Christmas Pics from grandparents!

He was just a itsy bit excited about his "fractors"...he said, "They just like Papa's"






see the resemblence?...my brother (aka Uncle Ryan)


James Daniel







Claire LOVED her new Toms!


Rob got a super cool AU pic for his office...or house maybe..hehehe


James D...stoked about his new guitar (another one!)


Nana with the boys!


Merry Silly Face Christmas:-)

So many wonderful memories. I am thankful for my camera, because I am able to capture these special times to look back on and remember always. Our family is so blessed.

Christmas 2011

Ellie writing her fifth and final letter to Santa...


The boys playing one last tune before bedtime...Christmas Eve night!


Big girls with their Ipod touches!


Vrooom Vroooom!


Reindeer pancakes..yummy!


James in his race car chair!


Mommy, Jenna and new baby Anna Jane!


Daddy with his big girls....setting up Ipods;-)


THE GIRLS! with Jenna's Hello Kitty water dispenser!


Claire and her new Nike Free running shoes!...I'm jealous..I want some!


The whole crew...last pic before getting ready for church!


Christmas 2011 was wonderful. The kids had a blast. They were totally spoilt by their grandparents. Santa did a pretty good job this year too! Here are the highlights...

Claire and Ellie got a new IPod touch, a doll house and new baby for Jenna, and a motorcycle for the boys. The best reaction was Ellie finding a ribbon tied to her gifts that led her downstairs to the basement, where she found a gymnastics beam. She screamed "AHHH, I got a beam!"....


James Daniel received a guitar from Papa and Mamaw and one from Nana that he is totally obsessed with. The boys also got heavy machinery from my dad and Rosey, and they love crashing their loaders, excavators, and dump trucks into each other (AND THEIR SISTERS!) All the kids received special gifts from all of their family that show how unique and special they each are. From pj's with monsters and guitars, to microscopes, twinkle toes, craft kits, Harry Potter series of books, Itunes gift cards, Yogurt Mt. gift card, karaoke machine, wheel barrow, tractors and dump trucks, rakes and shovels, they have all had such a wonderful week of playing with their new gifts.

I am so grateful my children have their grandparents to share the holidays with. I know so many families who endured such hardships and tragedies during 2011 that it really puts perspective on each day.

Three Years Old!

James Daniel born 4:12 weighed 2 lbs9oz

John David born 4:13 weighted 2 lbs14oz

ONE YEAR- December 11, 2009

TWO YEARS- December 11, 2010


THREE YEARS- December 11, 2011


I woke up this morning, and my first thought was, "I remember this morning 3 years ago...." and then every hour throughtout the day until 4:12pm. I remember the pink fleece pj pants I had on, the waffles and saugsage I had just eaten prior to my ultrasound that gave us the dreaded news, even the cocunut verbena shampoo I washed my hair with prior to being prepped for surgery, from calling our family, to seeing Dr. Gonzales look up scripture in my bible that rested on my night stand before he left my room....all the way until the moment they were born and their lifeless 2 pound bodies streamed pass me....I guess when you live through something so profound as the life or death of your children, you freeze that time and remember it richly forever. I am sure for those of you who knew me well during that entire time from the pregnancy to the joyous homecoming with the boys, I walked around in a fog, (rightfully so...geez),but the day of their birth is like the aroma of a freshly sliced orange, I can sense it all. I can see it all, hear it all, the sights, sounds, smells and feelings are still so alive for me to this day. And so I guess on every single birthday, I will reminisce the details (good and bad) and savor those memories in my heart and soul forever.

Today we celebrated the birth of our boys ALL DAY long....breakfast was three chocolate doughnuts stacked high with a dumb dumb sucker atop. They wore their Miracle Boy shirts to church and were wished Happy Birthday from many of our friends. We celebrated with dinner at Habenaro's, John David asked for "baskettie" and James asked for "fench fies"..James loved the guitar and maracas when the restaurant staff sang to them, and of course, John David hated it!

On the way home, Daddy stopped at Dairy Queen and bought them a chocolate Reese blizzard to enjoy...and I even let them share it by the Christmas tree. As we tucked them in for bed, we told them "Happy Birthday" one more time...they both just grinned huge and said "Happy Birthday Daddy"....the end of this beautiful day of celebration came to close when I prayed with them...just as I did 3 years ago, same time, bedtime around 8pm...I thanked God for their lives, and prayed that He would wrap them tightly and protect them, just as I did 3 years ago today!

I will never understand why we were chosen for God's miracle babies, but I will always be willing to share the story. The story of how two baby boys weren't given much of a chance from the beginning, and then a whole bunch of folks started praying, hoping, and believing.... and we ended up with these two beautiful, healthy, smart little boys! I am grateful beyond words to describe with.

Happy 3rd Birthday James Daniel and John David Pate!

"Thankful"...just not a big enough word for my heart!

It was only 3 years ago, that I lay in a hospital bed, praying and hoping for the Thanksgiving that I could be home with my family, healthy and happy, enjoying the simple things in life. I have to say, reminiscing of the time prior to the birth of the boys, brings a flood of emotions back. I am so grateful, forever thankful, for the undeserving blessing God showered upon the Pate family. We will never forget.

(Brookwood Hospital Perinatal Unit, room 227, November 24, 2008)



Thanksgiving this year was incredible. Beck Beck and Ro Ro spent the week here with us. It is amazing how much we did in 7 days, just as it is amazing how fast the time went by. Our hearts are so full of "thankfulness" to have had the special time with them. The many pictures I took will help refresh our memory when time takes us away from the season. Our hearts ached this morning as we said goodbye, but we focus on the fun times and look forward to 'next time'.....


This would be the FIRST THANKSGIVING I have had in my own home with my family as an adult. Rob and I have been married for 12 years and never had "Thanksgiving" at our home. Thankful that Dad and Rose were here to cook our meal...Not sure if oatmeal or egg wraps would have been etiquette...bahahaha!


OH YUMMY....grape leaves, homemade hummus, tabouli, turkey, sweet potato, broccoli casserole (made with greek yogurt and feta), and a loaf of whole wheat lebanese bread:-) THANK YOU BECKY AND ROSEY!


Whole Wheat Lebanese bread chips...SO GOOD!


Coloring with my big girls during nap time.



James said, "I no yike da punkin pie, I yike da yemon pie"







ATLANTA HALF MARATHON! Rob and I have started a tradition together.....running the Atl. Half each year on Thanksgiving Day...


Atlanta Half Marathon....Great job Daddy! Finished in 1hr 58min....







Pictures from our family gathering at Papa and Mamaw's house...

"Give Beck Beck a kiss!"


LOVE


Absolute LOVE!




Papaw with the boys...


Hours of fun here...playing on Mamaw's IPad..making goofy faces with photo booth ap!


Seriously, could the kid cram his finger up his nose any further...!?!?!


Sam and James rocking in Mamaw's rocking chair wearing Papa's hats!



Here are some more pics from our week.

















Playing outside...finding worms, taking down trampoline (Claire's first trampoline Becky bought her 8 years ago:-(....LOTS of memories on that one!)



Getting ready to PAINT A KITCHEN! WHOOO HOOOO!


Becky's helper for the day....hey, what a minute, shouldn't you be in SCHOOL!!!




Well, as the old saying goes..."All good things must eventually come to an end..."

I savor the memories, the pictures and videos, the stories and 'remember whens' because at the end of our time here on this Earth, the time we invested with our families and each other will carry on....long after we are gone!

Take time to love those you love. Be grateful for what you have. I know I am.