This is it.

The day has come, this is the last public post I will write.

The kids are doing really well and had a wonderful weekend. Ricky brought them home a new puppy. She is a Boxer, 7 weeks old, and her name is Harper. You should hear the kids say Harper. It is seriously so cute. Hoss loves her too!

I've started getting things ready for the kiddos' second birthday party. It's just a month away. I cannot believe they are almost TWO! The days and time fly by and it's always a bitter sweet reminder of what is really important in this life. It's not a big fancy birthday party, a new puppy, therapies, work, etc. What is really important is the people I share this home with and those in our lives that have treated us like family and have loved us unconditionally. It's the moments and memories that we create and will forever cherish. The laughs and giggles are contagious in this home and everyday there is something that makes me smile and genuinely happy. In these moments Ricky and I know this is the life we've wished for and cannot believe we are so lucky to have it.

Who knows what the future will hold. If you would have told me two years ago the things we would go through and the things we'd see, I would have thought you were crazy. What I do know is that I am forever grateful this is our journey to be had. I do wish things would be a little different in this journey and that some people and relationships would be different, but what I know is this, I am not angry. I haven't been for quite some time but I firmly believe Ricky, myself, and our children are owed apologizes from a number of people and nothing will ever be different without those apologies. It is honestly that simple. I also realize that some people will never set their pride aside and make those steps and some people are not capable of a healthy relationship and this is for relatives on both sides. We've accepted that and I hope that each of you do too. We've never understood the level of hatred towards us but yet these people are obsessive about our lives. We won't fail. You each should have learned that a long time ago. This month Ricky and I will celebrate 9 years together. If you think we will fail, you should turn away now and should've a long time ago. The couple that is meant to be is the one that goes through everything that is meant to tear them apart and come out even stronger than they were before.

One thing I've struggled with when I've thought about this last post (for over a week now) is if I would share one last picture of the kids and our family. I'm not going to. I've shared enough, maybe too much and in return we've been judged and gossiped about. Enough is enough. Remember, this is for my babies not nosey people with the wrong intentions that stalk this blog.

For our fans: thank you so very much for the prayers, concern, and being cheerleaders through the darkest and best parts of this journey. We are forever grateful. We'd love to stay in touch and you may email me at anytime at  PattonFamily3(at)gmail(dot)com

Krista

I just had to post this....

HILARIOUS! The reason I love Pinterest ;) There are so many funny things on there but the sad thing is this pretty much sums up the Patton family.

Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite.

I knew it would happen just wasn't sure when. In the very near future I will write my last public blog post.  I will continue our blog though since it is my children's baby book and our memory book.
After almost two years I feel like it's time. For one we aren't as busy as we use to be and the other is there are really only a handful a people I want to know our details. It still amazes me that people that are not even in our lives and haven't been make it a point to keep up with us. For those people: Hey, I found your nose... It was in our business! But on a serious note, it is unnecessary for them to know about us and see pictures of our beautiful family. I'm talking directly about Ricky's side of the family only. And yes, if your last name is Patton or has ever been, this means you.
In a perfect world my husband would have a wonderful family that really would only want the best for him and his family but this isn't a perfect world. Our one and only connection to the Patton name has been  snipped for good and it is 100% for the best for Ricky and I as well as the triplets. We have our boundaries and I guess since these boundaries are so clear it seems weird to continue with a public blog. I always hoped these people would just go away and stop following our every move so to speak but here we are almost two years later and sadly they just won't go away.
You will probably never meet anyone as protective of their little family as I am. Those that understand that can appreciate where I'm coming from and those that can't can very easily close this webpage. Remember this blog isn't for any of you. This blog is for my children so they know where they've come from, how truly amazing they each are, and how in love I am with each of them as well as Ricky.
I do hope that people have been inspired by the triplets' story. God has really worked miracles in each of their lives as well as mine and Ricky's. We are beyond BL3SSED!

Krista

I am your parent, you are my child. I am your quiet place, you are my wild. I am your calm face, you are my giggle. I am your wait, you are my wiggle. I am your dinner, you are my chocolate cake. I am your bedtime, you are my wide a wake. I am your lullaby, you are my peek a boo. I am your goodnight kiss, you are my I love you.

Please ignore the ugly grass and the fact that we need to get the weed eater going! My loves got a new pool for the summer and they've taken their first dip today! The backyard is really starting to come together. We picked up a gazebo yesterday at Ikea (LOVE that place) and I got a table, chairs, and lights from Target today. Looks like we may end up doing their birthday party at home.

Hope everyone has a great week! Will update again soon.

Krista

I cheated on my fears, broke up with my doubts, got engaged to my faith, and now... I'm marrying my dreams.

Do the Friday dance!!!

Guess what!!!! Gracie Ann stood on her own two feet not holding on to a single thing yesterday morning during therapy!!!! Go Gracie GO! I know it is only a matter of time before you are taking your first steps!

I had the wonderful realization on Monday that not only did I have a mini semester class starting that day but TWO! Just wonderful. I always register for my classes way in advance so there are many to pick from and the day I registered I must have felt like superwoman or something. (smacks self on forehead) Why oh why do I do these things to myself. Well, because I'm crazy but also because I'm about to be 26 years old and still don't have a degree! Get it done already!
In other happenings, our nanny is AH MAZ ING! AMAZING I tell you! For one she is so very sweet with the kids and is also teaching them spanish!! I'm so excited about that!! She is such a hard worker and our house is spotless... well until the kids start playing again but really she is the best house cleaner we've ever had! So happy to have her.
In Ricky news, his schedule has pretty much been the same since the end of last year. He hasn't worked a weekend in forever and we are so happy about that. His working nights seem to go by so fast because he is only working 8 hours these days. It really is perfect that he works nights because he leaves in the late afternoon and the kids are only up 3 hours or so without him here. I think he may be getting his hand gun license this weekend or next. He has been on a crazy kick lately about everyone being safe.


Can you even believe this picture was taken just a year ago?? Seriously, I took it on May 15, 2011. They were so little then! They couldn't even sit up and they were sitting in their Bumbo chairs in the picture!

I took this picture today. It is so hard to get everyone to look at me at the same time. If you detected that Gracie has an attitude in this picture, you'd be right! This has been her the past several weeks now. Such a stinker! Anyway, aren't that the most precious little people ever!?!

Have a great weekend!!

XOXO,

Krista

Life began when I saw your face And I hear your laugh like a serenade How long do you wanna be loved Is forever enough Cause I'm never, never giving you up I slip in bed when you're asleep To hold you close and feel you breath on me Tomorrow there'll be so much to do So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you

Since the kiddos are now into songs, we sing the ABC song all day everyday, I've been searching for some new songs and came across Lullaby by the Dixie Chicks.... um, this is the perfect song! There are never enough words to describe how I feel about these amazing little people of mine but this song is pretty amazing. 




"The love of a true mother comes nearer to being like the love of God than any other kind of love.    - Joseph F. Smith 






XOXO,


Krista                           
                                      

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. - Oprah Winfrey

Just another fabulous Wednesday!

This doll face is having a birthday tomorrow.  Happy Birthday Brooke! We can't wait to celebrate your day!!  I cannot believe you will be 8! 

Austin, Texas

Ricky and the kiddos took me to Austin for Mother's Day and the kids first vacation! It was so fun! We ordered room service for dessert and a movie.

Friday we took the long way there going through Magnolia. I wanted to have a pretty drive the entire way up and boy was it! 

Our hotel was located on the same property as a park and there was nice shopping walking distance as well. The Texas Hill Country is GORGEOUS! We had wonderful views from our hotel room. 

We were up bright and early on Saturday morning and went to the Capitol before the crowd. We also went to Lake Travis and to see the bats.

We will go back to Lake Travis and stay when the lake is back up. It's down 30 feet from all the droughts Texas had from last year. Even with it being down, it's so pretty. We couldn't believe the color of the water. It looks so much like our favorite beaches in Florida! 

The kids did very well with everything except when we were eating. Not sure what the problem was every. single. time but we still managed through it. 

We are really excited about tomorrow because our nanny starts in the morning. I've got so much going at work so I'm really happy to have time to work a couple 10-12 hour days. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. I'm so thankful these beautiful babies are mine and have forever changed my world. These sweetest thing I've ever been called is Momma out of my babies' mouths :) 

XOXO,

Krista

Look what adorable tourist Ricky and I found! 

Tourist 

Beauty Queen waiting for the BATS! 

My Man waiting for the BATS! 

Mini waiting for the BATS! 

Our view from hotel room 

The trees were beautiful 

outside Capitol 

Capitol building 

Don't wake Madi

Squeakers! 

My MAN! 

Brody was beyond exhausted 

park outside hotel 

It's hard to hold all my babies now that they are so big! 

park

park at hotel

This park was outside our hotel

This looks like a tropical island but it's really "just" a lake, Lake Travis. We are 480 feet above the lake in this photo.

When she was just a girl She expected the world But if flew away from her reach so She ran away in her sleep And dreamed of Paradise Every time she closed her eyes When she was just a girl she expected the world But it flew away from her reach And the bullets catch in her teeth Life goes on, it gets so heavy The wheel breaks the butterfly Every tear a waterfall In the night the stormy night she'll close her eyes In the night the stormy night away she'd fly And dream of Paradise She'd say, "oh I know the sun must set to rise" This could be PARADISE

I'm meeting with our new nanny tomorrow. I am beyond thrilled to have someone that will pick up all the slack I can't seem to maintain these days. I'm also happy because she will do the cleaning, cooking, laundry, take care of the kids including baths, etc. Now our time together will be quality time instead of all these other things that take up so much of our time! We'll have her 3 days a week since the kids will be in school twice a week but when they are out for summer and winter break she will be here 5 days a week.
I'm also looking into bringing speech back for all three kids. Now that they've started communicating more, I think they will benefit from services. I pretty much will only do it if the therapist come to the house. It was way too hard trying to get them to the offices and now with me working full time I wouldn't be able to. I'm also excited because I want the kids to learn Spanish and our nanny is bilingual.
In cute news, Madi thinks Brody's name is My Man and Brody thinks that is his name too! My new favorite time of day is right before they go to bed because they each give each other kisses and we sing our ABC song. They actually sing A-B-C!
I bought the kids Elmo shirts and Madi a Abby nightgown. I only bought one nightgown because it came in a 2T and Gracie is much smaller than Madi. Madi would not take it off! Finally I had to pry it off of her because she was in desperate need of a bath and boy was that fun to listen to. Anyway, little did we realize that Gracie is pretty much the same size as Madi now if not bigger! I immediately went online to order Gracie one and they were sold out... of course! Also, all their Elmo shirts were too small and they were size 12 months! We just got into that size! So I'm on top of the moon because they are growing so much!! Maybe, just maybe we can be in 18 months by their Second birthday!!
Owning a house is so expensive! It's like always something needs to be updated or the yard needs to be mowed, etc. We have to get two windows replaced and that is just shy of $1000! For two!! Oh well, beats living in an apartment any day. Don't know how we did that for so long. I can't believe we've been in the house over four years now!
We are headed to Austin for a couple days. Super duper excited about that. I've been a couple times but never long enough to really enjoy the city. Although, there was a really fun "hill" that Meme and I use to race down in her truck!! Don't ask :) I hope the kids enjoy it and that the weather isn't too hot and doesn't rain!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day. Being a mother is the best things that has ever happened in my life and I am the luckiest momma in the world to have my three babies alive, healthy, and thriving. God is great and we are BL3SSED!

XOXO,

Krista

Every man needs a woman when his life is a mess, because just like in chess; the QUEEN protects the KING.

Is it really only Tuesday? Oh darn!

Happy Tuesday! We are beyond exhausted around here. I have my finals for school this week and then some time off!! I've canceled therapy for the week. Ricky and I have too much going on and something somewhere had to give. I'm sure the kids are secretly thanking us.
I'm trying to talk Ricky into going to Austin this weekend. I've been wanting to go forever now. I want to use my new amazing camera. I haven't used it since vacation!
Ha! I guess the kids are just as exhausted as we are. As I type this Madi is laying on the floor in their playroom with her fingers and bum in the air.
I decided to not have this kids' birthday party at the house. It's just too hot in July for any type of indoor/outdoor party and with us unsure if Ricky will be in town (more on that soon) I'm not willing to try my luck. SO... it will be at The Little Gym. Madi LOVES that place and the other two will love it too. The best part... they do private parties so we will be the only little people partying away!!

I'll update again soon and with pictures!! 

Krista 

"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow in strong contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure" -Peter Marshall

We always have random weekends. We started our Saturday by everyone sleeping in until 10am!!! Listen carefully and you will hear someone somewhere singing Hallelujah!
Have I ever mentioned laundry? It's insane around here. We had like 5 or 6 baskets to fold so we did all that. Sounds so fun.... ok, it's not.
Took the kids to the park. It was way too hot though.
After all that we got the girls their very first "real" haircut. Not sure why we did that because the place sucked and literally did less than 5 cuts on Madi's hair.... yes, they still charged us.
We wrapped up the day at a gun store/ shooting range. Ricky and I are both getting our hand gun license. Ricky has picked out the gun he wants but I'm waiting until after my class to see what will work best.
Told you it was random.

XOXO,

Krista

i don't hate you, i'm just disappointed you turned into everything you said you'd never be. -unknown

couldn't have said it better myself.

There will be so many times you feel like you've failed. But in the eyes, heart, and mind of your child you are super mom. -Stephanie Precourt

Please keep our little family in your prayers as Ricky and I make a very big decision that will impact our family for the next THREE years. 

I'll give updates once we decide what we will do.

XOXO,

Krista 

Out of Difficulties Grow Miracles.

Love this quote.... we did! Their names are Brody, Gracie, and Madilynn :)

Brody officially became a walker yesterday. Yep, without his walker. Big boy style! It started when his daddy was taking them for a walk in their wagon. I walked Brody out to the garage and told him to walk to daddy and let go.... he did it! When they got back we had him walk back and forth between Ricky and I and he did so good. Meme came over later in the afternoon and he would literally just take off to her on his own. This is HUGE people... HUGE I tell you. At one point he even walked with a toy in his hand!!!!  Keep in mind his vision is 20/200 and 20/960 (regular vision is 20/20). So even with his vision issues he is still doing it! We are so proud of him. One day shy of 22 months our boy did it! And if you are all keeping count, we have set a everyone walking by their second birthday goal :) It's so funny because anytime we set goals (and when I say we I mean me) Brody seems to find a way to accomplish those goals. Hey, it may be slow and steady but it wins his race and this momma couldn't be more proud of her boy! Brody is also giving our kisses these days. He has been blowing kisses for quite some time but now he will actually plant a kiss on your face. And no matter how sloppy they may be, we love them. His vocabulary continues to amaze us. He said bread yesterday. He still continues to pass the girls in this area.  If you ask him anything his first answer will be no but if you tell him to say yes he will. He is at a really great point and is really happy. It is so nice to see. Vision plays such an important role but our boy is learning to use what he has, make up for what he doesn't have, and is becoming less fearful of the world around him. We are so thankful and happy.

Brody,

Slow and steady wins your race. I've said it from the beginning and sometimes I might get impatient but my boy, you always pull through for us but more importantly for yourself. I will always only want the best for you and have the bar set high because you can achieve anything you set your mind to. You are so smart. I love you.

Mommy