Oh Bother....

Somedays you just find yourself feeling like pooh bear....a bear of very little brain.

In other news....James passed his test! Thanks to those who prayed :) **happiness**

Birthdays, An Anniversary, Cleaning in the Mornings and Whatnot...

July is full of important days for the Beeman and Gallaghers!

The 23rd was a birthday for my little sister in law - AND my little brother in law! Naomi and Jonathan were born on the same day, two years apart! Pretty neat, I think! I believe too, that it was their Grandparent's birthday as well-but I'm not sure about that one :)

So, Happy (belated) 15th birthday to Naomi..... and Happy (belated) 13th birthday to Jonathan.... My little sister and brother!! :) Love you guys!!!

The very next day, July 24th was my parents 31st wedding anniversary!!! Happy (belated) anniversary to you! Love you both!!

In other news-cleaning your kitchen doesn't seem as bad in the morning, as it does in the afternoon or evening! :) Today I actually got up and stayed up. Patrick started awhile ago just staying contentedly in his crib in the mornings-so I can SLEEP IN! However, I got up today to make James' lunch and like I said, stayed up. This made it possible for me to do some things before I normally would-which felt very nice, indeed! Then, after Patrick's bath, I took pictures of him in one of his new outfits (from my mom) Later on, we walked (well, P rode in the stroller ;) ) to Albertsons for bananas and a few other things. Now the little Paddywhack is asleep, and I am updating blogs and surfing the web. James is having his last day of class today - and he has his test. Please pray for him, if you think of it! There have been some hard things to learn, and he has stayed up late on a few nights studying. Hopefully he will pass!!!

If you want to see some new pictures, check out P's blog:www.life-with-patrick.blogspot.com

Hope everyone has a lovely day!

Life is moving right along.....

Not much to report....I am keeping up Patrick's blog with photos of our day to day life-as well as some fun outings-so you can always check there to see what is up!

Life is moving right along. We have been in the apartment now for over 7 months. Amazing.

Only a little over 4 more months left. Hopefully we can move after that. It's a great complex, actually, but I want a house - with windows and a yard - and without three flights of stairs to climb every time I want to go outside or inside :) lol

We'll see what the Lord wants for us in the future. We are looking for houses in Rockwall or there about-and garland, too. We really want something sort of in the country-or at least with a bit of space about it, but that may have to be later on down the road.

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I keep seeing little babies-places we go, on the Internet (friends who were expecting) I am going through a baby bug season :) Such tiny little things-and oh so precious! Makes me wish for one-or for my Jamie.

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It's James' day off today, but he is gone right now. So here I sit :) Patrick is sleeping. He was so tired. I was considering going to the zoo while James was out doing what he needed to, (J would have dropped us off and then gone to his thing) but it just wasn't the wisest choice for today. I so love getting out and going places, though! James took us on a short jont before he had to leave, which was really sweet of him.

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Patrick is really leaving his babyhood behind. Little traces of it still linger (like his pacifier, lol!) but I know he is quickly transferring over to total toddler-hood. It's fun and sad all at the same time :) I love the times in the rocking chair, when he lets me just hold him and cuddle.

Yesterday at Church, we sat him in a chair of his own for some of the service. He was so cute! I'm afraid James and I are totally smitten with him! Who could know how much you could love someone, and how much joy one little human could bring into your life?! I think being a parent is amazing.

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Well, that's about it for now. Take a look at P's blog if you haven't lately! I put lots of new pics and a few videos up. The ones of him in the bathtub are SO funny, in my humble opinion! :)

Our Anniversary Snake

Since I accidentally deleted all our anniversary pictures (except one that I had saved earlier...) I want to write about it so I'll remember it!

Of course there is one part I won't forget. First, because I have a picture of it. Second, because it's rather unforgettable! ;)

But let me start at the beginning!

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July 3rd, 2007 - our 3rd anniversary.

We spent the morning at home, doing various things to prepare for our little overnight get-away together. It started out as a cloudy day, and soon the rain began to fall. It was really pouring!

As I was working on writing out some info about Patrick (for my parents who would be babysitting) the phone rang. It was my Dad, who said that they might be stuck at home, due to flooding. After hanging up, James and I started trying to figure out a plan B or C, in case they were indeed stuck.

Thankfully everything there worked out, and around 12:30 my parents safely arrived. James was out running errands at this point (and getting a much needed hair cut!) so I went over the "Patrick notes" with my mom and dad.

Around 2:45 or so James arrived back-with a vase of beautiful red roses and purple "filler" flowers of some sort. We talked some more, took a few pictures etc. etc. then said goodbye to our little baby boy-and were off.

We stopped first at the conoco for gas and drinks (and gummy bears) Then we were really off. :)The sun was shinning now, which was very nice-and similar to what the weather had done on our Wedding Day, too.

After awhile the clouds came back and it started to rain. Then we got in some awful traffic. It was about 45 min that we sat there on the highway, inching along-and sweating in our no ac car. We listened to James' MP3 player, one headphone thingy in each of our ears (there's no radio in our lovely car either :) )

Finally though the traffic cleared and we made our way to Lockheart Gables.

We were taken upstairs to "our" love nest-where we have gone for the last 3 July 3rds.

I love all the special things they do-not to mention the beautiful room! There were the heart shaped and VERY YUMMY cookies-one with my name and one with James', and one saying "Three wonderful years."

Before too long we headed out for dinner at the Macaroni Grill. We had a very fun time together, and the food was very good.

That evening we relaxed and even got in some of a movie.

The next morning (July 4th!) we slept in and then enjoyed breakfast in our room. It was SO good. The owner let us know that they would be gone at check out time, and we could stay longer if we wanted.

We had a nice long soak in the heart shaped jacuzzi, then prepared to wash our hair.

I reached to pull the curtain around the tub, and as I did, I saw a SNAKE fall into the water with us! I was shocked and soon shrieked! James didn't really know what had happened, but he yelled "Get Out!" which I did with great agility. :)

I sprung over the side of the jacuzzi and landed on my feet on the floor. After James had gotten out, he proceeded to kill our little intruder with my shampoo bottle. He was a little guy-but still a snake. And a snake is a snake-especially when he's in a jacuzzi with you!

After that we washed our hair in the sink and packed up to leave :)

We then drove to Plano where we dropped off our rings for cleaning, resizing and engraving!

It was so fun to be reunited with little Paddy boy! His face when he saw us was so sweet!!

We had a lovely time together, despite our little snake adventure. We really appreciate my parents taking such wonderful care of our son.

It was a wonderful 3rd anniversary!

A Successful Surprise!

I planned a small surprise party for James' 30th birthday, and actually manged to really surprise him! I was so glad about that! :)

I could not of done it without the help of my dear family though! My brother and sister in law reserved a pavilion at a park near their house-and opened up their home, too! They helped with preparation and grilling the food,clean up - all kinds of things!

My mom and mother in law helped out with food-buying and cooking, decorating, clean up etc. etc. - and my mom babysat so I could do errands.

I'm very grateful to God too, for taking the rain away for the party and sending out the sun! :)

It was so fun to surprise James, and the party was lots of fun-despite Patrick being so over tired and rather a big grouch! :)

It was James' first surprise party-I can hardly believe we managed to surprise him! It was a little tricky, but it worked out. I loved seeing his face when he started to realize what was happening! (after we arrived at the park, and he saw some family) Such a fun time! :):):)

Our Busy Beginning of July - An Important Birthday for James!

Have we ever been busy! It all started last Friday, when we decided at the last minute to make a trip to TN. We left around 8:30 and arrived around 6:30 the next morning! We had a wonderful time visiting our dear friends the Smiths. More pictures will be posted later on Patrick's blog! :)Then arrived our 3rd anniversary on the 3rd! My parents came to stay with Patrick while James and I went back to "our" B&B in Fort Worth. We've spent every July 3rd there since our Wedding Day! We had a lovely time together. Sadly I deleted all our pictures by accident though :( - except I manged to save one--this one: Stay tuned for the story of our anniversary snake! ;)

The Next day was July 4th! We spent most of the day together while my parents had little P. (THANK YOU Grandmerry and Poppie! You did an EXCELLENT job!)

We dropped our rings off for cleaning, resizing (I went from a 8 1/4 to a 6! Yahoo!) and engraving. We wanted to get them engraved when we were married, but decided to wait. I'm SO excited that we finally did it this year! :)

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and now, today.

July 6th, 2007.

Today is my husband's birthday - and not just ANY birthday - it's his 30th!!!

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY, JAMES!!!

Here's just a little peek into the 30 years he has lived so far!

James was born July 6th, 1977. He wishes he could have been born on 7-7-77, but oh well! God has a perfect plan for his life, and picked the 6th for his birthdate! He was born the third child of what would become eight in the following years. He was the second boy of 4.

When he was little, he went to ACE schools, later, his family switched to homeschool, using ATIA (ATI)....

Here he is, little "Jimmy" on his 2nd birthday - 1979

Here he is with Joseph, his brother right below him. They were best-est little buds! :)L-R Jordan, Joseph, James and Dad Gallagher
James holding his baby brother, Jonathan!James and Joseph, a little older here! :)
In 1992, I met James for the first time. I was 10 and he was 15...many fun years followed, and finally in Dec 2001 (Christmas night!) we started courting!...
...and in July of 2004 we were married!!!

James loves music - specifically baroque music. He plays the violin beautifully -and loves to improvise (and is excellent at it too, I might add! ;) )

He has played with lots of groups - the Dallas Bach Society, New Trinity Baroque, Orchestra of New Spain - in lots of different places. He even played (with others) for the King and Queen of Spain! (although not in Spain! :) )

James is a wonderful husband and father! I always loved his gentleness and sweetness with me - and now I see it with our son, too! Just last night he went to check on Patrick before we went to sleep. He came out and told me how P was making these little noises - then he said "I'm going to check on him again, and pray for him...." I thought that was so sweet!

Besides being so sweet and kind, James is also very manly and strong! People wouldn't always think he is strong, but he is! VERY! and he loves sports, and is very good (and competitive!) at them! I'm looking forward to him teaching and playing sports with Patrick!

In 2006 we began to feel that a job switch might be needed. James went from music teaching and performing to learning how to be a Technical Support guy at Weirs Furniture.

He is doing a wonderful job learning something new-I'm so proud of him! Already he has passed the tests to get his A+ training!!

I'm grateful to him also, for working so hard to provide for us - and setting his dreams aside for awhile. I really hope that someday he can do more with music than he is able to right now.

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....and now he is 30! Hard to believe we've known each other for almost 15 years now! Half James' life!

I have many precious memories of your 20's, James! I look forward to the memories we will make while you are in your 30's - even though you left me behind in my 20's!

I love you, James! HAPPY 30TH!! God bless you!!!

Three Years Ago...

Three years ago, July 3rd, 2004, I married my James...

It was the beginning of a whole new life for me. I left my parents home, and went to a home of my own. The boy I had loved so very much before, was now my husband. I belonged with him.

Our wedding day was wonderful and beautiful! I remember talking all about it while flying to Oregon together....what sweet memories!

Forever Newlyweds....forever!

The Wedding Party! All my girls!

We so appreciate the sacrifices of our family and friends on that day! What would we have done without them?? We were truly blessed by them.

My Groom....getting ready for his wedding!

Love is a wonderful thing...Thank you for it, God! Thank You for my wonderful, wonderful husband. I know I am blessed. I'm so in love with him...My handsome boy :) About to depart for our honeymoon - the new Mr. and Mrs. James Gallagher!!! Amazing that it's already been three years since we sailed away from that Greenville highschool in our little ford tempo!

I remember all the adjustments at first! I also remember sweet Betty Scott's words to me in her wedding card "...the Lord will draw you closer and closer through the adjustments (we are all humans!) until you are able to look around and think - You are "my family" now, you are the one I miss when we are apart, you are who I'd rather be with than anyone else in the world!"

I was comforted by those words in 2004 - and in 2007 I can say how right she is! Marriage is a wonderful journey - one in which loves just grows stronger with time, by God's grace and through His strength. It is indeed one of His most wonderful and fun gifts to us, Betty!

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Other July 3rds of ours :)

Our 1st Anniversary - and pregnant with Patrick!

Our 2nd Anniversary - holding our sweet little Paddy Whack -almost 7 months old!What a beautiful life we have had these last three years! I love making memories with you while on this journey, James. I love it that you are the one beside me each step of the way....In the kitchen late at night, getting a drink of apple juice.....sneaking together into Patrick's room, to peer over his crib and gaze at our baby together....telling me everything is going to be ok.....laughing with me.....making me laugh.....taking trips together....I just love life with you!!

Thank you for your patience with me-thank you for being able to read me so well-and being willing to smile and say "You need some sleep" when I'm an awful grouch!

Thank you for putting up with all my "great expectations" for you! Thank you for leading us, and for your love for our Lord.

Thank you for your commitment to me. Thank you for thinking I'm beautiful, and telling me so. Thank you for loving me....just me.....Thank you for marrying me. I'm glad you did ;)

HAPPY 3rd ANNIVERSARY!!