Do something today that your future self will thank you for

I gotta bring some happy back to this blog :)

Happy Monday! I've started today with my workout. I LOVE starting my days like this. Work is very busy for me and school is finishing up this semester. I'm excited to have a little bit of down time soon.
Gracie is going back to the Orthopedic this week. We are going to figure out about doing reconstructive surgery on her foot and see what the doctor thinks about her night time leg brace that is stretching her contracted leg. We've got a pretty normal week otherwise with therapy for Brody and Gracie. It's kind of weird for Madi to be done with therapy and she misses the attention but it is a good thing.
I'm so excited for the kids to start school. We've got about 5 more weeks to go. I've got their backpacks and sleep mats. I still need to get them lunch boxes and cups.
I think we are also going to start swim lessons this summer. For one it will help Brody and Gracie build muscles but it will also teach all three water safety. I'll decide on that in a couple weeks.
They are growing so quickly. They are each doing new things daily and their language is developing and getting stronger everyday. We still have them in their infant car seats. The Pediatric something or another released a new recommendation about a year ago that children should be rear facing in their infant seats until age 2 so we've followed that. I think they are getting a little annoyed with it though because they hate getting in their seats. Ricky doesn't care about much of anything but he sure cares about their car seats. He won't let them turn around a day before their second birthday. And since he did all the research in finding the safest car seats, he is very quick to remind me that they can be in them until they are 30 pounds ;) So because of this I just leave it alone and deal with screaming kids as I buckle them in.
Can anyone believe we are just two short months away from the kids turning 2? I'm going to get started on their party planning this week. So excited it will be Sesame Street themed... their absolute favorite show ever! They just dance and clap when the show and songs start. Seriously adorable!

I'll update again soon. Seems like life has slowed way down in the sense of the kids' health issues. I couldn't be more grateful for that. It's crazy to look back on this blog and see the journey we've went through. It seemed like every other day we were asking for prayers for this or that. We still have a couple struggles but what they can do and are doing far out weighs that these days. BL3SSED!

XOXO,

Krista

It's like you have to be strong for everyone else but they forget to ask if you are okay...

Today baby Jayden was laid to rest. I must say it was the saddest thing I've ever witnessed. The service was beautiful though and his parents were just amazing.
So all week (since Jayden passed) we had been looking for a sitter but everyone we knew aka trusted had so much going on. The triplets' godmother's girls were able to watch them while we went to his viewing yesterday but we had no one for today. Anyway, we weren't going but I felt I needed to be there for Christina and she asked me to bring the kids.... so we did. It was a really hard decision and would it have been anyone else, we wouldn't have. Luckily Uncle John also made it and was able to help hold them.
Anyway, it was such a heartfelt service and little Jayden will leave behind such a legacy.
In other news, I must admit that Klayton's parents (Jayden's grandparents and Ricky's aunt and uncle) are such sweet people. They really are just good people. I know.... I guess there are 2 other Patton's that are great too!
We spent the rest of the day playing with the kids and just loving on them. They really are such sweet spirited babies and we are beyond blessed and thankful to have each one. Parents have such an important role in their children's lives from birth that NEVER stops. To have healthy children is a blessing and I couldn't imagine wasting a relationship with any of my children- ever. Life is short and not one person is promised tomorrow. All Ricky and I can do is learn from the mistakes our parents have made, know we will make our own mistakes but make sure we fix our faults, and love our children without conditions every day of our lives.
In honor of Jayden, please tell your children you love them and squeeze them extra tight tonight.

XOXO,

Krista

Shopping with your husband is like hunting with the game warden

Our vacation was so wonderful. We had so much fun and everywhere we went was beautiful. With all that, we missed the kids so much. Really I was good the entire time. It was a little weird at how "okay" I was but it was nice to not have to care for someone's every single need X3 for a couple days. On our last day I was so ready to be home and couldn't see my babies soon enough!
The kids had a blast and my wonderful aunt and uncle seemed to maybe have even more fun. I was told they were so well behaved and that my aunt and uncle would love to do it again! They are such a blessing to us. We can never get a sitter- ever so to have them want to watch our kids is very nice.
We've got a regular week around here. I think I'm almost caught up on laundry and all that goes with being away from home and work a couple days. I think we are going to plan another little trip towards the end of the year with the kids. We really like to get away from our every day routine!
I have more pictures I'll try to post soon if I can figure out how to get them off my phone!

Krista

Everybody deserves somebody who makes them look forward to tomorrow.

Key Lime by from the famous Blue Heaven in Key West, FL
It was SOOOO good! 

I love the ones who are in my life and make it amazing and I thank the ones who left my life and made it even more fantastic!

Today Madi had her last day of therapy. She has only had Occupational Therapy for a while now to help with fine motor things like feeding herself, etc. but she finally graduated. I'm so happy and proud of her. Brody and Gracie continue to make huge strives forward with their therapies. It amazes us what they learn every week and we appreciate the effort each put into their success.
If you would have met our babies when they were born and to meet them again today, you would be blown away. They are not the same babies and every day it is harder and harder to notice any signs of prematurity. Kids born at 25 weeks gestation don't do this amazing according to medical science but according to our God, He gives us proof!
I wish my memory was better so I could give a LIST of the words all three of them are saying. Brody is the only one that knows how to say Yes. The girls say No all the time and we were at the store this weekend and Madi saw a ball and said "BALL" for the very first time. They all say Hoss (our puppy dog) and they want to see him all day. Madi likes to play peek a boo with him through the window.
Anyway, this is a big week for our little family. They will go stay the night with Uncle John on Wednesday night then off to our totally awesome, brave, wonderful, amazing, favorite aunt that will keep them until Sunday when Ricky and I return. I'm not worried about the kids what so ever because we trust those they will be with 110% but what I am worried about is how much we will miss them! But this is a good thing and Ricky and I really need to get away to stop being robots and become human again. It's been a stressful 27 months my friends!
Anyway, if you will please keep all of us in your prayers as we travel to our destinations and that we all remain safe and happy.

XOXO,

Krista

Listen earnestly to anything your children want to tell you, no matter what. If you don't listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won't tell you the big stuff when they are big, because to them all of it has always been big stuff. - Catherine M. Wallace

Today was MONUMENTAL, HUGE, Mountains were moved, and a race was won. Today Brody Gerald Patton WALKED without a walker, braces, or any help from anyone or objects. Today was AMAZING! Today was confirmation that all the hours, and days of therapy are worth the commitment. Today was another sign that he is just fine and although he had grade III brain bleeds, his mind and function are okay and that he can work with the vision he has to get around. This day answered so much!
I would love to say that he happily and cheerful walked but that isn't true. He actually was whining and fake crying (the cry he does when he doesn't want to work and he never has a tear- ever) and although me, Ricky, and the girls were all cheering, screaming, and clapping, it didn't matter to him one bit. Oh well, he did it!

Nothing is impossible and I am such a firm believer that you cannot allow you or your children to have a handicap mentality. You also cannot handicap your children by making their lives easier. Anything in life worth having is worth fighting and working for and I will tell you that each week these kids work harder than you could ever imagine. They deserve the progress and accomplishments they each make. And I make no apologies for it. They've worked their little butts off since the moment they were born.

Brody, we are so proud of you. I can only imagine how hard this was for you today with your vision but like always, slow and steady wins your race and you crossed the finish line today! I love you my man!! XOXO, Mommy

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm Possible!" - Audrey Hepburn

I've never been so excited to hear "high five" and to give high fives all day long. That is Madi's newest words. Gracie is one smart cookie. She is picking up on so much these days and is learning so much from her sister. I always ask Madi if she has pooped because she will almost always answer. I finally asked Gracie if she did and Gracie said "poo poo" and as Madi was walking to their room to be changed, Gracie crawled right behind her! What a smart girl! Brody is doing well although he would never want to let on to all he is up to. He is doing very well in his walker and can even stand alone without holding on to anything until he realizes what he is doing and immediately falls down. What I love is their PT therapist won't take any crap and immediately makes him stand right back up. That boy really needs the push and I hope one day very soon things will change because it is a real challenge at this point. Ricky had to take him to get his glasses fixed on Tuesday because he broke the band that goes around his head and also chewed the transition off one of the lenses. The problem is they will only warranty them one time per year and we have until January for his next new pair!
Anyway, we've got a busy weekend ahead. I've got to get the kids packed for their little 4 day vacation too!

XOXO

Krista

Thank you God for blessing me much more than I deserve.

Yesterday we had a very special visitor spend the afternoon and evening with us. During all of those long nights in the NICU I would have never imagined we'd develop such great relationships with a couple of our primary nurses, luckily we did. Anyway, one of those nurses came out yesterday and it was a very nice visit. I often think how in the world those NICU nurses do it. Our story was a horror story at the time but even with all we went through, it was better than all the other families that had their babies dieing right beside us. It never crosses your mind that you will have a baby and something life threatening be wrong- ever. And when you witness the sadness of a place like the NICU, it really rocks your soul. I ask her every time I see her how she does it and if anything ever freaks her out and of course she is one of a handful of rock stars that is meant to have that job. Just as I never would have thought about the NICU life, I've never thought about the families that loose their babies to heart issues or cancer. In a million years would you ever think a 2 year old has been in the hospital non stop most of their life just waiting on a heart transplant or a 5 year old dieing of heart issues or what about a 2 year old that has had cancer since he was 10 months old and now two critically fighting for his life because the cancer is overtaking his little body? It is horrific and it makes me realize that although the beginning of our journey was scary, we have so much to be thankful for and to celebrate because beyond the braces, equipment, therapies, glasses, etc. we have healthy thriving children. It's hard not to ask God why and I know He has a path paved for us all so instead of asking why, I give thanks that we have so much life with our children and that He allowed us to have all three of them.
At the end of the day so much in this world does not matter and only a handful of things really do. Priorities in life should be around Christ and everything else falls into place. You never read in the Bible about going on vacations or building swing sets and while we may be guilty of those things, my priorities will always be my kids and Ricky- always.
Usually I never post two times in one day but I think this message needs to be shared. The precious little kids I spoke about are all in the Houston area and are friends of friends. Please remember them in your prayers today and please don't forget to look at all we have to be thankful for. No matter what your situation is unless your baby or loved one is fighting for every breath they take, you have so much  more to be thankful for. Life is short.

XOXO,

Krista

"Don't you worry your pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shine." - Taylor Swift

Everything these days is "Mom, momma, mom, MOM!!" Ricky says it's "crap" because we've not heard the word Daddy in a lllooooonnng time.
I'm sure I've mentioned my love for Target a couple of times but seriously, I.LOVE.that.place. They have a dollar spot at the front of the store and to my great amazement, they've had a ton of Sesame Street stuff there. It is so awesome and even more awesome that nothing is ever more than $2.50. On our recent trip they had little book bags. The girls now use them as their purses and we bought them little coin wallets for Easter so they really think they are big now. They put the pearls and bracelets on and then comes the purse!  Its so amazing to see how boys and girls come so equipped with their little personalities. It's like you never have to teach Brody how to make a motor sound because he picked it up on his own. Now when we are in the car he is in the back seat driving his own car. It's really so funny! On occasion I think they are all three racing because sometimes the girls will join him.
I dropped their backpacks off to get their names put on them yesterday. I'm really excited to see how they turn out. I still need to get nap mats and lunch kits but I think that's all we need before "school" starts.
Yesterday after 17 long painful days was my last visit to the oral surgeon. Looks like my mouth is going to finally heal on its own. So happy about that since we are a week away from vacation. And yes, we are so happy we could just squeal about vacation! We thought about driving back to Miami on Saturday afternoon so we could be there all day Sunday but the hotel in Key West has a 3 day minimum so we'll just stick to our original plans.
Can't wait for this semester with school to be over. Seems like it's been such a long term.
Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Krista

The grass is not greener on the other side; The grass is greener where you choose to water it.

God has the most amazing plan for you.

Happy Easter!

We've had a really busy past couple days. Friday Ricky and I took the kids to the Downtown Aquarium. Ricky and I went in Denver, CO 7 years ago and really liked it. The one in Houston was nice but not the same. Anyway, the kids loved it and thats all that mattered. They really liked riding the choo choo train!
The plan was for us to get them a swing set for their second birthday. Me being the planner I am, found one and it was on sale so we ended up getting it. Ricky started Friday afternoon setting it up. 5 hours into it, he had to stop because it was dark. The kids didn't have a nap the entire day and didn't go to bed until 8:30 that night- they did so well though.
Saturday we were going to look at some property but couldn't get in touch with the realtor for the code to get into the community so that canceled those plans. We ended up doing some returns and came home to finish the swing set. I also picked up the trikes I bought from my triplet friend in the neighborhood too. They love those trikes so much! Anyway, the kids are loving everything going on these days. Our backyard is really starting to come together and the swing set was just the icing on the cake.
We are so excited for them to get their baskets and hunt eggs. I'm loving this age because I filled the eggs with Goldfish crackers and they will love every bit of them :() No worries, we will actually allow them to get hopped up on candy since they are never allowed any and we are even going to dye a couple of eggs. Yes, Ricky and I are full blown crazy!

XOXO

Krista

When I'm older and my daughters ask me who my first LOVE was, I don't want to have to pull out the old photo album. I want to be able to point across the room and say "He's sitting right over there."

I believe that it is a daddy's job to make his daughters feel beautiful, special, and to be treated like a princess. A daddy who knows how to treat his girls already treat their mom like a queen :)

I say that because I want to share a special glimpse into our lives....

Every single morning when the girls get dressed, we go find daddy, he closes his eyes and when the girls are ready, he opens them and tells them how beautiful they are and whistles. The girls both just light up, smile, and clap their hands, and dance. It is one of the most precious moments of our day. Madi isn't "ready" until she has her shoes on, that she picks out. That girl is in love with shoes.
Recently, the girls were given some bead necklaces. They both wear them all day long and I'm not sure what it is about those necklaces but they feel on top of the world when they are wearing them. Sunday we went grocery shopping and I found a package of cheap bracelets that are way to big but were $1. Both girls walk around with their jewelry on and feel so special.
I've been on a hunt for preschool backpacks for when they start their program in the summer. We were at the mall on Saturday and I'd never been in a Vera Bradley store. I'm still asking myself why we had to go in there. Anyway, both girls got their first backpack and Madi even modeled around the store. The manager asked to take a picture to send in to corporate so they could put it on the store's website! She owned that little backpack and had everyone's attention.
Anyway, Sunday morning Madi woke up, immediately went into the living room, took the remote from her daddy, turned cartoons on, put her "pearls" on, bracelets, and backpack. Ricky said he was thinking "slow down, your growing too fast"
These moments keep us going. People constantly ask how we do it, or feel "sorry" for us but I couldn't imagine life any better and their sweet personalities make up for the tantrums, the business, etc.

Brody's little stuff is for another post :)

Krista

Love the people God gave you because He will need them back one day.