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Thursday, January 3, 2013

What Will 2013 Bring?

Patrick and I rang in the New Year in fine fashion. In our pajamas, in
bed, waiting for the clock to strike midnight, so we could toast with
our sparkling grape juice and fall fast asleep! Exciting right!?! Oh
well, we did not mind too much. We watched the ball drop at 11, and
then the countdown was on. I am pretty sure Patrick would have slept
through it if I had not insisted that he stay awake until 12. Soon
after, we were fast asleep! Pretty exciting, huh!?

What are the Lowery’s hoping for in 2013… Well, it depends on who you
ask. When Patrick and I had this conversation the other day, his top
answers: to have a hole in one and meet Tiger Woods! Love it, that’s
my husband. In all honesty, I really hope he does have a hole in one.
It would be really cool!

But, with all joking aside we hope to grow closer to God as we grow
closer to each other. This was talked about in our marriage counseling
(almost 3 years ago now), and we take it to heart. We really do strive
to do this every day, however, we know we fall short. But, it will
always be what we work towards. We also hope we are able to start a
family soon. If you know me, you know I have dreamed about being mom
for a very long time. Patrick and I are excited about the future, but
for now we pray and wait for God’s timing. We also want to be people
who make a difference, who live healthy lifestyles, and always
maintain integrity.  Life is not always easy, and things do not always
go our way, but we want to be people of character. As always, we have
high hopes for 2013. Sometimes I can get fearful wondering what the
year will hold, but then I remember I may not know what is in store
for us this year, but I know who holds our future. And with HIM all
things are possible, and we will get through the good and hard times.
It truly is a comforting thought and what Faith is all about.

We wish you and your family a very Happy New Year! We pray for His
greatest blessings this year!

(Can you believe it, two consecutive blog posts!!!, Don’t get too
excited, it might not happen again :-)!)

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2012 Holiday Adventures/ 2013 Is Here!


Happy New Year!
2012 has gone, and 2013 is here.

Hard to believe it is already the start of a New Year. It really is
crazy how fast time goes. So, I definitely didn’t succeed in blog
writing in 2012. But, maybe I will get better in 2013. I figured if I
just tried to blog at least once a month that would be progress. I
will try and do better than that, but at least once a month is my goal
to start off with.

The Lowery’s had their ups and downs in 2012, but we are beyond
blessed. I survived my three trips to Wisconsin, learning a lot and
becoming certified in EPIC Prelude, and Patrick now has a new job.
Woohoo! It was hard to understand why other jobs had not worked out,
but God was setting up just the right place for him. He is now at
Forrest General Hospital as their social media and marketing
specialist. It really is a dream job. He loves, and it and we are
beyond thankful for this opportunity. The Lord has surely seen us
through this year.

We had a wonderful holiday season filled with lots of travel, family,
and friends. We celebrated in Birmingham, on the coast, and here in
Hattiesburg. It is so hard to find a time for everyone to be together,
but it makes those moments even sweeter. I know not everyone gets the
chance to spend time with their loved ones over the holidays, so I am
especially grateful for those opportunities.

Two weekends before Christmas we spent time in Birmingham with my
mom’s parents (Grandma and Poppa) and our good friends CT and Kara. We
had good food, and great fellowship. There is never a dull moment with
Grandma and Poppa! We also got to see Uncle Johnny, Nancy, and Anna on
our way out on Sunday. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and only
wish it could have been longer. 
The weekend before Christmas we spent on the coast with Patrick’s
family. We were sad that Uncle Tommy and his family could not be
there, but we had a good time with Nana and Doll. We even played Dirty
Santa with his family. I should have stolen a gift I was sure to love
instead of opening one, but I’m just too nice. But, all in all it was
good fun. We were also able to see Patrick’s great grandparents too.
They still amaze me; they are doing really well to be in their late
nineties. On Sunday before we traveled back to Hattiesburg we had
lunch with his dad’s side of the family. Steamed Shrimp, was on the
menu… yum! It was nice to be able to see everyone while we were there! 
After Christmas on the coast we were back home for Christmas in
Hattiesburg. We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve service with the
entire family, had a nice dinner together, and exchanged gifts. I must
say everyone was so generous (on both sides of the family).
Patrick and I did most of our presents from each other Christmas Eve
night because we knew we were getting up early Christmas morning to
see everyone before Mom, Dad, Lori, and James left for Birmingham, and
Adam, Amy, and Cameron went to her parents.
I knew that I was getting a MacBook Air, which I LOVE!!! And Patrick
added a polka-dot case to it as well! (He knows me well.) I’m so
excited to have a good computer, but Patrick was in great shock when
he opened his Timberton Membership. It was priceless, and I am so
thankful I was able to do that for him.  It is worth every penny. 
Christmas morning we woke up to storms. It was going to be a rainy
day. Patrick and I opened our stockings at home before we left to see
what “Santa” brought us at Mom’s and Dad’s. Once again Santa was very
generous. It was really wonderful for everyone to be together. Special
times and special memories. Cameron of course was the life of the
party. He is so sweet, and so fun to play with. He just melts our
heart. He loves his Uncle Pat-Pat, always calling him by name, and I
think for now I am Lola. As long he knows who I am, he can call me
whatever he would like (within reason of course).
The morning went by too fast and everyone was on their way to different places. Patrick
and I enjoyed some time together at our house, and then we went to one
of my dad’s brother’s house for Christmas dinner. Mimi even went with
us. It was GREAT food, and fellowship. The storms were rolling in, so
we dropped Mimi off at her house, and made it back to our house before
it was time to get into the bathroom. The threat of tornadoes was
strong. I am glad that we were all okay from the storms.

Patrick and I finished Christmas Day with the movie “The Holiday”. It
truly was a wonderful holiday season for us. Patrick and I are
tremendously blessed. The next day it was back to work for us!
(Welcome to the Real World)

However, Christmas was not quite over… on the 28th we had the Knight
Christmas and celebrated Mimi’s and Pop’s 60th Wedding Anniversary!
What a testimony and example to follow. There love is still as evident
as ever. I hope Patrick and I love each other that much after 60
years! It was a crazy, fun day. Everyone was there except Shanna’s
husband who had to work. That is a blessing by itself. I loved playing
with all the kids and catching up with the older ones. Everyone is
really growing up… I guess that happens… Just hard to believe.

And now here we are….2013….

What are your hopes for this year? Stay tuned, I promise to be back to
tell you how we rang in the near year, and what we hope for in 2013.

Our Christmas Tree

We got to see David Phelps in Concert!
It was wonderful!

Patrick with his Nana and Doll

The original Lowery Clan

Adam, Amy, and Cameron

Cameron loved opening presents

Cameron and I
(Love him)

Cameron loves his Uncle Pat-Pat

Christmas Day

Mimi and Pops on their 60th Wedding Anniversary!