Vacation Bible School

It has been quite a week here at chez Patterson. Mommy has been teaching Vacation Bible School "Red Macaw" class and Elie attended the nursery yesterday and today. The Red Macaw's are 4 years old and while the class isn't full with 9, let me tell you I'm not sure I could handle any more. Fortunately we only have 2 boys and only 1 of them is the rowdy sort.

To put it bluntly...Mommy is whipped with one more day to go but I have to admit I'm having alot of fun!

Elie has been having a blast! The heartbreaker in the blue shirt in the middle of the picture is Michael Muller (Elie is on the far right on her teachers knee. She is the youngest in the class). His parents are some of our best friends so Elie gets to see Michael alot....and has formed her first crush. She loves going to "the party" at church and seeing Michael. Today mommy even bought McDonalds afterward (a special treat if not the first time this is one of a very few times for Mommy).

The gal/teacher on the left is Kim Stratton. She and her husband Brad have been friends of ours for maybe 10 years now. As it happens Kim and Brad have a daughter Brady who has Trisomy 18 and she is 18 years old. While I'm realistic about our chances to have that much time with J. Henry, as his daddy calls him, it is nice to know that miracles do happen. Brady is a gift to her parents, beautiful, goes to school and lives a wonderful life.

That said...when we arrived home Elie had a complete meltdown wanting nuggets and milk BEFORE we could even get off the sidewalk. So my neighbor Joey comes over to help and Elie and I sit on the sidewalk to just have a picnic which seems to make Elie happy. Joey has 5 children, three girls and two boys, and has supplied Elie with so many cute outfits I can't count them. So being the wonderful nice friend she is she asked if I was ready for some little boy clothes. I was completely caught off guard and blurted out no that I didn't want any at all. Seeing the hurt look on her face made me feel terrible and I stumbled over my explanation that I really didn't want anything before James Henry arrives and if we are lucky enough to bring him home I would put out a call for some items. It just all seems so strange and surreal that something as innocent as a friend wanting to give me clothes for my baby could be such a complicated question. But it is.

I am Loved

Meet James Henry Patterson.

Let me assure you that James Henry Patterson knows he is loved. Not only that, but his mother, father and sister are more aware than ever of God's love in their lives and how much they are loved by friends, family and strangers.

As most of you are aware, shortly after my last post in February, Bill and I were surprised to learn that in fact we were expecting again on November 12th. Thank you writers strike!

Spring was definately in the air and we set off for what was now to be not only a "40th birthdays, 5th anniversary" trip but also a "babymoon" to southern Spain. The trip was something we will never forget. While we missed Elie she was happy as a clam with Grammy, Grandad, Da, Max, Lucy, Evan and Kristin. Bill and I strolled the streets of Spain, rode camels in Morocco and remembered what it was like to stay up late, get up late and just be together. Those carefree days are treasured memories I'll fill you in more about those another time.

The day after we arrived home we went in for what we thought was a "routine" genetic test and learned our sweet baby might have a problem. After 5 excruciating weeks of waiting on June 12th we learned that James Henry Patterson was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a diagnosis which according to the medical books is "incompatable with life". (See www.trisomy18.org if you would like more information)

A month later now the shock has worn off and the sadness isn't quite so overwhelming. We have settled into having a wonderful summer and just treasuring every moment we have with Elie, each other and James Henry.

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive this past month. We've received cards, phone calls, emails, inspirational cd's and more food than we can eat. I have decided that now is the time to start updating the blog again because I know we have so many wonderful loving friends and family who wonder how we are doing....and crave updates on our amazing Elie.

So for today, this moment, please know that we are all well. Safely wrapped in God's loving arms. Most moments are happy. James Henry kicks and squirms just like his sister did and is growing on track so far.

We are blessed and we are loved.