Pretty in Pigtails

Will Lily be the next quarterback of the family? (making Papa Neal proud...)


She's walking!!!


One of her many bunnies

(Thanks Aunt Missa for snapping these shots.)

Splish Splash...

A Visit from "Uncle" Afshin

We got to spend some time with our favorite honorary uncle, Afshin Ziafat, this weekend. We go way back with Afshin. He was the college minister at Prestonwood the summer that Josh and I started dating (1998). Now he is based out of Houston but mostly travels with his own speaking ministry. Afshin has an amazing testimony...Born Muslim, he and his family fled Iran when he was very young. An English tutor gave him a Bible when he was in elementary school, a time when most shunned him because of his ethnicity. Later in high school, Afshin rediscovered the Bible and trusted Christ. When his father, a prominent Muslim doctor, found out about his conversion, he disowned his son. Afshin literally had to choose between his earthly father and his heavenly father. He chose to trust his heavenly father though it meant giving up a relationship with his dad. He moved to Dallas and interned at Prestonwood for a while before becoming the college pastor and then later developing his own speaking ministry. Now he travels around the country and internationally to share the gospel. By God's grace his relationship with his father has been restored, and Afshin continues to hope and pray for his dad's salvation. (Hope I got all that right, Shin!)
Anyways, we love Afshin and what God is doing in and through his life. I'm sure he would appreciate your prayers as he continues to fulfill God's call on His life. We hope he comes to visit again soon!

It's Good to Have Friends

We all need good friends to share life's sweet moments with (even if it is a frog and a bunny).

Christmas Cruise

Aunt Missa graduated with her Masters the week before Christmas so we headed down to Mexico to celebrate. Lily's first trip to the ocean! At first, she was a little unsure of the water, but before long she was splashing away!




Daddy, Papa Neal, Aunt Missa, Mommy, Nonnie, Uncle James, Lily

Lily's first Christmas

Lily didn't exactly "get it" this year (although she did enjoy the paper and bows quite a bit!) But it was still fun reading her the Christmas story (while she squirmed in my lap) and watching the grandparents ooh and ahh over her.

We were so blessed to spend time with all of our family this Christmas.
Granny (Josh's grandma)

Nan (Nat's grandma)

Grampers

Grandma Jane

Lolli

Uncle Jared

Bad Hair Day

Cabinets and Cruising

Here's Lily walking (with the help of Aunt Missa.) She's been "cruising" now for quite a while. Give her a finger to hold, and she'll lead you all over the house. On Tuesday night, she took 5 steps all by herself!

Showing off her first purse. We have officially begun the "girly" stage.

This is Lily's cabinet. It's full of indestructable plates, cups, spoons, and her "toy" of choice: tupperware. Her favorite pasttime is emptying things: cabinets, baskets, purses: whatever she can get into before mom can stop her.

It's about time...

The Pattersons are officially "blogging!" After enjoying so many of our friends' blogs, we just had to start our own. For those we haven't touched base with in a while, here's a quick update:

*This June will be our 4 year anniversary. (the best years of Josh's life)
*We have been at our church, the Village, almost 3 years. Josh serves as executive pastor and loves his "job". We have been blessed with so many friends there to do life with, and God is doing amazing things through the church.
*Sweet Lily Marie Patterson was born last March, weighing 7 lb. 8 oz, 19 1/4 in. long, with a full head of dark hair. We are so in love with her. She is the first grandbaby on both sides of the family, so needless to say, she gets plenty of attention. With all her grandparents here in Dallas, there's never a shortage of babysitters!
*Josh graduated from DTS in May...finally! He officially has his "Masters" now (as he constantly reminds us all.)
*Nat didn't return to teaching this year and is staying home with Lily...yay! What a joy it is to be able to watch her discover new things all the time.

Stay tuned for pictures of what life is like for Miss Lily everyday.