Life as it comes....

Moving on to ABU Dhabi

2011-06-16T17:40:00.000-04:00

Today I was offered a job in Abu Dhabi for two years. It is an awesome opportunity for us to see the other side of the world. I am looking forward to teaching 3 and 4 years olds. We will be leaving out of New York in August with 800 other families from New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom and Ireland. I can't wait to go on the next venture...

My mother's day present from Olivia...

2011-05-11T13:41:00.000-04:00

Mothers Day! - picture slideshow

Faye Marie Johnson Cherry

2011-05-06T08:39:00.003-04:00

Dear Mom,
It has been a long time since you and I laughed together. It has been a long time since I sat with you on your porch while you smoked that dreaded cigarette. It has been a long time since I saw you in your white shorts. It has been a long time since we watched HGTV together.

It hasn't been a long time since I missed you because that happens everyday. It hasn't been a long time since I have seen something that reminded me of you because that happens everyday. It hasn't been a long time since I ate something that you use to enjoy because that happens everyday. It hasn't been a long time since I have told someone you and I both loved to quit smoking.

Alot has changed since you left us, Mom. Our family has grown with the addition of 5 adopted children. Trey got married and Ashely has been to the island of Belize working and is now in New Bern working. Olivia is working in Real Estate just like you mom. Colby and Morgan are in college. Your new grandchildren are Evin 11(China) Payden(10 US) Patrick 9 (China) Ellie8 (China)Lauren 21 (Campbell University).

We are not the same without your love and support. You had magic and we didn't know it, mom. You were able to keep us together when the storms were brewing in our life. Without you our ships have gone in different directions.

Today Mom I am trying to keep my children and their ships going in the same direction. I hope I do it with the same unconditional love you had within you.

I love you mom. I know you are at peace and that is the only way I can make it without you. God keep you till we meet again. Happy Mother's Day

Love,
Pat

Easter and testing

2011-05-05T13:31:00.000-04:00

Trey and Meagan kept Payden and Patrick while I took my ESL test in Greenville. It was funny because I have not been in that building since 1974. The test was hard for me,as I have never taught ENGLISH SECOND Language. I appreciate the help with the little ones. When I finished they were waiting by the door to "WALK me from Class".

A child's simple wish..

2011-05-05T11:24:00.000-04:00

Working full time makes it hard for me to have any time for "being a school parent". Those parents are the ones who volunteer everytime the doors open. Some parents are fortunate enough to have someone else at home carrying the load, and I am not one of those parents. Payden biggest wish was for me to bring her MCDonalds lunch like all the other parents do. So Olivia and I surprised her and she got the lunch of her dreams. She was a happy camper..

boys

2011-04-28T13:37:00.001-04:00

Birthday Week for Miss Olivia

2011-04-17T14:20:00.001-04:00

Birthday - slideshow with music

Families ... they sure are complex.

2011-04-11T13:32:00.001-04:00

These are somemore pictures from the wedding. These are my two sisters, Missy the one that is standing beside me. Celie is the one with her daughter Evin. The other picture is one right before Trey was getting ready for the big change of life.

More pictures, few words

2011-04-10T15:21:00.000-04:00

Rainy Days

2011-04-09T10:32:00.000-04:00

When I was a child I did not like rainy days. Alot has changed since then. ha. I am reading two books about losing weight. I want to make this part of my life a little lighter in the weight department.We have a day at the movies planned for later and a relaxing weekend for the rest of the week.

Year continued.

2011-04-08T13:37:00.000-04:00

I think this should be our family motto......."only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Elliot Payden and Patrick were in ONE TREE HILL as members of the baseball team. They made 203.00 a piece. I told them they made more money than me in two days. It was a great experience and they got to see that being on TV is alot of WORK

A year in review..

2011-04-08T10:46:00.000-04:00

Trey and Meagan got married.. October 23, 2010
Patrck and Payden were in a TV series... Feb. 19th, 2011

Another curve in the road.

2011-04-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

May 13, 2011 my Content Specialist job is ending. My contract was for nine months and I was fortunate to work in a business setting. I have never experiences such a calm and quiet work place. Being a teacher for 32 years, this place was heaven for me for nine months. In fact it kind of spoiled me. I was able to go to lunch and shop. Now I guess it is time to go back into the place I am most comfortable: school.
I do not know where we will be for the next part of our life, and I am glad I have my health and my kids are flexible. So here we go on another adventure....

A year later and many things under our feet.

2011-01-20T11:30:00.000-05:00

Well the stay in Costa Rica did not prove to be what we expected. We have spent a year regrouping. We came back to nothing but family and friends. We have laid our head in places I never thought I would find myself. I have learned that you can survive on very little material things. I learned how tough Patrick and Payden are and what survivors we all are. I am grateful for friends and family that have helped us slowly find our way. We are not there yet but it is a journey, and we never know where we will be in four months. I have decided that Cary is way too expensive for us and I can't afford daycare, so after school is out we will try to see where my next job will take us.

Time is getting closer

2009-12-15T13:01:00.001-05:00

Almost time.. for us to get our Big Christmas present... Costa Rica...
We leave December 25 for Costa Rica and will start looking for a furnished house. It has been a long process and needless to say we are exhausted. I appreciate the love that was given to us from our Riverwood Friends, hospitality from Trey, and JoAnn and Pam's kindness. We will remember the help that was given for many years.

All is gone and we wait..

2009-11-06T05:38:00.000-05:00

Mr. Wilson left for his new home last Friday. He will be living in Washington North Carolina. Needless to say a part of our heart left also. Mr. Wilson was known far and wide for his behavior. I know the dog catcher won't miss Mr. Wilson but we will. We heard Mr. Wilson has acquired a fancy wardrobe at his new residence.

Flipping over the move

2009-10-10T12:04:00.000-04:00

Wow it has been a long time

2009-09-23T14:58:00.000-04:00

I just logged into this site and realized how long it has been since I was here.
School has started and the two little ones continue to do their best. Isn't that enough. The older I get the bigger the picture gets for me.. I want them to be more than a student with a text book.... I want them to be a lover of difference... I hope I help them achieve this dream. Payden got in the car the other day... and said " My bookbag is HEAVY" I said "Why" and she said "Cause I got my TEXTING Books"
Ha... Generation gap.... I thought I would WET My pants...
They are playing soccer and just being kids.. I love the chance to parent again, and thank God I will get to go to Costa Rica in January to Live for at least 3 years. maybe longer, maybe we will move again to another country. My kids are just as adventurous as I am... I hope to instill that for a lifetime..

Hanna is in town.

2009-07-19T19:42:00.001-04:00

If this child doesn't go to Hollywood then nobody will.. She is headed straight for success.

Pictures say it all,,,, a child becomes complete...

2009-07-02T22:47:00.000-04:00

A daughter and dad unite for the first time in 8 years. What a wonderful day God arranged. Thank you Ariel and Brandon for being two great people Payden loves. You have made her complete now.. Thank you Wanda for your son and thank you Ariel for loving this child to think about what was best for her.

Our Last time together at RDU before the girls left...

2009-07-02T22:42:00.000-04:00

No pictures , Just alot of thoughts

2009-06-23T23:57:00.000-04:00

The exchange girls are home safely and we miss them, but their names are mentioned daily. They will forever be apart of our family and memories. I feel like they are mine and I will see them again. We had our share of moments, but doesn't everyone. They are wonderful teenagers and I enjoyed having them to experience Prom, friends and high school life. I missed that with my oldest daughter so I was very emotional to be apart of their life. Lots of tears were shed at Raleigh Durham International Airport on June 19th.
My oldest son Trey has an interview for a job on Thursday and I am praying if it is God's will , he gets the job. I would love to have him close, so he can be a role model for Patrick. I am a lucky mom to have a son like this.
Next on our list is a Biggy... Payden is going to Richmond June 29th to meet her birth dad. It has been 8 years since she was conceived and he has been asking God to give him the chance to be a part of her life. I am very excited about this, as Ariel thought it was the right time for the meeting. Payden is a special little girl with alot of questions and I feel she is a gift for all of us to share. I thank Ariel every night for this opportunity to be her adoptive mom, and now I can thank Brandon for this is a child no one forgets.
In her words "now I have 2 white mommas, and 2 black daddies." Wow what more can a child ask for? Ha.
This will be a great day for all of us. Thank you God for giving us the heart to know she is your child and you want us to all love her and keep her interest at the center. You have brought us together and we will honor that.
It is hard sometimes to do the right thing, but in the end you know it's going to be okay because God has his hand in it.
Please God let me remember to do what is right......
Momma Pat

Picnic, Picnic Picnic

2009-06-16T10:20:00.000-04:00

We have been very busy with the adoption picnic, the exchange picnic and getting ready for Ting and Carol to go home. We can't believe the year is over for them and they are finished with one year of school in America. We are having a going away party for them tomorrow. Everyone has changed and grown with this experince.
We fell in love with these girls.

Clayton's Adoptioon! :'(

2009-05-17T18:30:00.000-04:00

Giving out Mr.Clayton our big bear!

With Mr.Lance. Clayton's new daddy!

They were doing good!

Say bye Mr. Clayton :'(

Clayton is new and afraid..

Little girl Payden was so sad about Clayton's leaving.

Mr. Lance was trying to feed him.

Clayton was looking at his new house!

Poor lady! She missed her boyfriend!

And Wilson really needs a haircut!

Happy Mother's DAY!!!

2009-05-10T19:07:00.001-04:00

Sisi! Sweet girls and thank you Pat MOM!

Smile! :] Thank you mother!

Trey! Smile!

Happy family with full love!

Let's peace!

We are sweet we know! haha Happy Mother's day!

Sweet Ting's strawberry cheese cake!:] Love you Pat!

Sweet Carol's muffins! and with my balloon! haha~

In the end, Trey buddy's family pic frame! Treeeee u r sweet!