Brooks' Bad Manners

Sarah just posted this video on Brooks' site and I just had to share it. The little hat was made for him by one of the doctor's that Sarah works for. The grandmother who taught hin this trick is not me!! But I wish I had!

I was just informed that you needed a password to view this video. It's bbrooks

Click here to view this video

The New Mr & Mrs.

First of all I must say that the wedding was absolutely beautiful and everything went off without a hitch. They were both so happy and the fact that they are very much in love couldn't be missed.

I have loved Amber like my own for a long time now. Patrick married the perfect girl for him and I couldn't be happier with his choice. Because of how I feel about Amber I really didn't expect to have the feeling and emotions that I experienced in the lead up to and during the actual wedding. Now matter how practically I tried to talk myself out of feeling what I was feeling, the thought simply wouldn't go away. I was losing my son. Now, I know I haven't really lost him. He's a self-professed mama's boy (aren't most boys?), and we have a very close relationship. I know that I will continue to see him very often and that the love he has for Amber is a completely different kind of love from the love he has for me. One doesn't push the other away any more than one child being born takes love away from the other children. I know all of this and yet I had several emotional moments (don't worry, I kept them to myself!). I am so proud of the man he's grown to be and the way he lives his life. He has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known and I am so grateful that I am the one God chose to be his mother. When Patrick loves you you know it. He's the first one to help out a friend or anyone in need. His compassion for other's is often witnessed running down his cheeks. He's the champion of the underdog and every child's best friend. I've never met an old lady who didn't love him.

Patrick is every one's "go to guy".

Patrick is love personified.

Patrick has married a wonderful girl and we love her.

Patrick's mother misses him.

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These pictures were taken by a friend, when we get the professional pictures back I will share them, I'm sure they'll be much better than these snapshots. But for now you at least get a little idea.

I love this picture! Look at what is going on between Patrick and Austin. I didn't catch this as it was happening but someone told me about it. Apparently right before Patrick and Amber turned around to face everyone after they'd been pronounced man and wife, Austin reached over to give Patrick a fist bump. Then, when they turned around Patrick turned his palm up kind of behind his back and Austin "gave him five". I can't wait to see it on the video. Candid things are sooo awesome

We took the opportunity to have a picture of our immediate family taken with everyone all spiffed up! (Jimmy and Austin shared Best Man duties) Both Sarah and Emily served as bridesmaids. Benny was a groomsman as well.

The happy couple are now on their honeymoon cruise and we can't wait to see them when they get home next Sunday.

Patrick and Amber's Engagement Pictures

Here is the post I was trying to get up last week BEFORE the wedding. Needless to say, I didn't get it done. I did sit down and try to put into words what I was feeling as Patrick's wedding was just days away. I, quite simply, couldn't find the words to express all that I was feeling. So, after this post, I will put up one about the actual wedding and try once more to give you a glimpse into a mother's heart.

Here are their engagement pictures.

My funny and sweet friend Cindi at Wishing For My Turn gave me an award that defies explanation. I'm humbled! And hey, I wouldn't want any of you to be pecked to death by Zombie Chickens, so I'm hoping that by posting this award here you will all be safe forevermore!!

"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken-- excellence, grace, and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all."

I cannot possibly pick just five people to share the honor with so if you're game (pun intended) grab it and protect yourself and your readers.

Thanks, Cindi, you are the best!!

Engagements and more engagements!

Later I'm going to post Patrick and Amber's engagement pictures and post about their upcoming wedding, but first I want to announce (if I haven't already) that Emily and Wendell are engaged and are going to be married in May. While they were here for Amber's bridal shower last month they went to the park and had their engagement photo's taken. I love them! They are so happy, and to see Emily so happy after what she's been through in the past several years is absolute balm for my soul. Wendell is an answer to prayer and we look forward to having him as a son in law. The love between them is evident to anyone who sees them and I think these pictures capture that.

I FIXED IT! I FIXED IT!

My laptop has been out of commission allll summer. The desktop is so unreliable that I barely even check email on it. Besides, it's been a busy summer and I kind of figured that maybe not being on the computer so much was a good thing for me. But gosh, I've missed it. Anyway, after coming home from Sarah and Bennie's tonight, I discovered that the cable was out so I started reading. Then for some strange reason (I prefer to call it Divine Intervention) I decided to grab the laptop and see if it would suddenly work. I decided to do this because yesterday I asked the Universe to send me a new computer, and as I was reading I just felt "nudged" to try the laptop. I finally got it to turn on in safe mode and decided, "what the heck, see if system restore will fix it". Sooo, that's what I did and eureka! It works. I also asked my helper angels to show me what to do. And now I say....Thank you God and my helper angels that I have my laptop back.

Maybe I can now get back to checking blogs and finding out what's been going on with everyone all summer.

As for me, I'm so smitten with a certain little baby that it's ridiculous. All those things they say about grandchildren are true. He, quite simply, has stolen my heart. He's the best little thing and some people have had the nerve to accuse me of being a "baby hog"!! Hmmmph! As if!!!

And so, it's only fitting that my first entry back should contain pictures of Brooks, right? So here they are!

Here he is wearing his Daddy's hat. It's not often that it comes off of Bennie's head. He looks so much like Bennie anyway and with his hat on....well, can you say clone?


Here he is in one of his many Bengal outfits. And speaking of the Bengals, WOW! Football is fun again!! I've been a die-hard Bengal fan since 1980 and they've broken our hearts so many times. I cheered for them when they didn't win a game and always held out hope for "the next game", or "next season". So believe you me, I'm celebrating and having a ball watching these games. Having Brooks there with us is just icing on the cake. (Cindy, I know you'll love this picture! lol)

The next two pictures are just darn cute! I tell ya, I could just eat him with a spoon!

Patrick and Amber are getting married next weekend. I can't believe the day is finally almost upon us. Stay tuned for thoughts from the mother of the groom this week. It's hard on a Mom!