So Here They Are...

Since I begged for help on pics in my last post, I feel like it's only fair if I then show you how they turned out. Not half as exciting or cute as those in pjs below, but hey - they're good for framing and sending to the parentals. Just wish I could subtract 20 lbs from my body before doing so... but oh well :)

Help!

Both Patrick's parents have requested photos of us for Christmas... which we have none of. :( It just so happened that I sent Sarah a panicked message asking if she'd be in town and available sometime soon to help us out - and she is! So, Sunday afternoon we are going to take some Barton family photos.

Photos aren't really my thing, which is why we have minimal photos of ourselves (with the exception of our wedding). So, I know my followers (aka Caroline and Melissa) have lots of cute, creative pics! I need some cute ideas as to something we can do! Can you help me out?

I saw these photos on a friend's facebook page and died a little inside! Have you EVER seen anything THIS cute?!?! ...I'm jealous I'm not a gorgeous blonde with a cutie-patootie little baby... and full of creative photo ideas! What other cute Christmas pic ideas do yall have? :) We hope to include Pup too, if he'll cooperate!

Jesus was a Baby

I've been teaching the toddlers at church for a while now... multiple years actually... and suddenly the little story we teach each week of December finally sank in with me! Our theme for Decemeber is always "Jesus was a baby," but not til recently have I ever fully understood what that means and why it is significant.

Of course, to you scholars - its obvious. For little children, it's important for them to know that Jesus was right where they are now. He was a baby, just like they are. He was learning how to walk and talk, and eat "grown up" food and count to 10 ... all of that! But for me, its something different completely.

I think my new realization occurred slowly over the past few weeks. It started as a brand new appreciation for the Christmas season. I dont recall ever truly enjoying the Christmas season. Yes, as a kid, I remember being excited about Christmas as it got closer and closer each year, but that was driven by selfish ambition, not a love for this time of year. As I slowly started enjoying the smell of Christmas trees, lights on houses, Christmas decorations, baking cookies, I finally started to enjoy Christmas songs (which I have always deeply despised for some unknown reason).

As my affection for Christmas songs grew, I started listening to Christmas stations in the car and created Christmas playlists while at work to enjoy! With my increasing exposure and enjoyment of Christmas songs, I slowly began to actually listen to the words I've had memorized for decades. To my amazement, there are so many awesome lyrics! Songs that praise God and songs that describe the wonder of Christ's birth.

Of all the songs that have suddenly meant so much to me, two have really touched my heart this year. The first of these being "Away in a Manger." I always thought this was a "kiddy" song, like the A,B,C's or something, but after hearing a beautiful redition on 88.1, I carefully listened to each word and was touched by the simplicity of love portrayed in this song. Although this song is easy enough for a child to learn, its meaning is far more complex. In my mind, it has become a song a mother sings over her child. A song a little child sings to the Lord with the utmost love and innocence. A song I can sing to regain the faith like a child and as a prayer for my un-born babies as well as the children around the world in need.

The second being "Mary, Did You Know." I've always liked this song, mostly because it comes from such a different perspective than the majority of Christmas songs. These lines in particular have really touched my heart as I am thinking of the day I will have my own baby in my arms.

When you kiss your little baby, You've kissed the face of God.

and...

Did you know, That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding, Is the Great I Am

Seems like this song could really be sung for any precious little baby. All are such a gift from God and when they're so little and new, it's almost as though they've come straight from God's arms in Heaven to yours. I can imagine being a mother, looking down at my new baby, praying that this child becomes a servant and lover of God. In Mary's case, she knew he would be. It must have been so overwhelming to sit holding Jesus, knowing he will be the Great I Am. Talk about pride! Mary must have been bursting with pride and honor and respect at this little tiny baby - knowing all He'd become!

My challenge to you is take time to listen and enjoy this holiday season, outside of the hustle-and-bustle and all the shopping and wrapping. Don't let familiarity become a mental stumbling block, as it was for me. Listen with new ears to all the songs of the season. Sing along, not in blind recitation, but rather heartfelt praise to the Lord!

Jesus was a baby! He was Mary's little baby... And he's saved us all!

I Just HAD To!

Dont you just love reading old emails, letters, anything from your loved ones?

Patrick mentioned to me the other day that his old FSU email was now gone. Apparently, after you've graduated and some allotment of time has passed, FSU takes away your student email address. Instantly I freaked out, knowing there's some great emails between my love and I in that old inbox. So I HAD to go find them before mine disappears too!

Here are some of the sweetnesses my love sent to me WAY back. Just wanted to at least have them in a place that was personal where I could save them. I know you're probably thinking, "Why didnt she just print these out and save us all the icky love stuff?" Well, I know if I did that, they'd all just get lost eventually. Electronic storage is truly the most efficient and green way of storing keepsakes! :)


Friday, December 22, 2006

Hey, I just wanted to say hi and give you a little somethin, somethin to read. I love you and miss you so much. I can't wait to see you in New York. It's not that I don't enjoy seeing my family but when I wake
up in the morning I think "well It's only 9:30 so I guess I'll just go back to sleep." When you are with me, I wake up at like 6am and wait till 9:30 (letting you sleep in) to run in and cuttle you. I guess what I'm saying is that it is the greatest thing in the world waking up in the same house as you(even better, next to you). I miss being around you, its not the same over the phone. I like to look for your opinion and to share a laugh, plus your a hottie so you just nice to sit next to. I love you.


Sunday, December 17, 2006

Dear the love of my life,

I miss you already. We have been talking about you and how much you like the gifts and letters from my mom. Starr is super cute. She definatly has more maltice (SP?) in her than anything else. You would be all about her and her white fluffiness. Anyways, I love you a lot and I am really excited to see you in NY. We are going to have a great time full of snow(maybe) and hot tubing, and champagne, and good food. I love you! I'm going to call you now.
Love,
Patrick


Thursday, October 5, 2006

I Love You, I Love You, I Love You, I Love You, I Love You, I Love You, I Love You. I don't think I can say it enough. As soon as i got off the phone with you tonight, Dwight said, "what was that all about." I said that was Kelley, and he responded, "how long have you been together," and I said 5 months on dec 24th. Both him and everyone else I've seen has said, do you love her? and without any hesitation I respond yes. "Well is she the one?," "I love this girl, she couldn't do anything wrong in my book. I Love her." You are so special to me and I want you to know that. I want you to go through every second of your life knowing that I am there for you and that I want to be with you. You are the most special girl that I have ever met and I can't
wait to hold you in my arms. I hope this carries as much meaning as I am feeling right now, to make you feel like the most special girl in the world. That is exactly what you deserve and I wouldn't give you any less.

I Love You more than anything I can imagine,
Patrick (Pookie Pie) Barton


Friday, August 26, 2005

Hey, I just wanted to give you something to read before you leave for the wedding today. I had a great time last night at your Dad's house. Although it might not seem like it, I do enjoy hanging out with your family. I had a lot of laughs and now feel much more comfortable about going to the wedding. I hope that you have a good time in St. George and I already can't wait to see you on Saturday. I should be ok though cause I'm going to see you in a few minutes after I finish this e-mail. I'll try not to start missing you until you actually leave. Anyway It means a lot to be involved with the whole wedding experience and I'm glad that you want me to be there.

<3 P       A        T               R          I                 C                   K