgrown this house and are ready to get settled into something a little more...kid friendly. Let's just say that the original 1908 crystal doorknobs on the doors will probably look much better when they are not smeared with marker or chocolate chip cookies...
So, all of that to say, I am preparing to bid farewell to my fishbowl. We will forever cherish the memories here, but are looking forward to taking our 3 little fish to a bigger pond....

I apologize for my lack of posts this past week, but I can honestly say that I/We have been busier than a one-armed-man-in-a-paper-hanging-contest....the Paty's life is INSANE at the moment. So for the 2 people out there (hi Dad) that read this blog, please stay tuned and know that stories and PICTURES are coming soon.........I promise. Until then, carry on.