BAR fest 2011

In honor of Shawn's passing, Pat & Hershel (Shawn's boss and his wife) hosted a TWO day EXTRAGANZA!  Cause well, a LARGE celebration was definitely in order! 

Friday's party

The first night was completely family themed.  Pat & I came up with some fun games for the kids, complete with prizes: Patriotic Walk, Fishing game, Cornhole, Lawyer Relay, Sack Race, Ring Toss, bead bracelet craft, BINGO...  like I said it was quite the fiesta! 

 Pretty sure Brody ate about eight bags of Cheetos... he kept asking different people to get a bag! That boys loves him some Cheetos!

Saturday night:

The second night was more for clients and adult family.  We served New York steaks and sides!  If was so nice to just get a chance to remember that Shawn did actually pass (I have had to keep reminding myself) and to spend time with our family and friends, who without their love and support, we wouldn't be where we are.  Both sides of our families were almost all there and we both feel blessed to have "Won the parent/family lottery!" Our family is truly blessed to have such amazing people in our lives and are very grateful to Shawn's boss and his lovely wife for all they have done and do for us! 

 and YAY for Shawn! 

 (Okay I'm almost through blogging about the BAR... but it's been a large part of our lives these past few years... so it's worth some bloggin' about!)
P.S. (The invited I designed can be viewed here!) 

pampered

I'm spoiled! 

When we brought Wyatt home, my mom & sister & her husband were here! 

Here is why I was spoiled:

*My mom...

*made my favorite dessert - chocolate pudding dessert 

*bought us a trampoline

*made Lehi Mills Raspberry muffins- my favorite

*made Beignets from Cafe Du Monde

*gave Wyatt his first bath

*watched kids so I could nap everyday

*cooked dinners- & Jenna too!

*cleaned... even bathrooms! (with some little helpin hands)

*Jenna & Josh...

*made the best Stir Crazy popcorn

*took the kids to San Bernardino Museum & dinosuars (my boys favorite spot)

*spent HOURS jumping on the tramp with kids

*held the baby

*helped cook & clean & change diapers!

I'm spoiled.

But also incredibly grateful.  I'm one lucy girl to have such an amazing family... it was so hard to see them go... they made this transition into being a mother of three much easier!

Birth

Wyatt James Patterson.

This little boy's birth day was totally planned.  I had spent hours planning out my maternity leave so that it would be just right.  It all was a bit stressful the week before (the bar results, Orin being in Allyson's wedding- he was adorable as a ring bearer!) and we found out my c-section wasn't actually scheduled! Luckily, a time opened up and we had him just how I had planned it all to happen.

We showed up at the hospital around 7 am, and from there is just seemed to go so smoothly.  The nurses were nice, they got the IV in on the first attempt (wheww... I hate that part)! By 10:13 our baby boy was here.  I cry everytime I hear that first cry. 

 It's just such a miracle.

Since I have c-sections, I can't see the baby right when they pull him out (which we actually have a picture of this time.  Shawn was a little shocked when they asked him if he wanted to take a picture of the baby coming out)!  Shawn's first impression of Wyatt was that he looked a bit like Orin.  I think now he's just a mix of both boys and a bit of himself too!  After they cleaned him up and did what ever they do right after he comes out, they brought him over to me.  I can't hold him (I'm strapped down!), but at least I get to see him briefly before they take him to the recovery room (the other two boys had to go to the NICU).  This time, after being stitched up... which I hate that part, always gag, Wyatt was there waiting for me in the recovery room.  The room was just for us and I got to hold me baby and he nursed right away.  Actually, he didn't want to stop nursing for hours! It all went so smoothly, and it still is!

The boys LOVED him!  When they came to see them, the baby was in the nursery having his first bath, so it was nice to have a little time with just them.  They were both so careful and calm (shocking) as they sat next to me on the hospital bed.  When the baby came in, it was so fun to see how they just loved this new little guy.  This has just continued... the loving on Wyatt!  

When Glenna took the boys back home after the first visit, Orin was crying in the back seat because the baby wasn't come home.  Almost daily, Ory says, "Oh he's so cute," or "I just love my baby," or "Can we keep him."

Brody loves Wyatt too, but he's just not as careful.  He'll give lots of kisses and then "tickle" his face or poke his eye or twist his ear.  He's been getting a little bit better lately, but most the time when Wyatt & I hear Brody's voice coming we both look a bit worried! But, he's always saying, "I wove my baby."

We feel so blessed to have another sweet baby boy!  I've really enjoying him. I look at him and wonder who he'll become and am so grateful he's mine!

Wyatt

Born May 16, 2011 

8 lb 4 oz

19 1/2 in.

I'm obsessed with this little man.

He's perfect.

I'm a lawyer

This is the "screen of my dreams"...

The screen that I've (any many of you) hoped for, prayer for, begged for, cried for, longed for... 

(you get the idea!)

 for... THREE years!

May 13, 2011 our "dream" came true (well our career dream that is!)

SHAWN PASSED THE BAR!

Before typing in the numbers on the computer, we had sat together and talked.  It was a moment I'll never forget.  Just us, ready for life no matter what happened.  I said a prayer (which is what we had always done right before) and of course was totally in tears.  I wanted Shawn to know that I was proud of him no matter what.  As he typed in his numbers and saw his name... we both almost clasped in relief!  It felt like a huge weight had been lifted. 

SHAWN PASSED THE BAR!

There are so many memories and experiences through this process (both good and not so good) and it is amazing that our BAR rollercoaster ride is over (or I've often thought of it as being in a rock tumbler where we are just getting a little more polished).

So this July... Shawn WILL NOT have to take the bar.  Whew! 

So here's "our story" (I say our... because this was definitely not something our family did alone... although it was, of course, mostly Shawn's accomplishment for sure!)

In 2005, Shawn graduated from UVSC, and was accepted to University of La Vern College of Law.  So we moved down to California, I got a job teaching and Shawn began his three year journey in law school.  

(Shawn didn't walk for graduation, but I did make him take a picture when his diploma came)

Ready for law school!

With one more year to go, we had our 1st baby boy... and visit dad as he was busy studying!

In 2008, Shawn graduated from law school and then... studying for the bar!

Shawn took the bar for the first time over Ory's first birthday.  I was visiting my parents in Cincinnati, and we felt ready.

But, life doesn't always go exactly as we plan it.  I had decided to take Shawn to Palm Springs for the night as we anticipated the results (that we taught would be positive)... and it wasn't.  I had made reservations at Morton's to celebrate, but we went anyway... because life goes on.

And it did.  I'd love to say that each time Shawn didn't pass I handled it perfectly, but well let's just say we learned A LOT from this experience.

The last few times of Shawn not passing, I feel that we were really able to let go in a sense and realized that we would work as hard as we could and rely on our Heavenly Father to guide us in which ever path he would have us go... 

Thinking back, I blogged about the Bar last year {see here} and I feel that our growth as a family just continued this past year (I finally read the Book of Mormon cover to cover- sadly that was something I hadn't really done!).  I know I'm still far from perfect, but I am definitely at a different place now and hope to keep that on going. 

So, I'm EXTREMELY grateful that Shawn passed.  I know he could do it and had faith in him, and if it was Heavenly Father's will, I knew it would happen.

But, if it hadn't... life would go on (I mean it would have been so sad), but I'd still have felt so blessed.  Blessed for INCREDIBLE friends and family that have shown us so much love and support.

Blessed to have now... THREE beautiful boys.

Blessed to have a knowledge of my Savior and his gospel.

Blessed to have an AMAZING husband (that through this experience has been so strong, confident... truly a rock and a great example of living by faith).

I am truly blessed.

To celebrate Shawn's passing, Pat and Hershel (Shawn's boss and his wonderful wife) took us out to dinner at Morton's.  As we were being seated in the same back room where we sat almost THREE years before when first hearing Shawn did not pass... here we were again... and

SHAWN HAD PASSED THE BAR!

And TWO years ago, Mason and Melina had brought over this bottle of Martinelli's to celebrate... and celebrate we will! 

Shawn received this card three years ago at his graduation party.  Although, our success took a little longer, I think it now tastes that much sweeter.

I love you Shawn. 

Together, I know we will have lots of "success."

A Day in the Life of... a mother

My day as a mother (which started @ 4 since I went back to work today... I'm sad). Sitting at the dinner table. Orin: "There is something in my nose." Me: "Well stop picking it all the time!" We blow his nose... nothing. He's watery eyed and picking his nose and snorting. Nothing.

Ten minutes later, I am loading the dishwasher and Brody comes by, swipes two knives and runs off, jumps on the couch laughing as I chase him (and yell danger, danger!), then chucks the knives (luckily missing anything/anyone. (Put Brody in his crib and tell him that's dangerous).

Go to check on Orin (who was sent to use the bathroom). He's sitting on the bathroom counter, holding a noodle. "Oh mom. It was a just a noodle up my nose!" Nice! We did have noodles for dinner...

Head to pick up Brody from his crib, he's crying: "Hug, hug, hug!" (He does not like getting in trouble!

This scene took place within a 20 minute window... it's only 5:30. When is bedtime?

(a pic taken last month... first of all to show you how much bigger my kids are & I can't blog without pictures, and to show you their little personalities!)

By the way, did I mention we are having ANOTHER BOY in May!

We had or I should say have had a girl name picked out... I find boy names so hard! However, we do have lots of boy clothes, toys, room, etc... so in that we are ready to go!

Orin has thought of some nice names: Golf, Craft

Mason's suggestion: Rufus

Does anyone else have any suggestions?

P.S. I really do LOVE being a mother! Does anyone else have days, I mean, hours like this? :) Oh, and I am excited to be pregnant...

Also, I fully intend on back blogging... have lots of tidbits and pictures to share... but we'll see, I seem to have my hands full!

It's all about ME!

I don't know where he came up with this, but as were heading to the baseball game on Ory's birthday, completely out of nowhere he tells me, "It's not all about you. It's all about me!"

What! My son had become birthdayzilla! My mom would always tell me that when kids are three, they think the world revolves around them... well, I guess so!

Maybe we did too much celebrating. While in Cincinnati, my parents bought the traditional Dairy Queen cake and he opened presents... maybe we started a bit early! :)

On Orin's actual birthday, we went to the 66's baseball game. Since you can't bring food in, we sang and blew out candles in front of the stadium. The boys enjoyed running around on the lawn area... and they even announced his name on the loud speaker and posted on the score board! So fun!

I seriously LOVE all that excitement... he's been like that since party 1!! See here.

Checkin' the stats!

It happened to be family night, so that had super cheap hot dogs... score!

And of course, we had to have a "small" family/friend party. It was Ala's (Melina's brother) birthday too... so it was good food, good times. Mese even brought his shake machine and did custom pie shakes which are AMAZING!

As you can see, in the eyes of my spunky THREE (wow) year old... "It's not all about you! It's all about me!" And Orin, I'm glad for those days that can be all about you, it's fun... for a day! :)

I love being Ory's mom! He makes life fun and exciting! He's my extra big helper boy (especially if we're cooking!) and I love that he is so expressive and verbal. He is so snuggly and loves to cuddle... I can't get enough of that or of him! We love you Ory-o!